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2001 Kia Optima

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Kia Optima do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 186.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

84 reports with mileage · 59 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Structure. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

15 crash reports0 fire reports5 injury reports

Latches/locks/linkages complaints

15 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 2004
Air BagsElectrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IF THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND THE TRANSMISSION DROPPING TO 3RD GEAR WHEN GOING UPHILL. *LA THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONSUMER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT POWERFUL ENOUGH TO DRIVE UPHILL IN …

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THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IF THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND THE TRANSMISSION DROPPING TO 3RD GEAR WHEN GOING UPHILL. *LA THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONSUMER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT POWERFUL ENOUGH TO DRIVE UPHILL IN 3RD GEAR. THE DRIVER DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR AND LATCH WAS REPLACED BECAUSE THE DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK OR REMAIN UNLOCK, THE WINDOW MADE A CHATTERING NOISE WHEN IT WAS ROLLED DOWN. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10059685

16,126 miles · Nov 6, 2003
Latches/locks/linkages

POWER LOCK DOORS FAILED, WHICH TWICE TRAPPED THE DRIVER INSIDE THE VEHICLE. I HAD TO RESTART THE ENGINE, ROLLED DOWN THE POWER WINDOW, TAKE THE KEY OUT AND INSERT IT INTO THE DOOR TO UNLOCK IT FROM THE OUTSIDE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10046477

18,481 miles · Jul 13, 2003
Electrical SystemExterior LightingLatches/locks/linkages

THIS VEHICLES ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CONTINUES TO FAIL ALONG WITH NONWORKING LIGHTS, AIR CONDITIONER, LOCK FAILURE, BATTERY AND ALTRENATOR FAILURE. CAR HAS BEEN WORKED ON FOR SAME PROBLEMS MORE THAN 5 TIMES. CAR HAS HAD (THAT I KNOW OF) 3 BATTERIES AND 2 ALTERNATORS. ONCE THE LOCKS ON THE CAR FAILED AND I WAS TRAPPED INSIDE VEHICL…

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THIS VEHICLES ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CONTINUES TO FAIL ALONG WITH NONWORKING LIGHTS, AIR CONDITIONER, LOCK FAILURE, BATTERY AND ALTRENATOR FAILURE. CAR HAS BEEN WORKED ON FOR SAME PROBLEMS MORE THAN 5 TIMES. CAR HAS HAD (THAT I KNOW OF) 3 BATTERIES AND 2 ALTERNATORS. ONCE THE LOCKS ON THE CAR FAILED AND I WAS TRAPPED INSIDE VEHICLE FOR MORE THAN AN HOUR. LOCKS WOULD AUTOMATICALLY RELOCK FASTER THAN YOU COULD OPEN THE DOOR.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10025993

Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2003
EquipmentLatches/locks/linkagesPower Train

VEHICLE TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHILE DRIVING.*MR THE AIR CONDITION, AUTO CHECK LIGHT AND AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS DO NOT REMAIN UNLOCKED TRAPPING THE DRIVER.*TS *JB

NHTSA ODI #10026957

Mileage unknown · Jan 30, 2003
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

I HAVE TOOK MY CAR IN NUMEROUS TIME FOR THE SQUEKING BRAKES. ALSO, THE THERMOSTAT HAS BEEN REPLACED FOR THE 4TH TIME. I HAVE HAD MY CAR SINCE NOV OF 2001. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD IT IN THE DEALER SHIP ABOUT 10 TIMES. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS. THE BRAKES THEY JUST BLOW OUT AND SAY IT IS METTALIC DUST. THAT I NEED …

