Kia Optima Complaints (2002)

107 consumer complaints on file.

#10415609July 29, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN AFTER IT WAS LOCKED. THE DRIVER WAS FORCED TO ENTER AND EXIT THE VEHICLE BY CLIMBING OUT OF THE WINDOW. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,000. ONCE THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR IS LOCKED IT CANNOT BE UNLOCKED FOR THE INSIDE OR USING A KEY FOR THE OUTSIDE. AFTER WORKING THE LOCK FOR SOMETIME IT MAY UNLOCK OR STAY LOCKED. WHAT WE DO NOW IS TO LEAVE THE CAR UNLOCKED WHICH IS NOT THE BEST IDEA. THE PROBLEM IS NOT GETTING INTO THE CAR BUT GETTING OUT. NO RECALL FROM KIA. UPDATED 10/26/2011 *LN *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10402512May 24, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
DOOR LOCKS WHEN USING THE DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR AFTER THE DOOR HAS BEEN UNLOCKED USING KEY OR KEYLESS ENTRY. SO FAR ONLY BEEN LOCKED OUT OF THE CAR, BUT CONCERNED I WILL BE LOCKED IN THE CAR AT SOME POINT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10395237April 8, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 03V067000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY). THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REPAIRS WERE MADE PRIOR TO THE CONTACT OWNING THE VEHICLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. THE CONTACT HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY IN ORDER TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO STALL WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE ALSO FAILED TO START INTEMITTENTLY; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME AND FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10376223January 11, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK BY USING THE KEY OR THE KEYLESS ENTRY. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENTERED THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO UNLOCK THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUE BEING ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10375002January 6, 2011
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE SUB FRAME SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THE SUB FRAME, TIE ROD, FRONT TIRE AND RIM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO STATED THERE WAS A RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V183000 COMPONENT: SUSPENSION: FRONT) BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10363468November 1, 2010
SUSPENSION:FRONT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME HAD CORRODED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND REFERENCED RECALL 09V183000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT) BUT WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 109,834.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10357031September 22, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THIS BECAME A RECURRING FAILURE SO THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR INTERMITTENTLY AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON TWO MORE OCCASIONS WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,900.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10350651August 19, 2010
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS, SUSPENSION:FRONT
I HAVE A 2002 KIA OPTIMA THAT THE VIN IS NOT ONE OF THE VEHICLES THAT IS COVERED BY YOUR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V183000 WHICH STATES "INTERNAL CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME. OVER TIME, SUCH SUBFRAME CORROSION NEAR THE CONNECTION TO THE LOWER CONTROL ARM CAN LEAD TO WHEEL MISALIGNMENT AND/OR OTHER NOTICEABLE STRESS IN STEERING...". YOU HAVE IT LISTED AS STATES WITH DIFFICULT WINTERS AND THE USE OF ROAD SALT. I LIVE IN LOUISVILLE, KY. NOT ONE OF THE NAMED STATES. BUT. I GUARANTEE YOU THAT THIS SAME CORROSION CAN BE CAUSED BY THE WATER COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER RUNNING DIRECTLY ONTO THESE PARTS. THE BACK SIDE OF SUBFRAME HAS RUST HOLES IN IT. THIS RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED TO ANY AND ALL KIA OPTIMAS THAT HAVE THE AC WATER RUNNING THERE DUE TO MANUFACTURE DESIGN. I HAVE PICTURES THAT I CAN SEND TO YOU SHOWING THIS CORROSION. I TRIED TO GET IT ALIGNED AT A KIA STORE AND THEY SAID "LOWER CONTROL ARM BRACKET ON PASS SIDE IS RUSTED AND BROKEN. PASS SIDE WHEEL IS PUSHED BACK AND TIRES ON FRONT ARE ANGLED." HOW WAS THE 36,538 VEHICLES DETERMINED ? WAS IT FROM THE STATE THAT THE CAR WAS SOLD IN ? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10334480June 3, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. SHE STATED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 30 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE CONTACT UTILIZED THE EMERGENCY BRAKES IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD FRACTURED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 89,323. UPDATED 08/03/10. *LJ THE REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS, REAR BRAKES AND REAR DRUMS WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 10/12/10*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10293939November 30, 2009
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS, SUSPENSION:FRONT
MY SON WAS DRIVING OUR 2002 KIA OPTIMA AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY FELL OFF. THE WHOLE FRAME RUSTED FROM INSIDE OUT CAUSING THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO FALL OFF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10285001September 23, 2009
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS, STRUCTURE:BODY, STRUCTURE
THIS IS CONCERNING MY 2002 KIA OPTIMA, AND THE SUBFRAME RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED ON THIS CAR. . THE SUB FRAME WAS REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION BUT THE GARAGE HAS DONE SOMETHING WRONG BECAUSE THE GRINDING NOISE THAT IS COMING FROM UNDER THIS CAR IS JUST RIDICULOUS! I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE KIA DEALER WHO REMOVED THE RUSTED SUB FRAME AND REPLACED IT WITH THE NEW, TO FIND OUT WHY ITS MAKING THIS HORRID NOISE,OH YES THEY ALSO FORGOT TO PUT A BOLT IN. AND STILL DON'T KNOW WHY THE PART IS GRINDING SO. SO THEN I CALLED THE KIA CORPORATION TO LET THEM KNOW THAT MY CAR IS NOT RIGHT AND SOMETHING IS WRONG. AND THEY DID NOTHING BUT PUT IT ON THE COMPUTER I WAS NOT SATISFIED. NOW I HAVE TO TAKE THIS CAR TO A BODY SHOP AND PAY FOR THIS TO BE REPAIRED OUT OF MY POCKET. I KNOW THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THIS BEFORE AND NO NOISE GOING INTO THE SHOP, I DON'T EXPECT THIS TO BE GOING ON NOW. I HAVE TAKEN THIS TO 2 BODY SHOPS ONE BODY SHOP WONT TOUCH IT BECAUSE IT IS A RECALL, THE OTHER WILL TAKE A LOOK AND SEE, HE THINKS THEY BROKE SOMETHING REMOVING THE SUBFRAME. IN EITHER CASE THE CAR NEEDS FIXING OF A PART THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL! WHAT EVER IS WRONG WAS CAUSE BY THIS SUBFRAME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10282717September 2, 2009
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING A ROUTINE OIL INSPECTION A MECHANIC DISCOVERED CORROSION ON THE FRAME. AS A CONSEQUENCE THE ENTIRE FRAME COULD COLLAPSE, WHICH INCREASED THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY. HE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED BY A REPRESENTATIVE THAT THE REPAIR WAS A NON-WARRANTY ITEM, THEREFORE THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 85,304. *LJ UPDATED 05/07/09.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10278252July 24, 2009
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS, WHEELS, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE, STRUCTURE
THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL ON MY 2002 KIA OPTIMA REGARDING THE SUBFRAME. THE CORROSION UNDER MY CAR IS DEVASTATING. NHTSA NEEDS TO KNOW THAT THIS CORROSION PROBLEM IS EXTENSIVE AND AFFECTS MORE THEN THE SUBFRAME. KIA IS INSISTING THAT I PAY FOR THE DAMAGE THEY WILL CAUSE WHEN THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE SUBFRAME. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT WILL AFFECT THOUSANDS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268634May 13, 2009
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS, STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF HIS VEHICLE WAS VERY RUSTY. THE VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND THE CONTACT HAS NO CONTROL OF THE STEERING BECAUSE THE A-ARM WAS SEPARATED FROM THE SUBFRAME. THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED THE FAILURES, BUT THERE ARE NO RECALLS AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,400. UPDATED 05/19/09 *BF UPDATED 05/20/09. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263861April 1, 2009
