2004 Kia Optima complaints

MY CAR COMPLETELY TURNS OFF WHILE IM DRIVING IT, MOST OF THE TIME WHEN I USED IT THE FIRST TIME OF THE DAY AND TRY TO USED IT AGAIN IT TURNS OF AND LOOSE POWER, I CAN'T TURN IT ON AGAIN IN THAT MOMENT I NEED TO WAIT AND THEN IT WORKS AGAIN BUT IF HAPPENS REALLY FREQUENTLY AND ITS REALLY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IM ON THE FREEWAY AND CARS ARE BEHIND ME AND I CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR ANYTHING WORSE. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP SO THEY COULD INSPECT MY CAR BUT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING AT THAT MOMENT. *TR

THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. IT SHOWS THAT IT'S UNLOCKED. I CAN USE THE KEY AND CONTINUOUSLY PULL THE HANDLE FROM THE OUTSIDE AND IT WAS OPENING. NOW IT DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. TOOK IT TO KIA IN HOLLAND THEY QUOTED ME A MINIMUM OF $300 TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT TOLD ME THEY HAD NO CLUE WHAT IT COULD BE. I WILL NOT ALLOW AN IGNORANT PERSON TO TOUCH MY VEHICLE. I CAN AT LEAST TELL YOU THAT IT IS THE LATCH. I LIVE IN MICHIGAN. IF I AM HIT ON MY PASSENGER SIDE AND AM IN NEED OF HELP I MIGHT AS WELL CLOSE MY EYES AND DIE. NO ONE WOULD BE ABLE TO GET ME OUT WITHOUT HAVING TO DRAG ME OUT OF THE WINDOW WHICH THEY WOULD HAVE TO BREAK. THIS COULD EASILY BE AN ISSUE THAT COULD RESULT IN DEATH. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED. ALSO, THE SUBFRAME WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V183000 (SUSPENSION). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,700.

I WAS DRIVING ON I-10 WESTBOUND, KATY TX FREEWAY, TRAVELLING ABOUT 65 MILES PER HOUR. THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT CAUSING THE CAR TO GO BACK AND FOURTH BETWEEN TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC. IN THE PROCESS, I WAS HITTING THE RUBBER DIVIDERS, DAMAGING THE HOOD OF THE CAR AND THE WINDSHIELD. THE BLOWN TIRE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE OIL PAN, THE RADIATOR, AND EVENTUALLY THE TRANSMISSION. I GOT THE CAR TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE CAR WAS TOWED OFF THE FREEWAY AND EVENTUALLY PICKED UP AND TRANSPORTED TO A CAR REPAIR SHOP. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER AND THE REPAIR SHOP OWNER BOTH AGREED THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. I HAD TO BUY A NEW CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK FROM OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COULD NOT UNLOCK THE DOOR MANUALLY OR WITH BY USING THE KEY FOB. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR ACTUATOR SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUSPENSION FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS RUSTED AND THE TIRE WAS DISCONNECTING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V183000 (SUSPENSION). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000. UPDATED 2/24/15*CN UPDATED 03/02/15*JB

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

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

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.

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.

DRIVER'S DOOR DOES NOT UNLOCK WHEN TRYING TO ENTER THE CAR AND IT DOES NOT UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE MANUALLY EITHER. *TR

I WENT TO UNLOCK MY 2004 KIA OPTIMA AND THE DRIVERS DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. REPEATED ATTEMPTS FAILED. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS FORUMS AND THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR! THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THE CAR IS ONLY 10 YEARS OLD! IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURS, I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE RESCUED. KIA NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK AND COULD NOT BE OPENED. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DOOR FAILURES HAD OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE AIR BAGS SENSOR LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS FAULTY. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

