Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#10188041April 16, 2007
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
I BOUGHT MY CAR IN AUGUST 2004, A 2004 KIA OPTIMA, AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE UNTIL ABOUT APRIL 2006. I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND I NOTICED WHEN I LEFT MY HOUSE THAT THE CAR SOUNDED A LITTLE FUNNY AND THE CLUTCH WAS GIVING ME PROBLEMS. I WAS STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT AND THE CAR JUST DIED. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT INSURED ME THAT THE CLUTCH WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND IT WOULD ONLY COST $50 AT THE MOST. THEY GAVE ME A LOANER CAR AND I WENT TO WORK. THE SERVICE MANAGER CALLED ME A COUPLE OF HOURS LATER TO INFORM ME THAT THE CLUTCH WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY AND IT WAS GOING TO COST ME $1500.00 TO FIX MY CAR. THEY FIXED IT AND I PAID. UNFORTUNATELY THAT'S NOT THE END OF THE STORY, A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER MY CAR BROKE DOWN AGAIN AND I HAD IT TOWED TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP, THEY INSTANTLY GAVE ME A LOANER CAR AND I WENT TO WORK. THEY CALLED ME A FEW HOURS LATER AT WORK TO TELL ME THAT THE CLUTCH WAS BAD AGAIN AND TRIED TO TELL ME IT WAS BECAUSE I WAS RIDING THE CLUTCH. I TOLD THEM THAT THIS WASN'T THE ONLY MANUAL TRANSMISSION I HAD OWNED. I'VE OWNED 4 MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS SOME NEW SOME MUCH OLDER AND I'VE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE A CLUTCH. THEY DID TELL ME THAT I WOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY ANYTHING BECAUSE THE NEW CLUTCH WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. ABOUT A WEEK LATER THEY CALLED TO TELL ME THAT THEY HAD INSTALLED THE CLUTCH BUT THEY FOUND THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I ASKED THEM IF IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS THE PROBLEM IN THE FIRST PLACE AND CAUSED BOTH CLUTCHES TO GO BAD BUT THEY INSURED ME THAT IT WASN'T POSSIBLE. THEY PAID FOR THE CLUTCH AND THE TRANSMISSION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10188057April 16, 2007
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A WOODEN FENCE AND ROLLED OVER THREE TIMES. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED BECAUSE THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND FILED A FULL REPORT. THE CRASH OCCURRED IN DRY CONDITIONS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE AIR BAG FAILURE, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SIDE IMPACT WAS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 84,000.*AK THE CONSUMER HAS PROVIDED MULTIPLE PICTURES OF THE ACCIDENT. UPDATE 05/10/07*TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10187230April 6, 2007
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I HAVE SAFETY CONCERNS REGARDING THIS VEHICLE. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN ENGINE DROPPED INTO 3RD GEAR AND WOULDN'T GET OUT OF IT. I HAD IT DIAGNOSED AT THE AUTO PARTS STORE AND THE SPEED SENSORS WERE SHOT. IF I KEEP DRIVING IT LIKE THIS I AM GOING TO BLOW THE TRANSMISSION, IF IT IS NOT ALREADY BLOWN! I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT, ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THEY WERE SHUT DOWN. I CALLED ANOTHER DEALER TO LOOK UP MY WARRANTY INFORMATION ONLY TO FIND THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED 1 MONTH BEFORE THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP FROM WHERE I PURCHASED IT TOLD ME THAT I WOULD BE COVERED WITH A 10 YEAR OR 100,000 MILE WARRANTY. I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR 6 MONTHS. I BOUGHT IT USED, AND IT HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE! THEY SOLD ME THIS CAR UNDER FALSE PRETENCES, AND APPARENTLY, IT IS GOING TO COST ME $180.00 TO REPLACE THIS DEFECTIVE PART. I HAVE 36,000 MILES ON THIS CAR, AND THERE SHOULD BE SOMETHING THEY CAN DO. I HAVE HAD BETTER CARS THAT HAVE RUN BETTER THAN THIS! I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER KIA AGAIN!*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10186713April 2, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2003 KIA OPTIMA'S WITH 50000 FAILURE MILEAGE LIGHTS, LOCKS, RADIO DID NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER INSTALLED A NEW ENGINE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10185301March 16, 2007
