2007 Kia Optima Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK WHEN THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO ROLL AWAY. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THAT THE VIN DID NOT QUALIFY FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V153000(POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR BROKE AND WILL NOT STAY IN THE UP POSITION, THEREFORE IT HANGS IN MY VIEW WHEN DRIVING. I'VE LOOKED ONLINE AND HAVE OTHER OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD THIS COMPLAINT. HOW MANY COMPLAINT DO YOU HAVE TO HAVE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM? DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO GET HURT ? *TR

I PURCHASED A 2007 KIA OPTIMA LX LAST FRIDAY [8/5/11] AND WHEN I DROVE IT THAT NIGHT, IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE THE ROAD. THE HEADLIGHTS ARE A DANGEROUS AND POSSIBLY A FATAL HAZARD, WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. I AM WRITING TO INFORM YOU ABOUT THIS MATTER. I WOULD LIKE TO EXPLAIN WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. I SENT AN EMAIL TO KIA ON 8/5 ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE. I HAVEN'T RECEIVED A REPLY YET. PLEASE LET ME EXPLAIN. THE KIA MODEL I PURCHASED, HAS TWO HEADLIGHTS ON EACH SIDE. THERE IS A TOP LIGHT AND A BOTTOM LIGHT. THE TOP LIGHT IS THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT ON THE CAR AND THE BOTTOM LIGHT IS THE HIGH BEAM. THE BOTTOM LIGHT POINTS OUT IN THE CORRECT DIRECTION, AS WITH CARS THAT ONLY HAVE ONE HEADLIGHT ON EACH SIDE. THE LOW BEAM LIGHT IS LOCATED'UP AND TO THE SIDE OF THE CAR! IT IS ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE LIGHTS WORK CORRECTLY, WHEN THE LOW BEAM LIGHT IS LOCATED'UP AND TO THE SIDE OF THE CAR! THERE IS A 'BLACK SPOT' AREA'ON THE ROAD, ANYTHING IN FRONT OF THE CAR, TO CARS IN FRONT OF YOU, AND TO THE SIDES OF THE ROAD IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE. THE 'BLACK SPOT' AREA MEANS JUST THAT'EVERYTHING IN THAT AREA IS BLACK. THE BLACK AREA IS IN ALL THE PLACES WHERE YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO SEE WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON. IN ORDER FOR THE LIGHTS TO WORK CORRECTLY, HERE IS AN UNCOMPLICATED AND INEXPENSIVE WAY TO FIX THEM. HERE IS THE IDEA, FOR THE HEADLIGHTS TO WORK CORRECTLY: THE TOP LIGHT (LOW BEAM) STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. THE BOTTOM LIGHT SWITCHES FROM LOW BEAM TO HIGH BEAM! THE TOP LIGHT IS AIMED TOWARD THE BEAM IN THE BOTTOM LIGHT. THIS GIVES EXTRA LIGHT WHEN THE LOW BEAMS ARE ON. THE LOCATION OF THE BOTTOM LIGHT WILL PROVIDE THE CORRECT LIGHTING WHEN USING HEADLIGHTS. HAVING THE BOTTOM LIGHT SWITCH FROM LOW BEAM TO HIGH BEAM WILL CORRECT THE PROBLEM. HOW WERE THESE HEADLIGHTS EVER APPROVED? A RESPONSE AND REPLY WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. *TR

DRIVER SIDE VISOR CEASED TO REMAIN UPRIGHT WHEN FLIPPED UP OUT OF THE WAY. ONLY WAY TO KEEP FROM BLOCKING MY VIEW WAS TO FLIP IT OVER TO THE LEFT SIDE. A FEW MONTHS LATER, SAME THING HAPPENED WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISOR. KIA NEVER RECALLED THIS ITEM, BUT IT HAS FAILED ON THOUSANDS OF THEIR VEHICLES. DEALER WANTED OVER $500 TO REPAIR. INSTEAD, I SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND NEW REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR $206.50. I ORDERED THEM AND REPLACED THE VISORS MYSELF--I SEARCHED AND FOUND DIAGRAMS FROM KIA'S PARTS INVENTORY AND FOUND POSTS ONLINE FROM OTHERS WHO'D HAD TO REPLACE THEIRS WHO EXPLAINED THAT YOU POP OFF THE OVAL-SHAPED PIECE HOLDING THE ARM OF THE VISOR WITH A BUTTER KNIFE (SLIP IT UNDERNEATH) OR FLAT-BLADE SCREWDRIVER TO ACCESS THE SCREW UNDERNEATH AND UNSCREW TO REMOVE THE OLD VISOR AND SCREW IN THE NEW ONE IN ITS PLACE. MY CAR WAS OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY PERIOD AND YET ONLY HAD APPROXIMATELY 36,000 MILES ON IT (I ALTERNATE DRIVING ANOTHER VEHICLE); THIS PART SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED SO SOON. GIVEN THAT SO MANY OF THESE FAILED SO EARLY ON, KIA SHOULD RECALL AND REPLACE THEM FREE AND THEY SHOULD REIMBURSE THOSE OF US WHO'VE ALREADY REPLACED THEM OR HAD THEM REPLACED. *TR

