2004 Kia Optima complaints

I OWN A 2004 KIA OPTIMA PURCHASED BRAND NEW. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO UNLOCK (OR OPEN) THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. THE PROBLEM ACCORDED A FEW WEEKS AGO WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO UNLOCK MY CAR DOOR. ONCE I REMOVED MY KEY AND LIFTED THE HANDLE TO GET IN ALL OF THE DOORS LOCK. I HAD TO ENTER THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL ALSO NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS IF I GET INTO A CAR ACCIDENT I WILL BE TRAPPED INSIDE AND COULD DIE!! I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS ISSUE FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL. AND IT APPEARS THAT THE 2003 MODEL HAS THE SAME ISSUE. AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES: HTTP://VLANE.COM/DISCUSS-TOPIC/989/MY-DRIVERS-DOOR-IS-LOCKED-WILL-NOT-UNLOCK, AS WELL AS WWW.FIXYA.COM/CARS/+866401-DRIVERS_DOOR_WILL_NOT_UNLOCK THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL AS I FEAR FOR MY FAMILY'S SAFETY. *TR

THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM EITHER THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THE KEY WON'T WORK. I HAD TO CRAWL OVER THE PASSENGER SEAT RISKING POTENTIAL INJURY . THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I NOTIFIED THE DEALER WHO SAID BASICALLY THAT IT WASN'T HIS DEALERSHIP'S PROBLEM AND TO CALL KIA CONSUMER NUMBER. I DID CALL AND HE ALSO SAID BASICALLY THAT IT IS NOT KIA'S PROBLEM, IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, AND TOO BAD FOR YOU. THERE ARE MANY DOCUMENTED INSTANCES OF THIS DOOR LATCH FAILING. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE DESPITE WHAT THE CONSUMER REP SAID AT KIA. $50.00 DIAGNOSIS COST PLUS , WHEN THE PART FINALLY COMES IN, ANOTHER $230.00 DOLLARS. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR KIA TO IGNORE THIS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT DOOR FAILED TO OPEN FROM BOTH THE OUTSIDE AND INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THE DOOR LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED REGARDING THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS 71,634.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCKS FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE TRIED TO ENTER THE VEHICLE WITH THE AUTOMATIC KEY FOB BUT THE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE BY MANUALLY TURNING THE KEY ABRUPTLY AND PULLING THE DOOR HANDLE. THE CONTACT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN LOCKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. HE WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE BY CONSTANTLY DEPRESSING THE AUTOMATED KEY FOB UNTIL THE DOOR LOCKS RESPONDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

THE DRIVER'S SIDE WILL LOCK YOU IN THE VEHICLE AND WON'T LET YOU OUT. YOU CAN BE DRIVING WITH THE DOORS UNLOCKED AND IT WILL LOCK ITSELF WHILE IN MOTION OR YOU MAYBE READY TO LEAVE A LOCATION AND CAN'T GET BACK IN THE CAR. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITHIN THE LAST WEEK OF BEING TRAPPED IN MY CAR AND SOMETIMES I CAN'T GET THE LOCKS TO LET ME OUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE EITHER. THIS HAS BEEN A SCARY SITUATION AND I HOPE IT DOESN'T CAUSE SOMEONE TO BE HURT OR KILLED. *TR

I HAVE BEEN TAKING MY CAR TO KIA OF ORANGE PARK IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS BECAUSE OF ISSUES WITH STALLING AND HESTITATION AT START AND THE CAR HAS STOPPED ON MY WHILE IN GEAR WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE (THREE OR FOUR TIMES). EACH AND EVERY TIME I TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SEEM TO SAY THE VEHICLE WILL NOT DUPLICATE THE CONCERNS I AM HAVING. I HAVE BEEN AFRAID TO GO A LONG DISTANCE WITH THE CAR BECAUSE OF THESE ISSUES. I RECENTLY SWITCHED TO SOUTHSIDE KIA IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA AND THEY CONVINCED ME THE CAR WAS FIXED AFTER REPLACING SPARKS PLUS, FUEL PUMP, GAS TANK VALVE, AND ON ONE OCASSION THEY FOUND THE TPS SENSOR LOOSE FROM THE PREVIOUS KIA DEALERSHIP DOING A THROTTLE BODY SERVICE. I AM VERY DISSATISFIED WITH KIA RIGHT ABOUT NOW AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET ANY HELP. *TR

DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN WITH THE POWER LOCK OR BY KEY, I HAVE BEEN GETTING IN AND OUT OF MY CAR BY USING THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR. MY HUSBAND FOUND A WAY TO UNLOCK MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR, NOW I CAN NOT LOCK MY CAR AGAIN.

