2003 Kia Optima complaints

I HAD PROBLEM WITH BRAKES LOCKING UP ON 2003 KIA OPTIMA, HAD IT AT A DEALERSHIP TO GET FIXED. THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT, BUT HAD SAME PROBLEM. THEY HAD IT TOWED, TOOK IT BACK TO FIX IT AGAIN, THEN PUT A GOVERNOR ON IT, SAID THE BRAKES WERE NOW FIXED. WELL, THIS EVENING, ENROUTE TO PICK MY DAUGHTER FROM THE DAYCARE FACILITY, I SAW TRAFFIC STOPPED, WENT TO SLOW UP BY APPLYING BRAKES AND GUESS WHAT? NO BRAKES! THIS DID NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME, BUT INTERMITTENTLY, NOW CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK! THE REPAIR SHOP AT THE DEALERSHIP IS THE ONE WHO SAID IT WAS ALL TAKEN CARE OF, HOWEVER, AS YOU CAN SEE , IT IS NOT TAKEN CARE OF AS THE BRAKES FAILED!! THE BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE, I WAS GOING TO TRY TO GO IN THE LEFTHAND LANE OF THE TWO LANE HIGHWAY ON MY SIDE OF THE ROAD, HOWEVER THERE WAS A CAR ALREADY IN POSITION ON THAT SIDE AND THE CURB, GRASS AND THEN A PIZZA HUT ON MY RIGHT, LEAVING ME NO WHERE TO GO BUT UNDER THE BUMPER OF A PICK UP. IT PUSHED THE GRILL INTO THE RADIO, THEREFORE THE HOOD IS BUCKLED, THE BUMPER DESTROYED AND CAR WILL BE TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY AS IT IS COST MORE TO REPAIR AS IT ALSO TORE OFF SIDE STRIP AND OTHER PARTS ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE CAR. THE LEFT HAND TURN SIGNAL BLINKS TWICE AS FAST AS IT SHOULD AS I CHECKED OUT EVERYTHING AS THE POLICE OFFICER SAID IT WAS DRIVABLE. I DROVE IT HOME VERY SLOWLY WITH MY DAD IN A CAR BEHIND ME TO MAKE SURE I DID NOT LEAK ANY FLUID AND ALSO TO MAKE SURE I GOT HOME ALRIGHT WITH MY

DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK LOCKS UNATTENDED, TRAPS DRIVER INSIDE CAR. CAN NOT OPEN WITH KEY OR SWITCH. SAFETY ISSUE. ALSO; AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT ACTIVATED FOR THE SECOND TIME, HAS TO BE A DEFECT. *TR

THE DOOR HANDLE(S) ARE DEFECTIVE TO POINT WHERE EVEN THOUGH THE DOOR IS UNLOCKED, THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED. UPON TAKING IT TO A BODY SHOP, THE WORKERS INFORM ME THAT THIS COULD BE A SAFETY RECALL AND THAT I SHOULD CONTACT THE DEALER BEFORE DOING ANYTHING ELSE. THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM. A SIMPLE INTERNET SEARCH OF "2003 KIA OPTIMA DOOR STUCK" WILL SHOW THAT MILLIONS OF CONSUMERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD, WHEN THINKING IN TERMS OF AN ACCIDENT OR IF A PASSENGER NEEDS TO QUICKLY GET OUT OF THE CAR. I FEEL THAT KIA NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS SITUATION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD TO EITHER CLIMB OUT THE WINDOW OR THE ONE OF THE OTHER DOORS IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOCKING SOLENOID WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

PASSENGER SIDE DOOR DID NOT UNLOCK. THIS FORCED PASSENGER TO COME OUT FROM THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. *TR

PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCKS STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS OPENING APROX 6 MO. AGO. IT TAKES ABOUT 3 OR 4 TRIES TO GET THE DOOR TO OPEN IF YOU ARE USING THE KEY. IF YOU ARE JUST THE PASSENGER AND THE DRIVER OPENS THE DOOR FOR YOU WITH THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK IT MAY TAKE SEVERAL TRIES AS THE DOOR WILL AUTOMATICLY RELOCK BY ITSELF AND YOU WILL BE LOCKED OUT. ON 10/29/11 THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR STARTED TO HAVE ISSUES. I WENT TO GET INTO THE CAR AND IT TOOK ABOUT 20 TRIES TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE LOCK FELT VERY TIGHT AND WAS HARD TO TURN. I HAD TO FIGHT TO GET THE DOOR TO OPEN. I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVER SIDE LOCKING SYSTEM. ONCE I GET INTO THE CAR, I WAS CONFUSED BUT DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT AFTER THAT AND DROVE TO MY DESTINATION, WHEN I TRIED TO GET OUT OF THE CAR I COULDN'T. I WAS LOCKED IN THE CAR. IT TOOK TEN MINUTES TO WITH ME FIGHTING WITHT THE LOCKS TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. I ONLY GOT OUT BY MY DAUGHTER GETTING OUT THROUGH THE PASSENGER DOOR AND TAKING THE KEYS TO FIGHT WITH THE DRIVER SIDE LOCK. I HAVE MY CAR NOW SCHEDULED TO BE FIXED AT THE KIA DEALERSHIP ON 11/7/11. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOCK BEFORE THE DOOR COULD BE OPENED. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND THE CONTACT HAD TO EXIT THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK WAS INOPERABLE AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ENTER OR EXIT THROUGH THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE SMELLED SMOKE WHEN SHE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES. SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACTIVATE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SYSTEM, BUT IT FAILED AND DID NOT ACTIVATE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED TO INCLUDE THE BRAKE HOUSING UNIT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 69,000.

THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR LOCKS ARE DEFECTED. WHEN I PUSH THE AUTOMATIC SWITCH TO UNLOCK THE DOORS, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR STAYS LOCKED AND HAVE TO PUSH IT ON AND OFF A FEW TIMES FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR TO UNLOCK. I TOOK MY CAR TO A KIA DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS AND WAS GIVEN AN ESTIMATE OF $807.00 FOR BOTH DOOR LOCK LATCHES. I STILL HAVE NOT HAD IT FIXED, BEING THAT I CANNOT AFFORD IT RIGHT NOW, SO NOW I HAVE TO GET IN AND OUT THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE ARE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME CAR MAKE AND MODEL. THE DOOR LOCK LATCH SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED BY KIA. ARE THERE ANY NEW SOLUTIONS TO THIS PROBLEM? PLEASE LET ME KNOW.... *TR

POWER DOOR LOCKS RE-LOCK AFTER YOU UNLOCK THEM AND PULL ON THE DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. THIS CAN EITHER TRAP YOU IN YOUR CAR, OR TRAP YOU OUT. YOU HAVE TO GO AROUND TO THE OTHER SIDE, BUT CRAWLING OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. HAD THE SWITCH AND ACTUATOR REPLACED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. ABOUT A YEAR LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. KIA DOESN'T SEEM TO CARE SINCE IT GETS THEM OVER $300 WORTH OF BUSINESS EACH TIME. *KB

POWER LOCKS INSTANTLY LOCK AFTER UNLOCKING,(OVER AND OVER) PROHIBITING ME AND MY PASSENGERS TO ENTER OR EXIT THE VEHICLE. IT SOMETIMES TAKES 5-10 MINUTES OF TRYING TO UNLOCK THAT THEY WILL FINALLY STAY UNLOCKED ALLOWING ACCESS. I HAVE A TODDLER AND A BABY ON THE WAY. IF THERE WERE TO BE AN ACCIDENT OR A FIRE, I COULD ONLY IMAGINE BEING TRAPPED INSIDE.