HAD ONGOING ISSUES IN WHICH THE CAR GOT "STUCK" AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 25 MPH, EVEN IF I "FLOORED" IT. I HAD TO TAKE MY FOOT COMPLETELY OFF THE GAS PEDAL, WAIT A FEW SECONDS (BY THEN THE CAR WOULD BE DOWN TO 10-15 MPH), THEN TRY TO ACCELERATE AGAIN, WHICH SOMETIMES TOOK SEVERAL TRIES. I WAS VERY WORRIED ABOUT GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT WHEN THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE THERE WAS NO WARNING AND IF YOU SUDDENLY STOP MOVING AT THE SPEED OF TRAFFIC WITH NO INDICATION YOU ARE SLOWING DOWN, YOU COULD EASILY BE HIT. IN ONE CASE, I WAS TRYING TO PASS A SLOW-MOVING VEHICLE GOING 25 IN A 40. I ATTEMPTED TO GO AROUND THE VEHICLE, WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN A PRETTY LOW-SPEED PASS, AS I ONLY NEEDED TO GET UP TO ABOUT 35 MPH, BUT THE CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING AT 25 AND I COULD NOT GET PAST. I HAD TO TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS, WAIT, TRY AGAIN, AND REPEAT THIS A COUPLE TIMES BEFORE THE CAR WOULD ACCELERATE AGAIN. THIS BECAME A VERY SCARY SITUATION BECAUSE BY THAT TIME, THERE WAS ONCOMING TRAFFIC APPROACHING AND I WAS LITERALLY STUCK IN THE PASSING LANE. I ALSO HAD THE CAR JUST COMPLETELY LOSE POWER AND SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS AT A RED LIGHT AT A BUSY URBAN INTERSECTION. TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP. THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS A THROTTLE POSITION SWITCH PROBLEM, AND IT COST ALMOST $800 TO GET IT FIXED. AT FIRST I THOUGHT I JUST HAD BAD LUCK, BUT I LATER FOUND THIS MESSAGE BOARD IN WHICH PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME MODEL DESCRIBE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS. HTTP://REPAIRPAL.COM/FAULTY-THROTTLE-POSITION-SWITCH-355 ACCORDING TO THIS, KIA RELEASED A PART TO FIX THE SITUATION. IT SEEMS THAT LOSING ALL POWER/THE INABILITY TO ACCELERATE IN TRAFFIC POSES A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. IT BOTHERS ME THAT KIA APPARENTLY KNOWS ABOUT IT AND WOULD JUST ISSUE A NEW PART THAT COSTS OWNERS SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS TO REPAIR (COST PROHIBITIVE TO MANY PEOPLE), RATHER THAN ISSUING A RECALL, OR AT LEAST NOTIFYING OWNERS OF THE ISSUE. *TR

DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR BROKE AND WILL NOT STAY IN THE STORED POSITION, THEREFORE IT HANGS IN MY VIEW WHEN DRIVING. I HAVE TRIED TO SECURE WITH VELCO FOR THE TIME BEING, BUT IT DOES NOT HOLD. THE PASSANGER SUN VISOR HAS ALSO BROKE AND WILL NOT STAY IN THE STORED POSITION AND THEREFORE BLOCKS MY VIEW AT STOP SIGNS AND WHILE LOOKING IN THE PASSANGER MIRROR WHEN CHANGING LANES

MY 2007 KIA OPTIMA DRIVER AND PASSENGER VISORS DO NOT WORK. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE THEY ARE IN MY VIEW OF DRIVING. I HAVE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALER WONT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT SINCE IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. I WILL NEVER DO BUSINESS WITH EVER AGAIN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT

DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP OR POSITION ... SHOULD BE WARRANTY ISSUE EVEN @ 80,000 MILES. NO EXCESS USE OR ABUSE. JUST NORMAL EVERYDAY USE! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING A FAULTY AIR BAG MODULE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS AND AIR BAG MODULE. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THEY COULD NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE FAULTY AIR BAG. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE SUN VISORS WOULD FALL FROM THEIR HOUSING SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUN VISORS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

