Filed Jan 17, 2012145,755 vehiclesKia Motors Corporation
Defect. KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. (KIA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2008 KIA OPTIMA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 29, 2005, THROUGH JANUARY 29, 2008, AND MODEL YEAR 2007 AND 2008 KIA RONDO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 13, 2006, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2008. THE CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) MAY BECOME DAMAGED THROUGH USAGE OVER TIME. IF THE CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY BECOMES DAMAGED, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT WILL EXPERIENCE A HIGH RESISTANCE CONDITION POTENTIALLY CAUSING THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG TO NOT DEPLOY.
Risk. IF THE CLOCK SPRING DEVELOPS HIGH RESISTANCE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVERS AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.
Remedy. KIA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 11, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column Shift11V153000
Filed Mar 9, 201170,115 vehiclesKia Motors Corporation
Defect. KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2008 OPTIMA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 29, 2005, THROUGH JUNE 13, 2007. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SHIFT CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED INCORRECTLY, CAUSING TENSION IN THE CABLE. IF PRESENT, THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE CABLE TO DETACH FROM THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY'S DOWEL PIN PREVENTING THE TRANSMISSION FROM BEING SHIFTED. THE SHIFT LEVER CAN THEN BE MOVED INTO THE PARK (P) POSITION WHILE THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION IS STILL IN THE LAST USED GEAR BEFORE DETACHMENT.
Risk. IF THE DRIVER LEAVES THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ENGAGING THE PARKING BRAKE, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE VEHICLE CAN ROLL INJURE A PERSON IN ITS PATH OR CAUSE A CRASH.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SHIFT CABLE AND REINSTALL IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 23, 2011. OWNER MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
All 2 campaigns on file, newest first.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 14, 2023RI
The front subframe is dangerously rusted. The same way the other optima were recalled for.
Exterior Lighting
Filed Nov 11, 2020105,000 milesFL
I HAVE A 2006.5 KIA OPTIMA. I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH STICKING AS OTHER KIAS CURRENTLY UNDER RECALL. MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ALWAYS ON. AM I OUT OF LUCK ON THIS ONE?
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch
Filed Sep 24, 2019130,000 milesNC
HOOD RELEASED WHILE IN MOTION, FOLDED BACK OVER WINDSHIELD AND ROOF TOP TOTALLY BLINDING DRIVER WHILE IN MOTION. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, TRAVELING SOUTH ON NC HWY 16 AT A RATE OF 50 MPH, TWO LANE ROAD. HOOD RELEASED AND FLEW UP, NO KNOWN CAUSE OR EFFECT. HOOD RELEASE AND/OR SAFETY LATCH OBVIOUSLY RELEASED WITHOUT CAUSE OR WARNING.
Electrical System
Filed Sep 9, 2019153,000 milesAR
CAR WILL NOT ALWAYS START. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO WAIT 24 HOURS AND PICK UP THE CAR WHEREVER I HAD TO LEAVE IT CAUSE IT WOULDN'T START. WHEN TRYING TO START THERE'S A CLICKING SOUND AND ALL PANEL LIGHT START TO FLASH. REPLACED ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY, STILL NOT FIXED. SEEN A LOT OF REVIEWS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE EXACT SOME PROBLEM.
Power Train
Filed Jul 26, 2019171,000 milesVA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO REVERSE AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATED THAT THE SHIFTER WAS IN PARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD SHIFT OUT OF PARK INTO REVERSE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED KIA OF LYNCHBURG (3400 OLD FOREST RD, LYNCHBURG, VA 24501, (434) 847-3292) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COULD BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000.
Suspension
Filed May 9, 2019130,000 milesWI
OH REAR LOWER SWING ARM SUPPORTING THE SPRING BROKE LETTING THE SPRING COME OUT OF POSITION AND LETTING THE WHEEL TILT AS IF FLAT. THE LOWER ARM HAD RUSTED IN TWO ALLOWING THIS TO HAPPEN.
