Kia Optima 2002 — Reported problems

locked the car as most people do, then went to unlock the car heard it unlock but the door would not open. I could hear the door sound like it was locking/unlocking like it was stuck. I tried to climb through the passenger side to open the door from the inside and it will not open. The door appears to be "unlocked" but it is not and will not open creating a hazard if in an accident there is no way to get to safety. In researching online this is a common problem and there is a part in the lock mechanism that gets stuck so the door does not unlock and cannot open. It appears it has been reported several times on the year of my car and other years but nothing has been done. There is no warning that this will happen, you just lock the doors and then it doesn't unlock.

The contact owns a 2002 Kia Optima. The contact stated that after he replaced all four tires, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for an alignment; however, the mechanic was unable to perform an alignment due to the subframe corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V183000 (Suspension) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE HOLES FROM CORROSION DUE TO SUB-FRAME RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE SUB-FRAME TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V183000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000.

AIR BAG LIGHT ALL OF SUDDEN,AFTER JUST STARTING UP

OVER A WEEKS TIME,I NOTICED MY STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED LIKE MAYBE I NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT AND IT STARTED PULLING TO THE LEFT SO BAD THAT I HAD TO FORCE THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT SO I WOULDN'T WRECK INTO THE MEDIAN ON THE INTERSTATE. I COULD ONLY GO ABOUT 45 OR 50 MPH OR IT WOULD START SHAKING THE ENTIRE CAR AND WAS ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL IT ON THE ROAD. HAD IT LOOKED AT AND AT THE BOTTOM CONTROL ARM THAT BOLTS TO THE SUBFRAME HAD RUSTED OUT AND THE RIGHT SIDE WAS ON THE VERGE OF DOING THE SAME! THE FL AND FR TIRES, THAT I HAD GOTTEN BRAND NEW 5 MONTHS AGO, WERE WORE DOWN TO THE WIRE!!! I'M SURPRISED I HAD THE CHANCE TO GET IT HOME AND GET IT LOOKED AT BEFORE IT RUSTED ALL THE WAY THROUGH! I WAS SO BLESSED I DIDNT HAVE A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 219,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE CONTROL ARM, TIE ROD, AND CV AXLE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE DRIVER SIDE CONTROL ARM, TIE ROD, AND CV AXLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V183000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 133,313.

MY 16 YEAR OLD JUST PURCHASED A 2002 KIA OPTIMA SEDAN ON SATURDAY 8/20/2016 FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP. VERY FIRST CAR, HIS OWN EARNED SAVINGS. UPON FINALIZING THE PAPERWORK, WE LITERALLY WALKED OUT THE DOOR & IMMEDIATELY WERE UNABLE TO UNLOCK HIS DRIVER'S DOOR WITH THE KEY FOB. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY, NOT RUNNING, PARKED IN ALL INSTANCES IN REGARDS TO THIS COMPLAINT. COINCIDENTALLY, IT WORKED PERFECT FOR OUR TEST DRIVE. I DO ALSO HAVE SIGNED DOCUMENTATION STATING THE CAR LOT DOES NOTHING TO THE CAR ELECTRONICALLY, MECHANICALLY OR OTHERWISE AS WELL IF NEEDED. I WAS HOPEFUL IT WAS THE KEY FOB BATTERY, BUT IT'S BEEN REPLACED & STILL NOT WORKING. WE'VE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH ALL THE LOCKS SINCE & NO SUCCESS TO UNLOCK WHEN NEEDED. HE USES THE DRIVER'S SIDE THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE TIME, BUT ALL WITHOUT WARNING WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK WITH NO RHYME OR REASON. HE'S HAD TO CRAWL OVER FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE TO GET IN EVERY TIME. MY NIGHTMARE AS ANY PARENTS IS GOD FORBID A FIRE START OR HE ACCIDENTALLY GOES INTO A BODY OF WATER & IS TRAPPED. I REALIZE IT'S AN OLDER CAR BOUGHT USED, BUT I SEE THERE ARE DOZENS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE LOCKS, NOT JUST ON YOUR SITE. EVEN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT THAT WAS MYSTERIOUSLY "VOLUNTARILY DISMISSED" BY THE PLAINTIFF IN 2015. CASE NO. [XXX] FROM WHAT I CAN SEE. WHERE IS THE RECALL? WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO HAVE ONE ISSUED? WE DON'T HAVE THE FINANCIAL CAPABILITY TO PAY FOR A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT IS ALREADY BEEN UNCOVERED YET AMAZINGLY NO ONE IS REQUIRED TO REPAIR? NOR DO I FEEL WE SHOULD HAVE TO. ANOTHER POINT TO NOTE IS EVERY SINGLE VIN # I'VE SEEN COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE, ARE IN VERY CLOSE NUMERICAL SUCCESSION WITH OURS. I HAVE TO SAY IT SEEMS VERY UNLIKELY IT'S SHEER COINCIDENCE. I UNDERSTAND COMPANIES NEED TO GUARD THEIR "BOTTOM LINE" BUT WHAT COST? I SINCERELY APPRECIATE YOUR TIME & FEEDBACK. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