POWER DOOR LOCKS INSTANTLY LOCK AFTER UNLOCKING CONTINUOUSLY, PROHIBITING ENTRY OR EXIT TO THE VEHICLE. THIS POSES A SAFETY HAZARD IF THERE WERE TO BE AN ACCIDENT LOCKING ME AND MY CHILDREN INSIDE THE VEHICLE. SOMETIMES IT TAKES 5-10 MINUTES TO GET IN OR OUT OF THE CAR TRYING TO CATCH THE DOOR HANDLE AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME TO BE ABLE TO OPEN IT. *TR

ONCE YOU LOCK THE DOORS ON A 2003 KIA OPTIMA, YOU CANNOT UNLOCK FROM EITHER THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. IF YOU KEEP LOCKING AND UNLOCKING FROM INSIDE, THEY WILL EVENTUALLY STAY UNLOCKED. VERY UNSAFE IF YOU NEED TO GET OUT OF CAR QUICKLY. *TR

OWNER OF 2003 KIA OPTIMA - DRIVER DOOR WON'T OPEN FROM INSIDE OUR OUTSIDE. OWNER MUST USE PASSENGER DOOR TO GAIN ACCESS TO VEHICLE. EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE SEEMS LOOSE. UNABLE TO OPEN DOOR TO REMOVE DOOR PANEL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN OR CLOSE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE HER WITH ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT IF SHE REPAIRED HER VEHICLE AND A RECALL WAS LATER ISSUED THAT SHE WOULD BE ENTITLED TO A REFUND. THE VEHICLE WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000. UPDATED 05/03/11*LJ UPDATED 05/11/11

DOOR LOCKS STOP WORKING ,CAN'T OPEN THE CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE BECAME LOCKED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO EXIT. THE LOCKS HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND SHE HAD TO EXIT THE VEHICLE BY CRAWLING OUT OF THE WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE PERSISTED FOR TWO YEAR BEFORE THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE DEALER REFERRED HER TO THE MANUFACTURER AND THE MANUFACTURER AGREED TO ASSIST WITH REPAIRING THE LOCKS FOR THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR ONLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR DOOR LOCKS WERE AFFECTED BY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,442 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LATCHES ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WERE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY; THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS TO GET IN OR OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE LATCHES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR COSTS. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE CV JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 02/16/11 UPDATED 3/8/11 *CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK FROM THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE ONLY WAY TO EXIT FROM THE VEHICLE WAS TO CLIMB OUT FROM THE OPPOSITE SIDE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY THE DEALER NOR WAS IT REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEAT DOORS REMAINED LOCKED WITHOUT A WARNING. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL DEFECT. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

DRIVER'S DOOR WON'T OPEN. FAILED IN SHUT POSITION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR LOCKS FAILED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS FROM THE INSIDE OR USE THE KEY TO OPEN THE DOORS FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO CLIMB INTO THE DRIVER SEAT FROM THE REAR IN ORDER TO ENTER AND EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,196. UPDATED 01/31/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS ON NOVEMBER 17, 2010. HOWEVER, THE DOORS WERE STILL LOCKING ON THEIR OWN. UPDATED 03/11/11

2003 KIA OPTIMA DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCKED AND WON'T UNLOCK. CANNOT OPEN DOOR AND I'M LOCKED IN VEHICLE. MUST CLIMB THROUGH WINDOW OR PASSENGER SIDE. KEY WILL NOT UNLOCK DRIVERS DOOR. I CANNOT LOCK THE REST OF THE DOORS TO VEHICLE IN FEAR I WILL BE LOCKED IN OR OUT FOR GOOD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO USE THE AIR CONDITIONER HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO RUN HOT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE RADIATOR AND TUBING WERE REPLACED ; HOWEVER, 2 WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIR THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90000.

