2004 KIA Optima

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/29/2012· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN, ACCIDENTALLY LOCKED DOOR NOW IT WILL NOT OPEN, HAVE TO CLIMB OVER FROM PASSENGER SIDE TO DRIVER SIDE, WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE, I AM DISABLED AND IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO HAVE TO CLIMB OVER TO DRIVER SIDE, FOR A LONG TIME NOW I HAVE LEFT THE CAR UNLOCKED FOR THIS REASON, SEEMS I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM, A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE PLACED POSTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. IT'S NOT ONLY AN INCONVENIENCE BUT A SAFETY ISSUE. I FEEL THIS IS A MAJOR RECALL THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND FIXED. ANYONE IN AN ACCIDENT (GOD FORBID) IS TRAPPED, MORE SO IF THERE DISABLED, PEOPLE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THIS ISSUE. THANK-YOU *TR

• 12/23/2017· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  UNABLE TO OPEN PASSENGER DOOR DUE TO DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR STOPPED WORKING. UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

• 12/22/2010· 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

• 12/13/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,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

• 12/12/2016· STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GAIN ACCESS AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

• 12/11/2015· AIR BAGS

  AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINS ON SHOWING A PROBLEM WITH THE SYSTEM. WAS TOLD COULD BE A SENSOR AND WOULD COST $150 TO DIAGNOSE AND UP TO $2000 TO FIX. NOT WORTH THE COST CONSIDERING THE AGE BUT NEEDS TO BE FIXED FOR SAFETY REASONS

• 12/09/2003· SUSPENSION

  MY 2004 KIA OPTIMA PULLS TO THE LEFT. IT WILL PULL YOU INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. YOUR WEB PAGE DOESNOT HAVE KIA LISTED AS A VEHICLE CHOICE. *AK

• 12/08/2004· STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN

  BOUGHT KIA OPTIMA ON JUNE 22, 2004 VIN# [XXX] AND HAVE SINCE HAD SEVEN SERVICE APPOINTMENTS, REPLACED TWO SETS OF DRIVE BELTS, REPLACED A LEAKING POWER STEERING RACK, REPLACED A LEAKING FUEL REGULATOR, MACHINED THE FRONT ROTORS, LOST TIME FROM WORK, LOST PRODUCTIVITY FROM WORK AS WELL AS JEOPARDIZED MY WIFE'S WORK FROM CAR POOLING FOR FIVE MONTHS, COMPLETED SCHEDULED ARBITRATION WITH THE BBB WITHOUT SUCCESS FOR FOUR PROBLEMS: ACCELERATION DELAY, LOW GRINDING BRAKE NOISE, LOW VIBRATION STEERING NOISE, AND LOUD SQUEALING NOISE FROM THE DRIVE BELTS. *JB UPDATED 07/24/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

• 12/05/2016· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  DRIVER'S DOOR LOCKING SYSTEM WILL NOT UNLOCK, ALL OTHERS DO. THE DOOR LOCKS ITSELF IMMEDIATELY AS YOU TRY TO UNLOCK EITHER WITH THE KEY (OUTSIDE) OR PRESSING THE CENTRAL LOCK BUTTON (WHEN INSIDE). THIS WOULD BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM IF THE CAR WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND/OR FIRE WAS AN ISSUE. RIGHT NOW IT IS INCONVENIENT TO CLIMB OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE. I SEE THIS IS NOT THE FIRST COMPLAINT ON THIS SUBJECT AND THE PROBLEM SEEMS ENDEMIC TO THIS CAR. THE PROBLEM STARTED INTERMITTENTLY FROM SEPTEMBER 2016 AND NOW IS PERMANENT AS OF NOVEMBER 30.

• 12/05/2011· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AFTER RECEIVING A JUMP START TO THE BATTERY. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS 80,034.

