Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#10379437January 28, 2011
AIR BAGS
I HAVE A KIA OPTIMA 2007, I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW IN 2007. THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND THEY HAVE NOT FIXED IT UNDER WARRANTY AT ALL. ALSO THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON AND THEY WILL NOT FIX THAT AS WELL. I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE ROTORS ON THE CAR ONLY A YEAR INTO DRIVING IT. THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT THERE IS A CRASH WHICH IS A DANGER TO ME AND MY KIDS. I HAVE TRIED TO REASON WITH KIA AND THEY WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH ME AT ALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10378437January 24, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LATCHES ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WERE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY; THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS TO GET IN OR OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE LATCHES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR COSTS. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE CV JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 02/16/11 UPDATED 3/8/11 *CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10378304January 23, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE DRIVERS DOOR CAN'T BE UNLOCKED IN ANY WAY. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. THE DRIVER CANNOT EASILY EXIT THE VEHICLE.*LN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10376944January 17, 2011
AIR BAGS
WHEN FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OF THE 2008 KIA OPTIMA, THE AIRBAG "OFF" INDICATOR DOESN'T SWITCH TO ON. I WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT THE STEPS IS THAT THE CAR NEEDS TO BE OFF, PASSENGER SITS, THEN TURN THE CAR ON. THIS AUTOMATIC FEATURE IS GOING TO GET SOMEONE KILLED . . . NOT TURNING ON THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT. UNLESS THE CAR IS OFF. TRUE SITUATION - MY WIFE GETS DISCHARGED FROM HOSPITAL FROM HAVING A BABY, I PULL CAR AROUND, GET OUT, LOAD ITEMS IN THE CAR. MY WIFE GETS IN THE CAR. HALF WAY HOME, WE REALIZE THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG IS "OFF." *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10376650January 14, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2009 KIA OPTIMA LX/EX SEDAN 4 DOOR TRANSMISSION 15,000 MILES EXTREME HARD DOWN SHIFT WHEN SLOWING TO A STOP FROM SECOND TO FIRST., ALMOST LIKE IT THROWS THE CAR INTO PARK, ENOUGH THAT IT COULD THROW YOU INTO WINDSHIELD IF NOT WEARING A SEATBELT. THE DEALER CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, IT ONLY HAPPENS 20% OF THE TIME ON ICE AND SLICK ROADS IT CAN CAUSE YOU TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME SEVERAL TIMES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10376559January 13, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH KEY OR FROM INSIDE. THIS PROBLEM STARTED RANDOMLY. I HAVE TO CRAWL THRU PASSENGER DOOR AT TIME TO GET INTO MY CAR. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE I SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS SHOULD A ACCIDENT OCCUR AND THE DRIVER DOOR BE LOCKED THE DRIVER COULD BE TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A DEATH TRAP AND KIA SHOULD FIX IT. I CALLED MY LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT IF THERE WAS A SOLUTION TO REPAIR THIS AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD GIVE ME A QUOTE ON THE REPAIRS. THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE IS IN QUESTION AND THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED ASAP. *TR
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
#10375532January 10, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM FROM NEARLY DAY ONE. I TALKED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO CORRECTION FOR THE PROBLEM AS THIS IS THE WAY THE CAR IS MADE, AND THEY WOULD NOT EVEN TRY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, OTHER THAN TO SELL ME OTHER BULBS AT A HIGH PRICE. THE PROBLEM BEING THAT THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATE ABOUT 6" (YUP, INCHES) IN FRONT OF THE CAR ON THE DIM SETTING. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE ANYTHING IN FRONT OF ME AT NIGHT UNLESS THERE IS ADDITIONAL ILLUMINATION, IN THE FORM OF OTHER VEHICLES OR STREET LIGHTS, WHICH IS NOT ALWAYS AVAILABLE. I CANNOT DRIVE WITH THE BRIGHT LIGHTS ON BECAUSE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAVE HAD THE BULBS CHANGED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BY OTHER THAN THE DEALERSHIP, AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *TR
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
#10373927January 3, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK FROM THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE ONLY WAY TO EXIT FROM THE VEHICLE WAS TO CLIMB OUT FROM THE OPPOSITE SIDE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY THE DEALER NOR WAS IT REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10373308December 29, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA OPTIMA LX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE IDLE POSITION, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. HE COULD NOT OPEN IT FROM THE OUTSIDE WITH THE KEY OR EVEN USING THE HANDLE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO CLIMB OUT THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 89,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10373185December 28, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
BROKEN CRANKSHAFT PULLEY AND DRIVE BELT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10372584December 27, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
