Kia Optima Complaints (2001)

143 consumer complaints on file.

#10095247October 6, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING FROM 20 MPH. VEHICLE WOULD RESTART WITHIN A FEW MINUTES. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10093710October 6, 2004
AIR BAGS, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE, SEAT BELTS, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
I WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH ON NOV 02. I WAS BROADSIDED BY A TRUCK (F150 TYPE VEH.) IN AN INTERSECTION. AS A RESULT, MY ROOF BOWED AND THE ENTIRE DRIVERS SIDE FROM WHEEL WELL TO WHEEL WELL WAS CAVED IN LIKE A HALF MOON. THE FRAME WAS PINNED UP AGAINST THE DRIVERS SEAT. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK BUT RELEASED ME AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. I SUFFERED BACK AND NECK INJURY AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMUBULANCE TO A NEARBY HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS IN STORAGE. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER NUMEROUS TIMES AS DID MY ATTORNEY. ALL WE RECEIVED WAS THE RUN-AROUND FOR APPROX. SIX MONTHS. NO RETURN CALLS, EXCUSES, UNABLE TO GET A RELEASE TO HAVE A KIA AUDITOR LOOK AT THE CAR, ETC. MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND MY ATTORNEY SENT THEM THE RELEASE TWICE AND STILL NO RESPONSE. CONSEQUENTLY, I DEPLOYED OVERSEAS (MILITARY) AND UPON MY RETURN FOUND THAT THE CAR HAD BEEN DISPOSED OF (DESTROYED). I STILL SUFFER FROM MY INJURIES AND MY ATTORNEY IS STILL HANDLING MY CASE.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10092349September 15, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD DIM WHENEVER THE A/C OR THE HEATER WAS TURNED ON. THE DEALER/MANUFACTURER BOTH AGREED THAT WAS THE NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THAT VEHICLE. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10082360July 21, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I PURCHASED MY BRAND NEW CAR ON AUGUST 31,2001. I STARTED HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS 9 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT IT. I NOW HAVE A LIST OF PROBLEMS FROM ELECTRICAL TO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, FUEL SENSORS, 2 NEW BATTERIES ETC. I HAVE A LONG LONG LIST OF REPAIRS THAT NOBODY CAN SEEM TO FIX. I AM TOLD THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN FIXED AND THEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES BACK ON AND I AM TOLD THERE ARE ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS. MEANWHILE, I HAVE BEEN STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO THESE PROBLEMS, I HAVE HAD TO BE TOWED OUT OF MY OWN DRIVEWAY TO DUE THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. I HAVE TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES TO TELL KIA CORPORATION THAT I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE ANY LONGER AND NOBODY IS LISTENING. THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM EVEN AGREES AND FEELS THIS CAR TO BE VERY UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. I HAVE TRIED TO TALK TO JOE PETAZONI(SPELLING) WHO IS SUPPOSED TO BE A KIA REPRESENTATIVE THAT WOULD DECIDE WHAT TO DO, HE HAS BEEN NO HELP AT ALL. I FEEL THAT KIA CORPORATION SHOULD BUY BACK MY VEHICLE BECAUSE OF ALL THE UNSAFE ISSUES I HAVE HAD. I FEEL I BOUGHT A LEMON AND IF I CAN'T GET ANYWHERE WITH THE COMPANY, I WILL BE FORCED TO CONTACT THE STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE REGARDING THIS LEMON OF A VEHICLE!!!!! I HAVE LEFT MESSAGES FOR DEBBIE WOJCIECHOWSKII AND SHE WILL NOT RETURN MY CALLS. I HAVE TOLD THE PEOPLE AT 800-333-4-KIA HOW UNSAFE I FEEL AND NOBODY PUTS THAT INFORMATION INTO THE SYSTEM. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10071812June 24, 2004
