Kia Optima Complaints (2004)

225 consumer complaints on file.

#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
#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
#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
#10370509December 13, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, AIR BAGS, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS COMMUTING. I GAVE MY CAR REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND TUNE UPS. THEN THE ENGINE COILS WENT OUT. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO OVER FORTY. REPLACED THAT. HEARD FUNNY NOISES COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CAR WAS AT 70K AT THIS POINT. THE MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY SAID TO REPLACE THE TIMING BELT AT 110K. SO I DECIDED TO HOLD OFF AS THAT PROBABLY WASN'T THE PROBLEM AND A MANUFACTURER WOULDN'T LIE TO ME AS THEY ARE REGULATED BY THE GOVERNMENT. THEN I AM DRIVING AND THE CAR DIES IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION. I GET THE CAR TOWED. THE TIMING BELT IS CHANGED AND THERE ARE HALF THE TEETH LEFT ON THE TIMING BELT. HOW IS THE CAR STILL RUNNING YOU MAY ASK? IT IS A MAGICAL CAR AND IS LIKE THE LITTLE TRAIN THAT COULD. THEN I AM DRIVING ON A BUSY SCARY MOUNTAINOUS HIGHWAY AND THE CAR DIES AGAIN AT A BLIND CORNER. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BUT THERE ARE PLENTY OF CARS THAT WANT TO HIT ME. THE CAR TURNS BACK ON. THE FEAR FOR MY LIFE AND THOSE AROUND ME HAS SUBSIDED FOR A MOMENT. THE CAR IS ABLE TO TURN BACK ON... SOMEHOW. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. THE CRANK SENSOR IS THE PROBLEM. THE CRANK SENSOR WAS THEN FIXED. THIS CAR IS A HAZARD TO HAVE ON THE ROAD. THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS ALSO BEEN ON FOR A YEAR AND WON'T GO OFF. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ENGINE COILS, DOOR LOCKS, TRUNK ALIGNMENTS AND PROBABLY SOME OTHER THINGS THAT MADE ME FEAR FOR MY LIFE. THE SPEEDOMETER ALSO BROKE AND SAID I WAS GOING 0 MPH WHEN IT WAS REALLY 80 MPH. AS OF RIGHT NOW THE CAR IS RUNNING OKAY. I EXPECT BY NEXT OCTOBER THAT SOMETHING WILL GO WRONG AS THAT IS THE MONTH THAT EVERYTHING DOES WITH THIS CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10367992November 27, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR ON MY 2004 KIA OPTIMA LOCKS ITSELF BACK WHEN I OPEN IT. I CAN'T GET IN OR OUT THE CAR BECAUSE THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. I WENT TO GET IN THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT OPEN. I'VE HAD TO CLIMB ACROSS THE CENTER CONSOLE TO GET IN THE CAR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR ME BECAUSE IT HURTS MY BACK EVERYTIME I HAVE TO DO THIS. THIS IS MY ONLY FORM OF TRANSPORTATION SO I NEED TO HAVE THIS FIXED. DID AN ONLINE SEARCH TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD POSSIBLY BE AND FOUND OUT THAT I WASN'T THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE. I FEEL THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE TO REMEDY THIS ISSUE WITH SO MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME THING ON THE SAME YEAR,MAKE, AND MODEL CAR. WILL CHECK BACK TO SEE WHAT IS BEING DONE TO RESOLVE THESE ISSUES. IF NOTHING IS BEING DONE THEN WILL SEEK OTHER AVENUES TO HANDLE THIS MATTER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10367028November 21, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE A 2004 KIA OPTIMA AND MY KEY OR FOB WON'T OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR. THE KEY HAS FINALLY STOPPED WORKING AT ALL, I HAVE TO CLIMB OVER THE CONSOLE TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE CAR. I'M ALMOST 57 YEARS OLD AND DON'T NEED THIS IN MY LIFE. THE DEALER WANT $52 TO CHECK IT AND SEE IF IT'S UNDER WARRANTY. I DO HAVE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH I GUESS I PAID FOR NOTHING. I' HAVE FOUND MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM AND I MYSELF ARE VERY TIRED OF THIS . I HATE THE DAY WHEN I HAVE TO GET OUT OF MY CAR IN A HURRY. WHEN IT FIRST STARTED I COULD USE THE KEY ONLY WHEN PULLING HARD ON THE HANDLE AT THE SAME TIME. I BELIEVE KIA NEEDS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM AND SOON! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10366964November 20, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. IT WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM THE OUTSIDE, NOR FROM THE INSIDE. I AM FORCED TO GET INTO AND OUT OF MY VEHICLE THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE AND CLIMB OVER THE CONSOLE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME, IN 2006, THE DEALERSHIP IN GREER, SOUTH CAROLINA, SAID THAT PART OF THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THEY CHARGED ME A LITTLE OVER $300.00 AND KEPT MY CAR FOR 2 WEEKS! I HAD TO RENT A CAR AND PAY FOR IT MYSELF. NOW, I HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE A 5 SPEED OPTIMA. IN ADDITION TO CLIMBING OVER THE CONSOLE, I HAVE THE STICK SHIFT AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO CLIMB OVER AS WELL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE!! SHOULD I HAVE AN ACCIDENT, ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, I WILL BE TRAPPED IN MY CAR. I SEE FROM THE OTHER POSTS ON HERE, I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I AM ALSO SURE THERE ARE OTHERS THAT ARE HAVING THIS SAFETY ISSUE, THAT HAVE NOT REPORTED IT. WHEN IS THE NHTSA GOING TO INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER AND HAVE A RECALL ISSUED??? HOW MANY OF US ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE INJURED AND/OR KILLED BECAUSE WE ARE TRAPPED IN OUR VEHICLE DUE TO THIS? AS I MENTIONED, THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MY CAR. PERHAPS, A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST KIA FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE IS IN ORDER SINCE A RECALL APPARENTLY IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10361447October 20, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
I OWN A 2004 KIA OPTIMA AND I AM RECENTLY EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE EXPERIENCING THESE PROBLEMS BECAUSE I HAVE DONE MUCH RESEARCH ON THE TOPIC. THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE LOCKING MECHANISM. RESULTING IN MANY PEOPLE HAVING TO CRAWL THROUGH THERE WINDOW OR PASSENGER DOOR. IF THERE WAS EVER AN EMERGENCY WHERE SOMEBODY NEEDED TO GET OUT OF THE CAR IMMEDIATELY THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO WHICH COULD BE INCREDIBLY UNSAFE IF THE VEHICLE WAS EVER ON FIRE, SUBMERGED IN WATER, OR IF IN A BAD ACCIDENT IT WOULD TAKE LONGER TO GET THE MEDICAL ATTENTION NEEDED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10360722October 15, 2010
SUSPENSION:FRONT, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
AS DESCRIBED BY OTHERS DRIVER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT ON '04 KIA OPTIMA BROKE WITH 1 SHEARED BOLT AND 1 BOLT JUST FALLING OUT (RUSTED WITH NO CLEAN AREAS) THE BALL JOINT HAD 1 PART OF THE SHEARED BOLT REMAINING AND 1 RUSTED THREADED HOLE. DEALER OFFERED NO HELP OTHER THAN TO INDICATE THAT THIS WAS NOT RELATED TO THE SUBFRAME RECALL OF LAST AUGUST ('09). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10360361October 13, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE EVENT THAT LEAD TO THE FAILURE WAS ME SIMPLY LOCKING THE DOOR TO MY 04 KIA OPTIMA TO GO INTO THE STORE. THE FAILURE WAS WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO UNLOCK THE DOOR AND WAS FORCED TO CLIMB OVER THE CONSOLE FROM THE DRIVERS SEAT. IT MOST OFTEN OCCURS WHEN THE DOORS ARE LOCKED FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE, (POWER LOCKS). CAN ONLY UNLOCK VEHICLE TO GET IN OR OUT THROUGH THE PASSENGER OR REAR DOORS. IT'S CONSEQUENCES WHERE DESCRIBED ABOVE. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THIS IS NOT A NEW ISSUE WITH THIS CAR. MY WIFE DID RESEARCH ON WHAT WAS WRONG. IT IS A LOCK MECHANISM THAT CAN ONLY BE PURCHASED FROM THE DEALER. I HAVE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO COULD ONLY TELL ME I WOULD BE REIMBURSED IF THE EVER IS A RECALL. THE PROBLEM IS NOT YET FIXED BECAUSE OF MY RECENT NECK SURGERY. TO FIX THE ISSUE YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE DOOR PANEL. THE PROBLEM HAS YET TO BE FIXED BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE. THE VEHICLE HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT. HOW AM I SUPPOSE TO GET OUT OF ME VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY?????????? OR EVEN WORSE MY WIFE????????????? PLEASE HELP AND DO SOME RESEARCH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10358001September 28, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A GAS FUME LEAK AND THE ACCELERATOR SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE AND DECELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 129,548.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10358116September 28, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE CONTACT WAS LOCKED IN THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO CLIMB THROUGH THE WINDOW TO GET OUT. THE CONTACT HAD BEEN LEAVING THE DOORS OPEN BUT AFTER A MINOR ACCIDENT, THE DOORS LOCKED AGAIN AND WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE MECHANIC AT THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIX THE DOOR LOCKS BECAUSE IT WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000. UPDATED 12/29/10 *BF UPDATED 01/03/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10356085September 17, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD BECOME STUCK AND HE WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE FOUR YEARS PRIOR TO THE MOST RECENT RECURRENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10354058September 6, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