• 12/04/2009· AIR BAGS

  ME 2004 KIA HAVE THE AIR BAGS LIGHT ON AND I HAVE TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY HAD NOT FIND WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. I CALL THE KIA DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I AM AFRAID THE AIR BAGS WILL POP WHILE I AM DRIVING. CAN YOU PLEASE TELL ME IF THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE AIR BAGS LIGHT STAY ON AT ALL TIME. *TR THANK YOU

• 12/02/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,STRUCTURE

  MOTOR MOUNTS AND PULLEYS DEFECTIVE. THIS WILL BE MY THIRD TIME TO THE SHOP IN LESS THAN A MONTH. THE PULLEYS AND MOUNTS ARE BOUND TO CAUSE OTHER DAMAGE. *JB

• 12/01/2015· STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  OUT OF NOWHERE MY DAUGHTER'S CAR DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN, TRAPPING HER INSIDE. IT WON'T OPEN WITH THE KEY OR REMOTE. I CALLED KIA AND THEY SAID MY WARRANTY RAN OUT AND THERE IS NO RECALL DESPITE THIS BEING A COMMON ISSUE-- A VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE I MUST SAY, SINCE THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS COULD POSSIBLY BE TRAPPED AND DIE IN AN EMERGENCY.

• 11/29/2017· STRUCTURE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BILL DORATY KIA (2925 MEDINA RD, MEDINA, OH 44256, (330) 721-9500) FOR ROUTINE BRAKE SERVICE, THE TECHNICIAN FOUND A CRACK IN THE FRONT FRAME. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE AT THAT TIME. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED, BUT NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. SINCE WINTER WAS APPROACHING, THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FRAME WOULD COMPLETELY CRACK DUE TO THE WEATHER AND SALTED ROADWAYS IN HER STATE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A MANUFACTURER RECALL AND EXTENDED WARRANTY NOTICES IN 2009. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT NO ISSUES WERE FOUND. THE DEALER SENT PICTURES OF THE CRACKED FRAME TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ISSUED CASE NUMBER: 2560103. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT THE LOCAL DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A CALL BACK FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,000.

• 11/27/2010· STRUCTURE,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

• 11/21/2012· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS LOCKED BUT COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOOR WITH THE KEY IN ORDER TO GET THE DOOR TO OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 12/28/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER'S DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK USING THE REMOTE OR SWITCH. ALL THE OTHER DOORS WOULD UNLOCK AND UNLOCK USING THE REMOTE OR SWITCH. UPDATED 01/09/13

• 11/21/2011· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE

  THE DRIVERS DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE OR THE INSIDE. I HAVE TO CRAWL IN FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THEN WHEN I WANT TO GET OUT I HAVE TO CRAWL OVER AND EXIT FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. TRIED TO UNLOCK IT WITH MY KEYLESS ENTRY AND NOW IT DOESN'T WORK. REPLACED BATTERIES BUT STILL NOT WORKING. MY SON KEPT TURNING THE KEY IN THE DOOR AND FINALLY GOT IT OPENED. THE NEXT TIME I DROVE IT THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I AM TIRED OF HAVING TO CRAWL IN AND OUT OF MY CAR. I ALWAYS ENJOYED DRIVING MY KIA BUT NOT ANYMORE. *TR

• 11/21/2010· 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

• 11/20/2010· 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

• 11/20/2009· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  THE DRIVER DOOR FAILED TO OPEN BY USING THE KEYLESS ENTRY OR MANUALLY. YOU HAVE TO CLIMB OVER THE PASSENGER SEAT TO GET INTO OR OUT OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE DRIVER'S DOOR WILL NOT EVEN OPEN USING THE HANDLE FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. THERE IS NOT A CHOICE OF NOT HAVING IT FIXED OR NOT. YOU DON'T HAVE THE OPTION OF NOT USING THE KEYLESS ENTRY SINCE THE DOOR WILL NOT WORK MANUALLY. KIA DOES NOT HAVE THIS UNDER WARRANTY SO YOU ARE FORCED TO REPLACED BOTH THE LATCH AND THE ACTUATOR. THE CAR HAD TO TAKEN TO A KIA DEALER TO BE SERVICED UNLESS CLIMBING OVER THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS THE WAY YOU WOULD CHOOSE TO ENTER AND EXIT THE CAR. *TR

• 11/18/2008· SUSPENSION

  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.