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS, POWER TRAIN, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE BUTTON ON THE SHIFT LEVER POPPED OUT. THE WARNING LIGHT HAD COME ON DUE TO AN OPEN CIRCUIT AND THE SEAL ON THE GAS CAP WAS DEFORMED, THERE WAS A RATTLE COMING FROM THE REAR ASH TRAY, THE FRONT WINDOW WAS INOPERATIVE DUE TO A TANGLE WIRE IN THE DRUM, THERE WERE ENGINE/ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS DUE TO THE OXYGEN SENSORS AND CRANK SENSORS, THE ABS LIGHT HAD COME ON, THE CONSOLE LID WAS LOOSE DUE TO CRACKED SCREW HOLES, THERE WAS A BODY ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVER SIDE REGULATOR, THERE WAS POOR SOUND IN THE RADIO DUE TO AN OPEN CIRCUIT. *SC THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10073292May 28, 2004
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES
MY WIFE & I OWN A 2001 KIA OPTIMA WITH POWER LOCKS. TWICE THE POWER LOCKS HAVE FAILED. THE FIRST TIME, THE LOCKS FAILED IN THAT THEY WOULD UNLOCK BY REMOTE AND IMMEDIATELY LOCK BACK PREVENTING ACCESS TO THE VEHICLE. BY KEY, ONE DOOR WOULD OPEN WHILE THE OTHER HAD TO BE OPENED FASTER THAN THE CAR COULD RE-LOCK ITSELF. THE SECOND TIME IT FAILED CONCERNED ME GREATLY. THE DEALER, PARAMOUNT KIA OF HICKORY, HAD REPAIRED THE LOCK PARTS AND SAID HE HAD SEEN THIS BEFORE & THAT IT WAS NO BIG DEAL. A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE LOCKS FAILED AGAIN TRAPPING ME IN THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. DESPITE ANY EFFORT ON MY PART, THERE WERE ONLY TWO WAYS OUT OF THE CAR: CLIMBING OVER THE SEATS TO ANOTHER DOOR OR BY HAVING MY WIFE MANUALLY UNLOCK THE LEFT FRONT DOOR WITH HER KEY WHILE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE WHILE SHE HELD THE KEY IN THE UNLOCK POSITION, SHE HAD TO OPEN THE DOOR. AS SOON AS SHE RELEASED HER GRIP ON THE KEY, THE DOOR WOULD LOCK AGAIN. OBVIOUSLY THIS WAS A MAJOR SAFETY RISK & I WOULD NOT HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO YOUR ATTENTION HAD IT NOT HAPPENED TWICE TO THE SAME CAR. I CAN SEE THE POTENTIAL FOR A FAULTY PART AND WOULD HATE TO SEE SOMEONE TRAPPED IN AN ACCIDENT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. MY CONTACT INFORMATION APPEARS BELOW. LEE TRAXLER 103 LOVERS LANE MORGANTON, NC 28655 828-437-1360 *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10067268April 16, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
CRANKSHAFT SENSOR FAILED. AS A RESULT, ENGINE STALLED. A RECALL WAS ISSUED. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10064563April 5, 2004
AIR BAGS
A LADY PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, I TRIED TO STOP, BUT I COULDN'T, I HIT HER @ 20 MPH, MY FRONT BUMPER, DEAD CENTER INTO HER LEFT FRONT TIRE. MY AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AND HERS DID. I HAVE A 2001 KIA OPTIMA LX. MY FEAR IS, IF THE CAR IS FIXABLE,WILL THE BAGS WORK OR WILL THEY COME OUT ON ME SOMETIME GOING DOWN THE ROAD. I'VE TALKED TO THE DEALER AND HAVE GOTTEN DIFFERENT STORIES ON WHERE THE SENSORS ARE LOCATED. NOW THE SAY THE AIR BAG SENSORS ARE RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE TRANSMISSION AND I DIDN'T GET HIT HARD ENOUGH TO MAKE THEM DEPLOY. WAS TOLD THAT IF I HAD BEEN GOING 80 MPH THEY WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED! *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10064628March 22, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
VEHICLE STALLED 3 TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, WHO INDICATED THAT THE TIMING BELT DISINTEGRATED, AND THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WENT OUT. THE RECALL 03V067000 WA SISSUED ON THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR BUT ONLY FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A V6 ENGINE. THIS VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A V4 ENGINE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10062062March 12, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DRIVING AND CAR JUST DIED WITH NO WARNING. ENGINE IS SEIZED. GETTING A HARD TIME FROM DEALERSHIP BECAUSE WE DO OUR OWN MAINTENANCE. REP APPROVED TAKING THE ENGINE APART TO SEE WHAT PROBLEM IS. DEALER PUT 3 GALLONS OF ANTIFREEZE IN AND IT WENT RIGHT OUT THE TAILPIPE. OIL CHANGED AND ANTIFREEZE CHECKED A WEEK BEFORE INCIDENT. WANT ME TO PAY $7 A DAY RENTAL AND PUT ME IN A RIO OR SPECTRA. I HAVE AN OPTIMA NOT A LITTLE MATCHBOX CAR. I SHOULD GET A FREE LOANER BECAUSE TOP TECH IS OUT AND IT MAY TAKE LONGER THAN USUAL TO DO REPAIRS, IF REPAIRS ARE APPROVED.