THE BACK TURN SIGNAL, BACK LIGHTS AND FRONT LOW BEAMS CONTINUE TO BURN OUT. THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES BY PROFESSIONALS AND CONTINUE TO BLOW. I WOULD GUESS THERE IS A SHORT SOME PLACE. RECENTLY THE RIGHT LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT WENT OUT, HAD IT REPLACED AND IT BLEW FUSES. ONCE THE FUSES AND RELAY SWITCH HAD BEEN REPLACED THE LEFT LOW BEAM LIGHT WILL WORK IF THE RIGHT ONE IS DISCONNECTED. I HAVE COME ACROSS MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS, I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY CLAIM THIS IS NOT A COMMON ISSUE, AND WANT $115 TO RUN TEST. ALSO THE BLOWER MOTOR FOR THE HEAT/AIR MAKES LOTS OF NOISE AND I WAS TOLD THAT IS JUST THE WAY IT IS, I KNOW THAT'S NOT TRUE. WHEN ITS COLD OUT THE CAR MAKES LOTS OF SQUEAKING NOISE AND I WAS ALSO ADVISED THAT'S IS "NORMAL". I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW IN 2008 I HAVE APPROX 67,800 MILES AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES 3 TIMES. *TR

BROKEN CRANKSHAFT PULLEY AND DRIVE BELT. *TR

I HAVE A KIA OPTIMA 2007, I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW IN 2007. THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND THEY HAVE NOT FIXED IT UNDER WARRANTY AT ALL. ALSO THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON AND THEY WILL NOT FIX THAT AS WELL. I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE ROTORS ON THE CAR ONLY A YEAR INTO DRIVING IT. THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT THERE IS A CRASH WHICH IS A DANGER TO ME AND MY KIDS. I HAVE TRIED TO REASON WITH KIA AND THEY WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH ME AT ALL. *TR

BOUGHT A 2007 KIA OPTIMA IN JULY 2010, AFTER 3 MONTHS HAD TO HAVE BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED. NOW ONLY A MONTH LATER THE BRAKES ARE BAD AGAIN. I HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE SHOP. THE BACK DRIVER SIDE BRAKES ARE GRINDING. THE CAR CONTINUES TO SQUEAL. I TALKED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THEY SAID THERE WAS MORE THAN 50% BRAKE PADS LEFT. WHEN I CHANGED THEM THE FIRST TIME THEY WERE COMPLETELY GONE IN THE BACK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. I DO NOT FEEL THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACING THE BRAKES AGAIN, JUST ONE MONTH LATER. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THAT. I AM NOT HAPPY WITH MY CAR OR THE DEALERSHIP AT THE MOMENT. *TR

WHILE PARKING 2007 OPTIMA I WAS UNABLE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK OR TAKE OUT THE KEY. THE SHIFTER LINKAGE AND CABLE HAD BROKEN. I USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING. I TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER (SUMMIT KIA, WATERFORD, MI) THEY REPLACED THE VEHICLE SHIFTING LINKAGE AT A COST OF $750.00. THE DEALER STATED THE CABLE BROKE AND WHEN I ASKED IF THE PART WAS DEFECTIVE THEY STATED THAT IT WAS NOT UNUSUAL TO HAVE TO REPLACE THIS ON THE 2007 KIA OPTIMA. THE VEHICLE HAS 108,000 MILES. IN 40 YEARS AND MANY VEHICLES I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS GO ON ANY OTHER VEHICLE I OWNED. *TR

AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND WON'T TURN OFF ... OTHER PROBLEM IS BOTH VISORS WON'T SPRING UP FLOPPED DOWN ... THE INTERNET IS BUZZING ABOUT KIA'S LACK OF CONCERN!!

HOW MANY PEOPLE MUST LOSE THEIR LIVES IN ORDER FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO ISSUE A MANDATORY INSPECTION OF KIA MANUFACTURING PLANTS REGARDING AIR BAG FAILURES. I OWN TWO KIA VEHICLES AND BOTH OF THEM HAVE THE MAIN AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. A RECENT VISIT TO THE DEALER ADDED INSULT TO INJURY WHEN THEY INDICATED THAT IT WOULD COST $1500.00 TO REPLACE A PASSENGER SEAT DUE TO A INTERNAL SHORT OF THE OCS/MAT AIRBAG SYSTEM. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER ARE DRIVING VEHICLES WITH AIRBAG FAILURES FROM DAY ONE OF PURCHASE. KIA MUST BE STANDING IN LINE FOR FUTURE LAWSUITS. *TR

PASSENGER AIR BAG DOES NOT ACTIVATE WHEN PASSENGER IS IN SEAT. BROUGHT IN TO DEALER, WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY, COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. PASSENGER VISOR BROKE AND HANGS IN LINE OF VISION. RESEARCHED AND FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE ON BOTH VISORS. THERE IS A DEFECTIVE PIECE USED IN THE ARM OF VISOR THAT SHATTERS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM, AS THE VISOR WILL NOT STAY IN UPRIGHT POSITION AND DROPS DOWN INTO LINE OF VISION. BOTH OF THESE ISSUES ARE A COMMON COMPLAINT OF THIS VEHICLE. VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, THEREFORE, CAN'T AFFORD TO REPAIR DEFECTIVE VISOR THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REDESIGNED WITH STRONGER PARTS. *TR

