Resources for the Repair and Maintenance of your Kia Optima
Kia Optima Models:
Kia Optima Problems
Software Update Available Which May Correct Transmission Issues
Reprogramming the transmission control module with the latest Kia transmission software may fix abnormalities in the automatic transmission and erroneous transmission-related Check Engine Light illumination. Software updates are commonly most effective on newer vehicles. Higher mileage vehicles may exhibit a similar symptom caused by a component failure. However, whenever major transmission repairs are performed the transmission software shoul...
Front Door Will Not Open Due to Faulty Latch
A faulty door latch assembly may cause one or both front doors to be difficult to open. Replacing the worn latch will commonly correct this problem.
Faulty Throttle Position Switch
Check Engine Light illumination—combined with a lack of power or a stumble on acceleration—may be caused by the throttle position switch (TPS). Kia released an improved part to fix this problem.
Noise or Vibration When AC Compressor is On
A defective AC compressor clutch assembly can cause excessive noise or vibration when the air conditioning is on. Improved parts are available. Replacing the faulty clutch assembly does not necessitate replacement of the complete AC compressor or evacuation and recharging of the air conditioning system.
Crankshaft Position Sensor May be Damaged if Timing Belt Breaks
Timing belts can break prematurely and cause serious engine damage. When replacing a broken timing belt, the crankshaft position sensor should also be replaced as it most likely has suffered damage as well.
Kia Optima Recalls (Recent)
The Driver's Air Bag May Not Deploy As Designed
RepairPal Expert Overview:
The clock spring electrical assembly in the steering column may become damaged over time, resulting in high resistance in the driver's airbag electrical circuit. This could cause illumination of the airbag warning light and/or the driver's airbag may not deploy as designed. Failure of the airbag to properly deploy increases the risk of injury to the driver in the event of a crash. Dealers will replace the clock spring contact assembly as necessary to correct this concern. The Kia recall number is SC094.
Learn more »Kia Optima Recall 09V183000
Summary: 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.
Learn more »Shift Cable May Disengage From Shifter
RepairPal Expert Overview:
The shift cable may have been installed incorrectly, causing tension in the cable. The tension could cause the cable to become disconnected from the shifter, disabling proper gear selection. If the vehicle is left unattended with the transmission not in "Park" and the parking brake not engaged, the vehicle could roll, increasing the risk of injury or a crash. Dealers will inspect the shift cable and reinstall it if necessary. This recall is expected to begin during March of 2011. The Kia recall number is SC088.
Learn more »Kia Optima Recall 03V067000
Summary: 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.
Learn more »Kia Optima Recall 04V180000
Summary: SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. IF A VEHICLE WITH A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED WERE TO ROLL OVER, FUEL SPILLAGE MAY OCCUR.
Learn more »Kia Optima Questions and Answers
I need to replace a headlight unit on my 2001 Kia Optima. Can I use the headlight unit from 2004 Kia Optima or are they completely different style? A brand new assembly is too expensive. Any cheape...
hoping for a picture maybe, or diagram to help in locating the EGR valve. I am tight on money, and need the car running, and any answers to this email would be greatly apreciated, THANK YOU,
If my a/c went out on it about 6 mos ago, will I need it fixed so that it don't start a chain reaction of things to not work right with the engine? If so, what kind of things could happen because o...
So, for my car to operate properly I must have my a/c working right? Theres no way around it?
this kia has 65k miles starting car,right turn. we have replaced motor mounts, dis a complete tune up. starts ok no noise after a while driving the same vibration comes right back.
Kia Optima Stories
My wife and I both have 2009 KIA Optimas, The only issue that we have had we had it with both cars. If you have the headlights on and park and turn off the ignition swith and exit the car 99% of the time all the lights will go off. The other 1% of the time the parking lights will stay on. This is most inconvinent since sometimes you do not notice the parking lights still being on.
The dealer has no idea why this is happening. Anyone else have this issue with their KIA Optima?
Optima 2007 Kia - No problems other than one replacement headlight and one tailight. Just bought new tires last year at 56,000 miles. Am anticipating the timing belt replacement at 60-65,000 miles. Gas mileage as expected-way better than my 2000 Ford Ranger I was driving. Car dealership prices in Oregon very high compared to Goodyear or other service centers. Dealerships gotcha coming and going. Overall, ride is smooth, seating is comfortable and get raves from backseat passengers on the comfort and leg room of the back seat area. So far so good - but not getting too comfortable based on other posts of what can go wrong.
i bought a so called life time kia (they really push the ideal of lifetime but its a croack) i have 47,000 miles on my car and a rod or piston is knocking in it and since i missed three oil changes they wanted me to pay like a thousand dollars to tear the engine apart and see if local rep. will ok to replace engine and i dont get my money back, but the dealership said that i would end up paying for intire engine and labor which is bs someone needs to stop them for advertizing lifetime kia because that is bs lifetime warranty means if it tires up they fix it. i will never own another kia and when i get it fixed, out of my own pocket i will excerise my right on the lemon law and put a lemon sign in the back glass take my advise stay away from lifetime kia if they will not stand behind there product better than that i dont need one, they tried to tell me that ford and chevy reguired a complete service history too but i call a chevy dealership and they said they have never asked for a service history kia needs to wake up and stand behind there product because i meet poeple every week that tell me they will never own another one, im going back a chevy
I recently bought a 2005 Kia Optima after driving my Sportage to the grave. Car has run great, good gas mileage, great stereo, just recently it started making a funny clunking noise from the front left tire area, and a equally strange whirling noise from the front of the engine. Going to the shop. I love this car, I really loved my Sportage, mini-me mercedes, 4x4, 5 speed. Always started, overhead cam seal was leaking and I didn't take it to the garage.
Love the look and feel of this car; purchased in March of this year. But, two major inconveniences: I noticed within one day of driving off the lot that the car pulled to the left. Brought it back, dealer realigned it; etc, but it still has a pull to the left. This appears to be a common problem with this vehicle. Now, the ESC light is staying on and on top of it my gear shift locks up from time to time, and I need to use the shift lock release button behind the shift handle to engage it. With only 7k miles on it and 6 months into it, this has been a headache. I take it into the Dealer tomorrow for repair of the last two issues. Aside from these issues, which are not minor, I love everything else about the car. Would I purchase again, knowing all this? No.