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10059685February 19, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH, POWER TRAIN, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IF THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND THE TRANSMISSION DROPPING TO 3RD GEAR WHEN GOING UPHILL. *LA THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONSUMER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT POWERFUL ENOUGH TO DRIVE UPHILL IN 3RD GEAR. THE DRIVER DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR AND LATCH WAS REPLACED BECAUSE THE DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK OR REMAIN UNLOCK, THE WINDOW MADE A CHATTERING NOISE WHEN IT WAS ROLLED DOWN. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10070065January 15, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, SUSPENSION, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
I DON'T HAVE THE EXACT DATES OF THESE REPAIRS AS MY CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP RIGHT NOW BEING LOOKED AT AGAIN AND I AM GOING TO GET A HISTORY WHEN I PICK UP THE CAR, HERE ARE THE ISSUES I'VE HAD SINCE SPRING/SUMMER OF LAST YEAR. WE HAVE LOST TIME, MONEY, WAGES AND POSSIBLE EMPLOYMENT BECAUSE OF THESE PROBLEMS! 1. AIR CONDITIONER SEEMED VERY COOL, BUT NOT COLD. CHECKED TWO OR THREE TIMES, EACH TIME SERVICE DEPT. SAID IT WAS FINE. 2. CAR DIED AND WOULDN'T RESTART WITHOUT A JUMP 3 TIMES. CALLED TOWING TWICE. SERVICE COULD NOT "RECREATE THE PROBLEM." THIRD TIME THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY. SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY. FOURTH TIME (CURRENT) CAR HAD TO HAVE THE HEADLIGHTS REPLACED ONCE A MONTH, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, DOOR LOCKS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED ON THEIR OWN WHEN ENTERING/EXITING THE CAR, WINDOWS ROLLED UP/DOWN SLOWLY, BLOWER ON AIR WENT UP AND DOWN WITH ENGINE SPEED, LIGHTS BEHIND CONSOLE GO OUT AND COME ON PERIODICALLY, CLOCK LOSES TIME, HEADLIGHTS DIM WHEN USING POWER, RADIO FLASHES ON AND OFF. TODAY TOTAL SYSTEM FAILURE, ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS WENT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. TOWED CAR TO DEALERSHIP. HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET RENTAL FEES. STILL WAITING ON RESULT. 3. LOUD RATTLING UNDERNEATH CAR PERIODICALLY. 4. WHISTLING IN ENGINE 5. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON PERIODICALLY. 6. ANTENNA BROKE AND THEN FELL OFF. 7. SUSPENSION VERY POOR. 8. WHEN PURCHASING CAR, DEALER STATED AIR BAG RECALL HAD BEEN FIXED ON CAR. WHEN LOOKING ONLINE, FOUND ANOTHER RECALL ON THE CAR, CALLED KIA AND THEY SAID THE AIR BAG REPAIR HAD NOT BEEN MADE. I'VE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR 17 MONTHS AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. CURRENTLY IN CONTACT WITH LEMON LAW LAYWERS IN INDIANA TO GET TOTAL REFUND FOR CAR. ONLY PHYSICAL PROBLEM RIGHT DRIVER DOOR PANEL FROM SMALL NON-FAULT ACCIDENT, NO INTERNAL DAMAGE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10052116December 30, 2003
AIR BAGS
WHILE TURNING LEFT AT 3 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION. NONE OF THE FOUR AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED TO PROVIDE ANY WARNING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG. THE DRIVER WAS WEARING THE SEAT BELT. THERE IS A POLICE REPORT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051382December 30, 2003
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS:FRONT, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