HOW MANY CONSUMERS HAVE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE AIR BAGS IN 2007 KIA OPTIMA (MOSTLY PASSENGER) BEFORE A RECALL IS ISSUED. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I'VE ALREADY BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO DEALER DURING WARRANTY PERIOD AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. WHAT IS THE POINT OF AIRBAGS IF THEY DON'T DEPLOY WHEN NEEDED? SOMEONE, IF NOT ALREADY, WILL BE SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE AIRBAGS, AND THOSE ARE JUST THE ONES THAT CONSUMERS TOOK THE TIME TO REPORT. WHAT ABOUT THE VISORS WITH THE DEFECTIVE INTERNAL PIECE THAT SHATTERS AND LEAVES THE VISORS IN A HANGING POSITION. THIS IS DANGEROUS!! THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN GOING ON SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED AND NO RECALL WAS EVER ISSUED. AGAIN, THESE ARE SEVERE SAFETY ISSUES. WHAT DOES IT TAKE AND HOW MANY COMPLAINTS AND INJURIES DOES IT TAKE TO HAVE A MANUFACTURER CORRECT A SAFETY ISSUE? *TR

MY 2007 KIA OPTIMA SEEMS TO BE HAVING ISSUES WITH THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG AND RANDOMLY WITH THE RADIO/CRUISE CONTROL SETTING ON THE STEERING WHEEL. MY PROBLEMS DID NOT APPEAR TO START UNTIL AFTER THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED BACK IN OCTOBER OF 2009 DUE TO THE NOISES THAT WAS COMING FROM IT. THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS RECENTLY COME ON AND STAYS ON. ONE DEALER SAID THAT THE CODE THAT THEY WERE GETTING IS THAT CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AND WOULD NOT BE COVERED. ANOTHER DEALER STATES THAT THEY ARE NOT GETTING ANY CODES AND THE AIR BAG WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT $1200.00. THE NOISE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN CAN STILL BE HEARD AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS THE BEARING IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO ABOUT THAT. THE ISSUES WITH THE CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL IS RANDOM AND THE DEALER STATES THAT IT NEVER DUPLICATES FOR THEM. NOW THAT THE WARRANTY PERIOD IS OVER I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET EVEN THOUGH SOME OF THE ISSUES STARTED BEFORE THE WARRANTY WAS OUT AND IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE NOTED IN THEIR SYSTEM. KIA HEADQUARTERS OPEN UP A CASE WITH NO RESOLUTION OTHER THAN NO OF THE DEALERS CALLED THEIR HELPDESK FOR HELP OR MADE ANY CLAIMS OF MY ISSUES. THEY SUGGESTED THEY I TAKE THE CAR BACK AND HAVE THE DEALER CALL THEM AND REFERENCE THE CASE NUMBER. I HAVE CHECK TO SEE IF THERE HAS BEEN IN RECALLS ON MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE AND IT APPEARS TO HAVE NOT BEEN ANY. ALTHOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER KIA OWNERS TO POST THIS SAME ISSUES ON THE INTERNET AND BASICALLY HAVE THE SAME RESULTS THERE ARE STILL NO RECALLS. JUST THE DEALERS TRY THIS AND THAT. THE OWNERS PAYING FOR WHAT SUPPOSED TO BE THE RESOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM AND IT REALLY IS NOT. THE PROBLEM MAY GO AWAY FOR A WHILE AND THEN SHORTLY RETURN. IT IS MORE LIKE GETTING THE RUN AROUND WITH WASTED TIME AND MONEY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR FELL, OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S VISION OF THE ROADWAY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD COVER THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SUN VISOR UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED A SECOND TIME FOR THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.