• 11/13/2015· STRUCTURE

  THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE, WITH OR WITHOUT THE KEY. I'VE TRIED EVERYTHING AND CAN'T GET IT TO OPEN. I HAD TO CRAWL TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AFTER GETTING HOME TO GET OUT.

• 11/12/2011· STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK. NEITHER THE KEY NOR THE DOOR LOCK KNOB ON THE INSIDE WORKS TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE BEEN ENTERING AND EXITING THE DRIVER SIDE BY ENTERING THE CAR FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH ALL KIA MODELS AS YOU CAN SEE ON THE WEBSITE HTTP://VLANE.COM/DISCUSS-TOPIC/989/MY-DRIVERS-DOOR-IS-LOCKED-WILL-NOT-UNLOCK . THE PROBLEM IS A SAFETY HAZARD SINCE ONCE IN THE DRIVER SEAT, THE DRIVER CAN NOT EXIT THE CAR THROUGH THE DRIVER DOOR WHICH CAN PROVE TO BE A PROBLEM IN AN EMERGENCY. KIA IS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF OWNERS BY NOT ADDRESSING THE ISSUE. I AM AFRAID FOR MY SAFETY, MY FAMILY'S SAFETY WHILE DRIVING AND EMPHATICALLY PLEAD WITH YOU TO RECALL THESE KIA CARS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

• 11/12/2008· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  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

• 11/08/2008· AIR BAGS

  DASHBOARD AIRBAG INDICATOR LIT. CODE B1378 PULLED BY THE DEALERSHIP - DRIVERSIDE SIDE AIRBAG RESISTANCE HIGH. $1,020 TO FIX (REPLACE SEATBACK) . THIS CAR HAS 26,400 MILES ON IT. WAS TOLD NONE OF THE 4 AIRBAGS WILL WORK BECAUSE THIS ONE BAG HAS FAILED. I UNDERSTAND DEVICES FAIL BUT TO DESIGN AN ENTIRE SAFETY SYSTEM TO DEACTIVATE BECAUSE ONE PART OF IT GOES BAD IS NEGLIGENT ENGINEERING. ALSO, FACTORY WARRANTIES COVERING EMISSION SYSTEMS LONGER THAN SYSTEMS RESPONSIBLE FOR BODILY SAFETY IS BAD POLICY. *TR

• 11/05/2014· STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  DRIVER'S DOOR LOCKS AND CANNOT BE OPENED WITH A KEY AND DOES NOT OPEN ONCE INSIDE OF THE CAR. THE OPERATOR ESSENTIALLY IS LOCKED IN THE CAR. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH OR FIRE, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO EASILY VACATE THE VEHICLE; THE ONLY WAY WOULD BE TO CLIMB OVER THE CONSOLE TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OR THE REAR TO EXIT THE PASSENGER DOORS. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WITH NO ACTION TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER TO REMEDY THE DEFECT AND AFFECTS MULTIPLE MANUFACTURING YEARS. IN MY OPINION IT CLEARLY IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

• 11/05/2013· SUSPENSION

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY NOTICED RUST ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SUBFRAME RAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INSPECTED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V183000 (SUSPENSION) BUT NO REPAIR WAS REQUIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,615. ..UPDATED 12-30-13 *BF

• 11/05/2008· SUSPENSION

  RT BALL JOINT/AXLE BROKE WHILE DRIVING ON 10 OCT 08. MY VEHICLE IS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. *TR