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
MY 2006 KIA OPTIMA IS NOW IN THE KIA DEALER FOR REPAIR OF THE CLUTCH, BALL BEARING, SOME TYPE OF PLATE, AND THE FLY WHEEL. THE CAR IS JUST OVER 13 MONTHS OLD AND HAS 19,000 PLUS MILES. THE COST OF THIS REPAIR IS OVER $1,700.00 WHILE THE CAR IS STILL UNDER FULL FACTORY WARRANTY. I HAVE INQUIRED ABOUT THIS TO MANY MECHANICS (BOTH CERITFIED AN NON CERTIFIED) AND NO ONE EVER HEARD OF THIS TYPE OF FAILURE ON A CLUTCH FOR A NEW CAR AT 20,000 MILES. IS THIS A CONTINOUS PROBLEM - I AM A LOST AT WHAT TO DO. I HAVE CALLED A SPOKE WITH THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRING THE CAR AND THEY SAY IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THERE IS NODEFECTIVE PARTS IN THE CAR. IT WAS FIRST BROUGHT IN FOR REPAIR ON FRIDAY MARCH 9, ON MARCH 12 I WAS TOLD FROM THAT THE CLUTCH IS TO BE REPLCED FOR 1000.00 AND WILL TAKE FEW DAYS. WHEN I CALLED AT 3:40PM OON THURSDAY MARCH 15 AND WAITED ON HOLD FOR OVER FIVE MINUTES AND HAD TO CALL BACK I WAS THEN TOLD THE FLY WHEEL FOR AN ADDITIONAL 700.00 NEEDS REPLACEMENT. I AM STUCK WITH NO 1 YEAR OLD CAR THAT TH 10 YEAR 100,000 MILE WARRANTY (AND A PURCHSED EXTENDED WARRANTY) DOES NOT COVER
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10182994February 20, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
PURCHASED BRAND NEW 2006.5 KIA OPTIMA,,,THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DOES NOT TURN ON WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT. MY WIFE WAYS 170 SO THIS IS WELL ABOVE A 130 LB LIMIT I HAVE READ ABOUT BUT NOT VERIFIED. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM BUT QUITE FREQUENT THOUGH. 9 TIMES IN LAST 2 DAYS...TOOK IT TO KIA AND THEY COULD NOT GET IT TO ACT UP AND NO CODES IN COMPUTER. THOUGH I HAVE WITNESSED THIS MALFUNCTION AT LEAST 100 TIMES NOW IN THE LAST MONTH. I TOLD THEM THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED. THEY SAID THEY CANT JUST THROW MONEY AT IT HOPING TO REPLACE THE BAD PART BY LUCK AS THE SENSORS ARE $1200.00 A PIECE AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WERE 5 SENSORS IN THE SEAT. I THEN TOLD THEM THAT THE SAFETY ASPECT OF THE CAR WAS ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS I BOUGHT IT, AND NOW IT IS NOT DEPENDABLE, I CANT TRUST IT TO PROTECT ANY PASSENGER IN THAT SEAT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183060February 20, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 5 MPH, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE ICY. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYED ON. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A KIA DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THE AIRBAG MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 7558. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED A GROUND WIRE WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 03/30/07. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10179048January 18, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* - ON 11/8/06, THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY. THE OIL PUMP EXPLODED AND CRACKED THE ENGINE BLOCK. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS. THE VEHICLE IS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE MILEAGE AT THE TIME OF FAILURE WAS 10,123 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SHORT BLOCK ON THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE VEHICLE BACK ON 12/11/06 AND ON 12/14/06 THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE ENGINE HEAD WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE, SHE HEARS A TAPPING NOISE, THE VEHICLE RUNS ROUGH WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS OVER 40 MPH. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10178425January 11, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