ON TWO OCCASIONS (TO DATE) MY KIA OPTIMA HAS BECOME INOPERABLE - UNABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE FIRST OCCURRED DURING THE WINTER IN FEBRUARY 2010. AFTER ONE OF MANY SNOWSTORMS THIS SEASON I WAS DRIVING ON A PLOWED ROAD THEN ENCOUNTERED AN AREA WHERE THERE WAS ONLY ROOM ENOUGH FOR ONE CAR TO PASS. WHEN I PULLED OVER TO ALLOW AN APPROACHING VEHICLE TO PASS MY CAR WAS IN ABOUT 8-INCHES OF SNOW. WHILE MOVING THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR BETWEEN REVERSE TO GET OUT OF LOOSELY PACKED SNOW I FOUND I COULD NO LONGER GET THE CAR INTO A DRIVE GEAR ' FORWARD OR REVERSE. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED BECAUSE IT WAS NO LONGER OPERABLE AND WAS CAUSING A ROAD HAZARD FOR OTHER VEHICLES. THE DEALER CLAIMED SNOW CAUSED THE SHIFTING CABLE TO DETACH FROM THE GEAR SELECTOR. THE DEALER, HOLLY KIA, REPORTED THE PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED BY REATTACHING THE CABLE TO THE SELECTOR. MORE RECENTLY MY SON WAS OPERATING MY VEHICLE ON OR ABOUT JULY 6TH, 2010 ' A 100+ DEGREE DAY. HE REPORTED THAT HE WAS IN REVERSE TO MOVE THE CAR TO ANOTHER PARKING SPOT IN A CAR DEALERSHIP AND THE CAR COULD NO LONGER BE SHIFTED INTO ANY GEAR' AGAIN. DURING THIS INSTANCE THE CAR WAS ON A STEEP INCLINE AND MY SON WAS FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO MANEUVER THE CAR AROUND OTHER PARKED CARS BUT THE CAR HAD TO BE COASTED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE GRADE IN ORDER TO BE SAFELY PARKED. AFTER THE SECOND INSTANCE, THE CAR WAS AGAIN TOWED BACK TO HOLLY KIA FOR REPAIR - HOLLY KIA IS NOW REPLACING THE SHIFTING CABLE. THE HOLLY KIA SERVICE DEPARTMENT CLAIMS THIS PROBLEM WITH THE 2007 KIA OPTIMA AS A MANUFACTURING FLAW. MY CONCERN IS, AFTER THE REPAIR CAN THE CAR BE TRUSTED AND OPERATED SAFELY ' BOTH INCIDENTS LEFT THE CAR IN A VERY COMPROMISED STATE AND A HAZARD TO OTHER VEHICLES (MOVING AND PARKED). *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 KIA OPTIMA LS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE SHIFTER CABLE DISCONNECTED AND WOULD NOT GO INTO PARK. THE KEYS WERE NOT IN THE IGNITION WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE. WHEN SHE GOT BACK INTO THE VEHICLE THE BRAKES AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WERE ENGAGED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE CABLE WAS ATTACHED AT NO CHARGE TO THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 73,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISORS BROKE WHICH IMPAIRED HIS VISION. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS/WARRANTIES THAT WOULD COVER REPAIRS AND HE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR EXPENSES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

PURCHASED MY KIA OPTIMA NEW IN 07.. FOR THE PAST 5 MONTHS THE DASHBOARD AIR BAG SENSOR HAS BEEN ON. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR IT AND THAT MORE THAN LIKELY ITS JUST THE SENSOR AND THE AIR BAGS SHOULD DEPLOY WHEN THEY ARE SUPPOSE TO.. I ALSO WAS TOLD THAT IF THE LIGHT IS ON THAT MEANS THE AIR BAGS ARE NOT GOING TO DEPLOY. SO BASICALLY THERE IS NOTHING ANYONE CAN DO AND WHO KNOWS IF IT IS GOING TO WORK! *TR

MY 2007 KIA OPTIMA HAS HAD BOTH SUN VISORS BREAK MAKING THEM UNABLE TO REMAIN IN THE UPWARD POSITION. INITIALLY THE PASSENGER SIDE VISOR BROKE AND SEVERAL MONTHS LATER THE DRIVER SIDE BROKE. IT MADE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE TRAFFIC LIGHTS WHEN STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION SO I HELD THEM UP WITH THE EXTENDED VISOR IN THE VISOR. I WOULD REPLACE THEM BUT THEY ARE EXPENSIVE AND I FEEL THAT THIS PROBLEM SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED BECAUSE THEY WERE USED NORMALLY, I DO NOT ATTACH ANYTHING TO THE VISORS AND THEY WERE USUALLY UP. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE AND DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THE VISORS. THIS IS A MATTER OF SAFETY IN MY OPINION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA LX. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH KUHMO MODEL#KH17 (NA) SIZE 205/60R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE PURCHASED TWO FRONT TIRES DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AND WITHIN THREE MONTHS THE TIRES EXHIBITED TREAD WEAR PREMATURELY AND CRACKING. THE TIRES WAS PURCHASE 1/30/2010. THE REMAINING TREAD DEPTH WAS 5 AND THE MILEAGE ON THE TIRES WAS ONLY 6,300. THERE WAS NO TIRE IMPACT SUCH AS POTHOLE OR OTHER ROAD HAZARDS THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE AND INFORMED HIM TO RETURN THEM TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED. THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 35,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE AN OWNERS MANUAL WAS NOT INCLUDED WITH THE VEHICLE WHEN HE PURCHASED IT USED. WHEN HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT WAS TO DOWNLOAD THE SIX HUNDRED PAGES AND PRINT IT. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE LACK OF THE MANUAL WAS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE HE COULD NOT LEARN HOW THE CAR OPERATED AND POSSIBLE SAFETY DEFECTS.