2002 KIA OPTIMA DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH KEYLESS ENTRY OR FROM IN SIDE OF CAR ONLY AFTER LOCKING AND WAITING SEVERAL MINUTES TO HITTING UNLOCK ABOUT 20 TIMES TO GET THE DOOR TO UNLOCK HAVE BEEN LOCKED IN CAR AND CRAWL THREW CAR OR OUT WINDOW. CAR HAS 142000.MILIES

WE OWN A 2002 KIA OPTIMA- FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL- THE RECALL WAS CORRISION TO THE SUBFRAME THAT COULD LEAD TO PROBLEMS WITH THE CONTROL ARM. I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR WAS INSPECTED IN 2010 AND THE RECALL WAS TAKEN CARE OF AT THAT TIME. WE BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A PRIVATE OWNER IN 2014. 2015 WENT TO GET NEW TIRES ON THE CAR AND DISCOUNT TIRE TOLD US THAT THEY COULDN'T DO AN ALIGNMENT BECAUSE THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE CONTROL ARM. WE FOUND OUT TO REPAIR THE CONTROL ARE IT WOULD BE OVER $500. WHEN I CALLED THE KIA HOTLINE TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE RECALL, I WAS TOLD THAT WE WOULD NEED TO TAKE THE CAR TO A KIA DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE CAR REVIEWED BY THEIR SERVICE MEN TO SEE IF THERE IS ANY ISSUES WITH THE SUBFRAME AND CONTROL ARM. I'M CONCERNED MY CONCERN IS NOT GOING TO GET ADRESSED. 7/11/2016 JP

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE LOWER SUBFRAME DETACHED DUE TO CORROSION INSIDE THE SUBFRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V183000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

I JUST GOT MY 2002 KIA OPTIMA AND IT JUST RECENTLY STARTED HAVING ISSUES. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MY CAR STARTED TO SLIGHTLY WANDER TO THE LEFT, I THOUGHT OK.. IT NEEDS AN ALIGNMENT. SO THEN IT STARTED JERKING TO THE RIGHT, SO BAD I GOT PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND COULDN'T CONTROL IT. I PARKED MY CAR IN A PARKING LOT TIL MY BF COULD COME LOOK AT IT, AND I HAD HIM DRIVE IT HOME AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO HIM. HE LOOKED AT EVERY POSSIBILITY AT WHAT IT COULD BE AS HE IS A MECHANIC AND SAID LOWER CONTROL ARM. IT HAS BEEN SITTING IN MY YARD FOR A WEEK. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I FOUND OUT IT HAD A RECALL BACK IN 2009, SO I CALLED MY LOCAL KIA DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS PART OF THE RECALL BUT IT HAS BEEN FIXED- I'M WONDERING HOW IT WAS FIXED IF IT IS DOING THE SAME EXACT THING EVERYONE'S COMPLAINTS I HAVE SEEN IS DOING/ I AM AT A HALT NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO WITH MY CAR, I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN AND REFUSE TO DRIVE THIS CAR. PLEASE HELP

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

DRIVING UP THE ROAD ,PUT ON BRAKES ,AXLE AND SUBFRAME BROKE CAUSING MY CAR TO SLIDE AND STOP IN MIDDLE OF ROAD.THANK GOD NO ONE HIT US.

