2006 Kia Optima Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V014000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE. THE CONTACT HAD TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND USE THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE IN ORDER TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN SHE FIRST NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AREA. SHORTLY AFTERWARD SPARKS BEGAN TO SHOOT OUT AND THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED WITH THE KEYLESS ENTRY REMOTE OR MANUALLY WHEN USING THE KEY. THE CONTACT HAD TO EXIT THE VEHICLE FROM THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SMALL PLASTIC DOOR CHECKER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000. UPDATED 01/29/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THREE DIFFERENT AUTO REPAIR SHOPS BEFORE FINALLY GETTING THE DOOR TO OPEN WITH A COAT HANGER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 1/31/2013 *JS

2006 KIA OPTIMA NEEDED A NEW TIMING BELT WITHIN THE NEXT FEW THOUSAND + MILES (NEEDS TO BE CHANGED EVERY 60,000 MILES OR SOONER), BUT ONE THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY JUST CAME OFF AND THEN THE BELT CAME OFF A COUPLE PULLEYS BECAUSE OF THIS. THE BELT ACTUALLY LOOKS FINE, BUT THE PULLEY FAILURE CAUSED THE BELT TO COME OFF. THIS BELT RUNS SEVERAL THINGS SO THE INITIAL LOOSE PULLEY CAUSED THE CAR TO LOSE POWER STEERING, BATTERY LIGHT TO TURN ON, THE A/C FAILED, ETC., AND THEN THE INNER PART OF THE PULLEY CAME OFF AND THE OUTER RING (MAGNETIZED) FELL AND STUCK TO PART OF THE CAR FRAME THAT IS ACTUALLY METAL. MY WIFE MADE IT TO WORK WHILE THE BELT HAD TO STILL BE ON BUT LOOSE, AND IT NOW SITS IN HER PARKING SPOT AT HER JOB (HOSPITAL PARKING RAMP). I WILL PROBABLY HAVE IT TOWED TOMORROW. THIS COULD HAVE EASILY LED TO AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF IT HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY. I FOUND THE OUTER PART OF THE LOWER PULLEY LAYING ABOVE THE CAR FRAME CLOSE TO THE ENGINE. IF THE CAR DROVE AFTER THIS, ENGINE DAMAGE WOULD BE MOST LIKELY. I WILL HOPEFULLY HAVE IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST KIA DEALERSHIP BY TOMORROW TO SEE IF I JUST NEED THE PULLEY AND BELT OR IF THE ENGINE IS DAMAGED. THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE, BECAUSE I FOUND MANY PEOPLE THAT HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT BREAKING OFF AND SOMETIMES CAUSING ENGINE DAMAGE IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARD. AS A CONSUMER, I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO GO UNDER THE VEHICLE AND TIGHTEN A FACTORY TIGHTENED BOLT EVERY NOW AND THEN. I HOPE THAT THE NEWER BOLTS ACTUALLY HOLD LIKE A GRADE 8 AMERICAN BOLT, BECAUSE THAT WOULDN'T FAIL. RUBBER CAN'T BREAK STEEL, AND I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS OBVIOUS OVERSIGHT BY KIA HASN'T BEEN RECALLED OR IN A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN!!!! *TR

AFTER BEING LOWERED, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR NO LONGER CAN BE RETURNED TO THE UP POSITION AND HANGS IN SUCH A POSITION AS TO OBSTRUCT THE DRIVER'S VISION. THE SUN VISOR HAS BEEN LITTLE USED AND HANDLED WITH CARE. IT APPEARS THAT THE COMPONENTS OF THE SUN VISORS ARE TOO FRAGILE. *JS

AFTER BEING LOWERED, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR NO LONGER CAN BE RETURNED TO THE UP POSITION AND HANGS IN SUCH A POSITION AS TO OBSTRUCT THE DRIVER'S VISION. THE SUN VISOR HAS BEEN LITTLE USED AND HANDLED WITH CARE. IT APPEARS THAT THE COMPONENTS OF THE SUN VISORS ARE TOO FRAGILE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE CAR NOW IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND WANTS $125.00 TO FIX IT. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

