KnownCarProblems2001 Kia Optima Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 143 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Kia Optima, most often about the body and structure (25% of complaints, typically around 99,000 miles). It is 16th of 20 Optima model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2001 Kia Optima problems
Body and structure
35 complaints · 25%Half of these problems showed up before 99,000 miles. Parts named most often: frame and members, body.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Kia Optima. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact felt the vehicle pulling to the right. She drove to a repair shop and the mechanic stated that the front passenger side wheel and subframe were corroded and cracking. The vehicle has not been repaired. The current and failure mileages…
I have a 2001 Kia and on july 5 2009 I was driving down the road when I was pushed over to the left lane and my tire has detached from the frame it messed up my bumper and the hole underneath of my car was damaged.
Suspension
28 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 121,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
The contact owns a 2001 Kia Optima. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop for routine maintenance when the contact was informed that the frame was severely rusted and corroded. The manufacturer was then notified and the contact was told that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with…
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…
Air bags
27 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 81,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
: the contact stated the airbag light illuminated. There was a NHTSA recall, # 01v156000, regarding the airbags. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.
When I first brought the car and drove it, the lights became dim in the inside and the headlights. The radio turned off and on, took it to dealer 4-5 times for problem and they could find nothing wrong. The car doesn't pick up spend when going over hills not even little ones. The gas needle does not read full even…
Engine
26 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 54,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
2001 Kia Optima with approximately 57,000 miles has been regularly maintained at Kia dealerships since purchase in jan 2002 (used). Since june 2003 car has been serviced for numerous recall items. Car has had many problems since then. Check engine light continuously lit. Engine surges or stalls while driving. Car…
Driving and car just died with no warning. Engine is seized. Getting a hard time from dealership because we do our own maintenance. Rep approved taking the engine apart to see what problem is. Dealer put 3 gallons of antifreeze in and it went right out the tailpipe. Oil changed and antifreeze checked a week before…
Electrical
17 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 9,500 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, alternator/generator/regulator, 12v/24v/48v battery, instrument cluster/panel.
The vehicle would down shift, and loose power while driving, the electrical system would operate intermittently. Mr the transmission jumped out of gear.
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)…
Doors and locks
15 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 18,500 miles. Parts named most often: doors.
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…
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.
Brakes
14 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 32,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock.
When the brakes are applied, the rear brakes have been squealing like nothing I have ever heard. Brakes were checked out at a local brake shop and recommended replacement of the rear brakes. At that time the car only had 15,000 miles on it. It now has 29,000 miles on it and the noise is even louder. I contacted the…
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
12 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 12,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
The vehicle would down shift, and loose power while driving, the electrical system would operate intermittently. Mr the transmission jumped out of gear.
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…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2001 Kia Optima recalls
Suspension: front
Risk: Corrosion of the front subframe could lead to separation, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: starter assembly
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: side/window
Risk: Damage to the wire harness could result in the side air bag not deploying in an accident.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Power door lock failure
Summary
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 a
Power door lock failure
Summary
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.
Questions about the 2001 Kia Optima
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Kia Optima?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: body and structure (35 complaints, typically around 99,000 miles); suspension (28 complaints, typically around 121,000 miles); air bags (27 complaints, typically around 81,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2001 Kia Optima have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 27, 2009 (suspension). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2001 a bad year for the Kia Optima?
- It is 16th of 20 Optima model years by number of complaints, with 143 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.