I DRIVE A 2007 KIA OPTIMA, I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT; WHILE DRIVING 55MPH, I BROADSIDED A VAN. UPON INSPECTION OF MY VEHICLE, I NOTICED THAT THE DRIVERS SEAT CAME OFF THE TRACK AND TWISTED TOWARD THE DRIVERS DOOR, TIGHT AGAINST THE INSIDE DOOR FRAME. THE BACK OF THE SEAT CAME FORWARD, WHICH LED TO NO MORE GIVE IN THE SEATBELT - WHICH I THINK CAUSED MY LEFT CLAVICLE TO SNAP IN TWO. *TR

WHEN MY WIFE SITS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE OF OUR KIA OPTIMA APPROXIMATELY 20% OF THE TIME THE "AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT NEVER TURNS OFF. WE HAVE FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE DEALER ON HOW TO PROPERLY SIT IN THE SEAT ETC. WE HAVE HAD THE DEALER LOOK AT THE VEHICLE TWICE AND SO FAR THEY HAVE REFUSED TO FIX IT. MY WIFE'S WEIGHT VARIES FROM 130-140LBS. AT MY FIRST VISIT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME THE WEIGHT LIMIT WAS 110LBS. THIS PAST VISIT WE WERE TOLD THE LIMIT WAS 120LBS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY NHTSA THAT THEY TEST WITH A CRASH DUMMY WEIGHING 108LBS SO REGARDLESS MY WIFE IS WELL OUTSIDE OF THE WEIGHT THRESHOLDS. THIS IS A DUPLICATE OF ORIGINAL COMPLAINT 10299891. I WAS TOLD BY NHTSA THAT ADDING THE WEIGHTS OF OCCUPANTS WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO THEM. *TR

WHEN MY WIFE SITS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE OF OUR KIA OPTIMA APPROXIMATELY 20% OF THE TIME THE "AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT DOES NOT TURN OFF. WE HAVE FOLLOWED INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE DEALER ON HOW TO PROPERLY SIT IN THE SEAT ETC. WE HAVE HAD THE DEALER LOOK AT THE VEHICLE TWICE AND SO FAR THEY HAVE REFUSED TO FIX IT. *TR

WE HAVE A 2007 MODEL KIA OPTIMA AND HAVE HAD CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE TURN INDICATOR BULB ON THE TAIL LIGHT BLOWING. ALSO THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE LEFT FRONT HEADLIGHT BURNING OUT. WE HAVE REPLACED THE REAR BULB THREE TIMES AND THE LEFT HEADLIGHT TWICE ALREADY SINCE WE HAVE HAD THE CAR. I WAS CURIOUS AS TO WHETHER THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT OTHER KIA OWNERS WERE HAVING. THE TURN SIGNAL BULB WENT OUT IN JUNE OF 2009 AND AGAIN IN OCTOBER OF 2009. THE LATEST INCIDENT WAS ON JANUARY 4TH IN 2010. *TR

BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE VISORS FAILED AND ARE FLOPPING. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE VISOR IS OBSTRUCTING MY VIEW, AND HITTING MY HEAD. I CAN'T SEE. THE FAULTY PART HAS BEEN RE-DESIGNED....WHY NO RECALL??? I HAVE INSTRUCTED MY FAMILY THAT IF I AM INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT TO SUE KIA SINCE THEY HAVE KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS!!! PASSEGER SIDE 2010, DRIVER'S SIDE 10/2017. I AM HOLDING THE VISORS UP WITH BUNGEE CORDS!!!! THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM WITH THESE KIAS!!!!!

I HAVE A 2007 KIA OPTIMA, I PURCHASED IT ON 9/2009. THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING IS AS FOLLOWS: WHEN I AM PUMPING FUEL , I REMOVE THE CAP AND PUT THE NOZZLE AND PUMP GAS AND THERE ARE TIMES I HOLD THE NOZZLE OR I PUT THE LOCK SO IT DISPENSES ON IT OWN AND WHENEVER THE TANK IS FULL IT STOPS. WHEN I REMOVE THE NOZZLE SUDDENLY THE FUEL FLUSHES OUT OF THE TANK.SOMETIMES ITS ALOT AND OTHERS ITS A LITTLE. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME WHEN I (FILL) MY TANK. THE FUEL FLUSHES OUT ONTO THE FLOOR AND MY CAR. I ALWAYS HAVE TO CLEAN THE OUTSIDE OF MY CAR AND TELL THE GASOLINE ATTENDEE THAT THERE IS FUEL ON THE GROUND AND THEY CLEAN IT UP. NO REPAIRS HAS BEEN DONE ON THIS MATTER. I ONLY PUMP 1/2 A TANK NOW OR JUST PUMP $20 TO AVOID HAVING THIS INCIDENT AGAIN. IS THERE A REPORT ON THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM? *TR

FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED APPROXIMATELY 60% OF THE TIME WHEN SEAT IS OCCUPIED BY A PASSENGER. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN APRIL 2007. FROM ALL I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET, THIS IS THE MOST PREVAILING PROBLEM KIA OWNERS HAVE. KIA ACKNOWLEDGES THIS IS TRUE, BUT SAYS THIS IS SIMPLY HOW THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED. THEIR ONLY SOLUTION IS THAT PASSENGERS MUST SIT BOLT UPRIGHT AND WEIGH OVER 130 POUNDS. THEY ALSO ADVISE ME TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT TO "FIX" THE PROBLEM. NOT GOOD!!! *TR