AFTER A RECENT OIL CHANGE, THE CAR WAS RUNNING HORRIBLY, MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND. HAD AN EPISODE WHERE THE OIL LIGHT WAS FLASHING ON AND OFF AND THE ENGINE ABOUT DIED, SO I HAD MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE VEHICLE TO GET CHECKED FOR MONDAY MORNING. THE SATURDAY BEFORE, WHILE RUNNING ERRANDS, HAD THE EPISODE OCCUR AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME, THE ENGINE LOCKED UP AND IT HAS BEEN SITTING AT THE DEALERSHIP EVERY SINCE BECAUSE ALTHOUGH I HAVE A MANUFACTURER WARRANTY, KIA WON'T HONOR IT WITH ALL MY OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS. I AM FRUSTRATED, BECAUSE I KNOW OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE I HAVE AND HAVEN'T COMPLAINED LOUD ENOUGH OR WHATEVER, BUT THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE, NOT ME. NO CAR SHOULD BLOW AN ENGINE AT 62K. IT'S RIDICULOUS. *JS

A CO-WORKER FOLLOWED ME HOME AND TOLD ME MY RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT WAS OUT. THEN MY RIGHT TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR ON THE DASH STARTED FLASHING REAL FAST. FEW DAYS LATER MY DASH LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING ON & OFF. HAD A FRIEND WATCH THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS AND HE SAID THEY WERE FLASHING ON & OFF WITH THE DASH. SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT! IF MY HEADLIGHTS ARE ON THE LIGHTS DON'T FLASH. EVEN THOUGH MY LIGHTS COME ON, THE BRAKE & SIGNAL LIGHTS DON'T WORK WHEN I APPLY THEM. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN MY CAR BECAUSE OF IT. EVERY ONE TELLS ME WITH AS LITTLE MILEAGE AS I HAVE ON MY CAR - I SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THESE TYPE OF PROBLEMS. I HAVEN'T TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALER BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO GET A TICKET OR POSSIBLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE MY LIGHT DON'T WORK! I'M SINGLE MOTHER AND CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE A MECHANIC TEAR MY CAR UP TO SEE IF HE CAN FIND THE PROBLEM. *TR

KIA CURRENTLY HAS A RECALL ON 2006 OPTIMAS FOR AN AIR BAG ISSUE AND WARNS CONSUMERS WITH THIS VEHICLE TO CONTACT KIA IF THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON. IN MY CAR, THE LIGHT CAME ON ON 4/1/12 AND IS STILL ON. I CONTACTED KIA OF COLUMBUS, GA WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED AND THEY SAID TO BRING IT IN AND WE DID TO ONLY BE TOLD THE CAR WAS NOT COVERED BECAUSE IT WAS A FEW MONTHS OLD THAN THE CAMPAIGN. KIA NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE AND INCLUDE ALL OF 2006 OPTIMAS, AS THEY ARE HAVING THE AIR BAG ISSUE AS WELL. KIA HAS NEVER HONORED ANY REPAIR ON THE CAR EVEN WHEN BRAND NEW AND HAD ISSUES WITH HEADLIGHTS WHICH WE STILL HAVE TO DO THIS DAY. *TR

2006 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL NOTICE AND REPAIRS CONCERNING AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS CHARGED A $113.00 FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. HOWEVER, ACCORDING TO THE RECALL LETTER, IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING A LIFETIME WARRANTY FOR THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY, KIA WAS TO REPLACE THE CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK OR OPEN. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 213,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 214,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN FAILED TO QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V014000 (AIRBAGS:FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

I OWN A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. WHEN I USE THE REMOTE KEY FOB TO UNLOCK THE DOORS THEY UNLOCK. THEN WHEN I PULL ON THE HANDLE THE DRIVER SIDE, IT AUTOMATICALLY LOCKS. IF I AM INSIDE THE CAR AND HIT THE UNLOCK BUTTON IT UNLOCKS BUT WHEN I PULL THE HANDLE IT LOCKS AGAIN. I CAN GET OUT THE PASSENGER SIDE. MY CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW IN 2006 SO IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 4400. *TR

DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE AND THE CAR ACTS LIKE IM NOT GIVING IT HAS I HAVE TO PULL OFF ROAD AND CUT OFF CAR AND WAIT TO RESTART SOMETIME IT CLEARS UP AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. SOMETIMES IT WILL DO OK AFTER RESTART AND OTHER TO TIMES IT MAY GO COUPLE MILES AND DO IT AGAIN. ALSO MY TRUNK LATCH DOESN'T WORK EVEN WHEN YOU TRY TO PULL THE EMERGENCY OPEN IN TRUNK. MY SISTER HAD SAME PROBLEM WITH HER 07 OPTIMA. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V014000 (AIR BAGS; FRONTAL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN USING THE REMOTE KEY FOB TO UNLOCK THE DOORS, THE VEHICLE WOULD RESPOND BUT ONCE THE CONTACT PHYSICALLY PULLED ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE, THE VEHICLE WOULD AUTOMATICALLY LOCK. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

