Kia Optima Complaints (2006)

155 consumer complaints on file.

#10485204November 19, 2012
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V014000 (AIR BAGS; FRONTAL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10475367September 13, 2012
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
MY VEHICLE KEEPS ACCELERATING AND SLOWING DOWN RANDOMLY BETWEEN GEARS. CAN ACCELERATE ON. ITS OWN AND SLOW DOWN WHEN MORE PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO GAS PEDAL. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS NOT ON FOR A MONTH AND NOW IT HAS APPEARED. THIS CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.IF A LESS CAPABLE PERSON WAS DRIVING. MANY OTHER KIA OWNERS OF THIS.MODEL REPORT. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR HAS BEEN THE ISSUE FOR COUNTLESS OWNERS OF THIS MODEL AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALER. I HAVE HAD A DIAGNOSTIC TEST DONE AND. IT SHOWED THE SAME CODES POINTING TO THE ACCELERATOR.... MY DEALER STATED THAT IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. IT IS AN $800 PART PLUS LABOR. I THINK THAT IF THIS PROBLEM PERSISTS IN MANY OF THESE MODELS AND THE PROBLEM CAN CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH, THEN IT SHOULD. BE A RECALLED ITEM. THANK YOU *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10475092September 11, 2012
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V014000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10470703August 15, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN SHE FIRST NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AREA. SHORTLY AFTERWARD SPARKS BEGAN TO SHOOT OUT AND THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10470196August 10, 2012
VISIBILITY/WIPER
AFTER BEING LOWERED, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR NO LONGER CAN BE RETURNED TO THE UP POSITION AND HANGS IN SUCH A POSITION AS TO OBSTRUCT THE DRIVER'S VISION. THE SUN VISOR HAS BEEN LITTLE USED AND HANDLED WITH CARE. IT APPEARS THAT THE COMPONENTS OF THE SUN VISORS ARE TOO FRAGILE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE CAR NOW IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND WANTS $125.00 TO FIX IT. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10464270July 5, 2012
ENGINE, STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2006 KIA OPTIMA NEEDED A NEW TIMING BELT WITHIN THE NEXT FEW THOUSAND + MILES (NEEDS TO BE CHANGED EVERY 60,000 MILES OR SOONER), BUT ONE THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY JUST CAME OFF AND THEN THE BELT CAME OFF A COUPLE PULLEYS BECAUSE OF THIS. THE BELT ACTUALLY LOOKS FINE, BUT THE PULLEY FAILURE CAUSED THE BELT TO COME OFF. THIS BELT RUNS SEVERAL THINGS SO THE INITIAL LOOSE PULLEY CAUSED THE CAR TO LOSE POWER STEERING, BATTERY LIGHT TO TURN ON, THE A/C FAILED, ETC., AND THEN THE INNER PART OF THE PULLEY CAME OFF AND THE OUTER RING (MAGNETIZED) FELL AND STUCK TO PART OF THE CAR FRAME THAT IS ACTUALLY METAL. MY WIFE MADE IT TO WORK WHILE THE BELT HAD TO STILL BE ON BUT LOOSE, AND IT NOW SITS IN HER PARKING SPOT AT HER JOB (HOSPITAL PARKING RAMP). I WILL PROBABLY HAVE IT TOWED TOMORROW. THIS COULD HAVE EASILY LED TO AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF IT HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY. I FOUND THE OUTER PART OF THE LOWER PULLEY LAYING ABOVE THE CAR FRAME CLOSE TO THE ENGINE. IF THE CAR DROVE AFTER THIS, ENGINE DAMAGE WOULD BE MOST LIKELY. I WILL HOPEFULLY HAVE IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST KIA DEALERSHIP BY TOMORROW TO SEE IF I JUST NEED THE PULLEY AND BELT OR IF THE ENGINE IS DAMAGED. THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE, BECAUSE I FOUND MANY PEOPLE THAT HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT BREAKING OFF AND SOMETIMES CAUSING ENGINE DAMAGE IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARD. AS A CONSUMER, I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO GO UNDER THE VEHICLE AND TIGHTEN A FACTORY TIGHTENED BOLT EVERY NOW AND THEN. I HOPE THAT THE NEWER BOLTS ACTUALLY HOLD LIKE A GRADE 8 AMERICAN BOLT, BECAUSE THAT WOULDN'T FAIL. RUBBER CAN'T BREAK STEEL, AND I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS OBVIOUS OVERSIGHT BY KIA HASN'T BEEN RECALLED OR IN A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN!!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10464056July 3, 2012