I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON VEHICLE STOPPED ENGINE SHUT OFF I HAD TO COAST TO SIDE OF ROAD. IT QUIT SHIFTING AFTER IT STALLED. HAD TO BE TOWED HOME. KIA DEALER IN ONTARIO CALIFORNIA CAN'T FIND WHAT IS WRONG THEY WANT ME TO PAY 1600.00 TO CHANGE BATTERY CABLES, BATTERY AND FIX SHIFTER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, FLAMES STARTED TO EMIT FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD DUE TO THE WIRING NEAR THE STARTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000.

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, STEPPED ON BRAKES AND FRONT FRAME BROKE INTO TWO PIECES, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, NEARLY CAUSED A PILE UP ON THE ROAD. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACTUATOR DOOR LOCKS FOR THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDOW WAS USED IN ORDER TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE THE FRONT PASSENGER ACTUATOR WAS REPAIRED PREVIOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

A FIRE STARTED INSIDE THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR PANEL FILLING THE CAR WITH HEAVY BLACK SMOKE MY WIFE OPENED THE DRIVERS SIDE ELECTRIC WINDOW TO GE RID OF THE SMOKE OUT OF THE CAR. SHE DROVE THE CAR INTO HER BACK YARD AND STARTED SCREAMING FOR HELP SINCE THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. HER HUSBAND RAN TO THE BACK YARD AND WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND SHE HAD TO CLIMB OVER THE GEAR SHIFT AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. SHE WAS ON OXYGEN AT THE TIME. HER HUSBAND GOT A WATER HOSE AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE INVESTIGATION LED TO THE FIRE STARTING IN A ELECTRICAL ACTUATOR KIA NUMBER ACT " R ASSY KMC 9530-3C000. THE DOOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. I NOTIFIED KIA CORP HEADQUARTERS AT 1-877-220-3189 AND SENT PICTURES MY CASE # [XXX]. AS OF THIS DATE 07/24/2014 KIA HAS NOT GOT BACK WITH ME. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

SUBFRAME IS RUSTING OUT AND MY TIRES ARE GETTING ABNORMAL WEAR AND MY FRONT TIRES ARE ANGLED IN. *TR

MY TIRE HAD STARTED BENDING INWARD AT THE TOP, AND OUTWARD AT THE BOTTOM. MY CAR STARTED GOING OUT OF ALIGNMENT. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP, AND THEY FOUND OUT MY SUB FRAME WAS RUSTED AND WORN OUT. THEY ALSO FOUND OUT THAT THE SUB FRAME HAD BEEN RECALLED IN 2009, BUT APPARENTLY NOT ON MY EXACT VEHICLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V183000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

FRONT DOOR FAILS TO UNLOCK AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. DOOR MUST BE UNLOCKED WITH A KEY, USING THE POWER LOCKS OR MANUALLY FLIPPING THE DOOR LOCK DOESN'T DO IT, AND THE KEY ONLY UNLOCKS IT APPROXIMATELY 1 OUT OF EVERY 20 TRIES. THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ONLINE, SEE FOR INSTANCE: HTTP://WWW.KIA-FORUMS.COM/1G-2G-2001-2006-MAGENTIS-OPTIMA/47179-2004-OPTIMA-DOOR-LOCK-FAULT.HTML. *TR