KEYLESS ENTRY ON DRIVERSIDE ONLY LOCKED ME IN AND OUT OF THE CAR. LOCK WILL ONLY OPEN 1/2 OF THE WAY. AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. I CAN NOT GET AN INSPECTION. THEY SAY THE SYSTEM IS UNSTABLE. TRANSMISSION HAS SLIPPED A COUPLE OF TIMES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. THE CONTACT TRIED TO UNLOCKED THE DOOR MANUALLY, WITH A KEY, AND THE KEY FOB AND IT FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK AND OPEN THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FROM THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR. AFTER APPROXIMATELY TWENTY ATTEMPTS, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY UNLOCK AND OPEN THE DOOR. THE FAILURE HAD SINCE RECURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

MY 2006 KIA OPIMAL DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK. *TR

I'VE A 2006.5 KIA OPTIMA. THIS ISSUE THAT I'D LIKE TO REPORT IS THAT THE SUN VISORS ARE DEFECTIVE ON THIS VEHICLE. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR, AND OTHERS. MY DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR HAS BROKEN. IT WON'T FOLD UP, AND IT IMPAIRS MY VISION AND DISTRACTS ME WHILE DRIVING. IT'S A CONSTANT DISTRACTION WHILE DRIVING. I'VE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THIS WAS A DEFECT SINCE I'VE NEVER HAS A SUN VISOR EVER GO BACK ON ANY CAR THAT I'VE EVER OWNED. AND EVEN THE DEALERSHIP HAS HAD VARIOUS CUSTOMERS THAT CALLED IN TO STATE THE SAME ISSUE WITH THAT YEAR'S MODEL SUN VISORS. THEY STATED I'D HAVE TO BRING IT IN, AND IT'S GOING TO COST ME FROM $200+ TO HAVE IT FIXED. THIS ISN'T SOMETHING THAT I SHOULD BE FIXING IN THE FIRST PLACE. IT SHOULD LAST THE EXPECTED LIFECYCLE OF THE CAR. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW IN 2006.5 AND I HAD NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE VISOR FOLD UP. IT JUST STOPPED ONE DAY ABOUT A MONTH AGO. STILL EACH DAY IS A CONSTANT DISTRACTION, AND IRRITATES ME WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS FOR A 2006.5 KIA OPTIMA - THE DEFECT IS THE SUN VISORS. *TR

POWER DOOR LOCK ON DRIVERS SIDE WILL NOT OPEN WITH THE REMOTE BUTTON OR KEY. THE DOORS UNLOCK WHEN REMOTE IS USED,BUT WHEN YOU PULL THE DRIVERS DOOR HANDLE ALL DOORS LOCK. WHEN IN CAR WITH LOCKED DOORS, YOU FREQUENTLY CANNOT OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR WITH DOOR BUTTON OR HANDLE. IN AN ACCIDENT, THIS DOOR FLAW COULD PREVENT THE DRIVER FROM ESCAPING QUICKLY. NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN TO CORRECT PROBLEM TO DATE. I WILL HAVE THE DOOR LATCH SYSTEM REPLACED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. *TR

IN FILLING THE GAS TANK WHEN THE PUMP SHUT OFF GASOLINE POURED OUT OF THE GAS TANK. THE FIRST TIME I BLAMED THE GAS STATION. IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHEN MY DAUGHTER WAS FILLING THE TANK. EVEN AFTER THE FUEL NOZZLE WAS TAKEN OUT OF THE TANK, A GREAT DEAL OF GASOLINE POURED OUT OF THE TANK. THE DEALER CHECKED THE CAR OUT AND SAID EVERYTHING WAS ALL RIGHT. ITS NOT!