TL* - THE CONTACT HAS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING HIS VEHICLE AT 25 - 35MPH, HE EXPERIENCES AN ILLUMINATION PROBLEM WITH HIS LEFT HEADLIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT OPERATING CORRECTLY, THE LEFT HEADLIGHT CASTS A DARK SHADOW, WHICH HAMPERS HIS ABILITY TO SEE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THIS IS NOT JUST A PROBLEM WITH HIS CAR, BUT WITH ALL OF THE KIA MODEL CARS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT HE HAD SPOKEN WITH KIA MOTORS OF AMERICA CORPORATION ON 01/11/2007 AND WAS GIVEN A CASE NUMBER FOR HIS COMPLAINT (K1266127). KIA MOTORS OF AMERICA HAS ADMITTED THAT THE PROBLEM EXISTS IN ALL OF THE MODELS AND IS UNCORRECTABLE, AND THAT THE VEHICLE MEETS FEDERAL STANDARDS, AND THEREFORE A RECALL IS NOT IN ORDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MUST BE TAKEN OUT ON A DARK ROAD AND A LEFT TURN MADE TO SEE THE SHADOW FROM THE HEADLIGHTS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10178328January 10, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ,WHERE THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE REPAIRED THE AIR BAG SENSOR ON TWO OCCASIONS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE SENSOR WAS SUPPOSE TO DETECT A WEIGHT 90 POUNDS OR ABOVE. *AK UPDATED 2/6/2007 -*NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10178058January 8, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WIRING TO THE DRIVERS' SIDE BODY LIGHTS BLOWS THE FUSE. FUSES LAST ONLY A FEW DAYS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177694January 3, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
ABOUT A YEAR AGO THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK STUCK AND I COULD NOT OPEN THE DOOR. TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY FIXED IT. 2 MONTHS AGO THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCK AND I WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR, OF COURSE NOW THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY NO LONGER APPLIES. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177366December 29, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I PURCHASED MY CAR IN 2001 NEW. I HAD MANY PROBLEMS SINCE THEN. THE ALTERNATOR AND AXLES HAD TO BE REPLACED IN 2005. THE LOCKS ARE MALFUNCTIONED. THEY AUTOMATICALLY LOCK CAUSING US TO GET LOCKED IN THE CAR. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR A WHILE. THE CAR STALLS, JERKS WHEN I AM DRIVING. THE CAR FAILED INSPECTION NOVEMBEER 30-EMISSIONS RELATED. THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED IN OCTOBER. I HAVE SPENT SO MUCH MONEY REPAIRING THIS CAR. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER. I PURCHASED IT FROM KIA /BRONX. MY CAR WAS THERE FOR 4 DAYS. THE SERVICE MECHANIC REFUSED TO MAKE THE REPAIRS AND TOLD ME TO PICK UP MY CAR. THE CAR WAS NOT REPAIRED AND I AM STILL UNABLE TO GET IT INSPECTED. I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. THEY ARE OF NO HELP. THEY TELL ME TO TAKE THE CAR TO ANOTHER DEALER. THEY ALSO KEEP REMINDING ME THAT THE BASIC WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND THE WARRANTY ONLY COVERS THE POWERTRAIN. HOWEVER, IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION, THEY MAY ASK FOR MAINTENANCE RECORDS. THE CAR IS CLEARLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE TWO RECALLS ON THE 2001 KIAS WHICH I WAS NEVER INFORMED ABOUT. THE TWO RECALLS MAY BE THE PROBLEMS MY CAR IS HAVING. I AM CLASSIFYING MY CAR AS A LEMON AND WOULD LIKE HELP IN RESOLVING THIS ISSUE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10176400December 18, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED HE PURCHASE A 2006 KIA OPTIMA ON 11/30/06, WITH 377 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AT PURCHASE. THE CONTACT STATES THAT AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICE THAT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT WOULD NOT TURN OFF. THE CONTACT STATES THAT WHILE NO ONE IS IN PASSENGER SEAT THE LIGHT STAYS ON AND THE AIRBAG IS OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SOMEONE IS IN PASSENGER SEAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO STAY ON. HE SAID THAT THE AIRBAG IS MALFUNCTIONING. THE CONTACT STATES THAT HE HAS INFORMED DEALERSHIP OF THE PROBLEM AND THEY ORDERED THE PART. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP CONTACTED HIM AND TOLD HIM TO BRING VEHICLE IN TODAY EVEN THOUGH THE PART WILL NOT BE IN UNTIL AFTER CHRISTMAS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DEALERSHIP HAS ORDERED THE PADDING FOR THE CUSHION ON THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE CONTACT STATED THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NHTSA SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10176264December 15, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I PURCHASED MY OPTIMA USED IN MAY 2004. ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASE, I EXPERIENCED A HESITATION IN THE SHIFTING OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER OF PURCHASE TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, AND THEREFORE, APPARENTLY THEY CAN'T FIX IT EITHER. SINCE THEN, MY CAR HAS BEEN IN 2 DIFFERENT KIA DEALER SHOPS FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM 4 OR 5 TIMES. WITH THE SAME RESULT: THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, SO THEY CAN'T FIX IT. THE FOURTH TIME I TOOK IT IN, THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, BUT BECAUSE I CALLED CUSTOMER CARE, THEY DID CHECK ALL THE CONNECTORS FOR THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT NO CODES CAME UP FOR THE CAR AT ALL, BUT WHEN I TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THERE WERE 4 CODES THAT CAME UP: THE SAME 2 TWICE. ONE SET WAS ON 'HOLD' AND THE OTHER SET HAD JUST OCCURRED THAT DAY. THE PROBLEM RECURRED THE DAY I PICKED UP THE CAR FROM THE DEALER, WHO'D HAD IT FOR A WEEK AND STILL COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE FIFTH TIME I TOOK IT IN (IN DEC 2006), THE MECHANIC FINALLY WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, BUT MY WARRANTY RAN OUT 2,000 MILES BEFORE THIS. NOW THEY WON'T FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE CONTACTED CUSTOMER CARE AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT MIGHT GET FIXED UNDER WARRANTY IF I HAD A TRANSMISSION SERVICE AT 60,000 MILES. I'M NOT SURE WHY THAT EVEN MATTERS IF THE PROBLEM STARTED AT 48,000 MILES. PLUS, IN ALL THE CONTACT I HAVE HAD WITH ANY OF THESE PEOPLE, NOT A SINGLE ONE EVER RECOMMENDED OR REQUIRED A TRANSMISSION SERVICE. I WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND THIS MODEL CAR TO ANOTHER PERSON; NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS, BUT BECAUSE OF THE SERVICE TECH'S WHO ARE RUDE AND UN-INFORMATIVE TO CUSTOMERS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10176057December 13, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN PUMPING FUEL INTO THE FUEL TANK, THE FUEL BLEW BACK OUT OF THE GAS TANK, AFTER THE AUTO SHUT OFF VALVE ON THE PUMP HANDLE STOPPED. THE SALES/SERVICE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM AFTER SIX ATTEMPTS AND WHEN THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AN OFFER TO BUY BACK THE VEHICLE WAS MADE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174859December 1, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE A PASSENGER WEIGHING 125 POUNDS WAS PROPERLY RESTRAINED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE ADVANCED AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE, WHICH INDICATED A LACK OF AIRBAG PROTECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, WHICH DID NOT PRODUCE ANY FAILURE CODES. THE DEALER REFERRED TO THE VEHICLE OWNER'S MANUAL WHICH INDICATED IN SOME INSTANCES WITH LIGHTER PASSENGERS, THE ADVANCED AIRBAG SYSTEM MAY NOT BE ACTIVE. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE ADVANCED AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS FUNCTIONING ACCORDINGLY TO THE MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONS AND ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174219November 25, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