THE DRIVER DOOR ON MY 2003 KIA OPTIMA WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH MY KEY, EVEN THOUGH THE INSIDE LOCK WOULD MOVE TO THE "UNLOCK" POSITION. IT WILL ONLY OPEN WITH A COMBINATION OF TURNING THE KEY AND PULLING THE DOOR HANDLE AT THE SAME TIME OR HAVING MY SON PUSH DOWN ON THE INSIDE LOCK WHILE I TURN THE KEY AND PULL THE DOOR HANDLE. THIS SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM ONLY WORKS ABOUT HALF THE TIME. IF THE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK, I HAVE TO ENTER THE CAR THROUGH THE PASSENGER DOOR AND THE DRIVER DOOR WILL STILL NOT UNLOCK, EVEN FROM THE INSIDE. *TR

DRIVER SIDE LOCK DEFECTIVE. DRIVER GET LOCKED IN. 2003 KIA OPTIMA. *TR

***SAFETY ISSUE*** 1) UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS WITHOUT ABUSE OR CONSUMER MODIFICATION. 2) DOOR LOCKS FREQUENTLY FAIL TO UNLOCK OR WILL AUTOMATICALLY RE-LOCK WHEN ATTEMPTING TO UNLOCK EITHER MANUALLY OR ELECTRONICALLY. THIS COULD CAUSE AN INABILITY TO ESCAPE THE VEHICLE IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME OR MAY RESULT IN BEING UNABLE TO ACCESS CHILDREN TRAPPED INSIDE. THUS, LEADING TO HEAT STROKE, DEATH, OR OTHER PHYSICAL HARM. 3) HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY, BUT STILL INTERMITTENTLY FAILS TO UNLOCK AS OF THE DATE OF THIS REPORT. THERE IS NO MANUAL OVERRIDE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS WITH THIS MECHANICAL/ELECTRICAL FAILURE. *TR

THE DOORS ON MY KIA OPTIMA (2003) LOCK BY THEMSELVES AFTER I UNLOCK THE CAR. WHEN I GO TO OPEN MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR IS WHEN THE CAR LOCKS BY ITSELF. I AM AFRAID OF LOCKING MY KIDS IN THE CAR BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE OTHER DAY I COULDN'T GET THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR OPEN AT ALL. *TR

HAVE 2003 KIA OPTIMA. CAR STOPS WHILE RUNNING.LOOKS INTO GOOGLE. IS COMMON PROBLEM. CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. ALSO LOCKS ON THE DRIVER SIDE NOT WORKING ,LOCKS SELF INSIDE THE CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE INTERIOR DOOR LOCKS WERE INOPERABLE. WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO REACH OUTSIDE THE WINDOW AND UNLOCK THE DOORS FROM THE OUTSIDE LATCH. ONCE THE DOORS WERE UNLOCKED, THEY WOULD INDEPENDENTLY RELOCK WITHIN SECONDS. THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE A REASON FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000.

THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY. SOMETIMES THE DOORS WOULD UNLOCK ELECTRONICALLY AND SOMETIMES NOT. SEVERAL TIMES WE COULD NOT UNLOCK MANUALLY EITHER. A FEW TIMES THE PASSENGER HAD TO CLIMB OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE AND EXIT THE CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I WAS ABLE TO TAKE IT A KIA DEALER JANUARY 28, 2010 AND THEY REPLACED BOTH DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLIES. THE LOCKS WERE WORKING UNTIL THIS WEEK, MAY 6, WHEN THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM BEGINNING TO APPEAR. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT BUT THE DOOR SHOULD BE ABLE TO BE UNLOCKED MANUALLY. *TR

PASSENGER MIRROR FALLS OFF. *TR

DOOR LOCKS - THE DOOR LOCKS ON MY '03 OPTIMA HAVE FAILED TWICE. FIRST THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOCKS FAILED. AFTER UNLOCKING THE DOORS, THE DOORS LOCK AGAIN WHEN PULLING ON THE DOOR HANDLE. KIA DEALER REPLACED THE ACTUATOR AND LATCH AT A COST OF $300+. WITHIN 1-1/2 YEARS THE SAME THING HAPPENED WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE, WITH THE SAME COST TO REPAIR. WHEN IT HAPPENS, YOU CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. IT IS A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