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL AWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND SHE HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE SHIFTER CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

MY 2006 KIA OPTIMA JUST STOPPED RUNNING YESTERDAY, WITHOUT ANY WARNING, IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGH TRAFFIC STREET. IT COMPLETELY LOST POWER AND THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO. SINCE THERE WAS NO WARNING (CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NOT ON, NO STUTTERING, ETC.), I WASN'T ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR BEHIND ME HAD TO SWERVE TO NOT HIT ME. I'M A 67 YEAR OLD, DISABLED WOMAN WHO WAS STUCK ON THE SIDE OF THAT BUSY STREET FOR A HALF AN HOUR UNTIL MY CAR COULD BE TOWED. UPON DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, A MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE CAR NEEDS A CRANK SENSOR (AS WELL AS AN OXYGEN SENSOR). AS HE SAID, "WE REPLACE A LOT OF THESE ON THIS MODEL CAR". AFTER EXTENSIVE RESEARCH, ONLINE, READING BLOGS FROM OTHER KIA OWNERS, I'VE FOUND THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM I'VE HAD. A FRIEND OF MINE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ON HIS WAY BACK FROM A TRIP. THE SENSOR JUST GOES OUT AND THE CAR DIES RIGHT WHERE IT IS, AND EVEN IF IT CAN BE STARTED AGAIN, IT WILL ONLY RUN FOR A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME AND DIES AGAIN. THIS IS A VERY SCARY PROBLEM. AND VERY EXPENSIVE ALSO. IF KIA KNOWS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL? *TR

I GOT A LETTER BACK IN 2012 ABOUT A RECALL ON MY AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON COVINGTON PIKE IN MEMPHIS TENN. AND THEY SAID THEY REPLACED THE PART BUT MY AIR BAG LIGHT IS BACK ON AS OF 04/03/2013 BEING BACK ON FOR 5 OR 6 MONTHS. I DO NOT THINK THEY REPLACED WITH A NEW PART BECAUSE IN ABOUT 20 MINUTES OR LESS THEY WAS FINISH WITH ME. *TR

MY KIA OPTIMA 2006 HAS HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS: BAD OXYGEN SENSOR, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT, AND MOST RECENTLY- WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. KIA SAYS MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CURRENT RECALL. I TOOK THE CAR TO A KIA DEALER A FEW WEEKS BEFORE THE GEARS QUIT SHIFTING, BUT THEY COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM. I HAVE REPLACED SIX HEADLIGHTS AND THREE TAIL LIGHTS. THIS CAR IS A LEMON! PLEASE ASK KIA TO EXTEND THEIR CURRENT RECALL AS, OBVIOUSLY MORE CARS ARE AFFECTED THAN THEY ARE REPORTING. PLEASE INVESTIGATE! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SINCE MARCH 2011, SHE NOTICED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 74,600. UPDATED 5/2/11 *CN UPDATED 05/11/11

ONE DAY THE DOOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CAR WOULDN'T OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. I CALLED KIA AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET, THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THIS PARTICULAR CAR. I CALLED AND NOTIFIED KIA CONSUMER RELATIONS AND AGAIN WAS GIVEN THE SPEECH OF IT'S NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND BASICALLY THEY DIDN'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT. I ALSO IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE TELEPHONE CALL, FILED A WRITTEN COMPLAINT WITH KIA AND HAVE YET TO HEAR ANYTHING FROM THEM ABOUT THIS. I HAVE ALSO INCLUDED IN THIS COMPLAINT THE AIR BAG LIGHT THAT THE DEALER CANNOT FIND OUT WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT. I DID A VERY SIMPLE SEARCH AND IT WAS ABLE TO FIND MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AND MAYBE YOU CAN FORCE KIA TO DO A RECALL AND FIX THIS FAULTY PARTS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED IN THESE VEHICLES. THANK YOU! *TR

IN A 2006/2007 KIA OPTIMA, "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATES REGARDLESS OF SEATED PASSENGER WEIGHT OR OCCUPANCY. THIS COULD LEAD TO FAILURE TO DEPLOY AIRBAG IN A FRONTAL COLLISION RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. RESETTING THE COMPUTER TEMPORARILY DEACTIVATED THE LIGHT, BUT PROBLEM PERSISTS. *TR

DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH KEY OR FROM INSIDE. THIS PROBLEM STARTED RANDOMLY. I HAVE TO CRAWL THRU PASSENGER DOOR AT TIME TO GET INTO MY CAR. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE I SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS SHOULD A ACCIDENT OCCUR AND THE DRIVER DOOR BE LOCKED THE DRIVER COULD BE TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A DEATH TRAP AND KIA SHOULD FIX IT. I CALLED MY LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT IF THERE WAS A SOLUTION TO REPAIR THIS AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD GIVE ME A QUOTE ON THE REPAIRS. THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE IS IN QUESTION AND THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED ASAP. *TR

