This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The contact owns 2001 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 01V156000 (air bags) but as advised by the manufacturer that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 155,000.
: the contact stated the air bag light continuously illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealers agreed to replace the air bags but with a charge for labor. One month later the vehicle was in an accident traveling 15 mph in residential area. The air bag failed to deploy. There were no injuries incurred and a police report was filed. Updated 7/7/2006 -
Air bag light came on while driving & would go out repeatedly. When I called the Kia 800 number was told probably nothing. But you might want to schedule it in with your local dealer. I asked "do I need to be concerned that it might deploy unexpectedly". he said probably not, if you are concerned that it might deploy you are better off not driving it. I told him I don't know anything about airbags, he repeated, "if I believe there is reason to be concerned, you should probably just park it." I took it to a local repair center that is near my home & was told that the "clock spring" in the steering column had broken & the vehicle is not safe to drive, that the airbag could deploy at anytime without cause or in a collision it may not deploy at all. I called the 800 number back & asked if there was any recalls on the airbag for a 2001 Kia Optima le & was told they will not discuss recalls with me at all without the VIN #. I asked specifically about airbag problems for the Optima 2001& told him I didn't have the VIN# because it was in the shop. He stated they would not discuss any recalls without my name, address and/or the VIN#, I said I would fix it then submit charges if recalled the 800# said that if it is recalled after I repair it I may not get reimbursed if it wasn't diagnosed by a dealership. I called the local dealership to schedule it, they said to bring it in. I told them I would be towing it in & they wanted to know why towed in. I told them the repair center said that the airbag could deploy without notice, they said it could but not necessarily. I believe that Kia have no concern for the fact a person could die or be seriously injured if the driver's air bag deployed at highway speeds. This problem arose without any indication & I addressed the problem immediately. I believe this is a serious life threatening problem & needs to be investigated, I hope the NHTSA will.
The air bag light came on in the vehicle and I took it in for regular maintenance, I was told that it would cost me $500 dollars to repair the wiring harness. I did not have the repair done because I fell that this is a manufacturers defect that they should have to replace. The dealer also tried to have me replace the timing chain at 60,000 miles at the same cost and then later replaced the belt for free.
03/06/02 purchased a Optima Kia 2001, still under warranty until 2/6/06. Problems with airbag, engine, and locks from the date of the purchase of this car. Car brought in for airbag light problem 14 times since 2002 to present date 2005 and still not fixed as we speak. Engine brought in 6 times, and locks work when they want too. Last time service on airbag was 6/5/05 light back on. Kia knows this car can not be fixed and refuse to give me a safe car for me and my 11 year old son
- Brockton, MA, USA
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I was involved in a crash on Nov 02. I was broadsided by a truck (F150 type veh.) in an intersection. As a result, my roof bowed and the entire drivers side from wheel well to wheel well was caved in like a half moon. The frame was pinned up against the drivers seat. The seat belt did not lock but released me and none of the air bags deployed. I suffered back and neck injury and was transported by amubulance to a nearby hospital. The vehicle was in storage. I contacted the manufacturer numerous times as did my attorney. All we received was the run-around for approx. Six months. No return calls, excuses, unable to get a release to have a Kia auditor look at the car, etc. My insurance company and my attorney sent them the release twice and still no response. Consequently, I deployed overseas (military) and upon my return found that the car had been disposed of (destroyed). I still suffer from my injuries and my attorney is still handling my case.
While driving at any speed, the check engine light appeared on the dashboard intermittently. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealership for inspection, but the dealer was unable to resolve the problem. The button on the shift lever popped out. The warning light had come on due to an open circuit and the seal on the gas cap was deformed, there was a rattle coming from the rear ash tray, the front window was inoperative due to a tangle wire in the drum, there were engine/electrical problems due to the oxygen sensors and crank sensors, the ABS light had come on, the console lid was loose due to cracked screw holes, there was a body electrical problem with the driver side regulator, there was poor sound in the radio due to an open circuit. The air bag light illuminated.
A lady pulled out in front of me to make a left turn, I tried to stop, but I couldn't, I hit her @ 20 mph, my front bumper, dead center into her left front tire. My air bags didn't deploy and hers did. I have a 2001 Kia Optima LX. My fear is, if the car is fixable, will the bags work or will they come out on me sometime going down the road. I've talked to the dealer and have gotten different stories on where the sensors are located. Now the say the air bag sensors are right in front of the transmission and I didn't get hit hard enough to make them deploy. Was told that if I had been going 80 mph they would have deployed!
The air bag light came on. The consumer was informed if the air bag light was on the air bags would not deploy. The consumer experienced problems with the electrical system and the transmission dropping to 3rd gear when going uphill. The dealership told the consumer the vehicle was not powerful enough to drive uphill in 3rd gear. The driver door lock actuator and latch was replaced because the door would not lock or remain unlock, the window made a chattering noise when it was rolled down.
My son hit a truck from behind at 35mph. He was driving my 2001 Kia Optima. The seatbelts did not lock when hit the brakes and the air bags did not deploy. My son (driver) hit the steering wheel and windshield. The passenger in our car hit the windshield. The police report indicates this information and I have pictures of the inside and outside of the car. The car was totaled.
While turning left at 3 mph the vehicle was involved in a side impact collision. None of the four air bag deployed. The air bag light was not illuminated to provide any warning that there was a problem with the air bag. The driver was wearing the seat belt. There is a police report. Please provide any additional information.
I have took my car in numerous time for the squeking brakes. Also, the thermostat has been replaced for the 4th time. I have had my car since Nov of 2001. Since then I have had it in the dealer ship about 10 times. I have taken it to 2 different dealers. The brakes they just blow out and say it is mettalic dust. That I need to clear them out when the car is washed. The squeak still comes back. They have also told me it is the humidity doing this. The thermostat has been replaced for the 4th time today. Also, I have had problems with my locks and enigne light coming on all the time. I have had problems with the air bag light also. The car has been nothing but problems. I have notified the Kia consumer customer services no help at all. My complaints go back about 1 yr. It all started in Jan of 2002
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. The entire front of the vehicle was diminished.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Waterbury, CT, USA