I RECEIVED A CALL FROM MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER THAT SHE HAD A FLAT TIRE ON HER FRONT DRIVER SIDE. SHE IS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN THE DARK AND COLD I GOT DRESSED WENT THERE AND CHANGED IT, SO GO THE NEXT MORNING AND TAKE A LOOK AT IT IN LIGHT WHAT I FOUND IS VERY UPSETTING, THE WHOLE FRAME WHERE LOWER CONTROL (ARM BOLTS ON COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. I FOUND OUT THAT AFTER RESEARCH A FACTORY RECALL WAS ON IT, I CALLED AUFFENBURG KIA IN CAPE GIRARDEAU MISSOURI I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR HAD BEEN RECALLED AND REPAIRED IN 12/28/0 9 AND I COULD BRING IT THERE BUT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TOO FIX IT BECAUSE OF ITS ALREADY BEEN DONE BEFORE, I SAID WHY DID IT HAPPEN AGAIN HE WOULDN'T GIVE ME A ANSWER EXCEPT THAT THE COMPUTER SAID IT WAS OK AND I COULDN'T SPEAK WITH HIS BOSS UNTIL NEXT WEEK. I SAID WHAT IF MY DAUGHTER DIED IN A WRECK BECAUSE OF IT ALL HE SAID WAS KIA WOULD SAY THAT THEY ALREADY FIXED IT AND WOULD NOT BE LIABLE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IF ANYTHING I CAN DO ABOUT THIS OR AM I JUST OVER A BARREL WITH KIA AND THERE JUNK. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,500.

WE HAVE HAD ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH A 2002 KIA OPTIMA, INCLUDING TIRE WEAR, BRAKE PROBLEMS, ELECTRICAL ISSUES, EXCESSIVE BATTERY WEAR. THIS WEEK WE WERE NOTIFIED BY OUR AUTO SHOP THAT THERE IS EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE SUBFRAME AND THAT A RECALL EXISTS FOR THIS CONDITION. WHEN I CONTACTED BOTH OUR LOCAL DEALER AND KIA CORPORATE, I WAS TOLD THAT THIS PARTICULAR VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, ALTHOUGH THE RECALL CLEARLY STATES THAT IT DOES MEET THE PARAMETERS. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, IT APPEARS THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS AND BEEN GIVEN THE SAME INFORMATION. CURRENTLY, WE ARE LEFT WITH A CAR THAT IS A DANGER TO DRIVE AND ENORMOUS PERSONAL EXPENSE TO RESOLVE. *TR

I HAVE ALSO BEEN STATED AS "NOT INCLUDED". 2002 KIA OPTIMA V6 LX. THE VEHICLE SHAKES MY ENTIRE BODY UPON BRAKING. RADIO TURNS ON AND OFF. RADIO GOES FROM CD1 ERROR TO FM. LIGHTS FLICKER, AIR SHUTS OFF. IM ALMOST NOT ABLE TO PUMP GAS ANYMORE. PUMP HANDLE CONTINUOUSLY CLICKS OFF. ITS PATHETIC THAT I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE TO WORK!! I HAVE ACTUALLY CALLED IN FOR FEAR OF IT JUST DECIDING TO COMPLETELY STALL. *TR

WHILE I WAS DRIVING I HAD NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. I HAD NEW TIRES AND AN ALIGNMENT DONE 5-6 WEEKS PRIOR, SO I RETURNED TO THE SHOP AND THEY LOOKED AT EVERYTHING AND THE FRONT END WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. THE SHOP LOOKED FURTHER TO SEE WHAT CAUSED THIS AND FOUND THAT THE RIGHT FRONT FRAME AREA WAS RUSTED AND CRACKED. THEY ADVISED ME THAT THE CAR WAS NOT SAVE AND THAT I SHOULD CONTACT KIA. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR HOME AND THE CAR PULLED DRASTICALLY TO RIGHT AND I HEARD A CRUSHING NOISE FROM THE RIGHT TIRE AREA. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND SAW THAT THE TIRE WAS NOT POSITIONED PROPERLY. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY RESIDENCE AND AM IN THE PROCESS OF CONTACTING KIA. I WAS LUCKING TO NOT HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, AFTER READING SOME OF THE OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A NATIONAL RECALL ON THIS SITUATION. ACCORDING THE RECORDS THAT I HAD CHECKED I AM ONLY THE 2ND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. I HOPE THAT KIA MAKES GOOD ON THIS SITUATION. *TR

WHEN YOU TURN MY CAR ON IT DOES NOT WANT TO TURN OFF. WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING THE CAR IT SUDDENLY SHUTS OFF AND STOPS. I HAVE READ SIMILAR REPORTS OF THE SAME THING HAPPENING AND UNDER THE RECALLS IT LISTS THIS AS A COMPLICATION. I HAVE CALLED KIA AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN NUMBER DOESN'T HAVE A RECALL ON IT AND WAS TOLD THAT ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE OUT OF POCKET. I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE TOP HALF OF MY MOTOR COSTING ME 3500 OUT OF POCKET FOR WELL KNOW PROBLEMS AND RECALLS THAT WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS CARS VIN NUMBER I DO NOT THINK A CAR SHOULD HAVE THIS MANY ISSUES AND OR REPAIRS IN THE LAST YEAR ALONE I HAVE PUT 2 GRAND INTO THIS CAR I AM VERY UNHAPPY ABOUT THIS SITUATION EVERYTHING THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED ALREADY I HAVE HAD TO FIX IT OUT OF MY POCKET BECAUSE THIS MODEL OF CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS I DON'T FEEL LIKE THIS CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE AND I HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN WHO RIDE IN THE CAR I CAN NOT RISK MY CHILDREN'S LIVES AND HAVE THIS CAR SHUTTING OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I NEED SOMETHING DONE ABOUT ALL THE PROBLEMS GOING ON IN THIS CAR DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFAULTS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK WITH THE KEY FOB OR MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THE DOOR LOCK MOTOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REFUELING, FUEL SPILLED OUT OF THE FUEL FILLER NECK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V180000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

CAR WAS MAKING STRANGE NOISE. TOOK TO MECHANIC TO HAVE CHECK. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SUBFRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH ON PASSENGER SIDE AT FRAME MOUNTS AND ALMOST RUSTED THROUGH ON DRIVERS SIDE. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF PROBLEM VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND WILL NOT ALLOW BACK ON ROAD UNTIL NECESSARY REPAIRS ARE MADE. I CONTACTED KIA AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS PARTICULAR YEAR VEHICLE WAS IN A RECALL DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THIS PARTICULAR VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED IN THE STATE OF WEST VA, AS STATED IN THE RECALL. VEHICLE IS STILL PARKED AT MECHANICS GARAGE AND I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE COMMUNICATION REGARDING THIS MATTER. I WAS TOLD BY KIA REPRESENTATIVE THAT I WOULD NEED TO CONTACT YOUR ORGANIZATION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT IN A JERKING MOTION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE WAS POSITIONED OUTWARDLY. ALSO, BOTH FRONT TIRES HAD PREMATURELY WORN DUE TO THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V183000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AND AT ONE POINT THERE WAS A NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCE IN STEERING AND THE CAR PULLED TO THE RIGHT. WITHIN A FEW DAYS OF THIS EVENT, THE BRAND NEW TIRES THAT WERE PURCHASED JUST A FEW MONTHS EARLIER, WORE FROM THE INNER EDGE TO ABOUT 1/3 OF THE WIDTH OF THE TIRE, EXPOSING THE BELTS. THIS CAUSED ONE TIRE TO POP, WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN. A SPARE WAS PLACED ON THE VEHICLE TO GET IT TO A TIRE REPAIR LOCATION AND AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES OF DRIVING, THE SPARE LOST ALL TREAD AND ALSO POPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE TIRE REPAIR SHOP AND THE RUSTED AND BROKEN SUBFRAME WAS DETECTED. THE AREA WAS SO RUSTED THAT PORTIONS OF THE FRAME BROKE AND THE TIRES WERE NO LONGER RUNNING STRAIGHT. I CALLED KIA AND THEY TOLD ME ALTHOUGH THERE ARE RECALLS FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM ON KIA OPTIMAS FROM 2001 TO 2004, MY CAR WAS NOT IN THE RECALL BECAUSE I LIVE IN KANSAS. THE RECALL DOES APPLY TO KIAS IN MISSOURI, WHICH IS 15 MINUTES FROM WHERE I LIVE. THE KANSAS CITY AREA IS BOTH MISSOURI AND KANSAS AND THE AREA WHERE I LIVE. THE RUSTING IS ATTRIBUTED TO SALT USED DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER IN MISSOURI AND NOT ONLY IS THE SAME SALT USED IN KANSAS, BUT I ALSO DRIVE IN MISSOURI. THE KIA REPRESENTATIVE STILL REFUSED TO RECOGNIZE THAT MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE PART OF THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE THAT CAUSED OTHER KIA OPTIMAS TO BE RECALLED HAS HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE. THE RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXTENDED TO KANSAS BECAUSE WE DEAL WITH THE SAME ELEMENTS AS MISSOURI AND IOWA WHICH ARE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. MY SON WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WHEN THE DAMAGE OCCURRED AND HE COULD HAVE SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURY IF HE HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY INSTEAD OF A SIDE STREET. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING SHE HEARD AN UNFAMILIAR SOUND COMING FROM THE UNDER CARRIAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED WHICH CAUSED IT TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE NEAR THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE AS THE VEHICLE DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THAT THE BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE STILL HEARD A NOISE AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 08-03-12 *BF UPDATED 09/07/2012 *JS