• 11/04/2014· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  KIA OPTIMA PROBLEM MODEL YEARS AFFECTED: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013 THE DRIVER FRONT DOOR LOCK ON MY 2004 KIA OPTIMA STARTED GIVING ME PROBLEMS. IF I AM IN THE CAR AND LOCKED THE DOOR, I COULD NOT UNLOCK IT. IF I WAS OUTSIDE AND TRY TO USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE DOORS, IT WOULD NOT UNLOCK. IF I TRIED TO USE THE KEY, IT FELT LIKE SOMETHING WAS JAMMING, AND THE ACTUATOR WOULD AUTOMATICALLY RELOCK. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP AND THE SHOP TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A FAULTY DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR.THE MECHANIC DID NOT OPEN THE DOOR BUT SAID THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. THEY ESTIMATED COST IS $300+ INCLUDING LABOR TO REPAIR. AS AN INTERIM SOLUTION, THE MECHANIC TOLD US TO "TURN THE KEY AND PULL THE HANDLE SIMULTANEOUSLY". THE TRICK WORKED ABOUT 30% OF THE TIME. IT STILL DOES NOT SOLVE THE FACT THAT ONCE YOU'RE INSIDE, YOU HAVE TO CRAWL OUT THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE TO EXIT OR GO DUKES OF HAZARD ON IT. *TR

• 11/01/2013· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM INSIDE OR OUT. ONLY WAY IN/OUT OF THE CAR IS THROUGH 3 OTHER DOORS. CANNOT USE KEY TO MANUALLY GET IN DOOR. LATCH MECHANISM WILL NOT DISENGAGE. IF YOU ARE INSIDE THE CAR AND TRY TO UNLOCK THE DOOR AND OPEN IT, IT WILL MAKE A SOUND LIKE THE DOOR HAS BEEN UNLOCKED, BUT THEN WILL RELOCK ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. *TR

• 10/30/2016· AIR BAGS

  AIR BAG LIGHT ON DASHBOARD STAYS ON, STARTED TWO DAYS A GO.

• 10/25/2013· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  IN THE CAR WITH THE DOORS LOCKED, PARKED AND DRIVERS DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. TRIED THE UNLOCK BUTTON AND THE LOCKS UNLOCKED AND IMMEDIATELY LOCKED AGAIN. I TRIED SEVERAL TIMES. I TRIED TO ACTUALLY US THE LOCK ITSELF (MANUAL) AND DID THE SAME THING. I ALSO TRIED THE KEYLESS REMOTE AND THIS DIDN'T WORK EITHER. THE LOCKS WOULD UNLOCK THEN RELOCK IMMEDIATELY. I STARTED TO PANIC BUT LEANED OVER TO THE PASSENGER DOOR AND THE MANUAL LOOK UNLOCK JUST THAT DOOR. IF I WERE IN AN ACCIDENT OR IF A CHILD WERE IN THE CAR, THIS WOULD BE A HUGE PROBLEM! I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE CAR AND I HAVEN'T HAD OTHER PROBLEMS WITH IT. I HAVE READ ONLINE AND MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

• 10/24/2015· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  SUB FRAME ROT LEADING TO POOR HANDLING , TIRE WEAR, BAD ENGINE PERFORMANCE. THE ROTTED SUPFRAME IS SEPARATING FROM BODY, CAUSING POOR PERFORMANCE. THE CAR IS PERFORMING POORLY AT ALL SPEEDS. NOT SAFE...

• 10/20/2010· 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

• 10/17/2011· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  CAR WAS DIFFICULT TO START AFTER FUEL FILL-UP. IT GOT WORSE AFTER EACH FILL UP. TRIED PUTTING FUEL IN WHILE CAR WAS RUNNING, BUT IT WOULD JUST CUT OFF. MUST PUT FOOT ON BRAKE AND REV GAS AFTER PUTTING IN FUEL TO GET GOING. I WAS USING KROGER GAS, I SWITCHED TO SHELL GAS BUT THE PROBLEM PERSIST. ALSO ENGINE LIGHT HAS NEVER COME ON. I THINK THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE 2003 KIA. *TR

