Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#10204625October 1, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PURCHASED 2004 KIA OPTIMA EX NEW. HAVE HAD FUSE BLOCK REPLACED W/IN 15000 MILES. NOW, THE FUEL PUMP HAS FAILED. THE CAR RAN FINE AND WAS PARKED. NEXT DAY CAR WOULD NOT START. NO FUSES BLOWN. THE TERMINAL CONNECTOR FROM THE FUEL PUMP TO THE GAS TANK PENETRATION HAS BURNED OUT CAUSING AN INTERMITTENT OPEN IN CIRCUIT. FUEL PUMP BURNED UP IN TANK. WIRES AND CONNECTORS VISIBLY CHARRED. CONNECTION THAT FAILED IS INSIDE OF THE GAS TANK. VERY SIMILAR TO NTSB CASE #10161074. HAVE 120,000 MILES ON THE CAR. OTHERS WITH LESS MILEAGE ARE IN FOR TROUBLE DUE TO POOR ENGINEERING DESIGN. DEFECTIVE PARTS AVAILABLE FOR PHOTOGRAPH OR INSPECTION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10203843September 20, 2007
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2002 KIA OPTIMA SUB FRAME IS RUSTING OUT. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE DEALER TOLD HER THERE WAS A SPOT ON THE SUB FRAME WHERE THE CONTROL ARM MOUNTS TO THE ENGINE CRADLE HAD RUSTED OUT AND IT LOOKED AS IF IT HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, AND WOULD NOT HELP WITH THE REPAIRS. *KB THE MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONDENSATION FROM THE AIR CONDITION RUNNING DOWN THE FRAME IS WHAT CAUSED THE RUST TO OCCUR. THE SPEED SENSOR FOR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10203440September 19, 2007
POWER TRAIN, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GAS MILEAGE WAS POOR AS WELL. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE AIR FILTER AND OIL WERE REPLACED, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE REMAINED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,591 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,002. UPDATED 12-12-07. *KB UPDATED
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10203395September 18, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
I HAVE A KIA OPTIMA AND I CALLED ABOUT A PROBLEM. IT WAS THAT WHEN YOU LEAVE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH IN AUTO ON A DARKNIGHT ON LOW BEAM. AND SOMETHING WAS TO WALK OUT FROM THE SIDE OF THE ROAD YOU HIT THE HIGHBEAM SWITCH. AND BANG YOU CRASH BECAUSE ALL YOUR HEADLIGHTS GO OUT AND LEAVE YOU IN THE DARK IT COULD HAPPEN AND THEY DO GO OUT. MY CAR IS 2006 OPTIMA. I HAVE TRIED THIS ON TWO HYUNDAI'S ONE YEAR OLDER AND THE SAME YEAR AS MY KIA BOTH OF THEM THE HEADLIGHTS WORK FINE CAN YOU MAKE MINE WORK LIKE THAT? PLEASE GEORGE HURD, THANKYOU *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10203160September 17, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED WHEN THERE IS AN ADULT OVER 100 LBS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE RESET TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THIS MEANT THAT WHEN A PASSENGER ENTERED THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE SHUT OFF AND THEN REACTIVATED FOR THE AIR BAG TO WORK PROPERLY. THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, HOWEVER, THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 181 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10202954September 13, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE SWITCHES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE LIGHT DIMS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE RADIO ANTENNA WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND THE RADIO STATIONS HAVE A LOT OF STATIC. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE ANTENNA WAS NOT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50. UPDATED 01/09/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10201915September 5, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ON JULY 22, 2007, I WAS ON MY WAY BACK HOME FROM MY ANNIVERSARY TRIP WHEN MY CAR JUST SHUT OFF. WE TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO GET THE CAR RESTARTED WITH NO LUCK. SINCE THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, WE CALL FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WHICH FALLS UNDER THE WARRANTY. WELL 3-1/2 HOURS LATER A TOW TRUCK SHOWED UP. UNFORTUNATELY FOR ME, IT WAS NOT CALLED BY KIA. HE JUST HAPPENED DOWN THE ROAD AT THE TIME. SO I HAD TO PAY $250.00 TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED HOME TO AVOID STORAGE FEES AT THE DEALERSHIP. THE NEXT DAY THE KIA DEALERSHIP HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY CHANGED THE CRANK SENSOR AND TIMING BELT. TWO WEEKS LATER THE CAR STARTED HAVING IDLING PROBLEMS. THE CAR WOULD SHUT OFF IF LEFT TO IDLE. THE CAR JERKED WHEN TAKING OFF AND IT SOUNDED LIKE THE ENGINE WAS BOUNCING AROUND UNDER THE HOOD. SO I HAD IT TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT FIXED. IT IS NOW 2 WEEKS LATER AND MY CAR IS STILL AT THE KIA DEALERSHIP. THEY HAVE CALLED ME 4 TIMES TO COME GET THE CAR IT IS READY. NO IT WAS NOT!!! SO 4 TIMES I DROVE AN HOUR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND AN HOUR HOME TO GO DOWN TO THE DEALERSHIP, CRANK UP MY CAR, REALIZE IT STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, GIVE THEM BACK THE KEYS, AND DRIVE HOME. I AM NOW AT THE POINT WHERE KIA CAN KEEP THE PIECE OF SH*T AND EITHER GIVE ME MY MONEY BACK ON MY SUPPOSEDLY NEW CAR OR GIVE ME AN ACTUAL NEW CAR. I HAVE HAD ENOUGH!!!@!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10199578August 14, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. SHE STATED THAT THE SHE WAS UNABLE TO SEE MORE THAN TWO FEET IN FRONT OF HER WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ENGAGED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED THAT WAY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,500 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10198373August 3, 2007