THE DASHBOARD DOES NOT ACCURATELY REPORT MILEAGE, GAS AMOUNT, SPEED. *TR

I HAVE A 2006 KIA OPTIMA AND STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR NOT WANTING TO UNLOCK. THE EVENT STARTED FRIDAY AFTERNOON. AFTER WORKING WITH MY DOOR FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, IT FINALLY CAME UNLOCKED. I DROVE TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER AND AFTER GETTING HER IN ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, I COULD NOT GET THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OPEN. AFTER MULTIPLE FAILED ATTEMPTS, I HAD TO CLIMB INTO THE CAR THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE, WHICH IS NO EASY FEAT TO ACCOMPLISH. I ENDED UP GETTING STUCK IN THE VEHICLE UNTIL MY HUSBAND WAS FINALLY ABLE TO WORK THE DOOR OPEN. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF THERE WAS A FIRE, I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PROMPTLY EXIT THE VEHICLE AND GET MY DAUGHTER OUT IN A TIMELY MANNER. NOW I CANNOT LOCK MY DOORS. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THIS DEFECT AND HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS STATING TO THE SAME FACT. I'M GOING TO TRY AND GET THIS PROBLEM LOOKED AT BUT WITH THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS OVER THE SAME FEATURE, SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE BEFORE A LIFE IS LOST. *TR

MY KIA OPTIMA ACCELERATOR SENSOR WENT OUT ABOUT A WEEK AGO. IT WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 20 MILES AN HOUR. I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND RESTARTED IT. WHEN I DID THAT, IT TOOK OFF LIKE A JACK RABBIT WITHOUT EVEN TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL. DEALERSHIP TOWED IT FOR REPAIRS. THEY SAID IT WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE ACCELERATOR THROTTLE SENSOR. THE DEFECT WAS REPAIRED AND NO FURTHER INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED TO DATE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOCK ON THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK. WHENEVER A PASSENGER WAS IS IN THE VEHICLE THE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK SO THAT THE PASSENGER COULD GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AS SOMEONE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER IN CASE OF A FIRE OR VEHICLE ACCIDENT. I WORK AS A PARAMEDIC AND HAVE FIRST HAND SEEN PEOPLE NOT BEING ABLE TO EXIT THEIR VEHICLES DURING A FIRE AND IT WAS NOT PLEASANT. I DID AN ONLINE SEARCH TO FIND HOW TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE AND FOUND THOUSANDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS THROUGH ALL YEARS AND MODELS OF KIA VEHICLES. EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TO MANDATE A RECALL ON ONE PARTICULAR VEHICLE, I WOULD HOPE THAT YOU LOOK AT THE MANUFACTURER AS A WHOLE AND THEIR UNWILLINGNESS TO CORRECT A SYSTEM WIDE MANUFACTURING ERROR IN THEIR PRODUCT. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME IF I CAN PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED, IF NO ONE HAS BEEN KILLED BY THIS DEFECT YET... *TR

THE SUN VISOR DOES NOT STAY UP. THE SUN VISOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE IS VISION IMPAIRMENT. THE SWITCH FOR THE BOTH SEATS DOES NOT WORK. THE WHEEL BEARING IS BAD. THE TIRE PRESSURE WHEEL SENSOR AND THE TRANSMISSION SPEED ADJUSTMENT SENSOR ARE BAD ON THIS 2006 KIA OPTIMA , CONSTANTLY BULBS FOR TAILLIGHT BLOW. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AFTER A COLD START, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY ACCELERATE AT A VERY LOW SPEED AND THAT THE RPM'S WOULD NOT INCREASE OVER 2000. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOOSE CONNECTION ON THE THROTTLE BODY OR THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73000.