WE PURCHASED A 2006.5 KIA OPTIMA A FEW MONTHS BACK. THIS CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH A FEATURE, THE DE-ACTIVATION OF THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AIRBAG WHEN THE SEAT IS VACANT. MY WIFE WEIGHS ABOUT 104 LBS AND DOES NOT ALWAYS ACTIVATE THE SWITCH AS INDICATED BY THE FACT THE WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT GO OFF, AND THEREFORE IS UNPROTECTED IF THERE WAS A FRONTAL CRASH. THE DEALER CHECKED AND INDICATED THAT THE SWITCH IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS ABOUT 50% OF THE TIME. SOMETIMES SHE CAN GET THE INDICATOR TO GO OFF BY MOVING AROUND AND/OR BOUNCING ON THE SEAT. THE OTHER FUN FACT IS THAT WE CAN BE RIDING ALONG AND THE INDICATOR WILL COME ON OR IF IT IS ON IT WILL SOMETIME TURN OFF. THERE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE ANY RHYME OR REASON FOR THE ACTIVATION OR DE-ACTIVATION OF THE SENSOR SWITCH. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE SENSOR SWITCH CAN NOT BE BY-PASSED BECAUSE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174229November 25, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
2002 KIA OPTIMA LX, VIN#: [XXX] W/ APPROXIMATELY 55,000 MILES. MY FIRST WARRANTY CLAIM: THE REPLACEMENT OF MY TIMING BELTS. ON 9/1/2006, MY CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING. I HAD A TOW TRUCK MY CAR TO THE SERVICE CENTER WHERE I BOUGHT MY CAR, BRONX AUTOMOTIVE GROUP INC. D/B/A, TOYOTA OF THE BRONX. THE MANAGER AGGI SARATIS ENDED UP IN AN DISPUTE WITH THE TOW TRUCK DRIVERS REGARDING ACKNOWLEDGMENT WARRANTY AND ADVISED THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER TO REMOVE THE VEHICLE FROM HIS PREMISE. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST AVAILABLE SERVICE SHOP. THE REPAIR WAS A REPLACEMENT OF THE TIMING BELT. MY VEHICLE HAD 51,720 MILES AT THE TIME OF REPAIR. THE TIMING BELT IS UNDER WARRANTY UP TO 60,000 MILES. I PAID THE TOTAL INVOICE FROM BRONXDALE AUTO REPAIR CENTER IN THE AMOUNT OF $603.40. I FAXED A COPY OF THE INVOICE TO THE SERVICE MANAGER ON 9/7/2006. I HAVE TWO WITNESSES, TOW TRUCK DRIVERS, WHO WILL CONFIRM THAT THE SERVICE TEAM WAS UNPROFESSIONAL.A TECH MADE A COMMENT TO ME STATING "I DO NOT SPEND ANY MONEY HERE" SO WHY WOULD I EXPECT TO CLAIM ANY WARRANTY. I DISAGREE.I PAID FOR THIS CAR! MY SECOND WARRANTY CLAIM IS THE REPLACEMENT OF MY TRANSMISSION.ON 3/10/2006, I BROUGHT MY CAR TO SERVICE BECAUSE MY CAR COULD NOT MANEUVER IN REVERSE.MY VEHICLE AT THE TIME HAD 45,147 MILES. ON 3/13/2006, SERVICE ADVISED ME THAT THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACEMENT AND SINCE THEY HAVE NO SERVICE RECORDS, THIS WOULD NOT BE CLAIMED AS A WARRANTY.I DECIDED TO GO BACK TO MY MECHANIC AND AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION, ADDITIONAL WORK NEEDED TO BE DONE.THE INVOICE TOTAL WAS $1,920.40. MY MECHANIC FURTHER ADVISED ME THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS A PRODUCT QUALITY DEFECT ON THE TORQUE CONVERTER. IN FACT, THERE IS OVER A PAGE AND A HALF OF TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ITEMS!I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTICE OF A RECALL. I HAVE NEVER HAD A WARRANTY ACKNOWLEDGED AND I FEEL THAT THE SERVICE TEAM IS HIGHLY UNPROFESSIONAL AND UNSKILLED.CONSIDERING THAT I HAVE HAD THESE PROBLEMS BEFORE 60,000 MILES IS SUSPICIOUS. *NM *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173924November 21, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
I JUST PURCHASED A 2006.5 KIA OPTIMA. MY CONCERN IS WHEN MY WIFE SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT; THE AIR BAG DOES NOT ARM. KIA STATES THAT THE NEW STANDARD (NHTSA) STATES THAT ONE MUST BE OVER 130 LBS. IF TRUE, I FIND THAT UNACCEPTABLE. THERE IS NO STATEMENTS WITHIN THE OWNERS MANUAL OR IS THERE A PLACARD ON THE DASHBOARD WARNING ONE MUST BE OVER 130 LBS. SHOULD I HAVE AN ACCIDENT, WHO IS LIABLE, YOU OR KIA. PLEASE LET ME KNOW THE RULES, THE LAW AND IF THIS IS SO, WHAT INDIVIDUAL, FELT INDIVIDUAL LESS THAN 130 LBS DO NOT DESERVE THAT SAFETY FEATURE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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