Electrical System
Filed Oct 11, 2018240,000 milesKY
I HAVE AN 06 OPTIMA (06.5/ MS) 2.4 ENGINE BUT THE PROBLEM IM HAVING JUGING FROM KIA INTERNET FORUMS IS SPREAD ACROS MENEY YEARS AND MODELS IT IS AN INTERMITANT ENGINE STALL IT CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME IVE HAD IT HAPPEN AT 65MPH ON INTERSTATE THIS IS FOLLOWED BY A SERIES OF START STALL THEN IT WILL RUN FINE FOR A WHILE IVE HAD A COMPLETE WIRE HARNESS CHECK REACED SEVERAL SENSORS AND OTHER PARTS NOTHING HAS CURED THE PROBLEM IT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED BY KIA BEFORE SOME ONE GETS HURT NOT AFTER.THIS IS A TOTALLY RANDOM HAPPENING
Unknown or Other
Filed May 23, 201863,734 milesNJ
INSTRUMENT PANEL IS NOT WORKING NO SPEED NO TEMP NO RPM NO FUEL. CHECKED ALL FUSES.
Structure › Body
Filed Apr 30, 2018150,000 milesOH
FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WILL MOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE CAUSING YOU TO BE LOCKED IN THE VEHICLE. ALSO WHEN YOU TRY TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY LOCKS THE CAR. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESS.
Structure › Body
Filed Apr 16, 201896,000 milesTX
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM EITHER THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS HAS OCCURRED BUT I WAS ABLE TO FINALLY GET THE DOOR OPEN BEFORE AND DISENGAGED THE ACTUATOR. AS LONG AS NO ONE LOCKED THE DOOR, IT WORKED FINE, HOWEVER; MOTHER RECENTLY HAD WORK DONE ON HER CAR AND WHEN THEY RETURNED IT, THEY LOCKED THE DOOR. I'VE SPENT NUMEROUS HOURS TRYING TO GET THE DOOR OPEN SO THAT I CAN REPLACE THE MECHANISM AND ACTUATOR BUT HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE, THIS SEEM TO BE AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH KIA, THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION AND NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO. NOT SURE HOW LITTLE ELDERLY PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO SAFELY GET OUT OF THEIR VEHICLES IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. (THIS HAPPENED WHILE STATIONARY ON A FLAT, PAVED ROAD).
Air Bags
Filed Mar 8, 201896,000 milesTX
AIR BAG LIGHTS WON'T TURN OFF CONSTANTLY ON ALL THE TIME
Unknown or OtherCrash
Filed Feb 19, 2018100,000 milesFL
I PURCHASED MY CAR BRAND NEW FROM THE KIA DEALERSHIP AND IT HAS NEED THE SAME REPAIR ON THE SAME PART 3 TIMES (THE CLUTCH). THE TRANSMISSION IN THE 2006 KIA OPTIMA IS A VEHICLE DEFECT.
Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Jan 2, 2018FL
2006 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CLUTCH AND ENGINE LIGHT TURN ON AND OFF. *LD *JS
Unknown or Other
Filed Dec 13, 2017118,000 milesNY
AUTO LOCK ISSUE. AT 118,000 MILES MY AUTO LOCKS STARTED TO AUTOMATICALLY LOCK WHEN I TRIED TO UNLOCKED THEM, ESSENTIALLY TRAPPING ME IN THE VEHICLE. AS SOON AS I CLICK UNLOCK THEY IMMEDIATELY RELOOK. IF THIS ISN'T A SAFETY ISSUE IN NEED OF A RECALL I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS. I'VE LOOKED INTO THE PROBLEM ON OTHER FORUMS AND IT SEEMS QUITE COMMON. YIKES! PLEASE GET THIS RECALL DONE!
Engine
Filed Sep 11, 2016103,083 milesCO
"FIRST" TIME PROBLEM HAPPENED WAS JULY 3, 2016 WITH MY 2006 KIA OPTIMA. I WAS SB ON HWY I25 IN CS, CO. SPEEDOMETER READ 25MPH AS I WAS COMING OFF THE ON-RAMP. I ACCELERATED TO 40MPH INTO FLOW OF TRAFFIC. I FELT A LURCH & THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY ACCELERATED. SPEED WENT FROM 40MPH TO ABOUT 60 MPH WITHOUT DEPRESSING ACCELERATOR. BREAKING DID NOT SLOW IT DOWN. I FELT CAR WAS GOING OUT OF CONTROL. MY PASSENGER REACHED OVER & TURNED IGNITION SWITCH OFF & ON QUICKLY, TO DECELERATE & ACCELERATE. THIS HELPED CAR SLOW DOWN WHEN KEY WAS TURNED OFF TO THE FIRST CLICK & HELPED MAINTAIN AN ADJUSTED SPEED AS TRAFFIC WAS IN-FRONT & IN-BACK. WE KEPT DOING THIS UNTIL CAR SLOWED DOWN ENOUGH TO PULL OVER TO RIGHT SHOULDER. KEY WAS COMPLETELY TURNED OFF & CAR WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP. CAR WAS TOWED TO MECHANICS. DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED USING ENGINE ANALYZER. IT WAS ROAD TESTED MULTIPLE TIMES & DIDN'T IT DUPLICATE MY EXPERIENCE. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN SEPT.10, 2016 AS I, AGAIN, ENTERED HWY I25 SO.I WAS DRIVING ALONE. MY SPEEDOMETER WAS 40 MPH, IN HEAVY HWY TRAFFIC. I ONCE AGAIN "FELT" LURCH OF CAR. THIS TIME IT "STUCK" AT 40 MPH. IT DIDN'T SLOW DOWN WHEN I BRAKED, IT CONTINUED AT 40 MPH. I CONTINUED TO BRAKE & SPEED DID SLOW A BIT. MY FOOT WAS TOTALLY DOWN ON BREAK WHEN IT WAS STILL AUTO ACCELERATING AT THE HWY EXIT RAMP; NOW SLOWED TO 26 MPH AS I CONTINUED HOLDING BRAKE DOWN. FINALLY SPEED WAS DOWN TO 23MPH AS I DROVE INTO A PARKING LOT (NO CARS WERE MOVING IN & OUT AT THE TIME). I TURNED THE KEY O
Air Bags
Filed Jul 18, 2016OH
I ALSO HAVE THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON. I CHECKED AND FOUND OUT THERE IS A RECALL FOR DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG ON 2006 KIA OPTIMA, BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAID MY CAR IS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL. THIS RECALL NEED TO COVER ALL 2006 KIA OPTIMAS SINCE SO MANY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.
Air Bags
Filed Jun 27, 2016GA
THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON. I CHECKED AND FOUND OUT THERE IS A RECALL FOR DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG ON 2006 KIA OPTIMA, BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAID MY CAR IS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL. THIS RECALL NEED TO COVER ALL 2006 KIA OPTIMAS SINCE SO MANY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Jun 20, 201644,700 milesFL
PULLING OUT OF MY GARAGE MY CAR ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AT HIGH SPEED BACKWARDS ACROSS THE STREET INTO THE SIDE OF MY NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE TAKING HER ELECTRICAL BOX, SPRINKLER MOTOR AND A/C UNIT DOWN. THE WIRE'S WERE HOT AND I WAS ADVISED TO STAY IN THE CAR UNTIL THE FIREFIGHTERS ARRIVED AND THE POWER SHUT DOWN BY THE POWER COMPANY - SCARED TO DEATH OF A FIRE OR ELECTROCUTION.
Air Bags
Filed May 30, 2016115,075 milesVA
MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON A FEW MONTHS AGO WHEN I WAS DRIVING TO WORK THE LIGHT CAME ON AND HAVE NOT GONE OFF YET. I TOOK IT TO GET A DIAGNOSE AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A SENSOR IN THE SEAT AND I SHOULD HAVE IT REPLACED. WELL I HAD SOMEONE PUT IN A DIFFERENT SEAT AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT DID NOT GO OFF. NOW IT'S TIME FOR MY INSPECTIONS AND I CAN'T EVEN GET IT DONE BECAUSE THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS STILL ON.