WE HAVE HAD THE AIRBAG LIGHT COME ON FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS ALWAYS JUST BEFORE THE STATE INSPECTION IS DUE EVERY TIME WE GET IT FIXED THEY SAID ITS A SWITCH OR A CONNECTOR. BUT THIS YEAR WAS THE WORST ,LIGHT CAME ON IN APRIL, THIS TIME THEY SAID IT'S THE AIRBAG WIRE HARNESS AND WOULD COST OVER 1500.00 . WE GOT KIA TO PAY FOR THE PART,AND WE WOULD COVER THE LABOR. I'M JUST WORRIED WILL THIS HAPPEN AGAIN. IT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FURTHER. *TR

DRIVER SIDE DOOR AUTOMATICALLY LOCKS AND WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM OUTSIDE WITH THE KEY OR FROM THE INSIDE UNLOCK LEVER. DRIVER IS TRAPPED INSIDE CAR AND MUST EXIT BY CRAWLING OVER CONSOLE TO PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THIS HAPPENS SPORADICALLY AND IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. IT RENDERS THE CAR UNABLE TO BE LOCKED AT ALL. THERE SEEM TO BE PLENTY OF OTHERS EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM, YET NO RECALL FROM KIA. *TR

THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR ON MY CAR WILL NOT UNLOCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I HAVE BEEN PUTTING UP WITH THIS FOR 4 TO 6 MONTHS NOW. AND GETTING REALLY UPSET PLEASE TELL ME IF THIS IS CONSIDERED A SAFETLY HAZARD AND THIS IS COVERED I REALLY DON'T THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS PROBLEM TO BE FIXED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE ONLY WAY I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET IT TO UNLOCK IS FOR ME TO CRAWL OUT OF THE PASSANGER SIDE. THEN PLAY WITH THE LOCK WITH THEY KEY FOR A FEW DAYS TO HAVE IT UNLOCK. *TR

I PURCHASED MY 2004 KIA OPTIMA WITH 100K MILES ON IT AND AFTER ABOUT 30 DAYS THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WITHOUT BEING INVOLVED IN ANY MOVING INCIDENT AND REMAINED ON. I TOOK IT TO THE KIA DEALER (ROSEN, MILWAUKEE, WI) AND THEY BELIEVED IT WAS THE CONTACTS BECAUSE I GOT CODE B1378, AIRBAG RESISTANCE TO HIGH. THEY SPRAYED SOMETHING ON THE CONTACTS BECAUSE THE COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. THEY RESET THE AIRBAG LIGHT FREE OF CHARGE, BUT AFTER DRIVING ABOUT ONE WEEK THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT KIA NEEDS TO RESOLVE BECAUSE THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IF THE CAR IS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK, WHICH PREVENTED ACCESS IN ENTERING OR EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO ACCESS THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR TO ENTER OR EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

DRIVER DOOR REFUSED TO OPEN. I HAVE A DISABILITY SO THIS CREATED A HUGE PROBLEM FOR ME. WHEN I PUT GAS IN MY CAR (REGARDLESS OF GRADE OR GAS STATION) MY CAR REFUSES TO START. WHEN I MAKE A U-TURN, MY CAR MAKES LOUD CLICKING SOUND. I HAD IT CHECKED...MY AXLE AND EVERY THING ELSE LOOKS FINE. NO ONE CAN ESTABLISH WHERE THE NOISE COMES FROM. MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON IT, AND IT SHOULD NOT HAVE ALL THESE ISSUES BUT IT DOES. *TR

DRIVERS DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUT, IT HAPPENED THREE TIMES AND THE STARTED WORKING AGAIN. *TR

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.

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

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

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

WE JUST PURCHASED IS CAR LAST SATURDAY AND WENT TO THE STORE AND LOCKED THE DOORS THEN WHEN WE WENT TO UNLOCK THE DOORS WITH THE KEY ON THE DRIVER SIDE THE DRIVER DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. I WOULD TURN THE KEY AND PULL THE HANDLE AND THE DOORS WOULD LOCK BACK. I HAD TO GET IN AND BACK OUT THROUGH THE PASSANGER SIDE. WHEN I GOT HOME MY SON FINALLY GOT IT TO UNLOCK AND OPEN AND EVERYTIME WE WOULD LOCK IT IT WOULD NOT UNLOCK OR OPEN. WE JUST HAVE TO KEEP WORKING WITH IT UNTIL IT FIANLLY UNLOCKS AND THE DOOR OPENS. SO NOW I AM AFRAID TO LOCK IT. I READ ONLINE OF MANY REPORTS OF THIS SAME PROBLEM AND IT WOULD REALLY BE NICE TO GET A RECALL FOR IT. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WAS INOPERABLE. ONCE LOCKED, IT COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,580.

2004 KIA OPTIMA EX. THE DRIVER DOOR LOCK WILL NOT UNLOCK TRAPPING US IN CAR. MUST CRAWL OUT THROUGH PASSENGER SEATS. DOES NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. LOCKING MECHANISM IS MESSED UP ON DRIVERS SIDE. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A LOUD NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD VIBRATE VIOLENTLY. A LOCAL MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT OF THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V183000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT). AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS THEN NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 67,000.

