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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

Suspension complaints

28 reports
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190,000 miles · Dec 15, 2015
StructureSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE VEHICLE SWERVED TO THE RIGHT. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT END NEEDED TO BE ALIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE THE FRONT SUBFRAME WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE VEHICLE SWERVED TO THE RIGHT. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT END NEEDED TO BE ALIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE THE FRONT SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V183000 (SUSPENSION); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

NHTSA ODI #10810535

236,000 miles · Nov 24, 2015
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE BEING INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE AXLE HAD FRACTURED DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION ON THE MOTOR MOUNT BRACKETS. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V183000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE BEING INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE AXLE HAD FRACTURED DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION ON THE MOTOR MOUNT BRACKETS. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V183000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACT AND INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 236,000.

NHTSA ODI #10806436

82,000 miles · Feb 26, 2013
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V183000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE TECHNICIAN DID NOT FIND CORROSION OF THE FRAME AT THAT TIME AND DID NOT PERFORM ANY REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V183000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE TECHNICIAN DID NOT FIND CORROSION OF THE FRAME AT THAT TIME AND DID NOT PERFORM ANY REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO PULL TO THE SIDES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THE SUB FRAME WAS FRACTURED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DESTROYING THE AXEL AND TIE RODS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

NHTSA ODI #10500529

Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 2012
Suspension

2001 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SUB-FRAME RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER BELIEVED HE WAS TREATED UNFAIRLY AND CHARGED EXORBITANT REPAIR CHARGES THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. ON OCTOBER 25, 2012, AS THE CONSUMER'S GIRLFRIEND WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE SUB-FRAME COLLAPSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO…

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2001 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SUB-FRAME RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER BELIEVED HE WAS TREATED UNFAIRLY AND CHARGED EXORBITANT REPAIR CHARGES THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. ON OCTOBER 25, 2012, AS THE CONSUMER'S GIRLFRIEND WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE SUB-FRAME COLLAPSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST REPAIR FACILITY, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A KIA DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP AGREED TO REPLACE THE SUB-FRAME, BUT THEY STATED THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR ANY OTHER DAMAGE CAUSED AS A RESULT OF THE SEPARATION. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TOW CHARGES, PLUS AN ADDITIONAL $1,100-$1,150 TO REPAIR OTHER RUSTY AREAS UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT ANY SUBSEQUENT DAMAGES CAUSED BY THE SUB-FRAME CORROSION AND SEPARATION SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL REPAIRS THAT WERE NEEDED TO MAKE THE VEHICLE ROAD WORTHY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10488562

210,000 miles · Nov 18, 2012
StructureSuspensionCrash

AS I WAS LEAVING MY NEIGHBORHOOD, MY CAR DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT AND FELL ON TOP OF THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. AFTER INSPECTION OF THE CAR, WE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE SUBFRAME WHERE THE SUSPENSION BROKE APART. INSURANCE INFORMED ME OF RECALL SC075 AND NOT KIA. INSURANCE WILL NOT COVER BECAUSE OF RECALL AND KIA WILL NOT C…

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AS I WAS LEAVING MY NEIGHBORHOOD, MY CAR DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT AND FELL ON TOP OF THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. AFTER INSPECTION OF THE CAR, WE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE SUBFRAME WHERE THE SUSPENSION BROKE APART. INSURANCE INFORMED ME OF RECALL SC075 AND NOT KIA. INSURANCE WILL NOT COVER BECAUSE OF RECALL AND KIA WILL NOT COVER BECAUSE THEY DID NOT RECALL IT, THEY SAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10485060

122,000 miles · Oct 4, 2012
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WOULD VEER TO THE RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSE THAT DUE TO THE MOISTURE FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER THE CROSS BAR BECAME CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WOULD VEER TO THE RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSE THAT DUE TO THE MOISTURE FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER THE CROSS BAR BECAME CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V183000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 122,000.

NHTSA ODI #10478593

157,930 miles · Jul 6, 2012
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TIRE WAS STUCK TO THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE FENDER WELL WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TIRE WAS STUCK TO THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE FENDER WELL WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WERE NO WARRANTIES COVERING THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,930.

NHTSA ODI #10464450

142,000 miles · Apr 3, 2012
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN UNRELATED REPAIR AND THEY DETECTED THE SUB FRAME COMPLETELY RUSTED. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL ASSEMBLY SEPARATED FROM THE SUB FRAME. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V18…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN UNRELATED REPAIR AND THEY DETECTED THE SUB FRAME COMPLETELY RUSTED. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL ASSEMBLY SEPARATED FROM THE SUB FRAME. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V183000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT). THE VEHICLE WAS INELIGIBLE UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO NOT BEING CURRENTLY REGISTERED OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN THE STATES MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.

NHTSA ODI #10453982

132,993 miles · Dec 17, 2011
Suspension

WHILE DRIVING IN A NEIGHBORHOOD, MY DAUGHTER HEARD A LOUD "POP" AND THEN THE CAR CAME TO A STOP AND SHUDDERED. I GOT THERE AND DID A QUICK LOOK AND I NOTICED THE DRIVER SIDE INSIDE CV JOINT HAD FAILED AND WAS LEAKING THE GREASE OUT OF THE BOOT. WE TOWED IT HOME AND WAS ABLE TO JACK THE CAR UP AND GET A BETTER VIEW OF THE AREA AN…

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WHILE DRIVING IN A NEIGHBORHOOD, MY DAUGHTER HEARD A LOUD "POP" AND THEN THE CAR CAME TO A STOP AND SHUDDERED. I GOT THERE AND DID A QUICK LOOK AND I NOTICED THE DRIVER SIDE INSIDE CV JOINT HAD FAILED AND WAS LEAKING THE GREASE OUT OF THE BOOT. WE TOWED IT HOME AND WAS ABLE TO JACK THE CAR UP AND GET A BETTER VIEW OF THE AREA AND NOTICED THE LOWER ARM OF SUSPENSION HAD PULLED FROM THE RUSTED FRAME. LOOKS LIKE THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I CAME IN TO LOOK UP PARTS NEEDED AND FOUND THE RECALL INFO #09V183000 THAT SHOWED THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WE HAVE BUT DOESN'T INCLUDE KANSAS??? I ACTUALLY BOUGHT THIS IN MISSOURI, WHICH IS INCLUDED??? I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE COVERED. PLEASE REPLY ASAP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10440258

90,000 miles · Dec 14, 2011
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE BENT INWARD ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE SUB-FRAME HAD CAVED IN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE BENT INWARD ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE SUB-FRAME HAD CAVED IN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V183000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT). THERE WAS ADDITIONAL DAMAGE TO THE STRUTS AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM ANY REPAIRS OUTSIDE OF WHAT WAS STATED WOULD BE REPAIRED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 90,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 02/09/12*LJ

NHTSA ODI #10439891

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.