VISIBILITY
AFTER BEING LOWERED, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR NO LONGER CAN BE RETURNED TO THE UP POSITION AND HANGS IN SUCH A POSITION AS TO OBSTRUCT THE DRIVER'S VISION. THE SUN VISOR HAS BEEN LITTLE USED AND HANDLED WITH CARE. IT APPEARS THAT THE COMPONENTS OF THE SUN VISORS ARE TOO FRAGILE. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10462902June 24, 2012
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
A CO-WORKER FOLLOWED ME HOME AND TOLD ME MY RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT WAS OUT. THEN MY RIGHT TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR ON THE DASH STARTED FLASHING REAL FAST. FEW DAYS LATER MY DASH LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING ON & OFF. HAD A FRIEND WATCH THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS AND HE SAID THEY WERE FLASHING ON & OFF WITH THE DASH. SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT! IF MY HEADLIGHTS ARE ON THE LIGHTS DON'T FLASH. EVEN THOUGH MY LIGHTS COME ON, THE BRAKE & SIGNAL LIGHTS DON'T WORK WHEN I APPLY THEM. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN MY CAR BECAUSE OF IT. EVERY ONE TELLS ME WITH AS LITTLE MILEAGE AS I HAVE ON MY CAR - I SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THESE TYPE OF PROBLEMS. I HAVEN'T TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALER BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO GET A TICKET OR POSSIBLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE MY LIGHT DON'T WORK! I'M SINGLE MOTHER AND CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE A MECHANIC TEAR MY CAR UP TO SEE IF HE CAN FIND THE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10460873June 7, 2012
ENGINE
AFTER A RECENT OIL CHANGE, THE CAR WAS RUNNING HORRIBLY, MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND. HAD AN EPISODE WHERE THE OIL LIGHT WAS FLASHING ON AND OFF AND THE ENGINE ABOUT DIED, SO I HAD MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE VEHICLE TO GET CHECKED FOR MONDAY MORNING. THE SATURDAY BEFORE, WHILE RUNNING ERRANDS, HAD THE EPISODE OCCUR AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME, THE ENGINE LOCKED UP AND IT HAS BEEN SITTING AT THE DEALERSHIP EVERY SINCE BECAUSE ALTHOUGH I HAVE A MANUFACTURER WARRANTY, KIA WON'T HONOR IT WITH ALL MY OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS. I AM FRUSTRATED, BECAUSE I KNOW OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE I HAVE AND HAVEN'T COMPLAINED LOUD ENOUGH OR WHATEVER, BUT THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE, NOT ME. NO CAR SHOULD BLOW AN ENGINE AT 62K. IT'S RIDICULOUS. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10457687May 7, 2012
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAVE A 2006 KIA OPTIMA WHICH CURRENTLY HAS 61,960 MILES ON IT. FOR THE PASS 12 MONTHS I HAVE REPLACE A FRONT HEADLIGHT A TOTAL OF 5 TIMES ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. MY MECHANIC HAS REPLACED THE BULBS FOR ME TWICE SO FAR FREE OF CHARGE. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED THE KIA DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR TO INFORM THEM OF THE ISSUE TO SEE IF MAYBE ITS SOMETHING FAULTY WITH THE CAR OR MAYBE A RECALL THAT I MAY HAVE MISSED. THEY WERE NOT AS HELPFUL OR NICE AS THEY WERE WHEN I SIGNED MY NAME ON HE DOTED LINE. THEY IMMEDIATELY INFORMED ME I NEEDED TO PAY THEM 59.99 BEFORE THEY WOULD EVEN LOOK AT THE CAR !! THE NERVE !! WITH ME HAVING 5 MORE PAYMENTS TO GO, I FEEL I AM GOING TO SEE BE INVESTING IN THIS CAR LONGER THEN NECESSARY. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND EVALUATED AS A COURTESY CHECK UP FOR US KIA OPTIMA OWNERS. AGAIN I HAVE REPLACED 5 HEADLIGHT BULBS IN 12 MONTHS !! THIS IS NOT NORMAL, NOR SHOULD ANYONE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS ON A CONSISTANT BASES. PLEASE HELP !! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10454371April 6, 2012
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, AIR BAGS
KIA CURRENTLY HAS A RECALL ON 2006 OPTIMAS FOR AN AIR BAG ISSUE AND WARNS CONSUMERS WITH THIS VEHICLE TO CONTACT KIA IF THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON. IN MY CAR, THE LIGHT CAME ON ON 4/1/12 AND IS STILL ON. I CONTACTED KIA OF COLUMBUS, GA WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED AND THEY SAID TO BRING IT IN AND WE DID TO ONLY BE TOLD THE CAR WAS NOT COVERED BECAUSE IT WAS A FEW MONTHS OLD THAN THE CAMPAIGN. KIA NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE AND INCLUDE ALL OF 2006 OPTIMAS, AS THEY ARE HAVING THE AIR BAG ISSUE AS WELL. KIA HAS NEVER HONORED ANY REPAIR ON THE CAR EVEN WHEN BRAND NEW AND HAD ISSUES WITH HEADLIGHTS WHICH WE STILL HAVE TO DO THIS DAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10453931April 3, 2012
VISIBILITY
THE VISOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WON'T STAY UP. THIS WAS FIXED ABOUT 30,000 MILES AGO UNDER WARRANTY. IT SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE DRIVEN A HALF MILLION MILES IN MY LIFE AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH A VISOR. IT MUST BE DEFECTIVE. MY PASSENGERS ALL HIT THEIR HEADS ON IT WHEN ENTERING AND EXITING THE CAR. I HAVE TO REMEMBER TO KEEP REMINDING THEM. IT ALSO BLOCKS THE VISIBILITY WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS. IF I EVER WILL HAVE TO STOP SHORT, I'M SURE MY PASSENGER WILL HIT HIS HEAD ON THE VISOR. THE COMPANY CLAIMS THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING AFTER THE WARRANTY IS UP, EVEN THOUGH IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THERE APPEAR TO BE OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS SO MAYBE A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10449373February 26, 2012
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AS SOMEONE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER IN CASE OF A FIRE OR VEHICLE ACCIDENT. I WORK AS A PARAMEDIC AND HAVE FIRST HAND SEEN PEOPLE NOT BEING ABLE TO EXIT THEIR VEHICLES DURING A FIRE AND IT WAS NOT PLEASANT. I DID AN ONLINE SEARCH TO FIND HOW TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE AND FOUND THOUSANDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS THROUGH ALL YEARS AND MODELS OF KIA VEHICLES. EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TO MANDATE A RECALL ON ONE PARTICULAR VEHICLE, I WOULD HOPE THAT YOU LOOK AT THE MANUFACTURER AS A WHOLE AND THEIR UNWILLINGNESS TO CORRECT A SYSTEM WIDE MANUFACTURING ERROR IN THEIR PRODUCT. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME IF I CAN PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED, IF NO ONE HAS BEEN KILLED BY THIS DEFECT YET... *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10447279February 9, 2012
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK OR OPEN. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 213,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 214,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10445592January 27, 2012
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN FAILED TO QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V014000 (AIRBAGS:FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10436371November 18, 2011