MY DRIVER SIDE LOCKS WILL NO LONGER UNLOCK CORRECTLY. SOMETIMES IF I JIGGLE EVERYTHING TOGETHER JUST SO I CAN GET IT TO UNLOCK FROM THE OUTSIDE. HOWEVER, ONCE INSIDE IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET THE DOOR OPEN. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE, IF I LOCK MY CAR IT TAKES ME FOREVER TO GET BACK IN TO IT. I HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT MY CHILDREN ARE STANDING OUT IN THE HEAT WAITING ON ME AND NOT BAKING IN THE CAR WAITING FOR ME. IF I AM IN AN AREA AFTERHOURS, I AM MORE AT RISK OF HAVING SOMETHING HAPPEN. IN ADDITION, IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT OR IF I NEED TO EXIT CAR QUICKLY, IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE AS I HAVE TO CLIMB OUT OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE. I CURRENTLY HAVE A LOT OF SHOULDER AND NECK PAIN FROM LIFTING MYSELF FROM ONE SEAT TO ANOTHER. I HAVE LOOKED UP THIS PROBLEM ONLINE TO SEE IF THERE IS SOMETHING I CAN DO AND I AM FAR FROM THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS EXPERIENCED THIS EXACT ISSUE. THEY HAVE BEEN OFFERED NO HELP OUTSIDE OF GO TO THE DEALER AND GET IT FIXED FOR $300 - $700. THIS IS A FAULTY MANUFACTURED PART, NOT JUST NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I REPLACED MY BRAKE PADS A COUPLE WEEKS BACK ON THE SAME CAR, THAT'S NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE POWER LOCK WOULD NOT UNLOCK THE DOOR AND IT COULD NOT BE OPENED MANUALLY FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,628.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE CONTACT OPENED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW AND OPENED THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ENTER THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS UNLOCKED BUT FAILED TO OPEN AS A RESULT THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 86,200.

THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 09V183000 AND THE COMPONENT IS SUSPENSION. I WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL PORTION FOR MY VEHICLE WAS PERFORMED BUT ONLY AS AN INSPECTION BY GLASSMAN KIA, SOUTHFIELD MICHIGAN, IN JULY 2009. I EXPERIENCED THE ACTUAL CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME BUT THANK GOD I DID NOT HAVE A CRASH. I AM TOLD BY KMC THAT THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THEY MAY NOT FIX THE CAR. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT AT GLASSMAN TOMORROW, JULY 17, 2014. *TR

WHEN I WAS GETTING OFF OF WORK ON THE NIGHT OF 7/12/2014, I WENT TO MY CAR TO UNLOCK MY DOOR WITH THE KEY. MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. I HAD TO GET INTO THE PASSENGER SEAT, CLIMB OVER THE CENTER COUNSEL AND INTO MY DRIVER SEAT. ONCE I GOT HOME, I COULD NOT OPEN THE DRIVE SIDE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. THEREFORE, I DID THE REVERSE ABOVE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS INCIDENT HAD HAPPEN TO ME. I'VE TAKEN THIS TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 9/25/12 AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT DOOR LATCH, WHICH COST ABOUT $200. READING THE INFORMATION ON HERE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE CARS. KIA MUST PLACE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE BECAUSE THIS IS A REQUIRING PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESS ASAP! *TR

WHEN UNLOCKING DRIVERS SIDE DOOR, SAYS ITS UNLOCKED BUT WONT OPEN. WHEN INSIDE OF CAR IF U LOCK DOOR U CANNOT GET OUT USING DRIVERS DOOR. ITS DANGEROUS. AND IT IS EMBARRASSING CLIMBING OVER TO PASSENGER SIDE TO GET OUT. *TR

DRIVER SIDE DOOR DOES NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE, EVEN WHEN IN 'UNLOCK' POSITION. I DROVE TO WORK, HAVING NO PROBLEMS OPENING THE DOOR TO GET INTO THE CAR, NOTHING UNUSUAL HAPPENED DURING MY 15 MINUTE COMMUTE. I ARRIVED AT WORK, AND WAS FORCED TO EXIT THE CAR THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOW ONLY OPEN IF YOU USE THE KEY AND CAN RANDOMLY FIND THE PERFECT TIMING OF TURNING THE KEY AND PULLING THE DOOR HANDLE. IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO PERFORM THIS MANEUVER FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. HAVING NO EASE OF ACCESS FROM THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT SEAT OF THE VEHICLE POSES AN EXTREME SAFETY CONCERN TO ALL THOSE DRIVING SIMILAR VEHICLES. HAVING PERFORMED JUST CURSORY RESEARCH OVER THE PAST TWO DAYS, I HAVE COME ACROSS HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR ACCOUNTS FROM OTHER KIA OWNERS. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, AND SHOULD BE HANDLED AS A RECALL. *TR

DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN EVEN THOUGH IT INDICATES THE DOOR IS UNLOCKED. DESPITE MULTIPLE TRIES THE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK OR OPEN TRAPPING THE DRIVER IN THE CAR. *TR

