Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - STARTER ASSEMBLY
03V067000KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.from 09/09/2000 to 08/17/2001V (Vehicle)1150103/28/2003MFRHYUNDAI-KIA AMERICA TECHNICAL CENTER INC03/04/200303/17/2003
Defect SummaryOn 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 SummaryInternal 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.
Corrective SummaryDealers 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.
NotesKia's recall number is sc021.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - MODULE
00606/01/2002633729Change in diagnostic trouble code p0128, thermostat malfunction, logic. *tt09/24/2002
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - SOFTWARE
TSB-04411/01/200910033464Kia: ecm upgrade with tp sensor replacement-mil on with dtc p2135/p0638. information related to ecm software and tp sensor upgrade on some vehicles with 2.7l engines which may experience a malfunction indicator lamp (mil) illuminated with08/18/2010

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
03/16/2006140001
 Since purchasing my 2001 kia optima, i have had nothing but difficulty. i purchased an extended warranty at the dealership i purchased it from in case i needed repairs. i got my money's worth. but the problems i had are common problems with the vehicle, locks not working, windows not rolling up, paint peeling off, transmission problems, check engine light constantly on, decreased acceleration, heat surges when gas pedal released and pressed and the list goes on. it is not hard to find other kia owners with the same problems. the repair that bothers me the most is the complete transmission it needs. there is 41,000 miles on the vehicle. common problems that are widely known and should be repaired at an authorized dealer at kia motor company's expense. *tr
12/18/2006400001012/07/2001
 I purchased my car in 2001 new. i had many problems since then. the alternator and axles had to be replaced in 2005. the locks are malfunctioned. they automatically lock causing us to get locked in the car. the check engine light and the air bag light has been on for a while. the car stalls, jerks when i am driving. the car failed inspection novembeer 30-emissions related. the power steering pump had to be replaced in october. i have spent so much money repairing this car. i took the car to the dealer. i purchased it from kia /bronx. my car was there for 4 days. the service mechanic refused to make the repairs and told me to pick up my car. the car was not repaired and i am still unable to get it inspected. i called the manufacturer. they are of no help. they tell me to take the car to another dealer. they also keep reminding me that the basic warranty has expired and the warranty only covers the powertrain. however, if there is a problem with the transmission, they may ask for maintenance records. the car is clearly unsafe to drive. i recently found out that there are two recalls on the 2001 kias which i was never informed about. the two recalls may be the problems my car is having. i am classifying my car as a lemon and would like help in resolving this issue
05/13/2002826416
 I purchased my brand new car on august 31,2001. i started having electrical problems 9 months after i bought it. i now have a list of problems from electrical to check engine light, fuel sensors, 2 new batteries etc. i have a long long list of repairs that nobody can seem to fix. i am told the problem has been fixed and then my check engine light comes back on and i am told there are additional problems. meanwhile, i have been stranded on the highway due to these problems, i have had to be towed out of my own driveway to due the electrical problems. i have tried numerous times to tell kia corporation that i do not feel safe driving this vehicle any longer and nobody is listening. the general manager of the dealership i bought the vehicle from even agrees and feels this car to be very unsafe and dangerous to drive. i have tried to talk to joe petazoni(spelling) who is supposed to be a kia representative that would decide what to do, he has been no help at all. i feel that kia corporation should buy back my vehicle because of all the unsafe issues i have had. i feel i bought a lemon and if i can't get anywhere with the company, i will be forced to contact the states attorney's office regarding this lemon of a vehicle!!!!! i have left messages for debbie wojciechowskii and she will not return my calls. i have told the people at 800-333-4-kia how unsafe i feel and nobody puts that information into the system. *la
02/17/20041106/30/2002
 While driving at any speed, the check engine light appeared on the dashboard intermittently. the consumer took the vehicle to the dealership for inspection, but the dealer was unable to resolve the problem. *ak the button on the shift lever popped out. the warning light had come on due to an open circuit and the seal on the gas cap was deformed, there was a rattle coming from the rear ash tray, the front window was inoperative due to a tangle wire in the drum, there were engine/electrical problems due to the oxygen sensors and crank sensors, the abs light had come on, the console lid was loose due to cracked screw holes, there was a body electrical problem with the driver side regulator, there was poor sound in the radio due to an open circuit. *sc the air bag light illuminated. *jb