Power Train
Filed Mar 10, 2016AZ
SC088:11V-153,I CAN'T PUT MY CAR IN PART NOR CAN I GO IN REVERSE. MY KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. I SEE IT WAS A RECALL ON THIS MATTER FOR THE KIA OPTIMA. TOOK MY CAR TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP,THE TOLD ME MY VIN# WASN'T ON THE LIST. IT'S A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. AM TRYING TO GET THIS REALIZE.ARE THERE CERTAIN VIN#UNDER THE RECALL FOR THIS IF NOT WHERE I NEED TO TAKE MY CAR TO HAVE IT FIX. I WAS STATIONARY WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED I COULDN'T BACK UP NOR PUT IT IN PART AGAIN IT WANT ALLOW ME TOO DO SO.
Air Bags
Filed Jan 15, 201696,000 milesMS
I HAD A RECALL ON AIRBAGS TOOK IT TWICE TO DEALER AND THE LIGHT IS STILL ON WILL NOT GO OFF. ALSO WHEN I STOP AND GET GAS AND AFTER I FINISH PUMP ON THE INSIDE IT SMELL SO LOUD JUST LIKE I WASTE IT ON ME I HAVE TOOK IT TO LET THEM CHECK IT OUT CANNOT FIND OUT WHERE IT COME FROM
Air Bags
Filed Jan 13, 201678,263 milesFL
ON 1/11/16, I TOOK MY OPTIMA TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP (LOKEY IN CLEARWATER FLORIDA) BECAUSE THE AIR BAG LIGHT SUDDENLY CAME ON AND I WANTED AN UPDATE ON ALL APPLICABLE OPTIMA MODELS AND YEARS. I PAID $135.29 FOR THEM TO JUST LOOK AT THE PROBLEM. THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY OPTIMA HAS NO RECALLS AND THAT MY DRIVER`S SIDE SEAT BACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE AIRBAG PROBLEM. PARTS FOR THIS ALONE WERE QUOTED TO ME TO BE OVER $1248.71 THEIR REPAIR ORDER (#26083616/1) NOTED THAT THE AIRBAG PROBLEM WAS "A LOOSE CONNECTION."
Unknown or Other
Filed Dec 29, 2015121,000 milesKS
"TAKATA RECALL" ON OR ABOUT OCTOBER 16, 2015 I COULD NOT GET OUT OF MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR...I WAS LOCKED IN. I AM UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE, OR FROM THE OUTSIDE WITH MY KEY. THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN AND I HAVE TO CLIMB ACROSS TO THE PASSENGER SIDE TO GET IN AND OUT. I DON'T KNOW IF IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, OR WHEN I STOPPED.
Air Bags
Filed Nov 11, 2015152,000 milesSC
AIRBAG- WE STARTED THE CAR UP AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS NOT WENT OFF (OTHER THAN WHEN THE CAR IS SHUT DOWN). AFTER RESEARCH DISCOVERED THAT AN AIRBAG FAILURE WAS PART OF A RECALL FOR THIS MODEL, BUT ONLY FOR OPTIMA'S MANUFACTURED FROM SEPT 2005 FORWARD. THIS ONE WAS MANUFACTURED A FEW WEEKS PRIOR, YET HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. AFTER A GOOGLE SEARCH, THE ISSUE CAN BE FOUND ON OPTIMA'S WITH A MANUFACTURE DATE AS FAR BACK AS APRIL OF 2005. THE RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED TO ALL 2006 MODELS. DRIVER DOOR LOCKS- WHEN THE DOOR IS LOCKED, IT WILL NOT UNLOCK WITHOUT A LOT OF PLAYING WITH THE FOB OR USING KEY AND 'GETTING LUCKY' TO GRAB THE HANDLE AT THE CORRECT TIME WHILE DOING SO, OTHERWISE IT LOCKS BACK IMMEDIATELY UPON PULLING THE HANDLE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE ON 2 LEVELS. 1-IF FOR WHATEVER REASON YOUR TRAVELS TAKE YOU THROUGH ROUGH NEIGHBORHOODS, THE ABILITY TO LOCK THE DOORS COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE IF YOU COME ACROSS THE WRONG PEOPLE. HOWEVER, YOU CAN NOT LOCK THEM BECAUSE IF YOU HAVE AN ACCIDENT AND THE CAR CATCHES ON FIRE OR YOU NEED TO ESCAPE THE VEHICLE QUICKLY, THE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK SO YOU CAN OPEN IT LEAVING YOU TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE. AFTER PERFORMING A SEARCH ON GOOGLE, THIS ISSUE SEEMS TO BE WITH THE LOCK ACTUATOR AND IS EFFECTING OPTIMA'S DATING BACK TO THE 2002-2003 MODELS. BOTH OF THESE ISSUES SERIOUSLY NEED TO BE DEALT WITH BY KIA. EITHER ISSUE IS SETTING UP A SCENARIO THAT WILL RESULT IN THE DEATH OF THE DRIVER, IF A SEVERE ACCIDENT OCCURS. *TR
Suspension
Filed Aug 24, 2015129,000 milesNY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS DRAGGING ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM HAD FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.