2003 KIA OPTIMA DRIVER SIDE DOOR WONT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUT. NO WARRANTY ON THE CAR, WAS TOLD BY KIA DEALERSHIP WHEN I CALLED THAT THEY HAVE HEARD OF THE PROBLEM!! ALSO THE PASSENGER DOOR IS DOING THE SAME THING. LOTS OF BLOGS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN MY DAUGHTER HAS TO GET OUT OF HER CAR AND CANT? SOMETIMES SHE HAS TO GET IN AND OUT THROUGH THE BACK SEAT DOORS!! *TR

FOR THE 2003 KIA OPTIMA , THE DOOR LOCKS FAIL AND THE DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE. THIS IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT ABOUT THE CAR IN THE 2000-03 GENERATION.

I BOUGHT MY 2003 KIA OPTIMA NEW 5/24/03. SOMETIME DURING THE WINTER OF 2004/06 NOTICED DOOR LOCKS CLICKED MORE THAN I WAS USED TO HEARING, BUT THEY WORKED. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE DUE TO COLD WEATHER AS ANTENNA DOESN'T GO ALL THE WAY DONE IN COLD WEATHER (ANTENNA NOTED TO DEALER 12/20/04). I THOUGHT I MENTIONED THIS TO DEALER PRIOR TO 60K MILES WHILE GETTING ANOTHER SERVICE DONE AND WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED, BUT THERE IS NO RECORD OF IT PER DEALER. IN ANY CASE I BROUGHT THE CAR TO DEALER 3/6/07 FOR OIL CHANGE AND ASKED THEY CHECK DOOR LOCKS WHICH WERE ONLY WORKING INTERMITTENTLY - PER THE INVOICE THEY CHECKED LOCK RELAYS, DISCONNECTED AND CHECKED SWITCH, CHECKED GROUND AT JB-07, 0 OHMS , ETCS MODULE ALL OK. THE MILEAGE AT THAT POINT WAS 67288. I WAS TOLD THE ELECTRICAL WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 60K. I DID NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO GET IT REPAIRED. BY 10/24/07, THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR COULD NO LONGER BE OPENED WITH DRIVER DOOR SWITCH OR REMOTE, AND KEY ENTRY TOOK SEVERAL MINUTES WHILE TURNING THE KEY WHILE THE DOOR UNLOCKED THEN LOCKED AS I PULLED UP THE HANDLE. I WAS CHARGED $35.55 TO DIAGNOSE THAT THERE WAS A POSSIBLE WIRING ETAC OR RELAY PROBLEM NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY - COST OF REPAIR WOULD BE OVER $1000. NOW THE COVER TO THE PASSENGER DOOR KEY HOLE JUST CAME OFF PROBABLY DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE KEY PLAY NEEDED TO OPEN THE DOOR. I AM CONCERNED FOR SAFETY OF PASSENGERS GETTING STUCK IF THE DRIVER IS INCAPACITATED IN AN ACCIDENT AND CAN'T RUN AROUND THE OTHER SIDE OF T

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V183000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAD TO RECEIVE A WHEEL ALIGNMENT IN CONJUNCTION TO THE RECALL REPAIR. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WOULD NOT BE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT SERVICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THERE WAS NO RESOLUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONSUMERS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 132,818. UPDATED 8/7/09 *CN UPDATED 08/11/09.*JB