MY SON HIT A TRUCK FROM BEHIND AT 35MPH. HE WAS DRIVING MY 2001 KIA OPTIMA. THE SEATBELTS DID NOT LOCK WHEN HIT THE BRAKES AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY SON (DRIVER) HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND WINDSHIELD. THE PASSENGER IN OUR CAR HIT THE WINDSHIELD. THE POLICE REPORT INDICATES THIS INFORMATION AND I HAVE PICTURES OF THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. THE CAR WAS TOTALED.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
3
Deaths:
0
#10046477November 6, 2003
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
POWER LOCK DOORS FAILED, WHICH TWICE TRAPPED THE DRIVER INSIDE THE VEHICLE. I HAD TO RESTART THE ENGINE, ROLLED DOWN THE POWER WINDOW, TAKE THE KEY OUT AND INSERT IT INTO THE DOOR TO UNLOCK IT FROM THE OUTSIDE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10043431October 23, 2003
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM
APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, THE GAS DIAL WOULD NOT READ FULL EVEN WHEN THE TANK WAS PRACTICALLY OVERFLOWING WITH GAS. TOOK TO THE DEALER WHO SAID IT WAS CORRECTED, HOWEVER PERIODICALLY IT WILL GO WEEKS WITHOUT READING A FULL TANK OF GAS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON PERIODICALLY FOR NO REASON AT ALL. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER WHO CAN NOT FIND PROBLEM IN SYSTEM. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10041657October 12, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
2001 KIA OPTIMA WITH APPROXIMATELY 57,000 MILES HAS BEEN REGULARLY MAINTAINED AT KIA DEALERSHIPS SINCE PURCHASE IN JAN 2002 (USED). SINCE JUNE 2003 CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED FOR NUMEROUS RECALL ITEMS. CAR HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS SINCE THEN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY LIT. ENGINE SURGES OR STALLS WHILE DRIVING. CAR FAILS TO ACCELERATE THEN SURGES. VERY HIGH RPM WITH NO ACCELERATION. ENGINE COILS MISFIRE. DIFFICULTY STARTING OCCASIONALLY. AFTER FOUR MONTHS OF FREQUENT TRIPS TO DEALERSHIP SERVICE AREA, (JUNE-OCTOBER 2003) SERVICE MANAGER CALLS TO TELL OWNER TO CONTACT INSURANCE COMPANY BECAUSE THERE IS SAND/SUGAR IN GAS TANK THAT HAS CAUSED ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS. THEY CLAIM THE CAR FALLS OUT OF WARRANTY BECAUSE OF THIS. CUSTOMER DISAGREES THAT SAND/SUGAR IS CAUSE BECAUSE PROBLEMS HAVE PERSISTED FOR FOUR MONTHS. CAR CURRENTLY IN SHOP FOR PAST 10 DAYS. DEALERSHIP SERVICE AREA WILL NOT DO ANY MORE WORK UNTIL INSURANCE PEOPLE COME. NEEDLESS TO SAY THE CUSTOMER IS NOT HAPPY. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10042023September 30, 2003
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT WARNING CONSUMER'S VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UP TO 75 MPH OR MORE, RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, WAS NOT TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE NOR WAS THERE ANY FATALITY. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10040222September 15, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
PROBLEMS WITH BATTERY, ALTERNATOR AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS.*MR CONSUMER HAD NUMEROUS FAILURES AND REPAIRS AND THE RESULTS DIDN'T WORK. ONCE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED, THE CONSUMER WAS TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE FOR ONE AND A HALF HOURS BECAUSE THE DOORS LOCKS MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO THE ALTERNATOR SHUTTING DOWN. THE DOORS WOULDN'T UNLOCK. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE A REFUND. *PH *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10033356August 23, 2003
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING
WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT WORK IN SNOW MUST BE REPAIRED OFTER .WINDOWS REGULATORS NEED TO BE REPLACED HOWEVER DEALER THAT IS SUPPOSE TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS SEEMS TO BE UNABLE TO DO SO .KIA NEEDS TO FIND SOMEONE WHO WILL REPAIR THESE PROBLEMS . VEHICLE HAS BEEN PLACED IN SHOP 5 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Kia Optima