HI THERE, 2 WEEKS AGO MY KIA OPTIMA LX 2004 DRIVER DOOR GOT LOCKED OUT AND IT IS NOT UNLOCK ANY MORE. I CALLED DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT IS NOT UNDER THE WARRANTY AND THEY NEED TO ORDER THE PARTS AND I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. I UNDERSTAND THIS. BUT I FOUND LOT OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AND ALL OF THOSE CONSUMER GOT THE SIMILAR KIND OF RESPONSE WHEN THE CONTACT THEIR DEALER. THE QUESTION IS SINCE LOT OF CONSUMERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH SAME MAKE AND MODEL WHY THERE IS NO OFFICIAL RE-CALL. SINCE THIS IS KNOWN ISSUE WITH KIA OPTIMA 2004 WHY CONSUMER NEEDS TO PAY IF THEY DID NOT CREATE A GOOD PART OR MODEL. PLEASE ADVISE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10351998August 26, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR ON MY 2004 KIA OPTIMA WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE OR FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE POWER LOCK SYSTEM RE-LOCKS THE DOOR WHEN I ATTEMPT TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. TO ENTER OR EXIT THE VEHICLE, I MUST CLIMB OVER THE CONSOLE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AND USE THAT DOOR. THE PROBLEM BEGAN ABOUT 80,000 MILES ON THE CAR. SO FAR THERE HAS BEEN NO CRISIS, BUT IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE OR SUBMERSION IN WATER, IT COULD LEAD TO MORE HARM SINCE EXIT THROUGH THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR ISN'T POSSIBLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10351174August 22, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, EQUIPMENT
KIA OPTIMA 2004. DRIVER-DOOR LOCKED UP. WOULDN'T OPEN. CAN'T OPEN THE DOOR EITHER FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. I HAD TO GET OUT OF THE CAR FROM PASSENGER DOOR. WINDOWS CAN'T BE OPENED! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10347899August 7, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
2004 KIA OPTIMA (ALTHOUGH ALL MODELS AND YEARS ARE AFFECTED) - FRONT DOOR LATCH DEFECTIVE (RESEARCH SHOWS BOTH SIDES AFFECTED; THIS COMPLAINT IS SPECIFIC TO PASSENGER-SIDE); DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. COSTLY TO FIX; MANUFACTURER AWARE OF DEFECT. SAFETY HAZARD; IN THE EVENT ACCIDENT INVOLVING DRIVERS' SIDE, NO WAY TO EXIT VEHICLE; WOULD INHIBIT SUCCESSFUL RESCUE ATTEMPTS. THERE IS NO REASON FOR THE CONSUMER TO HAVE TO SHOULDER THE COST OF REPAIR DUE TO POOR QUALITY PARTS OR WORKMANSHIP. THIS IS NOT ONLY A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT ALSO A WIDESPREAD DEFECT, AS EVIDENCED BY NUMEROUS INTERNET BLOGS ON THIS SUBJECT, AND DEALER ACKNOWLEDGMENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10347820August 6, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED SHE USED THE KEYLESS ENTRY SWITCH TO UNLOCK THE AUTOMATIC POWER DOORS. WHEN SHE REACHED FOR THE DOOR HANDLE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE, THE DOORS INDEPENDENTLY LOCKED. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS, SHE WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR AND ENTER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THE CONTACT STATED THE ONLY WAY TO ENTER THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE DRIVER'S DOOR WAS TO PULL ON THE DOOR HANDLE WHILE UNLOCKING IT MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 76,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10346495July 31, 2010
STEERING
EVERY TIME MY CAR GO THROUGH A MUD PUDDLE I LOSE MY POWER STEERING DEALER CANT FIND ANY PROBLEMS SOMETHING IS WRONG. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10345869July 28, 2010
EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS, EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER, EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS:TANK ASSEMBLY, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE FUEL SYSTEM IS GIVING ME PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEMS I HAVE CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP 3 TIMES IN 12 MONTHS. AND THE HEAD LIGHTS ALSO KEEP GOING OUT. I'VE CHANGED THE LEFT SIDE HEAD LIGHT TWICE AND THE RIGHT SIDE ONCE IN 4-1/2 YEARS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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