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I HAVE TOOK MY CAR IN NUMEROUS TIME FOR THE SQUEKING BRAKES. ALSO, THE THERMOSTAT HAS BEEN REPLACED FOR THE 4TH TIME. I HAVE HAD MY CAR SINCE NOV OF 2001. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD IT IN THE DEALER SHIP ABOUT 10 TIMES. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS. THE BRAKES THEY JUST BLOW OUT AND SAY IT IS METTALIC DUST. THAT I NEED TO CLEAR THEM OUT WHEN THE CAR IS WASHED. THE SQUEAK STILL COMES BACK. THEY HAVE ALSO TOLD ME IT IS THE HUMIDITY DOING THIS. THE THERMOSTAT HAS BEEN REPLACED FOR THE 4TH TIME TODAY. ALSO, I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY LOCKS AND ENIGNE LIGHT COMING ON ALL THE TIME. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR BAG LIGHT ALSO. THE CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. I HAVE NOTIFIED THE KIA CONSUMER CUSTOMER SERVICES NO HELP AT ALL. MY COMPLAINTS GO BACK ABOUT 1 YR. IT ALL STARTED IN JAN OF 2002

NHTSA ODI #10004952

Official recalls

3

09V183000 · Suspension:front

May 27, 2009

KIA MOTORS CORPORATION (KMC) IS RECALLING 36,538 MODEL YEAR 2001-2004 OPTIMA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ROAD SALT APPLIED IN THESE STATES DURING THE WINTER MONTHS MAY RESULT IN PROGRESSIVE, INTERNAL CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME. OVER TIME, SUCH SUBFRAME CORROSION NEAR THE CONNECTION TO THE LOWER CONTROL ARM CAN LEAD TO WHEEL MISALIGNMENT AND/OR OTHER NOTICEABLE STRESS IN STEERING, OR ACCELERATED ABNORMAL TIRE WEAR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME COULD LEAD TO SEPARATION, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: KMC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 15, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA'S CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.

03V067000 · Electrical System:starter Assembly

Mar 4, 2003

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5 AND 2.7 LITER V6 ENGINES, THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR (CKP) CASES DID NOT MEET DIMENSIONAL SPECIFICATIONS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: INTERNAL GAPS WITHIN THE CASES ALLOWED EPOXY TO CONTACT THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD, WHICH RESULTED IN CRACKING OF THE CIRCUIT BOARD CAPACITOR. A DAMAGED CKP CAPACITOR COULD RESULT IN ENGINE STALLING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CKP. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 28, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

01V156000 · Air Bags:side/window

May 1, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SIDE AIR BAG WIRE HARNESS FOR THE DRIVER POSITION COULD BE MIS-ROUTED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN IT BEING PINCHED OR CUT BY THE SEAT CUSHION TILT MECHANISM.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: DAMAGE TO THE WIRE HARNESS COULD RESULT IN THE SIDE AIR BAG NOT DEPLOYING IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK FOR PROPER ROUTING OF THE SIDE AIR BAG WIRE HARNESS AND SECURE IT IN PLACE WITH A PLASTIC TIE-WRAP. IF THE WIRE HARNESS IS DAMAGED, IT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA04030 · Power Door Lock Failure

Opened Nov 4, 2004 · Closed Nov 7, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

INVESTIGATION FAILED TO DISCLOSE A MALFUNCTION WITH A CLEAR AND CONSISTENT PATTERN OF COMPROMISE TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY.FAILURE OF THE SUBJECT DOOR LOCKS MAY IMPEDE NORMAL EGRESS OF A VEHICLE OCCUPANT BUT DOES NOT ENTRAP THE OCCUPANT.COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY DATA DOCUMENT THE DEFICIENCIES OF THE DOOR LOCK SYSTEM, BUT THESE MALFUNCTIONS HAVE NOT BEEN ACCOMPANIED BY A HISTORY OF DEMONSTRATED SAFETY RELATED IMPLICATIONS.DETAILS REGARDING THIS INVESTIGATION ARE CONTAINED IN THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT.FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING THAT A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY MAY TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

PE04050 · Power Door Lock Failure

Opened Jul 7, 2004 · Closed Nov 4, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

THIS PE DISCLOSED THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE EXPERIENCED INCIDENTS OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN SIGNIFICANT NUMBERS.THIS PE HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA04-030) TO FACILITATE A THOROUGH REVIEW OF THE MATTER, INCLUDING EVALUATION OF THE POTENTIAL SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES.