10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
35,667 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2001 Kia Optima seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2001 Kia Optima Owner Comments

problem #3

Aug 032006

Optima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When I first brought the car and drove it, the lights became dim in the inside and the headlights. The radio turned off and on, took it to dealer 4-5 times for problem and they could find nothing wrong. The car doesn't pick up spend when going over hills not even little ones. The gas needle does not read full even when the tank is practically overflowing with gas. Reading a full tank of gas happens every once in a while. Check engine light comes on. Have taken to shop and was told that my spend sensor is going out and that is why the car is going from 1st to 3rd gear and skips 2nd altogether I've only had the car for one year the warrinty is gone and I was never offered the extended warrinty and really didn't think of it since the car was only 4 yr old. Back brakes have also gone out at least I think so they started grinding with no warning 2 days ago I'm going to have them checked this weekend. Air (never used befoe this summer)doesn't get cold like it should. Door lock making a crazy sound on drivers side, believe the motor is going out on power locks they also tend to not want to unlock sometimes. Atenna broke.air bag light came on and won't turn off. Also how can I find out if any recall items have been fixed on my car or not or if they still need to be replaced.

- San Bernardino, CA, USA

problem #2

Apr 242002

Optima 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 20,000 miles
The contact stated the SRS warning light stayed on. The dealership replaced the air bag module, clock spring, air bag harness campaign, air bag control unit, and titian pin plug connector for dsab. They have not been able to correct the problem.

- Ocean Side, NY, USA

problem #1

Nov 102002

Optima 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
I was involved in a crash on Nov 02. I was broadsided by a truck (F150 type veh.) in an intersection. As a result, my roof bowed and the entire drivers side from wheel well to wheel well was caved in like a half moon. The frame was pinned up against the drivers seat. The seat belt did not lock but released me and none of the air bags deployed. I suffered back and neck injury and was transported by amubulance to a nearby hospital. The vehicle was in storage. I contacted the manufacturer numerous times as did my attorney. All we received was the run-around for approx. Six months. No return calls, excuses, unable to get a release to have a Kia auditor look at the car, etc. My insurance company and my attorney sent them the release twice and still no response. Consequently, I deployed overseas (military) and upon my return found that the car had been disposed of (destroyed). I still suffer from my injuries and my attorney is still handling my case.

- District Heights, MD, USA

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