Air Bags
Filed Jun 27, 2015135,773 milesNY
I RECEIVED MY RECALL LETTER FOR THE CLOCK SPRING REPLACEMENT, MIND YOU THE ILLUMINATE LIGHT WASN'T ON, MADE THE APPOINTMENT TO GET THE PART REPLACED FROM MY LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP THEY SAID IT WILL TAKE TWO HOURS SO I LEAVE THE CAR THERE THEY CALL ME ON MY CELL PHONE RAMPING ABOUT OTHER ISSUE WITH THE CAR WHICH ARE NOT DOT PROBLEMS SO I SAY NO THANKS I CAN HANDLE THEM MYSELF , GO PICK UP THE CAR AND THEY TELL ME THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND THERE'S A PROBLEM AND ITS GONNA COST 110 DOLLARS TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM,,, WOULDN'T THIS BE COVERED BY THE RECALL??? WHY SHOULD I PAY FOR MANUFACTURER DEFECT MY PREGNANT WIFE DRIVES THIS CAR SO NEEDS TO BE SAFE, HELP WITH THIS ISSUE SINCERELY THANKS *TR
Suspension
Filed Jun 26, 2015100,000 milesIL
REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKE IN HALF CAUSING IT TO DRAG ON THE GROUND AND THE TIRE TO PUSH OUTWARD
Air Bags
Filed Jun 16, 2015WI
I HAVE MY VECHILE FOR A FEW MONTHS I KEPTED UP WITH MANTAINCE. NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND ALL OF SUDDEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. I WASN'T FOR SURE WHICH SIDE IT WAS FOR SO I GOT IT LOOKED AT AND I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE PASSENGER SEAT BACK ASSEMBLY
Air Bags
Filed Mar 16, 2015122,000 milesKY
I PURCHASED MY 2006.5 KIA OPTIMA ON NOVEMBER 6, 2014. BEFORE MY TEST DRIVE THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED BUT THEN TURNED OFF, I SAID SOMETHING TO THE DEALERSHIP (NOT A KIA DEALER) AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT AND TOLD ME IT WAS THE AIRBAG MODULE AND THAT THEY WOULD ORDER A NEW ONE AND REPLACE IT FREE OF CHARGE. AFTER WAITING 3 MONTHS FOR THE NEW MODULE TO COME IN, I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THE 2006-2008 KIA OPTIMA'S HAVE AN AIR BAG RECALL, SO I CONTACTED A KIA DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND THAT IF I WANTED THEM TO LOOK AT MY CAR AT ALL IT WOULD BE $99 PLUS THE HOURLY FEE (I DON'T EVEN WANNA KNOW WHAT YHR HOURLY FEE IS). BUT SINCE MY CAR FALLS IN THAT YEAR RANGE AND IS HAVING THE AIRBAG ISSUE, SHOULD IT BE KIA'S RESPONSIBILITY TO INVESTIGATE AND IF NEEDED, CORRECT THE PROBLEM? *TR
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Mar 12, 2015MI
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN WHAT TYPE OF REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BATTERY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO LATCH PROPERLY AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC PERFORMED THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Air Bags
Filed Jan 27, 2015MS
I HAD A RECALL ON MY AIRBAG HAD TOOK THE CAR TWICE TO DEALERSHIP TO BE FIX EACH TIME THEY TOLD ME IT WAS FIX BUT THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME RIGHT BACK ON AND STILL ON. THEY ALSO NEED TO GO BACK AND DO A FUEL INVESTIGATE ON 2006 MODEL TOO. *TR
Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Dec 14, 2014175,000 milesWV
