Model year record

2001 Kia Optima recalls & problems

The 2001 Kia Optima has 3 safety recalls and 143 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is structure (37 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints143filed by owners

Crashes · fires15 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths7 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

SuspensionMay 27, 2009

Front

Recall 09V18300036,538 vehicles

Problem: 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, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ROAD SALT APPLIED IN THESE STATES DURING THE WINTER MONTHS MAY RESULT IN PROGRESSIVE, INTERNAL CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME. OVER TIME, SUCH SUBFRAME CORROSION NEAR THE CONNECTION TO THE LOWER CONTROL ARM CAN LEAD TO WHEEL MISALIGNMENT AND/OR OTHER NOTICEABLE STRESS IN STEERING, OR ACCELERATED ABNORMAL TIRE WEAR.
Risk: CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME COULD LEAD TO SEPARATION, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.

Electrical systemMar 4, 2003

Starter assembly

Recall 03V06700011,501 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: INTERNAL GAPS WITHIN THE CASES ALLOWED EPOXY TO CONTACT THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD, WHICH RESULTED IN CRACKING OF THE CIRCUIT BOARD CAPACITOR. A DAMAGED CKP CAPACITOR COULD RESULT IN ENGINE STALLING.
Fix: 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 A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

Air bagsMay 1, 2001

Side/window

Recall 01V15600016,231 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: DAMAGE TO THE WIRE HARNESS COULD RESULT IN THE SIDE AIR BAG NOT DEPLOYING IN AN ACCIDENT.
Fix: 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 EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

Optima

21mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Optima

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Optima

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Optima

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
StructureFrame and members; Body	37	2	0	95,200 mi
Air bagsFrontal; Side/window	31	16	10	81,000 mi
SuspensionFront; Front › Control arm › Lower arm	29	1	0	122,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Exhaust system › Emission control › Crankcase (pcv)	25	0	0	54,000 mi
Electrical systemAlternator/generator/regulator; Ignition › Module	20	0	0	9,500 mi
Latches/locks/linkagesDoors › Latch	16	0	0	17,303 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission	12	0	0	11,750 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components; Foundation components › Disc	12	0	0	15,000 mi
Seat beltsFront; Front › Retractor	8	5	7	—
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner; Electrical	7	0	0	—
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal	7	1	1	—
VisibilityPower window devices and controls; Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Fan/motor	5	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Air bags
My air bag light has been on and I've check everything and my seat belt don't lock when its on and the light to the seat belt goes off contented, I've tried to go to the dealer to have them fix my airbags and senses I don't have recall on it they won't fix it ,The air bag is very important and so is the seat belt
May 16, 2021
Air bags
My airbag light on and I've check the fuses in it,Not it,,, My AC,. The drivers door lock , Oxagen senser Crank Shaft,
Nov 28, 2023
Structure › Frame and members
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED ON THE LIFT, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND THE DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. *TT *JB
Oct 26, 2018 · 90,000 miles
Wheels
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V183000 (SUSPENSION). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Aug 6, 2016 · 100,000 miles
Structure › Body
I TOOK MY CAR FOR A STATE SAFETY INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS BEGINNING TO SHOW RUST. I TOOK IT TO A SECOND PROVIDER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THIS WAS THE CASE. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THAT RUSTING OF THE SUBFRAME HAD BEEN RECALLED BUT NOT FOR THE STATE I LIVE IN (VIRGINIA).
Jul 30, 2016 · 130,000 miles
Structure › Frame and members
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE VEHICLE SWERVED TO THE RIGHT. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT END NEEDED TO BE ALIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE THE FRONT SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V183000 (SUSPENSION); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.
Oct 21, 2015 · 190,000 miles
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE BEING INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE AXLE HAD FRACTURED DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION ON THE MOTOR MOUNT BRACKETS. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V183000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACT AND INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 236,000.
Nov 23, 2015 · 236,000 miles
Steering
GOT IN CAR TO GO HOME NOTICED CAR STEERING WAS TERRIBLE AS IF I WAS ON ICE IN THE MIDDLE OF SEPT. GOT OUT TO SEE IF I WAS EXPERIENCING A FLAT TIRE NOTICED THE TWO FRONT TIRES WEREN'T LINED UP CORRECTLY. AFTER GETTING TO A GARAGE AND HAVING THE TWO FRONT TIRES REMOVED IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME ON PASSENGER SIDE OF CAR HAD RUSTED AND BROKEN!!!! IT NEEDED REPLACED. I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DO SO AS OF YET :( SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT ALL THESE 2001 OPTIMAS THAT ARE STILL ON THE STREET IN DESPERATE NEED OF RECALL. I COULD OF EASILY HAVE WRECKED AND INJURED MYSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE.
Sep 26, 2015 · 191,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

POWER DOOR LOCK FAILUREClosed
INVESTIGATION FAILED TO DISCLOSE A MALFUNCTION WITH A CLEAR AND CONSISTENT PATTERN OF COMPROMISE TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY.FAILURE OF THE SUBJECT DOOR LOCKS MAY IMPEDE NORMAL EGRESS OF A VEHICLE OCCUPANT BUT DOES NOT ENTRAP THE OCCUPANT.COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY DATA DOCUMENT THE DEFICIENCIES OF THE DOOR LOCK SYSTEM, BUT THESE MALFUNCTIONS HAVE NOT BEEN ACCOMPANIED BY A HISTORY OF DEMONSTRATED SAFETY RELATED IMPLICATIONS.DETAILS REGARDING THIS INVESTIGATION ARE CONTAINED IN THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT.FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING THAT A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY MAY TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
EA04030 · opened Nov 4, 2004 · closed Nov 7, 2005
POWER DOOR LOCK FAILUREClosed
THIS PE DISCLOSED THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE EXPERIENCED INCIDENTS OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN SIGNIFICANT NUMBERS.THIS PE HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA04-030) TO FACILITATE A THOROUGH REVIEW OF THE MATTER, INCLUDING EVALUATION OF THE POTENTIAL SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES.
PE04050 · opened Jul 7, 2004 · closed Nov 4, 2004