EXCESSIVE CHECK ENGINE ON.....ALL TESTS WERE DONE ON FUEL SYSTEM AND EVERYTHING WAS DIAGNOSED AS FUNCTIONING. *TR

PAINT CHIPPING OFF FRONT BUMPER AND BOTH HANDLES. *TR

RUSTING OF WINDSHIELD WIPERS. *TR

AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND TURN LEFT. MY CAR WOULD NOT "GO". SO I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR HARDER AND IT FINALLY AND SLOWLY MOVED FORWARD. I HAVE AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, BUT IT WAS LIKE I WAS DRIVING A MANUAL AND HAD TRIED TO START IN 3RD GEAR INSTEAD OF 1ST. IT'S ALMOST LIKE MY CAR HAD TO CATCH UP FOR A MINUTE BEFORE IT WOULD GO. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THAT TO DIFFERENT DEGREES. IT IS A 2003 WITH ONLY 41,000 MILES AND NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY SINCE I BOUGHT IT USED. I AM AFRAID IT WILL DO THIS ON THE INTERSTATE OR WHEN I AM TRYING TO MERGE AND COULD BE DANGEROUS. *TR

EVERYTIME I TRY TO OPEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, FROM INSIDE THE CAR OR OUTSIDE, THE ENTIRE CAR LOCKS DOWN. I CAN ONLY OPEN THIS DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE, WITH THE KEY, WHILE CATCHING THE LOCKING MECHANISM BETWEEN CYCLES. THIS TAKES A LOT OF TIMING AND SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. NO ONE CAN GET IN OR OUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED 2 YEARS AGO AND IT ONLY HAS 41,000 MILES. THE 10 YEAR 100,000 MILE WARRANTY ONLY APPLIES TO THE 1ST OWNER. *TR

LOCKING SYSTEM FAILURE CAUSING ALL DOORS TO LOCK ON THE VEHICLE WITH NO MEANS TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. CAN NOT GET OUT BY THE WINDOWS AND THE MOTOR WILL NOT SHUT DOWN FOR QUIT SOME TIME. WE BELIEVE IT ALSO TRIGGERED OR MALFUNCTIONED THE ANTI-THEFT CAUSING IT TO INGAGE WHICH WOULD PREVENT YOU EXITING THE VEHICLE AS WELL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED IN HER VEHICLE. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC, BUT NO CODES APPEARED. THE DEALER RESET THE COMPUTER AND THE INDICATORS REMAINED DIM FOR A FEW DAYS; HOWEVER, THEY WOULD EVENTUALLY ILLUMINATE AGAIN. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

2003 KIA OPTIMA HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT STAYING ON. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICE FOR THIS ISSUE BUT IT KEEPS RECURRING. *NJ

2003 KIA OPTIMA POWER DOOR LOCKS STICK & WON'T RELEASE, NECESSITATING DRIVER TO CRAWL OVER CONSOLE IN ORDER TO EXIT AND/OR PASSENGERS CANNOT GET OUT WITHOUT CRAWLING THROUGH WINDOW. IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE OR OTHER EMERGENCY SERIOUS INJURY COULD RESULT. *TR

RE:2003 KIA OPTIMA POWER DOOR LOCKS STICK & WON'T RELEASE, NECESSITATING DRIVER TO CRAWL OVER CONSOLE IN ORDER TO EXIT. IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE OR OTHER EMERGENCY SERIOUS INJURY COULD RESULT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CANISTER CLOSE VALVE FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE FUEL GAUGE TO DISPLAY INACCURATE READINGS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE DEALER STATED THAT A VAPOR HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL CANISTER CRACKED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CANISTER CLOSE VALVE AND LEVER FENDER. THE REPAIR COSTS TOTALED $104; HOWEVER, THE REPAIRS DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE DEALER IS NOW SUGGESTING THAT THE CLUSTER PANEL WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V180000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY) AND WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,671. UPDATED 07/29/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE FILLING THE GAS TANK, THE PUMP CLICKED, BUT THAT GAS GAUGE ONLY SHOWED 1/2 TANK OF GAS. UPDATED 08/05/08

EL AUTO KIA OPTIMA 2003, EN MLTIPLES OCASIONES HA MARCADO ALTAS TEMPERATURAS. EXISTEN PROBLEMAS PARA PONERLE GASOLINA YA QUE LA BOTA O NO PERMITE QUE SE LE ECHE MS ENTRE OTROS DEFECTOS.