10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 85,015 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
While stationary - driver's side door will not open from inside or outside with key, manual lock or electronic lock controls (stuck closed). Unable to evacuate car from driver's side. Safety concern - lack of egress
- Aiken, SC, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Kia Optima. When the vehicle was taken to bill doraty Kia (2925 medina rd, medina, oh 44256, (330) 721-9500) for routine brake service, the technician found a crack in the front frame. The dealer stated that the vehicle was safe to drive at that time. The contact was informed that the frame would need to be replaced, but no repairs were made. Since winter was approaching, the contact was concerned that the frame would completely crack due to the weather and salted roadways in her state. The contact received a manufacturer recall and extended warranty notices in 2009. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but no issues were found. The dealer sent pictures of the cracked frame to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified and issued case number: 2560103. The manufacturer stated that they would contact the local dealer. The contact was awaiting a call back from the manufacturer and dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.
- Medina, OH, USA
Driver door does not open from inside nor from outside. When unlocking the doors, all doors will open except the driver's door. Center lock mechanism or manual use of keys does not help. This is without a doubt a safety problem where driver can be trapped in the car in case of emergency. This is very common in Kia Optima models.
- Wheeling, IL, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Kia Optima. The contact heard an abnormal loud sound from the vehicle without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent dealer where it was diagnosed that the frame failed. The vehicle was serviced per an unknown recall; however, the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 178,000.
- O' Connel, WI, USA
Passenger and driver door locks will not unlock 85% of the time, preventing normal entry to / exit from the vehicle. Multiple attempts using the key in the door latch are required to gain entry the other 15% of the time. This is a huge safety issue in case of crash, fire, or carjacking. Internet research shows this to be a common issue around 100K miles. This should be a recall event...
- Lombard, IL, USA
Driver door would not open from inside or out. Power door lock would automatically re-lock all doors when attempting to open or unlock with key or inside lock lever. Had to crawl over console to get in or out when finally able to get passenger front door to open. Finally able to get door open by holding key cylinder in unlock position and forcing handle to open. Unhooked door lock actuator. As long as locked or unlocked door with key only, door would open. If locked door with inside lock lever, door would not open again. Mechanic replacing the driver front door latch assembly repaired vehicle. Very dangerous situation if in accident or vehicle fire.
- Council Bluffs, IA, USA
Both driver and passenger doors won't open, even though they are unlocked. The car could be on or off with this problem.
- Sanford, NC, USA
Out of nowhere my daughter's car door would not open, trapping her inside. It won't open with the key or remote. I called Kia and they said my warranty ran out and there is no recall despite this being a common issue-- a very dangerous safety issue I must say, since the driver and passengers could possibly be trapped and die in an emergency.
- Edwards, CA, USA
The driver side door will not open from the inside or outside, with or without the key. I've tried everything and can't get it to open. I had to crawl to the passenger side after getting home to get out.
- Austin, TX, USA
Sub frame rot leading to poor handling, tire wear, bad engine performance. The rotted supframe is separating from body, causing poor performance. The car is performing poorly at all speeds. Not safe...
- Pembroke, MA, USA
Power door lock locks when unlocking from outside with key. Replaced the door latch. But it still does it. Also the headlights stay on when turning off the car. Have to manually turn off headlight switch.
- Palm Coast, FL, USA
I was driving on I-10 westbound, katy tx freeway, travelling about 65 miles per hour. The passenger's side front tire blew out causing the car to go back and fourth between two lanes of traffic. In the process, I was hitting the rubber dividers, damaging the hood of the car and the windshield. The blown tire caused damage to the oil pan, the radiator, and eventually the transmission. I got the car to the emergency lane. The car was towed off the freeway and eventually picked up and transported to a car repair shop. A few days later, the insurance adjuster and the repair shop owner both agreed the car was a total loss. I had to buy a new car.
- Katy, TX, USA
Driver's door locks and cannot be opened with a key and does not open once inside of the car. The operator essentially is locked in the car. In the event of a crash or fire, the occupant may not be able to easily vacate the vehicle; the only way would be to climb over the console to the passenger compartment or the rear to exit the passenger doors. There have been numerous complaints with no action taken by the manufacturer to remedy the defect and affects multiple manufacturing years. In my opinion it clearly is a safety issue.
- Holland, PA, USA
Driver door will not open even though it indicates the door is unlocked. Despite multiple tries the door will not unlock or open trapping the driver in the car.
- Columbus, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the front driver's side door would not unlock. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnosis or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.
- Elyria, OH, USA
I was on a weekend trip and when I got to my destination I was unable to unlock or open the driver's side door. I had to crawl out the passenger side door. I am back home now. I have tried spraying some lubricant on door latch but I still can not get it to open.
- Columbia, MO, USA
The passenger wheel came off the car as my son was backing out of a parking space at a grocery store. I bought this car new. That part of the car had never been worked on. The car had to be towed to a garage for repair. Kia used glue on life a support nut on a ball joint, where they should have used a cotter pin. I have bought four (4) Kia. These cars are still in the family. The Kia I drive daily is identical (except being automatic) to the one that the wheel came off.
- Greenville, SC, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while traveling approximately 5 mph, the vehicle emitted a loud pop. Upon inspection, it was found that the sub frame had failed. The contact was informed by the dealer that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number 09V183000 (suspension). The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
- Waite Park, MN, USA
On my 2004 Kia Optima when I unlock the doors with the key all doors unlock except the drivers door real big safety concern, if I get stuck in my car during an accident an cannot get out I will sue Kia motor company for not issuing a safety recall, I have also notice a lot of postings based upon this issue on fixya.com for the 2003-2006 Kia Optima need attention asap.
- Columbia, MD, USA
- Sunnyside, WA, USA