2001 Kia Optima

● Typical for this model

2001 Kia Optima
RENDERED 2026-09-16T17:43:11.369Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2001: 143 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2001	143
2002	107
2003	141
2004	225
2005	144
2006	155
2007	166
2008	143
2009	116
2010	75
2011	593
2012	919
2013	1380
2014	583
2015	1006
2016	754
2017	255
2018	231
2019	206
2020	143

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

STRUCTURE 26%

26% of complaints: structure — 37 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frame and members and body.

CRASH

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20121118

Also filed under SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA.

NHTSA ODI report, 20181029

POWER LOCKING MECHANISM FOR DOORS OPERATE ERRATICALLY. CONSUMER CANNOT UNLOCK DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WITHOUT LOCKING ALL OF DOORS AT THE SAME TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20010517

AIR BAGS 22%

22% of complaints: air bags — 31 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20030402

WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN,VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE SIDE. NONE OF THE AIR DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. CAUSING INJURIES TO DRIVER. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. MR

NHTSA ODI report, 20021106

THIS VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN OFF CENTERED COLLISION THAT RESULTED IN VEHICLE BEING TOTALED. NONE OF THE FOUR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, EVEN AFTER THE EXTENT OF DAMAGE, AND WINDOW BREAKING. OWNER SUFFERED HEAD INJURY AND CHEST TRAUMA.

NHTSA ODI report, 20020911

SUSPENSION 20%

20% of complaints: suspension — 29 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing front and rear.

CRASH

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120403

WAS DRIVING VEHICLE 75MPH WHEN FRONT END LOCKED UP. TRANSMISSION DROPPED TO 2ND GEAR, AND CAUSED STEERING TO LOCK UP. VEHICLE HAD STARTED TO SKID. NOTHING WAS HIT WHEN VEHICLE SKIDDED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20010726

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 17%

17% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 25 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and crankcase (pcv).

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14%

14% of complaints: electrical system — 20 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing alternator/generator/regulator and module.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20010511 — air bags

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.

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 EXPE

Campaign 01V156000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20030328 — electrical system

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.

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

Campaign 03V067000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20040707 — PE (closed 20041104)

POWER DOOR LOCK FAILURE

I 20041104 — EA (closed 20051107)

POWER DOOR LOCK FAILURE

R 20090616 — suspension

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,

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.

Campaign 09V183000 — check if this car was fixed