10/29/2003507/05/2002
 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
07/17/2003200001
 Electrical system has failed two times in the last week. dealer notified. *ak
06/12/20036950411/27/2001
 My 2001 kia optima has become the modern age , this vehicle has a mind of it's own. the power locks shuts open and locks on it's own, the vehicle is not reliable when crossing a highway on our street. vehicle stalls at the point of acceleration and does not respond to pressing of gas pedal. when car electrical system fails and you are in the vehicle the power locks do not operate causing driver and passengers to be locked in vehicle. i was recently locked in my vehicle with my daughter for exactly 4 hours when the power finally returned and i was able to get out. i contacted kia motors corp. and was simply not taken serious with this complaint. i hope that you follow up with manufactures possible death trap and that no loses their life. *jb
2
 The vehicle failed to start, the dealer replaced the battery, however the problem recurred.*jb
06/01/200295002511/01/2001
 The vehicle would down shift, and loose power while driving, the electrical system would operate intermittently. mr the transmission jumped out of gear. *jg *jb
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
108/22/2001
 Problems with battery, alternator and electrical systems.*mr consumer had numerous failures and repairs and the results didn't work. once the electrical system failed, the consumer was trapped inside the vehicle for one and a half hours because the doors locks malfunctioned due to the alternator shutting down. the doors wouldn't unlock. the consumer would like a refund. *ph *jb
07/22/200218481308/01/2001
 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
05/17/2002
 While driving vehicle will die out due to alternator not producing enough power to charge battery, resulting in loss of power. contacted dealer. this is a common problem with these vehicles. *ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BATTERY
108/22/2001
 Problems with battery, alternator and electrical systems.*mr consumer had numerous failures and repairs and the results didn't work. once the electrical system failed, the consumer was trapped inside the vehicle for one and a half hours because the doors locks malfunctioned due to the alternator shutting down. the doors wouldn't unlock. the consumer would like a refund. *ph *jb
07/22/200218481308/01/2001
 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
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION
07/22/2002301/01/2002
 Vehicle dies while driving, won't restart turn key and no response, dash light coe on but northing from starter, will restart after sitting a while, ac stops blowing.*ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - ANTI-THEFT CONTROLLER
07/27/2001
 While driving 40-50 mph door locks engaged numerous times, then vehicle stalled. vehicle has been at dealer since then. safety theft protection lock system needed to be replaced, and was on backorder, according to dealer. please add further comments. *ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - MODULE
 Consumer noticed rpms changing while set on one speed. soon after vehicle would surge. dealer has been contacted, and technician noticed that computer chip needed to be replaced. please provide furthr information.*ak
07/10/20015000
 Power door locks would lock and unlock by themselves trapping the driver. the engine would stall. both would occur intermittently/simutaneously. vehicle was taken to dealer shop, and had computer module replaced. feel free to provide any further information on this matter. *ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
10/18/20078900610/15/2007
 Purchased oct,15,07. within 3 day we had it up to dealer were purchases 1) for windows not going up or down all the time. 2) light on radio and heater do not work. 3) the car had no power and would go from 1st gear to 3rd gear and would stay that way until car turned off. 4)had to replace speed shift sensor. 5) brakes. got looked in car several times and could not get out. sometimes they work most of the time they don't. 6). antenna broke off for no reason. went out on day barely touched it and it feel off. 7) on feb 9th car would not start for 4 days for no reason had towed from own house to garage were they know believe it has a cracked head or blown head gasket. this car only has 89,000 miles and should not have all these problems already. there needs to be something done i have a 3yr old and a 7 yr old. i fear for there lives and mine. . i don't even want this car anymore and have had it for only 4 months. please help if u have any advice. don't buy a kia. also this car came with a 90 day warranty from harry's auto sales and they kept telling me for 3 month there was nothing wrong and only would reset computer until i took it to another garage and they found out differt. they told us head gasket. harry said noooooo. when warranty ran out then they informed me i need a head gasket. they said i would have to pay for it cause warranty out. that sounds like a lemon. please help me find legal advice. *tr