Kia Optima Complaints (2002)

107 consumer complaints on file.

#10605793June 24, 2014
STEERING, SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
SUBFRAME IS RUSTING OUT AND MY TIRES ARE GETTING ABNORMAL WEAR AND MY FRONT TIRES ARE ANGLED IN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10587615May 10, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION
MY TIRE HAD STARTED BENDING INWARD AT THE TOP, AND OUTWARD AT THE BOTTOM. MY CAR STARTED GOING OUT OF ALIGNMENT. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP, AND THEY FOUND OUT MY SUB FRAME WAS RUSTED AND WORN OUT. THEY ALSO FOUND OUT THAT THE SUB FRAME HAD BEEN RECALLED IN 2009, BUT APPARENTLY NOT ON MY EXACT VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10577438April 4, 2014
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V183000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10572509March 14, 2014
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, STRUCTURE:BODY
FRONT DOOR FAILS TO UNLOCK AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. DOOR MUST BE UNLOCKED WITH A KEY, USING THE POWER LOCKS OR MANUALLY FLIPPING THE DOOR LOCK DOESN'T DO IT, AND THE KEY ONLY UNLOCKS IT APPROXIMATELY 1 OUT OF EVERY 20 TRIES. THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ONLINE, SEE FOR INSTANCE: HTTP://WWW.KIA-FORUMS.COM/1G-2G-2001-2006-MAGENTIS-OPTIMA/47179-2004-OPTIMA-DOOR-LOCK-FAULT.HTML. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10564475February 15, 2014
STEERING
I RECEIVED A CALL FROM MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER THAT SHE HAD A FLAT TIRE ON HER FRONT DRIVER SIDE. SHE IS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN THE DARK AND COLD I GOT DRESSED WENT THERE AND CHANGED IT, SO GO THE NEXT MORNING AND TAKE A LOOK AT IT IN LIGHT WHAT I FOUND IS VERY UPSETTING, THE WHOLE FRAME WHERE LOWER CONTROL (ARM BOLTS ON COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. I FOUND OUT THAT AFTER RESEARCH A FACTORY RECALL WAS ON IT, I CALLED AUFFENBURG KIA IN CAPE GIRARDEAU MISSOURI I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR HAD BEEN RECALLED AND REPAIRED IN 12/28/0 9 AND I COULD BRING IT THERE BUT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TOO FIX IT BECAUSE OF ITS ALREADY BEEN DONE BEFORE, I SAID WHY DID IT HAPPEN AGAIN HE WOULDN'T GIVE ME A ANSWER EXCEPT THAT THE COMPUTER SAID IT WAS OK AND I COULDN'T SPEAK WITH HIS BOSS UNTIL NEXT WEEK. I SAID WHAT IF MY DAUGHTER DIED IN A WRECK BECAUSE OF IT ALL HE SAID WAS KIA WOULD SAY THAT THEY ALREADY FIXED IT AND WOULD NOT BE LIABLE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IF ANYTHING I CAN DO ABOUT THIS OR AM I JUST OVER A BARREL WITH KIA AND THERE JUNK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10563976February 12, 2014
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10553976November 27, 2013
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, SUSPENSION
WE HAVE HAD ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH A 2002 KIA OPTIMA, INCLUDING TIRE WEAR, BRAKE PROBLEMS, ELECTRICAL ISSUES, EXCESSIVE BATTERY WEAR. THIS WEEK WE WERE NOTIFIED BY OUR AUTO SHOP THAT THERE IS EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE SUBFRAME AND THAT A RECALL EXISTS FOR THIS CONDITION. WHEN I CONTACTED BOTH OUR LOCAL DEALER AND KIA CORPORATE, I WAS TOLD THAT THIS PARTICULAR VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, ALTHOUGH THE RECALL CLEARLY STATES THAT IT DOES MEET THE PARAMETERS. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, IT APPEARS THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS AND BEEN GIVEN THE SAME INFORMATION. CURRENTLY, WE ARE LEFT WITH A CAR THAT IS A DANGER TO DRIVE AND ENORMOUS PERSONAL EXPENSE TO RESOLVE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10545763September 28, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAVE ALSO BEEN STATED AS "NOT INCLUDED". 2002 KIA OPTIMA V6 LX. THE VEHICLE SHAKES MY ENTIRE BODY UPON BRAKING. RADIO TURNS ON AND OFF. RADIO GOES FROM CD1 ERROR TO FM. LIGHTS FLICKER, AIR SHUTS OFF. IM ALMOST NOT ABLE TO PUMP GAS ANYMORE. PUMP HANDLE CONTINUOUSLY CLICKS OFF. ITS PATHETIC THAT I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE TO WORK!! I HAVE ACTUALLY CALLED IN FOR FEAR OF IT JUST DECIDING TO COMPLETELY STALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10543790September 16, 2013
STEERING, SUSPENSION, POWER TRAIN, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
