Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#10258114February 9, 2009
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE ON 10/20/08. UPON PURCHASE, PRIVATE DEALER NOTIFIED ME OF A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN TO THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP ON 10/24/08 AND RECALL SC037 WAS PERFORMED. UPON PICKUP OF VEHICLE, I WAS NOTIFIED BY KIA DEALERSHIP OF RECOMMENDATIONS LISTED ON SERVICE INVOICE. ON 11/06/08 VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MY REGULAR MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND SERVICE FOR ITEMS ON THE RECOMMENDATION LIST FROM KIA DEALERSHIP. UPON LIFTING THE VEHICLE UP IN THE AIR TO RESEARCH ONE OF THE KIA DEALERSHIPS RECOMMENDATIONS A SOFTBALL SIZE HOLE WAS FOUND RUSTED IN THE SUB FRAME WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM IS TO BE ATTACHED. WHEN KIA DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE HOLE AND SAID THEY WOULDN'T HAVE LIFTED CAR UP. KIA MOTORS AMERICA WAS PHONED AND TOLD ABOUT SITUATION AND TREATMENT BY KIA DEALERSHIP. KIA MOTORS AMERICA TOLD ME TO TAKE VEHICLE BACK IN TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE A DIAGNOSIS ON VEHICLE AND TO CALL BACK AND I WAS GIVEN A NAME, EXTENSION NUMBER AND A CASE NUMBER. I HAD TO TOW THE VEHICLE BACK IN TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEY LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THEY NEVER SAW THE HOLE PREVIOUSLY BUT HERE'S AN ESTIMATE FOR US TO FIX IT. I CONTACTED MY MECHANIC AND ASKED WHAT HIS ESTIMATE WOULD BE TO FIX IT AND HOW MUCH THE PART WOULD BE, AND IF THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT COULD BE GOTTEN FROM A SALVAGE YARD. THE LOCAL SALVAGE YARDS WERE ALREADY PHONED AND THE SAME THING WAS WRONG WITH THOSE PARTS AND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH KIA VEHICLES. I ORDERED THE PART FROM THE KIA DEALERSHIP, IT IS CALLED A CROSSMEMBER. I HAVE HAD MY MECHANIC REPLACE IT, I HAVE HAD TO GET TWO NEW TIRES, A FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND HAVE ASKED KIA MOTORS AMERICA TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THIS. THEY ARE NOW SAYING THEY HAVE NO RECORD OF MY PURCHASE OF THE PART ALTHOUGH I HAVE GIVEN THEM MY INVOICE NUMBER. I STILL HAVE THE OLD PART AND THE ORIGINALS OF ALL MY INVOICES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10257988February 8, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. WHEN A PASSENGER SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND BUCKLE THE SEAT BELT, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT GO OUT OR IT WILL GO OUT AND BACK ON. IT IS NECESSARY TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND RESET THE COMPUTER FOR IT TO WORK PROPERLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10257452February 4, 2009
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
NORMAL USE. DOOR LOCK FAILS LOCKING DRIVER IN CAR, PREVENTING SAFE EXIT IN AN EMERGENCY. THIS COULD RESULT IN DEATH IF A VEHICLE FIRE OR ACCIDENT WERE TO OCCUR. THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT IN THIS MAKE WITH NUMEROUS INTERNET-BASED COMPLAINTS AND QUESTIONS RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM FINDABLE ON THE WEB. THE $300.00-$400.00 COST OF REPAIR IS TOO PROHIBITIVE TO ALLOW ME TO FIX THIS. THE LIFE-THREATENING CONSEQUENCES OF THIS MANUFACTURER DEFECT WARRANTS MANUFACTURER TO FOOT THE BILL FOR THE REPAIR. THIS PROBLEM IS LISTED IN MANY YEARS AND MODELS BY SAME MANUFACTURER. *TR
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
#10257256February 2, 2009
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
DRIVER SIDE DOOR WON'T UNLOCK. WENT THROUGH A PERIOD WHEN IT WOULD LOCK/UNLOCK NORMALLY, THEN PERIODICALLY WE HAD TO UNLOCK WITH KEY AND PULLING DOOR HANDLE AT SAME TIME, NOW THE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK AT ALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10256959January 30, 2009
VISIBILITY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. ON JANUARY 27, 2009, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH IN THE SNOW. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MOTOR, WIPER LINKS, AND WIPER BALL JOINT FAILED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MOTOR UNDER WARRANTY, BUT WANTED TO CHARGE $100.83 TO REPLACE THE BALL JOINT AND WIPER LINK BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE WARRANTY. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECT AND ALL THE PARTS SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER. SHE WILL FILE A REPORT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 21,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10256317January 26, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA OPTIMA. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE LOW BEAM BULBS CONSTANTLY BLOW OUT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CLUSTER CONNECTORS FAILED AND THEY CLEANED THE CONNECTOR AND REPLACED THE BULBS. THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE A REMEDY. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PURCHASED WITH AN ORIGINAL WARRANTY; THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST. THEY FURTHER STATED THAT IF THE CONTACT WERE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN FOR A DIAGNOSTIC, THEY WOULD CONSIDER ASSISTING WITH THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255958January 22, 2009
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED IN HER VEHICLE. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC, BUT NO CODES APPEARED. THE DEALER RESET THE COMPUTER AND THE INDICATORS REMAINED DIM FOR A FEW DAYS; HOWEVER, THEY WOULD EVENTUALLY ILLUMINATE AGAIN. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