UPON ROUTINE INSPECTION OF VEHICLE, MY REPAIR GARAGE NOTED THAT BRAKE LINES WERE QUITE RUSTED, AND STATED THAT THEY COULD FAIL SUDDENLY. IS THIS COMMON OR UNCOMMON IN A 10 YEAR OLD VEHICLE? *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE SERVICE WHEN HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V183000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,148.

MY 2002 KIA OPTIMA, VEERED OF THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE DUE TO A FLAT TIRE. THE TIRES HAD BEEN REPLACED THAT MORNING AND WITHIN 130 MILES ON THE HIGHWAY THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE POPPED. AS I TOOK A CLOSER LOOK I NOTICED MY WHEEL WAS SLANTED IN. I THEN HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST REPAIR SHOP WHO INFORMED ME THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. WHEN I CONTACTED KIA ABOUT THE ISSUE THEY BASICALLY SAID SORRY ABOUT YOUR LUCK. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED. NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN BY KIA IN ANY OF MY ATTEMPTS TO HAVE THEM RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. I AM, AND HAVE BEEN, STRANDED OUT OF TOWN FOR 3 WEEKS NOW WAITING ON THEM TO MAKE SOME KIND OF DECISION. THEY HAVE OVERLOOKED EVERY WORD I HAVE SAID TO THEM ABOUT THE SALT IN MY LOCATION AND THE CARS PREVIOUS LOCATIONS WHICH CAUSES SUCH CORROSION TO A POORLY MAKE VEHICLE. THE CAR ORIGINATES FROM SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WHERE SALT IS PRESENTLY IN THE AIR. IT THEN WAS REGISTERED IN OKLAHOMA AND THE TEXAS PANHANDLE, BOTH HAVING HARSH SNOWY WINTERS. THE CAR CLEARLY HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO ENOUGH SALT TO HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THIS IS KIA'S RESPONSIBILITY, YET THEY ARE DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. WHEN I CRASHED MY CAR INTO THE DITCH ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, MY LIFE WAS PUT AT RISK. THERE VERY EASILY COULD HAVE BEEN A CAR TO MY LEFT OR RIGHT OR A POLE IN THAT DITCH. KIA SHOULD HAVE FIXED THIS PROBLEM IN ALL OPTIMA'S PUT OUT DURING THE YEAR OF THE RECALL. IT IS A SERIOUS DANGER TO ANY UNAWARE DRIVER OF A 2001-2004 KIA OPTIMA. LEGAL ACTION NEEDS TO BE TAKEN AGAINST KIA. *TR