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE USED THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE DOORS, ONLY THE REAR DOORS UNLOCKED. THE FRONT DOORS ALSO FAILED TO UNLOCK FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. SHE HAD TO CLIMB IN THE VEHICLE FROM THE BACKSEAT. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WILL NOT UNLOCK AND HAVE BEEN LOCKED OUT OF THE VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CONSUMER FURTHER STATED THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND HAD TO LEAVE DOORS UNLOCKED FOR FEAR OF BEING LOCKED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 08/29/07 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197996July 31, 2007
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY, STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED NO MATTER HOW MUCH THE PASSENGER WEIGHED. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE ON THREE OCCASIONS, BUT IT CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 2,791 STARTING 60 MILES. THE DEALER STATED HEARS A RATTLE FROM THE SUNROOF AND GASKET ON TRUNK. UPDATED 08/29/07 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10194808June 27, 2007
AIR BAGS
I PURCHASED A LOW MILEAGE KIA OPTIMA TWO YEARS AGO. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THIS CAR THE AIRBAG LIGHT DEPLOYED. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER SERVICE DEPT @ GWINNETT PLACE KIA IN DUUTH GA WHO AT NO CHARGE MADE THE LIGHT GO OFF. DRIVING OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND THEY AGAIN CORRECTED WHATEVER IT WAS THAT WAS MAKING THE LIGHT APPEAR, ASSURING ME JUST BECAUSE THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON IT WILL DEPLOY AND IT IS FINE. TWO MORE TIME IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS FOR NO REASON AGAIN THE LIGHT WOULD APPEAR AND AGAIN I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE LAST TIME 9 MONTHS AGTO WHEN THEY INSTALLED A NEW AIRBAG AS THEY ADVISE THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS CAUSING THE LIGHT TO COME ON AGAIM REASSURING ME JUST BECAUSE THE LIGHT WAS ON THE AIRBAG WOULD STILL DEPLOY. I WAS FRUSTRATED AT THAT POINT AND ALTHOUGH THE LIGHT WAS ON A FEW DAYS LATER AGAIN, I FELT ASSURED I WAS IN NO DANGER AND PLANNED TO TRADE IN THE CAR IN THE NEAR FUTURE. NOW IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM AND WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO A MECHANIC WHOM I TRUST AND WHO IS A TEACHER OF AUTO MECHANICS AT A LOCAL COLLEGE, HE INFORMED ME TODAY THEY GAVE ME THE RUN AROUND, ASSURING ME THIS IS REGULATED BY THE FEDERAL GOVENMENT AND I AM NOT SAFE; AS LONG AS THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON MY AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY AT THE TIME OF AN ACCIDENT. I AM NOW FEARFUL KIA HASL ARGUED WITH ME THAT DESPITE THE RECORDS OF THE MUMEROUS TIMES I HAVE SOUGHT HELP FROM THEM FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, THE CAR IS NOW OVER THE 50K WARRANTY AND IT IS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME $50.00 TO JUST LOOK AT IT AND FROM THERE WILL CHARGE ME LIKE ANYONE ELSE. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS. I'M A SINGLE MOM WITH KIDS AND NEED TO BE SAFE. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER KIA PRODUCTS AGAIN AND AM CONSIDERING HIRING AN ATTORNEY TO INTERVENE FOR ME TO RESOLVE THIS. THEY NEVER "FIXED" THE PROBLEM TO BEGIN WITH AND NOW WANT ME TO PAY?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10192106May 31, 2007
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAS BEEN LOCKED IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE ON THREE OCCASIONS. SHE ATTEMPTED TO UNLOCK THE DOOR TO ENTER THE VEHICLE AND HEARD THE LOCKS UNLOCK. HOWEVER, WHEN SHE GRABBED THE HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR, ALL OF THE DOORS LOCKED AGAIN. THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED WAS APPROXIMATELY THREE YEARS AGO. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 73,800 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10191070May 17, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING ON ROUTE I10 IN HOUSTON, TX CAR STALLED/WOULD NOT START. TOWED CAR TO GAS STATION AND HAD IT JUMPED. DID NOT HELP. TOWED TO A MECHANIC SHOP, WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR THAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THIS PART WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE IN KIA OPTIMAS IN 2001 AND 2002. WHILE RESEARCHING THE PART ONLINE I FOUND THAT THE NHTSA RECALLED THE 2001 AND 2002 OPTIMAS BECAUSE, AND I QUOTE FORM THE NHTSA WEBSITE" 2001-02 W/V6: TWO SEAERATE RECALLS FOR IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSORS COULD RESULT IN ENGINE STALLING WHILE DRIVING. DEALERS WILL REPLACE AFFECTED PARTS. *AK I CALLED THE KIA DEALERSHIP WHICH SAID THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT AFFECTED IN THE RECALL. I FIND IT A BIT IRONIC, AND I AM NOW FILING THIS COMPLAINT THAT MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10191071May 17, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
I BOUGHT A 2004 KIA OPTIMIA IN MARCH 5005 AND ALREADY THE HEADLIGHT GLOBE WAS STARTING TO FADE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. THE CAR HAS 26800 MILES ON IT. AND WAS KEPT IN A GARAGE . THE SERVICEMAN SAID IT CAME FROM SUN RAYS. THE ONLY TIME THE CAR WAS IN THE SUN WAS WHEN I WAS AT WORK. THE CAR WASIN GOOD CONDITION. THINK THIS WAS AN INJUSTICE, I DIDN'T CAUSE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10190897May 16, 2007
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
PUNCTURED TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE DAMAGED TIRE HAD EXCESSIVE TREAD WEAR IN RELATION TO THE MILES DRIVEN ON CAR. THE FIGURES SHOWED THE TIRE WAS WEARING 3-1 EXP: UNIROYAL TOURING TRACK, P205/60R15-90H WITH 60,000 MILE TREAD WEAR. 10/32ND TREAD DEPTH NEW. I BOUGHT THIS TIRE ON 03/07/07, AND WAS DAMAGED ON 05/14/07= 70 DAYS OLD. BOUGHT TIRE FROM WAL-MART, BRUNSWICK, GA 31520. TOOK TIRE TO SAME ON 05/14/07. TIRE SHOWED 4/32NDS WORE OFF OF TREAD. THIS = 24,000 MILES OF WEAR AT 6,000 MILE PER 1/32ND OF TREAD. TRAVEL NO MORE THEN 100 MILES PER DAY AT 68 DAYS AND 1 ROUND TRIP OF 1,500 MILES = TOTAL OF8,300 MILES OF TRAVEL ON CAR. AS I SAID 3-1 WEAR OF TREAD.MFG WILL NOT AJUST PRORATED COST OF NEW TIRE NOR WILL WAL-MART. NEW TIRE SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED FREE BUT COAT ME PRORATE OF $49.00. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10190959May 16, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RUNS WELL, BUT THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE BEGAN ON MAY 12, 2007 AND HAS BEEN OCCURRING EVER SINCE. SHE REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID AND THE LIGHT, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO ILLUMINATE. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 96,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10189799May 4, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY FAILS TO START. WHEN HE TURNS THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, IT FEELS AS IF THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE FUEL. THE CONTACT HAS TO MAKE THREE TO FOUR ATTEMPTS JUST TO GET THE VEHICLE TO START. THE VEHICLE FAILS IN BOTH COLD AND WARM WEATHER AND HAS OCCURRED EIGHT TIMES WITHIN THE PAST THIRTY DAYS. THE VEHICLE WILL EVENTUALLY START AFTER APPROXIMATELY FIVE TO TEN MINUTES. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR DAYS AND NO CAUSE OF FAILURE HAS BEEN DETERMINED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 58,400 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10189114April 27, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT. THE FRONT PASSENGER SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY REGARDLESS IF SOMEONE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED IN APPROXIMATELY 50% OF THESE VEHICLES AND MAY BE PREVENTED BY SITTING IN A CERTAIN POSITION. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 9,000, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10188702April 24, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
INPUT AND OUTPUT SPEED SENSOR FAILURE. FAILURE OF SENSORS CAUSE TRANSMISSION TO DROP FROM 4TH GEAR TO 3RD GEAR. FROM THERE TRANSMISSION CAN ONLY SHIFT BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR USING "SPORT SHIFT-STICK" . ON A GOOD DAY WITHOUT PROBLEMS ENGINE IS SLUGGISH. VERY SCARY TO DRIVE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10188478April 20, 2007
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
RADIO TURNS OFF AND STAYS OFF DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS OF NORMAL DRIVING ON REGULAR PAVED ROAD WAYS. THE UNIT IS STILL POWERED ON ITSELF BUT NO AUDIBLE SOUND NOT EVEN STATIC CAN BE HEARD FROM THE SPEAKERS FROM THE CD, CASSETTE PLAYER OR RADIO. IT WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND HE STATED THAT HE DIDN'T WANT TO KEEP WASTING THEIR TIME (RADIO IS NO LONGER COVERED BY WARRANTY) AND THAT I SHOULD PURCHASE A NEW RADIO BECAUSE THERE WAS SOMETHING OBVIOUSLY WRONG WITH THE OUTPUT ON THE FACTORY UNIT. HE ALSO STATED THAT IT WOULD COST OVER $1000 TO PURCHASE A NEW FACTORY UNIT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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