• 10/15/2010· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  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

• 10/13/2010· 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

• 10/10/2013· AIR BAGS

  THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON THE CLUSTER PANEL, THE CODE SHOWS THAT THERE IS "HIGH RESISTANCE" IN THE DRIVER SEAT AIR BAG. THIS ISSUE WAS FIXED WHILE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY BUT CONTINUES TO SHOW UP. I WAS TOLD I CAN REPLACE THE SEAT AND IT WOULD CORRECT THE ISSUE BUT I PICKED ONE UP AT A JUNK YARD THAT HAD THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

• 10/07/2012· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN, STUCK IN LOCKED POSITION. CAN'T GET OUT OF CAR UNLESS GO OVER TO PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. *TR

• 10/05/2009· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  THE FRONT DOOR LOCK ON OUR 2004 KIA OPTIMA WILL NOT UNLOCK, YOU CANNOT UNLOCK IT FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE CAR, AND THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN; THEREFORE, YOU MUST CLIMB TO THE OTHERSIDE OF THE CAR TO EXIT OR CLIMB OUT THROUGH THE WINDOW, WHICH I BELIEVE CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. NOONE WOULD BE ABLE TO REMOVE YOU FROM THE CAR IN THE EVENT OF SERIOUS INJURY, FIRE OR A WATER RESCUE. THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP SHOP TOLD US THAT IT WAS A FAULTY DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR AND A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT DID NOT OPEN THE DOOR FOR US. THEY ESTIMATED THE COST TO REPAIR AT $200 PLUS LABOR. IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, THEN THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS CAR, ESPECIALLY DUE TO THE UNSAFE NATURE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. *TR

• 10/05/2004· STEERING,POWER TRAIN

  IRREGULAR OCCURRENCES OF STEERING PROBLEM, LEAKING POWER STEERING RACK. *BF SINCE THE INITIAL REPAIR OF THE POWER STEERING RACK, THE CONSUMER HAS CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING, HOWEVER THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE CONSUMERS CONCERN. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED IN THE MORNINGS, THERE WAS A SECOND DELAY IN THE TRANSMISSION. *JB

• 10/04/2016· STRUCTURE

  PASSENGER AND DRIVER DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT UNLOCK 85% OF THE TIME, PREVENTING NORMAL ENTRY TO / EXIT FROM THE VEHICLE. MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS USING THE KEY IN THE DOOR LATCH ARE REQUIRED TO GAIN ENTRY THE OTHER 15% OF THE TIME. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE IN CASE OF CRASH, FIRE, OR CARJACKING. INTERNET RESEARCH SHOWS THIS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE AROUND 100K MILES. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL EVENT...

• 10/04/2005· AIR BAGS

  DT: THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE REPAIRED FIVE TIMES. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT A CAUSE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE SOUND FROM THE AIRBAG HAD GIVEN THE DRIVER A HEADACHE. THE CAUSE WAS STILL UNKNOWN. *SC . *AK

• 10/03/2009· STEERING,SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN

  WHEEL MISALIGNMENT AND OTHER NOTICEABLE STRESS IN STEERING, OR ACCELERATED ABNORMAL TIRE WEAR. RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM LEFT FRONT END AREA, NOT CV AXLE OR STRUT. *TR

• 10/03/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE BRAKES LOCKED. THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED COMPLETELY. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE FIXED AND ORDERED A PART. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB THE CONSUMER DID NOT APPLY EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO BRAKES VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL. *TC

• 10/01/2007· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,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

• 09/30/2014· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO LATCH AND LOCK FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COULD ONLY ENTER AND EXIT THE VEHICLE BY USING ANOTHER DOOR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LOCK ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

• 09/30/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE DOORS INDEPENDENTLY LOCKED. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW FAILED TO OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

• 09/28/2010· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  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.

• 09/28/2010· 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