2001 KIA OPTIMA — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report

N/A

Safety Rating

231

Owner Complaints

26 Crashes

3

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

9

Service Bulletins

2

Investigations

Overview of the 2001 KIA OPTIMA

The 2001 KIA OPTIMA has received a total of 231 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SUSPENSION:FRONT, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY, AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW. 9 technical service bulletins have been issued by Kia America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Structureframe And Members (21 complaints), Air Bags (17 complaints), and Suspensionfront (17 complaints).

Recalls for the 2001 KIA OPTIMA

NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2001 KIA OPTIMA, potentially affecting up to 64,270 vehicles.

Recall 09V183000 — SUSPENSION:FRONT

| 36,538 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

Consequence: CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME COULD LEAD TO SEPARATION, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

View full details →

Recall 03V067000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY

| 11,501 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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...

View full details →

Recall 01V156000 — AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

| 16,231 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

Consequence: DAMAGE TO THE WIRE HARNESS COULD RESULT IN THE SIDE AIR BAG NOT DEPLOYING IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: 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...

View full details →

Owner Complaints for the 2001 KIA OPTIMA

231 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2001 KIA OPTIMA. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Structureframe And Members
Complaints: 21
Air Bags
Complaints: 17 8 Crashes 6 Injuries
Suspensionfront
Complaints: 17
Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch
Complaints: 11
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 10
Suspension
Complaints: 10 1 Crash
Electrical System
Complaints: 9
Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 7 5 Crashes 1 Injury
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 7
Service Brakes Hydraulic
Complaints: 7
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 6
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 6 1 Crash 1 Injury
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Controlcrankcase Pcv
Complaints: 5
Latcheslockslinkages
Complaints: 5
Structurebody
Complaints: 5
Wheels
Complaints: 5 1 Crash
Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner
Complaints: 4
Structureframe And Membersunderbody Shields
Complaints: 4 1 Crash
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 4
Air Bagsfrontalsensorcontrol Module
Complaints: 3 1 Crash 1 Injury
Air Bagssidewindow
Complaints: 3 1 Crash 1 Injury
Electrical Systemalternatorgeneratorregulator
Complaints: 3
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
Complaints: 3
Exterior Lightingheadlights
Complaints: 3
Seat Belts
Complaints: 3 1 Crash 1 Injury
Structure
Complaints: 3 1 Crash
Structurebodydoor
Complaints: 3
Electrical System12v24v48v Battery
Complaints: 2
Electrical Systemignitionmodule
Complaints: 2
Engine
Complaints: 2
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System
Complaints: 2
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasolinebelts And Associated Pulleys
Complaints: 2
Equipment
Complaints: 2
Power Train
Complaints: 2
Seat Beltsfront
Complaints: 2 1 Crash 3 Injuries
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
Complaints: 2
Air Bagsfrontaldriver Sideinflator Module
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemignition
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemignitionanti Theftcontrol Module
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemwiringinteriorunder Dash
Complaints: 1
Equipmentelectrical
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasoline
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Other
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Otherstoragefuel Gauge System
Complaints: 1
Seat Beltsfrontanchorage
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Seat Beltsfrontretractor
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Seat Beltsfrontwarning Lightdevices
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Seats
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Airantilock
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Components
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisc
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscpads
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdrum
Complaints: 1
Steering
Complaints: 1
Structurebodytrunk Lid
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfrontcontrol Armlower Arm
Complaints: 1
Suspensionrear
Complaints: 1
Tires
Complaints: 1
Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal
Complaints: 1
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemfanmotor
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwashermotor
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasherswitchwiring
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#11568114 | AIR BAGS | | N/A miles
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
#11568114 | SEAT BELTS | | N/A miles
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
#11557242 | AIR BAGS | | N/A miles
My airbag light on and I've check the fuses in it,Not it,,, My AC,. The drivers door lock , Oxagen senser Crank Shaft,
#11557242 | ENGINE | | N/A miles
My airbag light on and I've check the fuses in it,Not it,,, My AC,. The drivers door lock , Oxagen senser Crank Shaft,
#11557242 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | | N/A miles
My airbag light on and I've check the fuses in it,Not it,,, My AC,. The drivers door lock , Oxagen senser Crank Shaft,

View all Structureframe And Members complaints →

Safety Rating for the 2001 KIA OPTIMA

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2001 KIA OPTIMA in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2001 KIA OPTIMA

Kia America, Inc. has issued 9 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2001 KIA OPTIMA. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

TSB-044 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

KIA: ECM UPGRADE WITH TP SENSOR REPLACEMENT-MIL ON WITH DTC P2135/P0638. INFORMATION RELATED TO ECM SOFTWARE AND TP SENSOR UPGRADE ON SOME VEHICLES WITH 2.7L ENGINES WHICH MAY EXPERIENCE A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATED WITH THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (ETC) SYSTEM RELATED DTC P2135 OR P0638 OR P2A00 OR...

035 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

SUPPLEMENT RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATION FOR B1378 AND B1382. *NJ

041204 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

OWNER NOTIFICATION REGARDING CAMPAIGN SC037 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) AND OXYGEN SENSOR. *TT

040704 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR CAMPAIGN SC037 ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) REPROGRAM AND OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACEMENT. *TT

028 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE OXYGEN SENSORS AND TO REPROGRAM THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) TO REDUCE INCIDENCE OF MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATION WITH OXYGEN SENSOR RELATED DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES. *TT

006 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

CHANGE IN DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0128, THERMOSTAT MALFUNCTION, LOGIC. *TT

007 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATION WITH OXYGEN SENSORS RELATED DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES. *TT

019 — VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATED TO THE REPAIR OF CERTAIN VEHICLES WITH SUNROOF DRAIN TUBE WATER LEAK COMPLAINTS. *TT

006 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER

TOWING CAPACITY. *ET

NHTSA Investigations for the 2001 KIA OPTIMA

NHTSA has opened 2 investigations into potential safety defects in the 2001 KIA OPTIMA.

Investigation EA04030 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH Closed

Opened:

POWER DOOR LOCK FAILURE

Investigation PE04050 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH Closed

Opened:

POWER DOOR LOCK FAILURE

Other Model Years of the KIA OPTIMA

View all KIA OPTIMA model years →

Other KIA Models

View all KIA models →

Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report