THE DASHBOARD DOES NOT ACCURATELY REPORT MILEAGE, GAS AMOUNT, SPEED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10372244December 23, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKES TURNED TO SPONGE ON AT LEAST THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS IN FALL 2009, AGAIN IN FEB 2010,SUMMER 2010 AND AGAIN 12/ 22/ 2010. AT FIRST OCCURRENCE WINTER OF 2009 I ASSUMED I HAD HIT ICE AND WAS UNABLE TO BRAKE FOR THAT REASON. HOWEVER, EVERY INCIDENT AFTER THAT CONFIRMED THAT ROAD CONDITION WAS NOT A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR. DURING FIRST EVENT THE BRAKES WERE NOT FUNCTIONING,CAR CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD AT RED TRAFFIC LIGHT. BRAKE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE AT 4 WAY STOP AND AGAIN ON RESIDENTIAL STREET AS I AM PREPARING TO PARK. NOTE THAT THESE INCIDENTS ALL OCCURRED AS I WAS CONSCIOUSLY SLOWING THE VEHICLE AND PREPARING TO COME TO A FULL STOP. SPEED OF VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF ALL THE ABOVE INCIDENTS IS ESTIMATED LESS THAN OR EQUAL TO 15 MPH. WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS VEHICLE THAT RANDOMLY WILL NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP ALTHOUGH INSPECTION REVEALS BRAKES ARE IN GOOD WORKING ORDER AND TIRES ARE NEW. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE FEB 12, 2010 AFTER CAR WOULD NOT STOP AT STOP SIGN CONSEQUENTLY I WAS FORCED TO TURN THE CAR INTO SNOW BANK TO HALT VEHICLE. OTHERWISE I WOULD HAVE BROADSIDED ONCOMING TRUCK IN N/S 4 WAY. DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING AND EVENT DID NOT REOCCUR WHEN DEALER TEST DROVE VEHICLE. LAST NIGHT 12/22/2010 HAD TO THROW CAR INTO PARK AND TURN OFF ENGINE IN MID TRAFFIC AS OTHER VEHICLES ARE BRAKING BECAUSE OF RAPID CHANGE TO SLOW IN 45 MPH ZONE. MY CAR IS CLIMBING HILL AS CARS AHEAD ARE BREAKING FOR STALLED, SLOW TRAFFIC. RANDOM PROBLEM WITH BRAKES OCCURS MORE OFTEN AT LOW TEMP ALTHOUGH HAS OCCURRED ONCE IN SUMMER. NOTE TEMPERATURE AT EVENT LAST NIGHT 28F AT 6:30 PM. BRAKE FLUID TESTED GOOD ON FEB 12, 2010 AT INSPECTION. BRAKES WERE IN FINE WORKING ORDER, TIRES NEW. COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC INSPECTION CHECKED OUT FINE. I REPORTED SUBSEQUENT BRAKE FAILURE EVENTS TO KIA (AFTER FEB 12, 2010) BUT AFTER CALLING KIA ON 12/23/10 I FIND THEY DID NOT RECORD SAID EVENTS IN KIA DATABASE ALTHOUGH I WAS ASSURED MY PHONED IN REPORTS IN WERE DOCUMENTED. *LN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10372046December 22, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND LOCKED WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THROUGH THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR BUT THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO CLIMB OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE TO EXIT THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS LOCKED. THE FAILURE ALSO INTERMITTENTLY OCCURRED WHEN TRYING TO ENTER THE LOCKED VEHICLE FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 02/17/11*LJ UPDATED 04/28/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10372764December 21, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED IN MARCH 2010 AND HAD ONLY 2400 MILES ON IT WHEN THE OIL PUMP FAILED. IT TOOK CITRUS MOTORS IN ONTARIO, CA ALMOST TWO WEEKS TO ACQUIRE THE PART AND REPLACE IT. UPDATED 01/20/11 *BF
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10371770December 20, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 KIA OPTIMA LX/EX. THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN WITH OR WITHOUT THE KEY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES AND IT WOULD COST $400 TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10371140December 18, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK OR OPEN WITH A KEY OR WITH THE UNLOCK SWITCH. WHEN I TRY TO UNLOCK THE DOORS FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE WITH THE KEY. IT WILL NOT UNLOCK BUT THE REST OF THE DOORS WILL. NORMALLY I HAVE TO JUGGLE AND PLAY WITH THE KEY AND THE DOOR WILL UNLATCH . LAST NIGHT I STOOD OUTSIDE FOR 15 MINUTES AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN SO I HAD TO CLIMB THRU THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS PROBLEM IS A HAZARD. IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY I WOULD BE SCREWED. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED IN EARLY 2010. ONCE I UNLOCKED IT THE FIRST TIME I DECIDED TO JUST LEAVE THE DOOR UNLOCKED FOR EASY ENTRY BUT THAT LEAVES MY CAR VULNERABLE FOR THEFT OR ITEMS I MAY LEAVE IN IT. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY INSTANCES WHERE A PASSENGER HAS UNKNOWINGLY LOCKED THE DOOR AND I WOULD HAVE TO CLIMB THRU THE OTHER SIDE AND JIGGLE THE KEY ALL OVER AGAIN. LAST NIGHT WAS THE LONGEST THAT I HAVE EVER HAD TO PLAY WITH THE DOOR AND NOW I BELIEVE IT WILL NOT OPEN AND I HAVE NO SOLUTION ON HOW TO OPEN IT SINCE THE COMPANY CLAIMS THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10371603December 17, 2010
AIR BAGS
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG MALFUNCTIONS. IT MAY OR MAY NOT ENGAGE WHEN ONE SITS IN THE SEAT. AFTER MOVING AROUND; GETTING OUT OF CAR AND/OR REFASTENING SEAT BELT IT WILL MOST OF THE TIME ENGAGES. THE SIZE OF THE PERSON, THE MOVEMENT OF THE CAR (OR NOT), AND SITTING POSITION DO NOT APPEAR TO MATTER. ONE KNOWS THAT THE AIRBAG IS NOT EMPLOYED PROPERLY BECAUSE THE LIGHT INDICATING THE FUNCTIONING OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WILL READ "OFF."
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10370769December 15, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEAT DOORS REMAINED LOCKED WITHOUT A WARNING. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL DEFECT. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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