Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#10279191August 3, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V183000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT) FOR HIS VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE DEALER WILL NOT HONOR IT BECAUSE HE LIVES IN VIRGINIA. THE RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO CERTAIN STATES. HE WAS INFORMED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TO CHECK TO SEE IF THE SYMPTOMS WERE IDENTICAL. THE CONTACT WOULD ALSO HAVE TO HAUL THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR. THE ENTIRE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE IS CORRODED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT A REPAIR SHOP AND IS NOT IN DRIVING CONDITION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
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
#10277386July 19, 2009
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
I BOUGHT MY 2003 KIA OPTIMA NEW 5/24/03. SOMETIME DURING THE WINTER OF 2004/06 NOTICED DOOR LOCKS CLICKED MORE THAN I WAS USED TO HEARING, BUT THEY WORKED. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE DUE TO COLD WEATHER AS ANTENNA DOESN'T GO ALL THE WAY DONE IN COLD WEATHER (ANTENNA NOTED TO DEALER 12/20/04). I THOUGHT I MENTIONED THIS TO DEALER PRIOR TO 60K MILES WHILE GETTING ANOTHER SERVICE DONE AND WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED, BUT THERE IS NO RECORD OF IT PER DEALER. IN ANY CASE I BROUGHT THE CAR TO DEALER 3/6/07 FOR OIL CHANGE AND ASKED THEY CHECK DOOR LOCKS WHICH WERE ONLY WORKING INTERMITTENTLY - PER THE INVOICE THEY CHECKED LOCK RELAYS, DISCONNECTED AND CHECKED SWITCH, CHECKED GROUND AT JB-07, 0 OHMS , ETCS MODULE ALL OK. THE MILEAGE AT THAT POINT WAS 67288. I WAS TOLD THE ELECTRICAL WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 60K. I DID NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO GET IT REPAIRED. BY 10/24/07, THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR COULD NO LONGER BE OPENED WITH DRIVER DOOR SWITCH OR REMOTE, AND KEY ENTRY TOOK SEVERAL MINUTES WHILE TURNING THE KEY WHILE THE DOOR UNLOCKED THEN LOCKED AS I PULLED UP THE HANDLE. I WAS CHARGED $35.55 TO DIAGNOSE THAT THERE WAS A POSSIBLE WIRING ETAC OR RELAY PROBLEM NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY - COST OF REPAIR WOULD BE OVER $1000. NOW THE COVER TO THE PASSENGER DOOR KEY HOLE JUST CAME OFF PROBABLY DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE KEY PLAY NEEDED TO OPEN THE DOOR. I AM CONCERNED FOR SAFETY OF PASSENGERS GETTING STUCK IF THE DRIVER IS INCAPACITATED IN AN ACCIDENT AND CAN'T RUN AROUND THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CAR WITH KEY IN HAND TO LET THEM OUT. RIGHT NOW CAR IS IN THE DEALERSHIP GETTING THE RECALLED RUSTED SUBFRAME REPLACED. IT WILL TAKE 1 WEEK TO GET THE PART. MEANWHILE, I AM WITH OUT CAR, THE DEALER WON'T PAY FOR RENTAL AND I DRIVE 72 MILES ROUND TRIP TO WORK . CAR LURCHES FORWARD OCCASIONALLY WITH HIGH WAY DRIVING, NOTED TO DEALER AT 89346 MILES - DEALER CAN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10277107July 17, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT GASOLINE WAS LEAKING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR AT LEAST FOUR TIMES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURS AFTER APPROXIMATELY THREE OR FOUR MONTHS. THE DEALER HAS BEEN REPLACING THE PART THAT HOLDS THE FUEL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,970.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10276950July 16, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V183000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAD TO RECEIVE A WHEEL ALIGNMENT IN CONJUNCTION TO THE RECALL REPAIR. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WOULD NOT BE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT SERVICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THERE WAS NO RESOLUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONSUMERS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 132,818. UPDATED 8/7/09 *CN UPDATED 08/11/09.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10277035July 16, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
EXCESSIVE CHECK ENGINE ON.....ALL TESTS WERE DONE ON FUEL SYSTEM AND EVERYTHING WAS DIAGNOSED AS FUNCTIONING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10277039July 16, 2009
STRUCTURE
PAINT CHIPPING OFF FRONT BUMPER AND BOTH HANDLES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10277037July 16, 2009
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER
RUSTING OF WINDSHIELD WIPERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10276786July 14, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT A LOW SPEED, HE ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE. HE NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE INTO ANY GEAR AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD TO BE APPLIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE SHIFT CABLE NEEDED TO BE RE-ATTACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,100 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,591.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10275814July 5, 2009
WHEELS, STRUCTURE
I HAVE A 2001 KIA AND ON JULY 5 2009 I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN I WAS PUSHED OVER TO THE LEFT LANE AND MY TIRE HAS DETACHED FROM THE FRAME IT MESSED UP MY BUMPER AND THE HOLE UNDERNEATH OF MY CAR WAS DAMAGED. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10275430July 1, 2009
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
I NOTICED MY 2001 KIA OPTIMA PULLING TO THE LEFT SO I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THE TECHNICIAN STATED HE COULD NOT PERFORM THE ALIGNMENT BECAUSE THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED AND HAD A FIST SIZE HOLE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE SUBFRAME. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT A KIA DEALERSHIP. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THE SUBFRAME NEEDS TO BE REPLACE. HE ORDERED THE SUBFRAME, BUT A WEEK LATER SAID HE IS UNABLE TO COMPLETE THE JOB SINCE MY VIN NUMBER DOES NOT MATCH ONE OF THE VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN PART OF THE RECALL. I'M WAITING TO HERE FROM KIA CORP. TO DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CAR IS SAID TO BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE RIGHT TIRE HAS BUCKLED IN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10274805June 24, 2009
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. WHEN ENTERING THE VEHICLE WITH THE REMOTE ACCESS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE CONTACT PROCEEDED TO OPEN THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WITH THE KEY, BUT THE VEHICLE STILL WOULD NOT UNLOCK. SHE HEARD THE LOCKS CLICKING IN AN ATTEMPT TO OPEN, BUT THE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLATCH. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ENTER THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WITH THE KEY OR REMOTE ENTRY. SHE WAS FINALLY ABLE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE BY MANEUVERING THE LOCK. THE CONTACT IS UNABLE TO LOCK THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT MAY NOT OPEN AGAIN OR SHE COULD BECOME LOCKED INSIDE. SHE CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT WOULD COST $300 TO INSPECT AND REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED BECAUSE THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10274752June 23, 2009
SEAT BELTS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONSUMER STATED THEIR 3 YEAR OLD SON ATTEMPTED TO BUCKLE HIMSELF IN WITH THE SEAT BELT WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IF SLIPPED FROM HIS HAND AND WRAPPED AROUND THE 3 YEAR OLDS NECK. THE SEAT BELT CONTINUED TO RETRACT AND HE COULD NOT FREE HIMSELF. THE CONSUMER WIFE GRABBED THE TOP OF THE BELT AND KEPT IF FROM RETRACTING EVEN MORE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO RELEASE IT. THE CONSUMER HAD TO CUT THE SEAT BELT. THE FOLLOWING FRIDAY THE CONSUMER AND HIS WIFE WERE REAR ENDED AND THE HIS WIFE HAD TO GO TO THE EMERGENCY THE ROOM BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT HAD BEEN CUT A WEEK PRIOR. UPDATED 07/16/09. *JB UPDATED 07/14/09. *LJ
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10274203June 18, 2009
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
II HAVE A 2005 KIA OPTIMA FOR ABOUT 3 YEARS NOW, FIRST PROBLEM WAS WITH THE AIR BAGS . I HAD THE LIGHT TO COME ON WILL THE CAR WAS BEING INSPECTED LAST YEAR FOR THEM TO TELL ME IT WAS THE SENSORS. I MADE A APPOINTMENT TO GET IT FIXED BUT WHEN I WENT THERE THE LIGHT WENT OFF THEN I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD A WEEK LATER AND THE LIGHT COMES BACK ON HAD IT CHECKED AGAIN AND THE SAME THINGS HAPPENS WILL THE LIGHT IS STILL ON. 2ND PROBLEM HAD THE TIMING BELT TO GO OUT SO I PURCHASED A USED MOTOR TO HAVE NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. FIRST THE THROTTLE SENSOR WENT OUT REPLACED THAT FOR IT TO BURN UP WITHIN A HOUR OF IT BEING FIXED, THEN HAD TO HAVE THE CAR REWIRED BY THE DEALERSHIP NOW THE SIX MONTHS LATER THE DOOR LOCKS ARE TRIPPING ME IN THE CAR. THE CAR HAD SOME TYPE OF WIRING FIRE, WHICH CAUSED ME TO HAVE TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT,WHERE THE CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE. SO NOW I HAVE A CAR THAT HAS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, AIR BAGS LIGHT ON, AND THE DOOR LOCKS ARE TRIPPING ME IN THE CAR. WHAT CAN I DO? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273924June 15, 2009
AIR BAGS
RIGHT AFTER MY WARRANTY EXPIRED MY AIRBAG LIGHT STARTED FLICKERING WHEN I WENT OVER A MINOR BUMP. IT IS NOW CONSTANTLY ON. I HAVE SEEN OTHERS POST THE SAME ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273223June 9, 2009
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, AIR WOULD SEEP THROUGH THE WINDOW WHILE IT WAS CLOSED. THE CONTACT COULD HEAR THE WIND AT SPEEDS OF 40 AND 60 MPH. ONE DEALER SUGGESTED DRIVING WITH THE REARVIEW MIRROR CLOSED TOWARDS THE DOOR. ANOTHER DEALER ATTEMPTED TO ADJUST THE DOOR, BUT WAS UNSUCCESFUL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 4,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10272678June 2, 2009
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
WAS DRIVING INTO MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THE CAR PULLED SEVERELY TO THE RIGHT. UPON INSPECTION,THE SUBFRAME WAS TOTALLY RUSTED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE . BELOW FRONT WHEEL.CAR IS UNDRIVEABLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10272705June 2, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND TURN LEFT. MY CAR WOULD NOT "GO". SO I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR HARDER AND IT FINALLY AND SLOWLY MOVED FORWARD. I HAVE AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, BUT IT WAS LIKE I WAS DRIVING A MANUAL AND HAD TRIED TO START IN 3RD GEAR INSTEAD OF 1ST. IT'S ALMOST LIKE MY CAR HAD TO CATCH UP FOR A MINUTE BEFORE IT WOULD GO. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THAT TO DIFFERENT DEGREES. IT IS A 2003 WITH ONLY 41,000 MILES AND NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY SINCE I BOUGHT IT USED. I AM AFRAID IT WILL DO THIS ON THE INTERSTATE OR WHEN I AM TRYING TO MERGE AND COULD BE DANGEROUS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10272703June 2, 2009
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
EVERYTIME I TRY TO OPEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, FROM INSIDE THE CAR OR OUTSIDE, THE ENTIRE CAR LOCKS DOWN. I CAN ONLY OPEN THIS DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE, WITH THE KEY, WHILE CATCHING THE LOCKING MECHANISM BETWEEN CYCLES. THIS TAKES A LOT OF TIMING AND SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. NO ONE CAN GET IN OR OUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED 2 YEARS AGO AND IT ONLY HAS 41,000 MILES. THE 10 YEAR 100,000 MILE WARRANTY ONLY APPLIES TO THE 1ST OWNER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10269665May 22, 2009
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
I AM THE OWNER OF 2005 KIA OPTIMA AND I HAD SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE DOOR. WHEN DRIVING DOORS WOULD START LOCKING/UNLOCKING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WHEN INSIDE DOOR WOULD OPEN SOMETIMES AFTER NUMEROUS TRIES. MOST TIMES HAD TO CLIMB OVER SEAT TO TRY OTHER DOORS I HAD INCIDENT WHERE I UNLOCK DOOR PUT GRANDSON IN CARSEAT I WENT TO DRIVER SIDE TO GET IN VEHICLE BUT DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN EACH TIME I WOULD UNLOCK, DOORS WOULD AUTOMATIC RELOCK TEMP WAS 97 DEGREES I CONTINUE TO TURN KEY AND STARTED DIALING 911 WHEN DOOR OPENED DANGEROUS/HEART WRENCHING SITUATION. I WAS AFRAID TO RIDE KIDS IN CAR IN CASE OF ACCIDENT WE MAY BE TRAPPED. I WENT TO KIA OF BATON ROUGE THE EMPLOYEE STATED HE AGREES THIS IS DANGEROUS BUT HIS CONCERN WAS HOW KIA WAS GOING GET PAID FOR REPAIRS, BECAUSE MY VEHICLE WAS OVER THE MILES FOR WARRANTY. I TOLD HIM I HAD NO PROBLEMS PAYING FOR VEHICLE PROBLEMS THAT IS NORMAL BUT THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR/TEAR I LOOK UP INFO ON KIAS AND THERE WERE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT DOOR LOCKS. I ALREADY KNEW SERVICE DEPT WOULD SAY IT WAS THE ACTUATOR BECAUSE THIS IS INFO THAT WAS ON INTERNET. KIA EMPLOYEE STATED TO ME IF I PAID FOR REPAIRS HE WOULD GUARANTEE I WOULD NOT HAVE ANY MORE PROBLEMS THIS IS NOT FAIR THIS IS A DEFECT. IF I GET STOP BY POLICE HE MAY THINK IM REFUSING TO GET OUT OF VEHICLE WHEN IM REALLY TRAPPED INSIDE! I AM HONEST HARDWORKING INDIVIDUAL. I DO NOT THINK IT IS FAIR THAT MY MONEY IS SPENT ON VEHICLE THAT IS A HAZARD TO ME & MY FAMILY. IF KIA IS SUCH A GREAT COMP. I THINK THEY SHOULD REALIZE THIS IS A DEFECT THAT THEIR COMPANY SHOULD REPAIR PLEASE DON'T WAIT UNTIL TRAGEDY OCCUR AND THEY ARE FACING A MAJOR LAWSUIT TO START A RECALL. I HOPE KIA DOES WHAT IS BEST FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS. YES I DID PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR REPAIRS BECAUSE I DID NOT WANT TO CONTINUE RIDING IN THIS UNSAFE VEHICLE. PLEASE ADVISE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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