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.

- Wilson, NC, USA

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!

- Fort Scott, KS, USA

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.

- Panama City, FL, USA

I have a 2006 Kia Optima. The electric locks lock you in the car. Should I have an accident or should something else electrical happen causing a fire I would be dead! Kia has had this issue for years as I found looking on internet, they still have not corrected it.

- Cleveland, OH, USA