THE DRIVER'S DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK OR OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. I HAVE TRIED USING THE KEY, THE ELECTRIC LOCKS FROM THE INSIDE AND ALSO MANUALLY. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS DEFECT ON THE INTERNET, IT SEEMS THIS HAPPENS A LOT TO KIA'S AROUND THIS YEAR OF CAR. *TR THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS THE DRIVER IS NOT ABLE TO GET OUT OF OR INTO THE CAR IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY. A DOOR LOCK OF THIS YEAR OF CAR SHOULD NOT FAIL THIS OFTEN OR AT ALL. I HAVE MUCH OLDER VEHICLES THAT HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH NOT BEING ABLE TO GET OUT OF A VEHICLE. *TR

THE LOCK TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT DISENGAGE. I PUT THE KEY IN, BUT THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. I HAVE TO ENTER THE CAR FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ONLINE, THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE FOREFRONT FOR THIS COMPANY TO DEAL WITH. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECALLS PLACED ON THIS VEHICLE. ARE WE SUPPOSED TO WAIT TO SEE WHO DIES FIRST BEFORE THE COMPANY IS FORCED TO DO A RECALL? IF I KNEW THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE, I NEVER WOULD HAVE BOUGHT IT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. AT THE TIME, THIS IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. IT IS PAID OFF, AND I CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER ONE. I CAN'T TRADE IT IN KNOWING THAT THE NEXT PERSON WOULD INHERIT THIS PROBLEM. I, FOR ONE, COULD NOT LIVE WITH MYSELF IF A PERSON DIED AS A RESULT OF NOT BEING ABLE TO GET OUT IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. JUST REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PARTS ON THIS VEHICLE. IT IS A GREAT CAR, BUT THE DEFECTIVE ACTUATOR THAT PREVENTS THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FROM OPENING OVERSHADOWS THE THAT FACT. I WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND ANY OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS, FRIENDS, CO-WORKERS, OR ANYONE ELSE BUY THIS CAR (OR ANY OTHER KIA) UNTIL THIS PROBLEM IS FIXED. THE TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD NEEDS TO STEP IN FAST. WE AS CONSUMERS ARE DOING OUR PART BY REPORTING THESE ISSUES, PLEASE DO YOURS BY PROTECTING THE PUBLIC FROM THIS SAFETY HAZARD. THANK YOU. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

THE DOOR (DRIVERS SIDE) WILL NOT UNLOCK. WHEN YOU PULL THE HANDLE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE IT LOCKS AND WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WHICH CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS DURING AN EMERGENCY. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE IN 2003 - 2005 KIAS. I CAN'T BELIEVE THERE HASN'T BEEN A SAFETY RECALL YET MAKING KIA FIX THIS ISSUE ON ALL VEHICLES. MAYBE IT TAKES AN ACCIDENT AND SOMEONE BEING TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND LOSING THEIR LIFE BEFORE THIS IS REPAIRED. I DIDN'T FIND JUST A FEW ISSUES WHEN I LOOKED ONLINE FOR THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING, I FOUND PAGE AFTER PAGE OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME ISSUE ON THEIR KIA. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD DRIFT WHEN DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THERE WAS SEVERE CORROSION ON THE SUB FRAM WHICH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE REMEDY FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 09V183000 (SUSPENSION) HAD ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE CONTACT'S PURCHASE. THE REMEDY INCLUDED AN INSPECTION OF THE SUB FRAME, DRILLING HOLES INTO THE SUB FRAME AND APPLYING A SEALANT COATING. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE REMEDY WAS INSUFFICIENT AND DID NOT PREVENT THE DEFECT FROM OCCURRING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,603.

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

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

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

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR LOCK FAILED TO UNLOCK ELECTRONICALLY OR MANUALLY. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ALSO REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVERS DOOR LOCK ALSO FAILED AT 41,000 MILES; HOWEVER, THE ACTUATOR WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE PASSENGER DOOR OR THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000. ..UPDATED 12-30-13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE REPAIED. THE TECHICIAN ADVISED THERE WAS A NICKEL IN THE DOOR PANEL AND THAT THE WAS REPAIRED. THERE DOOR WAS NOT ACTUALLY REPAIRED. UPDATED 1/16/2014 *JS

I WAS ON A WEEKEND TRIP AND WHEN I GOT TO MY DESTINATION I WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK OR OPEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. I HAD TO CRAWL OUT THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. I AM BACK HOME NOW. I HAVE TRIED SPRAYING SOME LUBRICANT ON DOOR LATCH BUT I STILL CAN NOT GET IT TO OPEN. *JS