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK AND OPEN THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FROM THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR. AFTER APPROXIMATELY TWENTY ATTEMPTS, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY UNLOCK AND OPEN THE DOOR. THE FAILURE HAD SINCE RECURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10434154November 3, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT
I OWN A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. WHEN I USE THE REMOTE KEY FOB TO UNLOCK THE DOORS THEY UNLOCK. THEN WHEN I PULL ON THE HANDLE THE DRIVER SIDE, IT AUTOMATICALLY LOCKS. IF I AM INSIDE THE CAR AND HIT THE UNLOCK BUTTON IT UNLOCKS BUT WHEN I PULL THE HANDLE IT LOCKS AGAIN. I CAN GET OUT THE PASSENGER SIDE. MY CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW IN 2006 SO IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 4400. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10429996October 13, 2011
POWER TRAIN
THE VEHICLE IS AN OPTIMA 2006.5 MODEL YEAR. WHEN SLOWING (BRAKING) AND THEN RESUMING (ACCELERATING) IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, THE CAR FREQUENTLY GOES INTO A 'NEUTRAL' STATE WHERE IT DOESN'T GO FORWARD ON ACCELERATION. WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED THE ENGINE REVS UP, BUT THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T ENGAGE TO DRIVE FORWARD. ONCE THE CAR COASTS DOWN TO A SPEED OF ABOUT 30 MPH OR LESS THEN THE TRANSMISSION WILL RE-ENGAGE - AT LEAST SO FAR THAT HAS BEEN THE CASE. AS THIS IS HAPPENING I HAVE TO KEEP DEPRESSING THE GAS PEDAL TO KNOW WHEN THE DRIVE GEAR ENGAGES. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DETERMINE EXACTLY WHAT STEPS NEED TO HAPPEN TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH IT DOES OCCUR FREQUENTLY NOW. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS ~55,000 MILES. THE SITUATION IS VERY FRIGHTENING AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. IT'S TERRIFYING TO BE COASTING DOWN TO A LOW SPEED WAITING ON THE TRANSMISSION TO RE-ENGAGE WHEN VEHICLES ARE QUICKLY APPROACHING FROM THE REAR. IF THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T RE-ENGAGE, THE RESULT IS LIKELY TO BE DEADLY FOR ALL PASSENGERS IN THE CAR. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RETURNED TO THE DEALER FOR THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPLICATE IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10424453September 9, 2011
VISIBILITY
ON MY 2006.5 KIA OPTIMA, ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS MY SUN VISOR MECHANISMS HAVE BROKEN INTERNALLY, AND WOULD NO LONGER REMAIN IN THE UP POSITION, WHICH HAS BEEN A SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME THE PASSENGER SUN VISOR HAS BROKEN AT LEAST ONCE, AND THE DRIVER SIDE HAS BROKEN AT LEAST TWICE. THE FIRST 2 TIMES, THE SUN VISOR WAS REPLACED ENTIRELY UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER, ON THE 3RD TIME, I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND HAD TO PURCHASE AND INSTALL A NEW ONE MYSELF. (PURCHASED ONLINE FOR $80 SHIPPED FROM A DEALER.) THIS DEALER OFFERS THE NEW SUN VISOR REPLACEMENT FOR A FAIR PRICE, DUE TO REPEATED REQUESTS, BUT MANY OTHER PARTS VENDORS, INCLUDING DEALERS AND SALVAGE YARDS, CHARGE OVER $100 FOR THE VISOR, EVEN IF USED AND TAKEN OFF A WRECKED CAR, AS THEY KNOW IT IS A FREQUENTLY NEEDED REPAIR. FORTUNATELY, IT WAS NOT DIFFICULT TO REMOVE AND REPLACE, AND I WAS ABLE TO DO THE WORK MYSELF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10420930August 22, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN USING THE REMOTE KEY FOB TO UNLOCK THE DOORS, THE VEHICLE WOULD RESPOND BUT ONCE THE CONTACT PHYSICALLY PULLED ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE, THE VEHICLE WOULD AUTOMATICALLY LOCK. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Kia Optima