DOOR JAM ON RIGHT BACK DOOR AND SUN VISORS ON RIGHT PASSENGER OVER VIEW JUST DROPS DOWN IN THE PASSENGER OR CHILD VIEW THATS CAUSES ONE TO BECOME FEARFUL. *TR

2006 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A TELEPHONE REQUEST FOR THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND FILING AN INJUNCTION TO RECOVER DAMAGES FOR FALSE ODOMETER READINGS AND/OR FRAUD *TGW THE ODOMETER MOVED SLOW. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER USED A HAND HELD DEVICE AND STATED NOTHING INDICATED A MALFUNCTION. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES WHERE THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS RESET BUT FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. ON A LATER DATE WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE AIR BAG UNEXPECTEDLY DEPLOYED IN THE CONTACT'S FACE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SEVERE SWELLING TO THE FACE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,298 . UPDATED 12/10/10. *LJ UPDATED 12/17/10

THE VISOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WON'T STAY UP. THIS WAS FIXED ABOUT 30,000 MILES AGO UNDER WARRANTY. IT SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE DRIVEN A HALF MILLION MILES IN MY LIFE AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH A VISOR. IT MUST BE DEFECTIVE. MY PASSENGERS ALL HIT THEIR HEADS ON IT WHEN ENTERING AND EXITING THE CAR. I HAVE TO REMEMBER TO KEEP REMINDING THEM. IT ALSO BLOCKS THE VISIBILITY WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS. IF I EVER WILL HAVE TO STOP SHORT, I'M SURE MY PASSENGER WILL HIT HIS HEAD ON THE VISOR. THE COMPANY CLAIMS THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING AFTER THE WARRANTY IS UP, EVEN THOUGH IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THERE APPEAR TO BE OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS SO MAYBE A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. *TR

06 KIA OPTIMA POWER DOOR LOCK PROBLEMS; ONCE LOCKED THE KEY WILL NOT WORK TO OPEN DOOR CORRECTLY, NEITHER WILL THE DOOR OPEN MANUALLY FROM THE INSIDE. DEALER CONTACTED BUT WILL NOT FIX PROBLEM ALTHOUGH VEHICLE IS ONLY A FEW HUNDRED MILES OVER WARRANTY. THROUGH PERSONAL RESEARCH I DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON AND WELL KNOWN DEFECT. PROBLEM EXISTS IN THE DOOR LATCH (AKA DOOR CHECKER) PER KIA. THIS DEFECT ASSIGNS TO THIS VEHICLE THE TITLE OF " DEATH TRAP". THE FACT THAT IT HAS NOT BEEN INVESTIGATED AND KIA FORCED TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM IS APPALLING AND CASTS DOUBT ON THE SERVICE OF THE NHTSA. *TR

I OWN A 2006 KIA OPTIMA AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND DOES NOT GO OFF EVEN YOU ARE IN THE SEATS THIS IS A HAZARD IF YOU HAVE A ACCIDENT YOU DO NOT KNOW IF THE AIR BAG WILL WORK OR NOT COULD BE DEADLY ,ALSO DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK IF YOU LOCK THEM WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH THE KEY OR FROM INSIDE VEHICLE ,HAVE TO CRAWL OVER TO PASSENGER SIDE TO GET THIS CAN BE DEADLY IF YOU GET IN A ACCIDENT . *TR

BOTH SUN VISORS HAVE FAILED WORKING AND WILL DROP DOWN IN FRONT OF MY FACE WHILE I'M DRIVING. I HAVE NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT OR MISUSED THEM IN ANY WAY. THEY JUST SNAPPED UPON OPENING. MANY COMPLAINS HAVE BEEN POSTED ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND IT'S TIME SOMEONE STEPS UP AND REPORTS THIS BEFORE AN ACCIDENT HAPPENS. *TR