A CHILD WAS SITTING IN THE REAR CENTER SEAT WHEN A SNAPPING SOUND OCCURRED WHILE AT A STOP SIGN. UPON INVESTIGATION THE SEAT BELT MECHANISM BROKE, CAUSING IT TO NOT RETRACT OR LOCK. SECOND SEAT BELT TO BREAK ON THIS VEHICLE, A YEAR APART. *TR CONCERNED THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS SEAT BELTS ARE REQUIRED BY LAW. *TR

A 5 YEAR OLD CHILD WAS SITTING IN THE BACKSEAT BEHIND THE DRIVER WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH AND A LOUD POP OCCURRED. THE SEAT BELT MECHANISM BROKE. IT WAS TAKEN APART AND FOUND THAT THE INNER WORKINGS OF THE SEAT BELT ARE PLASTIC AND A SMALL PLASTIC CLIP THAT HOLDS THE SPRING BROKE, THUS A NON WORKING SEAT BELT. SEARCH TO SEE IF A RECALL WAS PRESENT. NO RECALL BUT TONS OF THREADS POSTED OF THE SAME THING OCCURRING ON OTHER KIA OPTIMAS. *TR

THE PASSENGER WHEEL CAME OFF THE CAR AS MY SON WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT A GROCERY STORE. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW. THAT PART OF THE CAR HAD NEVER BEEN WORKED ON. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO A GARAGE FOR REPAIR. KIA USED GLUE ON LIFE A SUPPORT NUT ON A BALL JOINT, WHERE THEY SHOULD HAVE USED A COTTER PIN. I HAVE BOUGHT FOUR (4) KIAS. THESE CARS ARE STILL IN THE FAMILY. THE KIA I DRIVE DAILY IS IDENTICAL (EXCEPT BEING AUTOMATIC) TO THE ONE THAT THE WHEEL CAME OFF. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE EMITTED A LOUD POP. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE SUB FRAME HAD FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 09V183000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.

WHEN I STARTED TO LEAVE FOR WORK THIS MORNING; I COULD NOT GET INTO THE CAR FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE; THE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK; I COULD NOT GET IT TO OPEN. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPEN BEFORE SO I LOOKED CAREFULLY AND SAW NO DAMAGE WAS DONE TO MY CAR SO I TRIED AGAIN TO UNLOCK AND OPEN MY DOOR. I PUT THE KEY IN THE KEYHOLE AS USUAL BUT I NOTICE THAT IT FELT LIKE IT WAS NOT FITTING CORRECTLY AND AS I TURNED THE KEY AND IT WAS HARDER TO TURN BUT I COULD HEAR THE SOUND OF THE DOORS UNLOCKING SO I PULLED THE HANDLE TO OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR AGAIN AND IT STILL WOULD NOT OPEN. THE OTHER THREE CAR DOORS WORKS FINE; LOCKING AND UNLOCKING LIKE THEY SHOULD. I WAS THEN FORCED TO GET INTO THE CAR FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. THERE I ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR FROM THE INSIDE BUT MY EFFORTS THERE ALSO FAILED; WHICH WAS VERY ALARMING. I COULD FEEL MY ANXIETY BUILDING (FEELING TRAPPED & NOT ABLE TO OPEN MY CAR DOOR AT ANYTIME) I WAS RUNNING OUT OF TIME AND HAVE TO GO TO WORK . I TRIED TO OPEN MY DOOR FROM THE INSIDE SEVERAL TIMES BUT NOTHING WORKED. I WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR AND LET DOWN ALL THE WINDOWS. I COULD BREATHE SOME FRESH AIR. ALL DAY I HAD TO GET IN AND OUT OF MY CAR FORM THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. I TRIED TO OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR SEVERAL TIME THROUGHOUT THE DAY BUT NOTHING WOULD WORK. MY DOOR BEING STUCK SHUT IS A HORRIBLE FEELING TO HAVE WHEN DRIVING KNOWING THAT ONE OF MY WAYS TO ESCAPE FROM THE CAR GONE ALMOST HELPLESS AT FIRST SO I HOPE THIS PROBLEM IS NOT A SMALL MATTER TO

THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYED ON SOLID. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE PUT THE COMPUTER ON IT. HE SAID IT READ THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. THIS LIGHT IS INTERMITTENT AS IT GOES OUT EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, EVERY FEW DAYS. I DO NOT HAVE THE $1000 PLUS TO REPAIR IT. *TR

AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON AND THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WON'T OPEN OR CLOSE. *TR

THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH THE KEY OR INSIDE SWITCH. ALL THE OTHER DOORS WILL UNLOCK EXCEPT THE DRIVER DOOR. AFTER TURNING THE KEY FOR ABOUT 10 MINS UP TO A DAY OR A WEEK IT WILL SOMETIMES UNLOCK, BUT ONLY USING THE KEY. THIS IS A VERY BAD SAFETY HAZARD. IT LOOKS AS IF THE PLASTIC PART INSIDE THE DOOR THAT CONTROLS THE LOCKING IS BROKEN . THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS THAT MADE THIS OCCUR . I HAVE TALKED TO KIA ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS ABOUT THE MATTER AND THIS IS ONE FEATURE THAT THE CUSTOMER DOES NOT NEED TO PAY FOR. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART AND CAN TRAP SOMEONE IN A CAR . YOU HAVE TO CRAWL THROUGH PASSENGER DOOR TO EVEN TO GET IN AND DRIVE. SHAMEFUL ON KIA . SEEMS LIKE ITS GOING TO TAKE SOME ONE BURNING OR HAVE A FATALITY FOR KIA TO DO A RECALL ON THIS , BUT ALL ABOUT MONEY WHEN THEY PRIDE ON SAFETY. *TR

ON MY 2004 KIA OPTIMA WHEN I UNLOCK THE DOORS WITH THE KEY ALL DOORS UNLOCK EXCEPT THE DRIVERS DOOR REAL BIG SAFETY CONCERN, IF I GET STUCK IN MY CAR DURING AN ACCIDENT AN CANNOT GET OUT I WILL SUE KIA MOTOR COMPANY FOR NOT ISSUING A SAFETY RECALL, I HAVE ALSO NOTICE A LOT OF POSTINGS BASED UPON THIS ISSUE ON FIXYA.COM FOR THE 2003-2006 KIA OPTIMA NEED ATTENTION ASAP. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE RETRACTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000. *TR UPDATED 03/27/13*LJ UPDATED 05/09/2013 *JS

THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK. *TR

THE DRIVERS DOOR WILL NOT OPEN EITHER FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. THE DOOR REMAINS LOCKED AS THE BUTTON AND KEY DO NOT FULLY UNLOCK IT. USING BOTH BUTTON AND KEY AT THE SAME TIME, I WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR AND OPEN IT. DISSASSEMBLY OF THE DOOR AND LATCH LOCATED THE PROBLEM TO BE THE DOOR LATCH MECHANISM. THE DOOR LATCH IS DESIGNED TO FAIL AS EVIDENCED BY THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS LISTING THIS PART. THE LEVER THAT IS MOVED INTO PLACE WHEN THE DOOR IS UNLOCKED IS BLOCKED BY THE CAM THAT IT INTERFACES WITH BECAUSE THE CAM HAS ROTATED BEYOND THE POINT THAT IT SHOULD. THIS HAS THE POTENTIAL TO TRAP SOMEONE IN THE CAR IF IT SHOULD FAIL AT THE WRONG TIME. *TR

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

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

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC FOR A BRAKE GRINDING NOISE WHEN HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE PASSENGER REAR CALIPER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 700 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS. 32,429.

DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LATCH FAILED AND WOULD NOT UNLOCK FROM INSIDE OR OUT SIDE. HAD TO EXIT THE VEHICLE THROUGH PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. VERY DANGEROUS IF THERE WERE AN EMERGENCY. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE WITH THE SAME MAKE, MODEL AND APPROX. MILEAGE AS MINE. KIA NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL BEFORE SOME ONE GETS HURT. *TR

THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE UNTIL AFTER A FEW HOURS OF DRIVING IT JUST STOPPED RUNNING. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED. THE ENGINE RPM DROPPED TO ZERO AND THE CAR COASTED. AFTER SITTING FOR LESS THAN AN HOUR THE CAR STARTED UP AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO THE KIA DEALER AND THEY SAID, EVEN THOUGH THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 60,000 MILES, THEY WOULD HAVE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND CHARGE US $200 TO DO SO, AND THE ELECTRONIC PARTS WERE NOT COVERED. *TR