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE PERFORMING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE CRADLE, OR SUBFRAME, UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTING OUT. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT ANY MAJOR BUMP COULD CAUSE THE DRIVETRAIN TO COLLAPSE AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME COULD COLLAPSE AND SEPARATE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE FRAME WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY COULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 85,304. UPDATED 05/06/09. *LJ UPDATED 05/07/09.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10257219February 2, 2009
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
2002 KIA OPTIMA SUB FRAME IS ALL RUSTED OUT DEALER SAYS TOTAL SUSPENSION IS ABOUT TO FAIL NEED TO BE REPLACED THIS IS THE ONLY THING ON THE CAR THAT IS RUSTED OUT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255394January 17, 2009
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
OUR 2002 KIA OPTIMA EXPERIENCED STEERING PROBLEMS WHICH I THOUGHT COULD BE CORRECTED WITH A BASIC FRONT END ALIGNMENT. REPAIR FACILITY INFORMED US THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE ALIGNED BECAUSE THE SUB-FRAME HAD RUST DAMAGE. THE SUB-FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD A "GOLF SIZE" HOLE IN IT AND THE WELDING JOINTS WERE COMPLETELY ROTTED THROUGH. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 70,000 MILES AND WAS ALWAYS WELL MAINTAINED. OIL CHANGES AND INSPECTIONS WERE PERFORMED AT KIA DEALERSHIPS AND THE DEFECT WAS EITHER NOT DETECTED OR NEVER REPORTED TO US PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE WARRANTY. THE DEALER AND KIA MOTORS WERE CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE; KIA DID REPLACE THE SUB-FRAME UNIT (EST COST $1,500) BUT WOULD NOT COVER THE COST FOR LABOR ($655). I BELIEVE A BIGGER PROBLEM EXIST WITH THIS DEFECT AND A RECALL SHOULD BE CONSIDERED TO PREVENT INJURY TO DRIVERS. REVIEWING PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS, THIS SAME DEFECT HAS BEEN REPORTED ON THREE VIN #'S. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10254710January 12, 2009
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
WAS LOCKED INSIDE VEHICLE. AFTER CLIMBING OUT WINDOW, WAS LOCKED OUT OF VEHICLE. THE DOOR WOULD UNLOCK WITH KEY THEN WHEN YOU TRY TO OPEN DOOR IT LOCKS ITSELF, EVEN WITH KEY STILL IN DOOR. WHEN THIS HAPPENS DOOR WILL NOT OPEN BY MANUAL USE OF LOCKS EITHER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10251412December 10, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, AIR BAGS, EQUIPMENT, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AFTER BUYING THE VEHICLE FROM A AUTO DEALER BETWEEN JULY 2 AND JULY 5 ...THIS VEHICLE BEGAN TO HAVE MANY PROBLEMS LIKE THE AUDIO RECEIVER SWITCH FROM RADIO TO CD ON ITS OWN,DOORS LOCKS ON ITS OWN,RPM RUNS TO 4000 GOING 45MPH AFTER A HARD JERK ASSUMING THAT I WAS HIT BY A OTHER CAR THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AFTER THAT 2 HARD JERKS WHILE DRIVING,,(THEY DIDN'T EVEN DEPLOYED) CAN NOT PUMP GAS DUE TO FUEL KEEPS OVER FLOWING WHEN ITS BARELY EMPTY ....ITS BEEN A LIVING ?!@#$% AND I'M STILL PAYING FOR THE CAR....IS IT LEGAL FOR A DEALERSHIP TO SELL A VEHICLE LIKE THIS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244891October 8, 2008
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
2002 KIA OPTIMA, WE HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR LESS THAN 2 YEARS AND IT HAS 2 FIST SIZE RUST HOLES IN FRAME ONE EACH SIDE BY A-ARMS, DUE TO THESE DEFECTS TIRES WEARING QUICKLY AND NEEDS AIR CONTINUALLY TO BE PUT IN THEM. HANDLING WORSENING AND MAKING THUMPING NOISE IN FRONT END, CAN NOT DRIVE OVER 35-40 MPH. CALLED KIA AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. READ WHERE HYUNDAI AND KIA ARE MADE BY SAME COMPANY AND THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THE 1999 TO 2002 MODELS. FEEL THIS IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE RIGHT BEFORE SOMETHING HAPPENS AND THERE IS AN ACCIDENT. NEED INFORMATION ON WHO TO CONTACT AND HOW TO GET THIS TAKEN CARE OF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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