I OWN A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE BECAME DETACHED FROM THE SEAT UNDER NORMAL USE. I WAS PARKED AND LEANED FORWARD IN THE SEAT AND THE BUCKLE CAME OUT OF THE SEAT HOUSING WITH A BOLT AND 2 WASHERS ON IT. THERE APPEARS TO BE NO DAMAGE TO ANY OF THE COMPONENTS. I SEE THIS AS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND WILL HAVE THE CAR AT THE DEALER TOMORROW FOR A HOPEFULLY FREE REPAIR SINCE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE PRETTY MUCH JUST FELL APART. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NOT OPEN FROM NEITHER THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT A MODULE INSIDE THE DOOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85, 960 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR DOES NOT UNLOCK FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE KEY NOR THE KEYLESS ENTRY WOULD UNLOCK THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENTER THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO WAS ABLE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE DOOR BY USING THE KEY. WHEN THE CONTACT LEFT THE DEALER SHE COULD NOT OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DOOR LATCH WAS FAULTY AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA LX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK WHEN USING THE KEY. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENTER THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 42,000. UPDATED 08/05/11*LJ UPDATED 08/15/11

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN WHEN IT'S UNLOCKED. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENTER THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR TO MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER NOR A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

MY 2004 KIA OPTIMA EX WILL NOT START IF IT SITS FOR A DAY OR SO SOMETHING IS KILLING OR DRAINING MY BATTERY I'VE REPLACED THE BATTERY,THE STARTER,AND THE ALTERNATOR IT HAS TO BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM ALSO MY RIGHT FRONT DOOR WANT OPEN YOU HAVE TO USE THE KEY TO GET IN SOMETHING IS STILL ON WHILE THE CAR IS OFF. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, AN EXTREMELY LOUD SOUND OF METAL TO METAL EMITTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND NOTICED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SUSPENSION AND FRAME COMPLETELY FRACTURED DUE TO RUST CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE FAILURE WAS ASSOCIATED WITH RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V183000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,854. I WAS LESS THAN TEN MINUTES REMOVED FOR HIGHWAY, I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED, WHEEL FRONT PASSANGER COMPLETELY BROKE OFF! UPDATED 09/14/2011 *LN UPDATED 12/19/11

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTIONED. SHE WAS UNABLE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND HAD TO CLIMB IN ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 83,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK ALL FOUR AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS WHICH PREVENTED HER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE ABLE TO UNLOCK THE FRONT PASSENGER AND BOTH REAR DOORS. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK AND THE CONTACT EXIT THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. 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 THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK FAILED AND COULD NOT BE OPENED AUTOMATICALLY OR MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000. UPDATED 07/08/11*LJ UPDATED 07/18/11

DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. HAVE TO CRAWL OVER CENTER CONSOLE, GEAR SHIFT AND PARKING BRAKE HANDLE TO GET OUT THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, WILL BE TRAPPED INSIDE THE CAR. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO BE IN. THERE ARE 23 COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE PLUS NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE WHEN YOU DO A SEARCH. WHAT DOES IT TAKE FOR A RECALL TO BE DONE? KIA SHOULD STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND FIX THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH WITH THE BRAKES ENGAGED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO SOME TREES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ALWAYS BEEN UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS UNABLE TO BE LOCKED FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE . THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST $200 AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. UPDATED 06/01/11*LJ THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OVER FIVE YEARS OLD, HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS. UPDATED 06/10/11

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK WHETHER USING THE KEYLESS ENTRY FOB OR USING THE KEY TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOOR. IN ORDER TO ENTER THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO CLIMB THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE PASSENGER SIDE DOORS AND THE LOCK WOULD NOT RELEASE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, ALL OF THE DOORS WOULD LOCK INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK ALL DOORS EXCEPT THE DRIVERS DOOR WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED WHEN UNLOCKING THE DOOR WITH THE KEYLESS ENTRY FOB OR MANUALLY WITH THE KEYS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ACTUATOR AND THE LATCH FOR THE DOOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 151,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DOOR LOCK FAILED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, AND ONCE INSIDE THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOCK ACTUATOR HAD FAILED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT BECASUE THE LOCK WAS MANUFACTURERED FROM PLASTIC, IT WAS DESIGNED TO WEAR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SHORTLY AFTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

THE DRIVERS DOOR CAN'T BE UNLOCKED IN ANY WAY. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. THE DRIVER CANNOT EASILY EXIT THE VEHICLE.*LN

THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM FROM NEARLY DAY ONE. I TALKED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO CORRECTION FOR THE PROBLEM AS THIS IS THE WAY THE CAR IS MADE, AND THEY WOULD NOT EVEN TRY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, OTHER THAN TO SELL ME OTHER BULBS AT A HIGH PRICE. THE PROBLEM BEING THAT THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATE ABOUT 6" (YUP, INCHES) IN FRONT OF THE CAR ON THE DIM SETTING. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE ANYTHING IN FRONT OF ME AT NIGHT UNLESS THERE IS ADDITIONAL ILLUMINATION, IN THE FORM OF OTHER VEHICLES OR STREET LIGHTS, WHICH IS NOT ALWAYS AVAILABLE. I CANNOT DRIVE WITH THE BRIGHT LIGHTS ON BECAUSE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAVE HAD THE BULBS CHANGED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BY OTHER THAN THE DEALERSHIP, AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *TR

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

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 SOMET

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

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

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

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

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

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