DOOR LOCK WILL NOT UNLOCK THUS DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. DOOR LOCK WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH THE KEY ON EITHER DOOR NOR THE AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL DOOR LOCK. THIS HAS RESULTED IN HAVING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE FROM THE PASSENGER DOOR. THIS IS SPORADIC AND NOT ON A REGULAR BASIS.UPON SEARCHING THE INTERNET THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ACROSS THE KIA BRAND EFFECTING NUMEROUS MODELS AND YEARS. MY MAIN CONCERN IS UNDER AN EMERGENCY, THERE IS NO QUICK/SAFE WAY TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. *TR
Air Bags
Filed Nov 26, 2014124,000 milesAZ
DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ON AND DOES NOT TURN OFF. CALLED KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND THEY STATED MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED BY THEIR CURRENT RECALL FOR THIS OBVIOUS ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAGS. MY CASE NUMBER WITH KIA IS [XXX]. THIS SEEMS TO BE A REAL SAFETY PROBLEM IF THE AIR BAGS DO NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Engine
Filed Oct 25, 201466,961 milesFL
I WENT TO GO SHOPPING, AND AT THE SECOND STOP SIGN IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD I STOPPED. WHEN I TRIED TO DRIVE THE GAS PEDAL WHEN PUSHED WOULD NOT LET THE ENGINE GO FAST ENOUGH TO GO ABOVE 20 MPH, THEN I NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED MY ENGINE AND ITS FLUIDS, COULD NOT FIND ANY THING WRONG. SO I STARTED THE CAR UP AGAIN, AND EVERYTHING SEEMED TO WORK FINE. SO I DROVE OFF AND THE CAR WORKED LIKE IT SHOULD HAVE. I THEN WENT TO A AUTO PARTS STORE, AND THEY USED THEIR METER TO CHECK ENGINE CODES. THE CODE WAS P2135, CODE DEFINITION: THROTTLE PEDAL/POSITION SENSOR 'A/B' VOLTAGE CORRELATION. *TR
Engine
Filed Oct 24, 2014108,386 milesOK
MY CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING THEN ALL SUDDEN IT STALLED, I STARTED AGAIN THEN STALLED AGAIN. I CALLED THE TOW TRUCK AND TOWED TO THE AUTO REPAIR, MY CAR HAS A VEHICLE RECALLS. THE DEALERSHIPS REFUSED TO FIXED IT THE RECALLS, THEY TOLD ME I HAVE TO PAY FULL COSTS ABOUT $5,000 FOR NEW ENGINE. THEY WON'T FIXED THE RECALLS. I FOUND OUT THERE WAS HUGE COMPLAINTS AGAINST DEALERSHIPS OF KIA . I FILED A LAWSUITS AGAINST THE DEALERSHIPS FOR REFUSED TO FIX MY CAR. 2 RECALLS AIR BAGS/ENGINE. THE DEALERSHIPS DON'T WANT TO FIX THE RECALLS , THEY FORCE ME TO PAY FOR HUGE REPAIRS. I HAD TO PAY RENTAL CAR AND TOWING SERVICES. *TR
Structure › Body
Filed Oct 7, 2014110,000 milesNC
ONCE THE DOORS ARE LOCKED, THEY CAN NOT BE UNLOCKED FROM THE INSIDE. THE KEY MUST BE INSERTED INTO THE DRIVERS SIDE LOCK CYLINDER (OUTSIDE) AND MANIPULATED FOR SEVERAL MINUTES BACK AND FORTH WHILE AT THE SAME TIME PULLING ON THE HANDLE UNTIL THE RIGHT COMBINATION OF FORCE AND TIMING ALLOW THE DOOR TO BE OPENED. *TR
Structure › Body › Door
Filed Oct 1, 201440,000 milesFL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE. THE CONTACT HAD TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND USE THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE IN ORDER TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Power Train
Filed Aug 1, 2014132,000 milesWI