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
#10254698January 12, 2009
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA OPTIMA. THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY. IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR MONTHS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER APPROXIMATELY EIGHT TIMES; HOWEVER, THE DIAGNOSTIC FAILS TO PRODUCE AN ERROR CODE EACH TIME. THE FAILURE ALWAYS RECURS AFTER A FEW WEEKS. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE PART IS DEFECTIVE AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD DEVELOP A PROPER REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000. UPDATED 02/10/09. *LJ UPDATED 02/10/09. *JB
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
#10253568January 2, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, WHICH MEANT THAT THE AIR BAG WAS DEACTIVATED. THE INDICATOR NEVER ILLUMINATED TO INDICATE THAT IT WAS ACTIVATED. THE FAILURE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT FINDS THIS TO BE VERY UNSAFE BECAUSE THERE WAS NO GUARANTEE THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD ACTIVATE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT BECAUSE PASSENGERS WERE SEATED IMPROPERLY, THE AIR BAG MODULE WOULD NOT ACTIVATE. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT FIND ANY RECALLS; THEREFORE, NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,843.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10253013December 29, 2008
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED WHEN MY WIFE SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. SINCE SHE ONLY WEIGHS ABOUT 100 POUNDS I CALLED KIA THEIR REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THAT IT TOOK 120M POUNDS TO TURN THE LIGHT OFF. THIS DOES NOT SOUND CORRECT TO ME. THE VEHICLE IS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. ANY HELP THAT YOU CAN GIVE ME WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED *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
#10251332December 4, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS DIM AT LOW SPEEDS AND WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES OR JUST SLOWING DOWN. *NJ THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IT WAS THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10251333December 4, 2008
AIR BAGS
2003 KIA OPTIMA HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT STAYING ON. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICE FOR THIS ISSUE BUT IT KEEPS RECURRING. *NJ
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10250353December 1, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH IN THE RAIN ON A HIGHWAY AND APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IT LOCKED UP. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. HE REAR-ENDED THE PROCEEDING VEHICLE AND CAUSED A MULTI-VEHICLE TRAFFIC COLLISION. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WITH THE IMPACT TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE "AIR BAG" WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND REMAINED ON UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF. IN ADDITION, THE SEAT BELT SHOULDER HARNESS STRAPS WERE NON-FUNCTIONAL ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE POLICE AND AMBULANCE ARRIVED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGES AND WAS DRIVEN TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 2,600.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10249553November 22, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2008 KIA OPTIMA EXV6, SINCE NEW, WHEN LIGHTLY BRAKING WHILE DECELERATING FROM 40 MPH, THE CAR DOWNSHIFTS AND HAS AN ACCELERATION SURGE AT AROUND 25 MPH. WHEN COMPLAINING TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID THE KIA'S WERE MADE THAT WAY. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT CAN CAUSE A REAR END COLLISION. THE CAR SHOULD HAVE NORMAL ENGINE BRAKING THAT ALLOWS FOR CONTINUOUS DECELERATION AS LONG AS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS NOT TOUCHED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION OF THIS COMPLAINT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10249111November 18, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH OUT OF A PARKING LOT, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT AND AXLE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CONTROLLED THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT CAME TO A STOP TWELVE FEET FROM THE INCIDENT. HER INSURANCE COMPANY PROVIDED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION SHOP. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER OF A GRINDING NOISE SHE HEARD. THEY STATED THAT THEY WERE TOO BUSY TO CHECK THE VEHICLE, BUT THREE HOURS LATER THE AXLE AND LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,954.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248553November 12, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE ELECTRIC WIRE FOR THE FUEL PUMP HAD BURNED INSIDE THE GAS TANK. THESE WERE THE PLUGS FOR THE FUEL PUMP. THE DRIVER WAS FORTUNATE THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START BECAUSE AN EXPLOSION COULD HAVE OCCURRED. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM TO CALL NHTSA AND FILE A COMPLAINT BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT IS A MECHANIC AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLE HIMSELF. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,600. UPDATED 12/11/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/11/08.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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