PARKING BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHT, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, BRAKE LIGHTS. THE REAR STOP LAMP AND TAIL LAMP BULB HAVE A DEFINITE MALFUNCTION. WHEN PRESSING ON THE BRAKE THE LIGHTS BLINK AND CERTAIN INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS ARE AFFECTED. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND MUST BE COVERED IN THE RECALL. *TR

KIA OPTIMA 2006.5 FROM DAY OF NEW CAR PURCHASE IN DEC 2006, CAR HAS HAD A FRONT END PROBLEM THAT RESULTS IN EXCESSIVE NOISE, VIBRATION, AND A CLUNKING SOUND WHEN THE VEHICLE STRIKES A SERIES OF BUMPS IN THE ROAD. DEALER AND OTHER OWNERS ACKNOWLEDGE THIS IS TYPICAL OF MOST VEHICLES IN THIS MODEL YEAR. I AM CONCERNED THAT I COULD LOSE CONTROL IF THE CONDITION DETERIORATES FURTHER WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. DEALER DID REPLACE THE FRONT STRUTS A MONTH AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, BUT THE CONDITION PERSISTS. VEHICLE NOW HAS 12000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. *TR

I HAVE HAD INTERMITTENT ISSUES WITH ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING MY 2007 KIA OPTIMA. WHEN ACCELERATING WITH THE PEDAL DEPRESSED MODERATELY THE CAR WILL BEGIN TO ACCELERATE AND THEN WILL ALL OF A SUDDEN LOOSE ALL POWER. ESSENTIALLY IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THE PEDAL WERE COMPLETELY RELEASED. WHEN THIS HAPPENS HOWEVER, I WILL TRY AND GIVE IT MORE GAS TO COMPENSATE AND TRIED TO RELEASE THE PEDAL AND REAPPLY PRESSURE TO NO AVAIL. IT WILL USUALLY TAKE FIVE SECONDS OR SO UNTIL I REGAIN ANY SORT OF ACCELERATION. DURING ONE OCCURRENCE I HAVE TO GUIDE THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STOP FOR BEFORE IT WOULD RESPOND AGAIN. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO HAPPEN WITHIN A FEW MINUTES OF STARTING THE CAR IN THE MORNING AND HAS OCCURRED ABOUT TEN TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM BECAUSE IT HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES WHILE CROSSING A BUSY INTERSECTION WITHOUT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT TWICE. THE CAR WILL BEGIN TO ACCELERATE AND THEN WILL JUST COAST, WHICH IS PARTICULARLY PROBLEMATIC WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. OCCASIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN HE PLACED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THEY INFORMED HER THAT WHENEVER SHE PARKED THE VEHICLE, THE FOUR WHEELS HAD TO BE IN A STRAIGHT LINE OR ELSE IT WOULD NOT START. THE KIA MANUFACTURER WAS NEVER CALLED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALER FOR ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7895.

THE HEADLIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS/TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS BURN OUT REPEATEDLY. AT LEAST ONE OF THEM BURNS OUT EVERY 2-3 MONTHS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. ON JANUARY 27, 2009, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH IN THE SNOW. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MOTOR, WIPER LINKS, AND WIPER BALL JOINT FAILED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MOTOR UNDER WARRANTY, BUT WANTED TO CHARGE $100.83 TO REPLACE THE BALL JOINT AND WIPER LINK BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE WARRANTY. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECT AND ALL THE PARTS SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER. SHE WILL FILE A REPORT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 21,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH A PASSENGER OCCUPYING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND WHEN THE CONTACT WOULD SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, THE LIGHT WOULD SHUT OFF. THE FAILURE PERSISTED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER SEVEN TIMES. TWO NEW SEAT BOTTOMS WERE REPROGRAMMED FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,851 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 23,013. UPDATED 08/11/10. *LJ UPDATED 08/17/10

THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED WHEN MY WIFE SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. SINCE SHE ONLY WEIGHS ABOUT 100 POUNDS I CALLED KIA THEIR REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THAT IT TOOK 120M POUNDS TO TURN THE LIGHT OFF. THIS DOES NOT SOUND CORRECT TO ME. THE VEHICLE IS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. ANY HELP THAT YOU CAN GIVE ME WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLID AND STRUCK A GUARDRAIL WHILE AVOIDING ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE ROADS WERE WET DUE TO RAINY CONDITIONS. AFTER STRIKING THE RAIL, THE FRONT END SLID AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS DAMAGED. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A SHOP AND WAS CONSIDERED TO BE DESTROYED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE CRASH, THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED AND MAY HAVE FAILED DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 33,000. UPDATED 11-25-08 *BF

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. WHENEVER AN OCCUPANT WAS POSITIONED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED 80% OF THE TIME WHEN AN OCCUPANT WAS DETECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON NINE SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURE, BUT THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT A LOW SPEED, HE ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE. HE NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE INTO ANY GEAR AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD TO BE APPLIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE SHIFT CABLE NEEDED TO BE RE-ATTACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,100 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,591.