WHILE I WAS DRIVING I HAD NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. I HAD NEW TIRES AND AN ALIGNMENT DONE 5-6 WEEKS PRIOR, SO I RETURNED TO THE SHOP AND THEY LOOKED AT EVERYTHING AND THE FRONT END WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. THE SHOP LOOKED FURTHER TO SEE WHAT CAUSED THIS AND FOUND THAT THE RIGHT FRONT FRAME AREA WAS RUSTED AND CRACKED. THEY ADVISED ME THAT THE CAR WAS NOT SAVE AND THAT I SHOULD CONTACT KIA. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR HOME AND THE CAR PULLED DRASTICALLY TO RIGHT AND I HEARD A CRUSHING NOISE FROM THE RIGHT TIRE AREA. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND SAW THAT THE TIRE WAS NOT POSITIONED PROPERLY. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY RESIDENCE AND AM IN THE PROCESS OF CONTACTING KIA. I WAS LUCKING TO NOT HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, AFTER READING SOME OF THE OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A NATIONAL RECALL ON THIS SITUATION. ACCORDING THE RECORDS THAT I HAD CHECKED I AM ONLY THE 2ND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. I HOPE THAT KIA MAKES GOOD ON THIS SITUATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10533885August 6, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN YOU TURN MY CAR ON IT DOES NOT WANT TO TURN OFF. WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING THE CAR IT SUDDENLY SHUTS OFF AND STOPS. I HAVE READ SIMILAR REPORTS OF THE SAME THING HAPPENING AND UNDER THE RECALLS IT LISTS THIS AS A COMPLICATION. I HAVE CALLED KIA AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN NUMBER DOESN'T HAVE A RECALL ON IT AND WAS TOLD THAT ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE OUT OF POCKET. I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE TOP HALF OF MY MOTOR COSTING ME 3500 OUT OF POCKET FOR WELL KNOW PROBLEMS AND RECALLS THAT WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS CARS VIN NUMBER I DO NOT THINK A CAR SHOULD HAVE THIS MANY ISSUES AND OR REPAIRS IN THE LAST YEAR ALONE I HAVE PUT 2 GRAND INTO THIS CAR I AM VERY UNHAPPY ABOUT THIS SITUATION EVERYTHING THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED ALREADY I HAVE HAD TO FIX IT OUT OF MY POCKET BECAUSE THIS MODEL OF CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS I DON'T FEEL LIKE THIS CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE AND I HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN WHO RIDE IN THE CAR I CAN NOT RISK MY CHILDREN'S LIVES AND HAVE THIS CAR SHUTTING OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I NEED SOMETHING DONE ABOUT ALL THE PROBLEMS GOING ON IN THIS CAR DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFAULTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10513860May 28, 2013
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK WITH THE KEY FOB OR MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THE DOOR LOCK MOTOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10502049March 8, 2013
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REFUELING, FUEL SPILLED OUT OF THE FUEL FILLER NECK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V180000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10501247March 4, 2013
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
CAR WAS MAKING STRANGE NOISE. TOOK TO MECHANIC TO HAVE CHECK. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SUBFRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH ON PASSENGER SIDE AT FRAME MOUNTS AND ALMOST RUSTED THROUGH ON DRIVERS SIDE. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF PROBLEM VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND WILL NOT ALLOW BACK ON ROAD UNTIL NECESSARY REPAIRS ARE MADE. I CONTACTED KIA AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS PARTICULAR YEAR VEHICLE WAS IN A RECALL DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THIS PARTICULAR VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED IN THE STATE OF WEST VA, AS STATED IN THE RECALL. VEHICLE IS STILL PARKED AT MECHANICS GARAGE AND I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE COMMUNICATION REGARDING THIS MATTER. I WAS TOLD BY KIA REPRESENTATIVE THAT I WOULD NEED TO CONTACT YOUR ORGANIZATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10496036February 1, 2013
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT IN A JERKING MOTION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE WAS POSITIONED OUTWARDLY. ALSO, BOTH FRONT TIRES HAD PREMATURELY WORN DUE TO THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V183000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10482815October 31, 2012
SUSPENSION, WHEELS, STEERING
THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AND AT ONE POINT THERE WAS A NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCE IN STEERING AND THE CAR PULLED TO THE RIGHT. WITHIN A FEW DAYS OF THIS EVENT, THE BRAND NEW TIRES THAT WERE PURCHASED JUST A FEW MONTHS EARLIER, WORE FROM THE INNER EDGE TO ABOUT 1/3 OF THE WIDTH OF THE TIRE, EXPOSING THE BELTS. THIS CAUSED ONE TIRE TO POP, WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN. A SPARE WAS PLACED ON THE VEHICLE TO GET IT TO A TIRE REPAIR LOCATION AND AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES OF DRIVING, THE SPARE LOST ALL TREAD AND ALSO POPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE TIRE REPAIR SHOP AND THE RUSTED AND BROKEN SUBFRAME WAS DETECTED. THE AREA WAS SO RUSTED THAT PORTIONS OF THE FRAME BROKE AND THE TIRES WERE NO LONGER RUNNING STRAIGHT. I CALLED KIA AND THEY TOLD ME ALTHOUGH THERE ARE RECALLS FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM ON KIA OPTIMAS FROM 2001 TO 2004, MY CAR WAS NOT IN THE RECALL BECAUSE I LIVE IN KANSAS. THE RECALL DOES APPLY TO KIAS IN MISSOURI, WHICH IS 15 MINUTES FROM WHERE I LIVE. THE KANSAS CITY AREA IS BOTH MISSOURI AND KANSAS AND THE AREA WHERE I LIVE. THE RUSTING IS ATTRIBUTED TO SALT USED DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER IN MISSOURI AND NOT ONLY IS THE SAME SALT USED IN KANSAS, BUT I ALSO DRIVE IN MISSOURI. THE KIA REPRESENTATIVE STILL REFUSED TO RECOGNIZE THAT MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE PART OF THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE THAT CAUSED OTHER KIA OPTIMAS TO BE RECALLED HAS HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE. THE RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXTENDED TO KANSAS BECAUSE WE DEAL WITH THE SAME ELEMENTS AS MISSOURI AND IOWA WHICH ARE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. MY SON WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WHEN THE DAMAGE OCCURRED AND HE COULD HAVE SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURY IF HE HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY INSTEAD OF A SIDE STREET. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10479926October 12, 2012
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING SHE HEARD AN UNFAMILIAR SOUND COMING FROM THE UNDER CARRIAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED WHICH CAUSED IT TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10467009July 23, 2012
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE NEAR THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE AS THE VEHICLE DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THAT THE BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE STILL HEARD A NOISE AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 08-03-12 *BF UPDATED 09/07/2012 *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10461957June 16, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
UPON ROUTINE INSPECTION OF VEHICLE, MY REPAIR GARAGE NOTED THAT BRAKE LINES WERE QUITE RUSTED, AND STATED THAT THEY COULD FAIL SUDDENLY. IS THIS COMMON OR UNCOMMON IN A 10 YEAR OLD VEHICLE? *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10455801April 19, 2012
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE SERVICE WHEN HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V183000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,148.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10450151March 3, 2012
STEERING, STRUCTURE:BODY, WHEELS
MY 2002 KIA OPTIMA, VEERED OF THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE DUE TO A FLAT TIRE. THE TIRES HAD BEEN REPLACED THAT MORNING AND WITHIN 130 MILES ON THE HIGHWAY THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE POPPED. AS I TOOK A CLOSER LOOK I NOTICED MY WHEEL WAS SLANTED IN. I THEN HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST REPAIR SHOP WHO INFORMED ME THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. WHEN I CONTACTED KIA ABOUT THE ISSUE THEY BASICALLY SAID SORRY ABOUT YOUR LUCK. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED. NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN BY KIA IN ANY OF MY ATTEMPTS TO HAVE THEM RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. I AM, AND HAVE BEEN, STRANDED OUT OF TOWN FOR 3 WEEKS NOW WAITING ON THEM TO MAKE SOME KIND OF DECISION. THEY HAVE OVERLOOKED EVERY WORD I HAVE SAID TO THEM ABOUT THE SALT IN MY LOCATION AND THE CARS PREVIOUS LOCATIONS WHICH CAUSES SUCH CORROSION TO A POORLY MAKE VEHICLE. THE CAR ORIGINATES FROM SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WHERE SALT IS PRESENTLY IN THE AIR. IT THEN WAS REGISTERED IN OKLAHOMA AND THE TEXAS PANHANDLE, BOTH HAVING HARSH SNOWY WINTERS. THE CAR CLEARLY HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO ENOUGH SALT TO HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THIS IS KIA'S RESPONSIBILITY, YET THEY ARE DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. WHEN I CRASHED MY CAR INTO THE DITCH ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, MY LIFE WAS PUT AT RISK. THERE VERY EASILY COULD HAVE BEEN A CAR TO MY LEFT OR RIGHT OR A POLE IN THAT DITCH. KIA SHOULD HAVE FIXED THIS PROBLEM IN ALL OPTIMA'S PUT OUT DURING THE YEAR OF THE RECALL. IT IS A SERIOUS DANGER TO ANY UNAWARE DRIVER OF A 2001-2004 KIA OPTIMA. LEGAL ACTION NEEDS TO BE TAKEN AGAINST KIA. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Kia Optima