2006 KIA OPTIMA. DISCOVERED "AIR BAG" LIGHTED ICON ON DASH JUST PAST THE WARRANTY EXPIRATION. (DRIVER-SIDE BAG). PAID $125 "DIAGNOSTIC," ONLY TO BE TOLD "AIR BAG DOESN'T WORK," --DUH! DEALER WANTS ANOTHER SOME $500 TO EXPLORE CAUSE, AND ANOTHER SOME $500 TO "MAYBE" FIX IT. [XXX] RIP-OFF! (WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 60,000 MILES BECAUSE I AM THE 2ND OWNER---ANOTHER RIP-OFF BY KIA). CAN'T AFFORD THE REPAIRS, SO MY LIFE IS IN KIA'S HANDS!!!!. I WILL NEVER BUY NOR RECOMMEND ANOTHER KIA. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I BROUGHT A NEW 2006.5 KIA OPT. AT LESS THAN 3000 MILES PARKING LIGHTS WOULD STAY ON WHEN CAR WAS OFF, AUTO LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF, DASH LIGHTS WOULD FLICKER. TOOK TO DEALER ABOUT 4 TIMES AND THEY JUST PLAYED WITH THE SWITCHES AND SAID NOT TO WORRY. AT ABOUT 5500 MILES AND A DAY AFTER THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNER SHIP THE CAR WAS DEAD AND NEEDED A TOW. NEW BATTERY.TWO LATER SAME THING, THEN AGAIN 4 WEEKS LATER, REPLACED LIGHT SWITCH AND DID WIRING REPAIRS, I NOW HAVE 23500 MILES ON THE CAR AND HAVE HAD OVER 12 TOWS OR JUMP STARTS. THIRD BATTERY, FUSE BOX, ALTERNATOR AND OTHER REPAIRS. IN 12/2009 WITH 23000 MILES IT DIES AGAIN 4 TIMES IN 3 WEEKS AND HAD TO BE TOWED, ANOTHER NEW BATTERY. SOMETHING UNKNOWN IS DRAINING THE BATTERY AND THEY CAN'T FIND IT. AM WORRIED THAT CAR WILL DIE OUT WHEN DRIVING IT OR THE LIGHTING WILL ALL GO OUT CAUSING ME TO CRASH. *TR

THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN EITHER BY KEY OR BY THE REMOTE CONTROL. THIS BEGAN RANDOMLY A FEW WEEKS AGO, AND WOULD OPEN IF WE JIGGLED THE KEY A CERTAIN WAY. WE COULD NOT LOCK THE CAR SINCE WE DIDN'T KNOW IF WE COULD GET IT OPEN AGAIN. WE BOTH WORK FULL TIME AND ARE AN HOUR AWAY FROM A KIA DEALER. ON THANKSGIVING DAY, IT WAS ACCIDENTALLY LOCKED AND WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET IT OPEN SINCE. AS A RESULT, MY HUSBAND, AGE 63 AND I, AGE 62 HAVE TO CRAWL IN THROUGH THE PASSENGER DOOR, OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE. THE KIA DEALER CONTACTED WILL NOT REPLACE THIS AT NO CHARGE, IT WILL COST $200 JUST TO BE ABLE TO GET INTO OUR CAR! IT IS PAST THE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE 800 NUMBER SAID IT WOULD BE UP TO THE DISTRICT MANAGER TO FIX IT AT NO COST. THE SERVICE DEPT. TELLS ME THAT THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS AND KNOWS WHICH PART TO ORDER WITHOUT EVEN SEEING THE CAR. WILL IT TAKE AN ACCIDENT AND NOT BEING ABLE TO GET OUT OF THIS CAR BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE LIKE THE MANUFACTURER TAKING THE RESPONSIBILITY OF FIXING THIS DEFECTIVE DOOR PART? THIS IS NOT ONLY AN INCONVENIENCE BUT A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE SINCE WE HAVE NO WAY OUT SHOULD THE PASSENGER SIDE BE RAMMED AND WE CAN'T AFFORD TO JUST QUIT DRIVING THIS CAR THAT'S NOT PAID FOR! THIS IS NOT AN ACCESSORY, IT'S A BASIC CAR PART! *TR

WENT TO DRIVER SIDE DOOR TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE. ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DOOR AND WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. THE DOOR WOULD UNLOCK BY THE KEY BUT WHEN YOU PULL THE HANDLE THE DOOR WOULD LOCK BACK AND NOT COME AWAY FROM THE DOOR FRAME. THE ONLY WAY THAT YOU COULD GET IN THE CAR WAS TO OPEN THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND CRAWL ACROSS TO THE DRIVER SIDE. EXITING THE VEHICLE WAS THE SAME PROCESS. THE CAR WAS PUT INTO THE SHOP WHERE THE MECHANIC OPENED THE DOOR BY UNLOCKING THE DOOR AND PULLING THE POWER LOCK FUSE AND OPENING THE DOOR. THE ACTUATOR (OR AJITATOR, I CAN'T REMEMBER THE SPECIFIC NAME BUT IT WAS ONE OF THE TWO) HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THEN THE DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL BECAUSE IT WARPED DUE TO THE ACTUATOR GOING OUT. WITH THE CAR BEING APPROX 3 YEARS OLD, THE DOOR LOCKING MECHANISMS SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE OUT SO SOON. NOT BEING ABLE TO EXIT THROUGH THE DRIVER DOOR AND EXITING THROUGH THE PASSENGER DOOR IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. *TR