WE OWN A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DASHBOARD INDICATOR LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY SHOWS THAT THE AIRBAGS ARE IN THE OFF POSITION WHICH MEANS THAT THEY MAY NOT DEPLOY DURING A COLLISION. WE TOOK OUR NEW CAR TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED TWICE AND WAS TOLD BOTH TIMES THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A MANUFACTURING "FLAW" AND THAT NO REPAIR WAS POSSIBLE. THEY REFUSED TO EVEN LOOK AT IT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SMALL FRAMED PASSENGERS OCCUPY THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THIS INDICATES THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS INOPERATIVE AND MAY NOT INFLATE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT MERITS AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE FAILURE MAY RESULT IN INJURY TO THE PASSENGER. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V161000 (AIR BAGS), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. CURRENTLY, THE DEALER IS REPLACING THE SEAT ASSEMBLY, WHICH CONTAINS THE AIR BAG SENSORS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 23,000. UPDATED 09/13/08.*LJ THE SEAT BELT WAS REPLACED.

IN 2007 I PURCHASED A NEW KIA OPTIMA FROM COLEMAN KIA IN TRENTON, NJ. SOON AFTER, I DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT WOULD SOMETIMES REMAIN ILLUMINATED EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS AN ADULT PASSENGER IN THE SEAT, MEANING THAT THE AIRBAG WAS NOT ACTIVATED. THE DEALER PERFORMED A SYSTEM CHECK AND DETERMINED THAT THE SYSTEM WAS PERFORMING TO SPECIFICATIONS. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE DEALER THEN SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM UNLESS THE CONDITION OCCURRED IN THEIR PRESENCE.THIS TIME WHEN THE PROBLEM RECURRED I RETURNED TO THE DEALERWITH MY WIFE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS TIME, THE SEAT CUSHION ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THE NEXT TIME THE PROBLEM OCCURRED, THE DEALER PROVIDED ME WITH A BULLETIN FROM KIA OUTLINING PROPER SEATING POSITIONS. I WAS ALSO ADVISED THAT IF THE PROBLEM RECURRED (WHICH IT DID) THAT I SHOULD PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN THE IGNITION OFF, HAVE THE PASSENGER GET OUT AND THEN BACK IN AND THEN RESTART THE CAR. THIS SHOULD ALLOW THE ONBOARD COMPUTER TO RESET AND (HOPEFULLY) RECOGNIZE THE PRESENCE OF A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER. AT THIS POINT, I CONTACTED KIA'S REGIONAL OFFICE TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE REFERENCE # IS K1580673. AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED WITH KIA'S FIELD TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE. IN THE MEANTIME, I WAS TOLD TO PLACE A TOWEL ON THE SEAT TO MORE EVENLY DISTRIBUTE PASSENGER WEIGHT?? ON 07/30/09, KIA'S FIELD TECH INSPECTED THE CAR AND DETERMINED THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS OPERATING TO DESIGN INTENT. SINCE THEN, I HAVE DISCOVERED NUMEROUS OTHER CONSUMER COMPLAINTS DOCUMENTING THIS PROBLEM. IT IS NOW CLEAR THAT KIA IS WELL AWARE OF THIS CONDITION BUT HAS REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF THE SYSTEM. SO FAR, KIA'S ONLY RESPONSE IS TO CITE IMPROPER SEATING POSITIONS. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THE POSITION OF THE PASSENGERS TORSO, ARMS OR LEGS SHOULD NOT PREVENT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM FROM OPERATING PROPERLY. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM BEFORE A TRAGEDY OCCURS....MARK LUDWIG *TR

MY 2007 KIA OPTIMA HAS HAD BOTH SUN VISORS BREAK MAKING THEM UNABLE TO REMAIN IN THE UPWARD POSITION. INITIALLY THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR BROKE AND SEVERAL MONTHS LATER THE PASSENGER SIDE BROKE. IT MADE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE TRAFFIC LIGHTS WHEN STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION SO I HELD THEM UP WITH STRAPS. NOW I CANT USE THEM TO BLOCK THE SUN. I WOULD REPLACE THEM BUT THEY ARE EXPENSIVE AND I FEEL THAT THIS PROBLEM SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED BECAUSE THEY WERE USED NORMALLY, I DO NOT ATTACH ANYTHING TO THE VISORS AND THEY WERE USUALLY UP. ADDITIONALLY WHEN I SIT IN THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON INDICATING THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO ONLY HAPPEN WHEN THERE IS NO OCCUPANT IN THE SEAT. IM NOT SURE WHY BUT IT ONLY SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN I AM IN THE SEAT. I WEAR MY SEATBELT AND SIT NORMALLY IN THE CHAIR. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE THE CAR WAS BOUGHT USED IN 2008. *TR