I PURCHASED A 2006 KIA OPTIMA 1 MONTH AGO. USED CAR DEALER DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY PAST RECALLS OR MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL DEFECTS. YESTERDAY, WHEN I WAS ABOUT TO LEAVE HOME I NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMED LOCKED IN PLACE, TRANSMISSION WAS IN P. - A LITTLE JIGGLING ON THE STEERING ALLOWED THE IGNITION TO FIRE AND I COULD MOVE TO R. TODAY.AS I TRIED TO LEAVE HOME, THE CAR STARTED WITHOUT PROBLEM. WHEN I SHIFTED TO R TO BACK OUT OF DRIVE, THE CAR DID NOT MOVE.AFTER FURTHER ATTEMPTS IT WAS CLEAR THAT NO MATTER WHAT GEAR I WAS ABLE TO SHIFT THE GEAR INTO ONLY THE NEUTRAL WAS ENGAGED. I CALLED MY USED CAR DEALER WHO SAID TO CALL KIA WHO SAID ! THAT''S WHAT YOU GET WHEN YOU BUY A USED CAR! HOW RUDE! THE AGENT NAMED [XXX] SAID THE RECALL HAD BEEN CLOSED AND WAS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE IF THIS CAR (VIA VIN) HAD OR HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR FIXED AND, BESIDES! THE RECALL PERIOD ENDED IN 2011 (END OF SERVICE CAMPAIGN OFFER. ACCORDING TO US DOT AND NHTSA RECURRING DEFECTS WITHIN 10 YEARS FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE BY THE ORIGINAL OWNER, THIS RECALL DEFECT SHOULD BE FIXED AT NO COST TO ME EVEN IF I AM THE SECOND OWNER. SINCE ONLY 8 YEARS HAVE PASSED I EXPECT THE RECALL DEFECT WITH THE CABLE AND SHIFT ASSEMBLY WHICH PREVENTS THE TRANSMISSION FROM SHIFTING GEAR. SO FAR I'VE BEEN TOLD (IN EFFECT. TOO BAD) TAKE IT TO KIA DEALER FOR ANALYSIS AND COST AND PAY FOR IT MY SELF. PLEASE ADVISE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jul 16, 2014FL
YOU CAN START IT UP. DRIVE IT FOR A LITTLE BIT, BUT AS SOON AS YOU MAKE A STOP OR SLOW DOWN, IT WILL STALL. CHANGED THE OIL, ALL FLUIDS. IT STILL DOES THE SAME THING. SO I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. *TR
Structure
Filed May 19, 2014MD
I CAN NOT OPEN THE PASSENGER DOOR. *JS
Electrical System
Filed May 15, 2014500 milesMO
WE BOUGHT OUR KIA WITH LESS THEN 10 MILES ON IT, RIGHT OFF THE SHOW ROOM FLOOR, WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLAMPS (TOTAL TO DATE 5/15/2015) 15 TIMES, BOTH REAR TURN SIGNALS BULBS AND REAR BRAKE LIGHTS. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD WHEN EVER THE PASSENGER SEAT WOULD BE MOVED AND NOW THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD FLICKERED DRIVING HOME FROM WORK LAST NIGHT AND REMANDS ON. *TR
Air Bags
Filed Mar 31, 201456 milesFL
THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT WAS COMING ON AND OFF FROM THE FIRST MONTH OF TAKING NEW CAR DELIVERY. I IMMEDITELY REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DID NOT TAKE ANY ACTION, SINCE IT WOULD HAPPEN RANDOMLY.A RECALL WAS DONE ON THE 2006.5 OPTIMA IN 2012.THE CHECK AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DRIVERS DASH THAT COMES ON IGNITION FAIL TO GO OFF FOR THE FIRST TIME ON 03/30/2014.I TOOK IT MY ORIGINAL DEALER, WHO SAID THE WHOLE SYSTEM WOULD NO LONGER WORK, BECAUSE THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG WAS NOT WORKING.THE WANTS ME TO PAY $1750 TO REPAIR THE WHOLE AIR BAG SYSTEM, THAT WAS DEFECTIVE FROM THE FIST MONTH OF TAKING DELIVERY. *TR
Structure › Body
Filed Feb 18, 201460,000 milesTX
IT IS A WELL-KNOWN ISSUE WITH KIA OPTIMA CARS THAT THE DOOR LATCH IS FAULTY, AND AFTER VARIOUS LENGTHS OF TIME, IT WILL STOP UNLOCKING. BY NO LONGER UNLOCKING, I MEAN UNDER ANY CONDITION. USING A REMOTE, USING THE KEY, EVEN SITTING IN THE VEHICLE PRESSING THE BUTTON ON THE DOOR OR MANUALLY MOVING THE INDICATOR BY THE HANDLE. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE. IN THE EVENT OF A WRECK OR OTHER EMERGENCY SITUATION, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO EXIT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR ON MY KIA OPTIMA. NO MATTER WHAT YOU ATTEMPT, THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. WHEN YOU UNLOCK IT USING ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED METHODS, THE CAR WILL AUTOMATICALLY RE-LOCK THE DOOR AS SOON AS YOU TOUCH THE HANDLE, EITHER INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR. WHILE I CAN UNDERSTAND NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR EATING AWAY AT THE COMPONENT, THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO REASON FOR THE CAR TO DEFAULT TO THE LOCK POSITION IN THE CASE OF SUCH WEAR AND TEAR. A SIMPLE SOLUTION WOULD BE TO HAVE THE LATCH DEFAULT TO THE OPEN POSITION, WHICH WILL ALLOW PERSONS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IN CASE OF EMERGENCY. IF THIS HAS NOT ALREADY COST INDIVIDUALS THEIR LIFE, I AM SURE IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME. THIS NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED IMMEDIATELY, BEFORE IT COSTS ME MY FAMILY. *TR
Power Train
Filed Jan 31, 201458,000 milesPA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 11V153000 POWER TRAIN RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS OR PLACE THE GEAR SHIFT INTO PARK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
Air Bags
Filed Dec 16, 201380,000 milesTX
KEYLESS ENTRY ON DRIVERSIDE ONLY LOCKED ME IN AND OUT OF THE CAR. LOCK WILL ONLY OPEN 1/2 OF THE WAY. AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. I CAN NOT GET AN INSPECTION. THEY SAY THE SYSTEM IS UNSTABLE. TRANSMISSION HAS SLIPPED A COUPLE OF TIMES. *TR
Exterior Lighting
Filed Dec 1, 20134,000 milesTX
LEFT REAR TAIL LIGHT WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. *TR
Electrical System
Filed Sep 11, 2013100,000 milesUT
THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH THE ELECTRICAL BUTTON OR MANUALLY. THE LOCK ONLY OPENS HALF WAY - PULL HANDLE TO OPEN - DOOR AUTOMATICALLY LOCKS. CAN'T OPEN DOOR WITH KEY FROM OUTSIDE. MUST ENTER IN PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND CLIMB OVER. BIG DANGER AS DRIVING WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR. *TR
Power Train
Filed Jul 16, 201358,000 milesIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL AWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND SHE HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE SHIFTER CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Jul 10, 201378,000 milesNJ
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK WHENEVER ENTERING OR EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE POWER LOCKS NEITHER WOULD RELEASE OPEN WITH THE USE OF THE KEY FOB NOR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE LOCKS MANUALLY. THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jun 22, 201375,000 milesGA
DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE AND THE CAR ACTS LIKE IM NOT GIVING IT HAS I HAVE TO PULL OFF ROAD AND CUT OFF CAR AND WAIT TO RESTART SOMETIME IT CLEARS UP AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. SOMETIMES IT WILL DO OK AFTER RESTART AND OTHER TO TIMES IT MAY GO COUPLE MILES AND DO IT AGAIN. ALSO MY TRUNK LATCH DOESN'T WORK EVEN WHEN YOU TRY TO PULL THE EMERGENCY OPEN IN TRUNK. MY SISTER HAD SAME PROBLEM WITH HER 07 OPTIMA. *TR
Complaints 1-50 of 155, newest first, reproduced as filed.
No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Jan 17, 2012. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.