Kia Optima Complaints (2004)

225 consumer complaints on file.

#10421623August 26, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
2004 KIA OPTIMA EX. THE DRIVER DOOR LOCK WILL NOT UNLOCK TRAPPING US IN CAR. MUST CRAWL OUT THROUGH PASSENGER SEATS. DOES NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. LOCKING MECHANISM IS MESSED UP ON DRIVERS SIDE. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10419661August 16, 2011
SUSPENSION:FRONT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A LOUD NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD VIBRATE VIOLENTLY. A LOCAL MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT OF THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V183000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT). AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS THEN NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 67,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10419467August 15, 2011
SEAT BELTS
I OWN A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE BECAME DETACHED FROM THE SEAT UNDER NORMAL USE. I WAS PARKED AND LEANED FORWARD IN THE SEAT AND THE BUCKLE CAME OUT OF THE SEAT HOUSING WITH A BOLT AND 2 WASHERS ON IT. THERE APPEARS TO BE NO DAMAGE TO ANY OF THE COMPONENTS. I SEE THIS AS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND WILL HAVE THE CAR AT THE DEALER TOMORROW FOR A HOPEFULLY FREE REPAIR SINCE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE PRETTY MUCH JUST FELL APART. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10417084August 4, 2011
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NOT OPEN FROM NEITHER THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT A MODULE INSIDE THE DOOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85, 960 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10412180July 13, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR DOES NOT UNLOCK FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE KEY NOR THE KEYLESS ENTRY WOULD UNLOCK THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENTER THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO WAS ABLE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE DOOR BY USING THE KEY. WHEN THE CONTACT LEFT THE DEALER SHE COULD NOT OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DOOR LATCH WAS FAULTY AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10410660July 6, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA LX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK WHEN USING THE KEY. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENTER THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 42,000. UPDATED 08/05/11*LJ UPDATED 08/15/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10410517July 5, 2011
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN WHEN IT'S UNLOCKED. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENTER THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR TO MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER NOR A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10410127June 30, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY 2004 KIA OPTIMA EX WILL NOT START IF IT SITS FOR A DAY OR SO SOMETHING IS KILLING OR DRAINING MY BATTERY I'VE REPLACED THE BATTERY,THE STARTER,AND THE ALTERNATOR IT HAS TO BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM ALSO MY RIGHT FRONT DOOR WANT OPEN YOU HAVE TO USE THE KEY TO GET IN SOMETHING IS STILL ON WHILE THE CAR IS OFF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10407497June 20, 2011
WHEELS, SUSPENSION:FRONT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, AN EXTREMELY LOUD SOUND OF METAL TO METAL EMITTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND NOTICED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SUSPENSION AND FRAME COMPLETELY FRACTURED DUE TO RUST CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE FAILURE WAS ASSOCIATED WITH RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V183000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,854. I WAS LESS THAN TEN MINUTES REMOVED FOR HIGHWAY, I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED, WHEEL FRONT PASSANGER COMPLETELY BROKE OFF! UPDATED 09/14/2011 *LN UPDATED 12/19/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10405639June 8, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTIONED. SHE WAS UNABLE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND HAD TO CLIMB IN ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 83,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10404575June 6, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK ALL FOUR AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS WHICH PREVENTED HER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE ABLE TO UNLOCK THE FRONT PASSENGER AND BOTH REAR DOORS. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK AND THE CONTACT EXIT THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10404279June 3, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK FAILED AND COULD NOT BE OPENED AUTOMATICALLY OR MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000. UPDATED 07/08/11*LJ UPDATED 07/18/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10403697May 29, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. HAVE TO CRAWL OVER CENTER CONSOLE, GEAR SHIFT AND PARKING BRAKE HANDLE TO GET OUT THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, WILL BE TRAPPED INSIDE THE CAR. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO BE IN. THERE ARE 23 COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE PLUS NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE WHEN YOU DO A SEARCH. WHAT DOES IT TAKE FOR A RECALL TO BE DONE? KIA SHOULD STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND FIX THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10402874May 26, 2011
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH WITH THE BRAKES ENGAGED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO SOME TREES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ALWAYS BEEN UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10398730May 3, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS UNABLE TO BE LOCKED FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE . THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST $200 AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. UPDATED 06/01/11*LJ THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OVER FIVE YEARS OLD, HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS. UPDATED 06/10/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10397172April 22, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK WHETHER USING THE KEYLESS ENTRY FOB OR USING THE KEY TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOOR. IN ORDER TO ENTER THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO CLIMB THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10394217April 4, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE PASSENGER SIDE DOORS AND THE LOCK WOULD NOT RELEASE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10393698March 30, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, ALL OF THE DOORS WOULD LOCK INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK ALL DOORS EXCEPT THE DRIVERS DOOR WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED WHEN UNLOCKING THE DOOR WITH THE KEYLESS ENTRY FOB OR MANUALLY WITH THE KEYS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ACTUATOR AND THE LATCH FOR THE DOOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 151,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10390121March 14, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DOOR LOCK FAILED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, AND ONCE INSIDE THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOCK ACTUATOR HAD FAILED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT BECASUE THE LOCK WAS MANUFACTURERED FROM PLASTIC, IT WAS DESIGNED TO WEAR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10382968February 16, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SHORTLY AFTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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