Kia OPTIMA engine problems
754 complaint narratives mention engine terms.
Key facts
7,489 owner complaints analyzed
22 distinct recall campaigns
77,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 to 2020 model years. Data snapshot: . 4,277 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Engine operation evidence
754 of 7,489 complaints match this topic (10.1%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.
Owner report 10002152 · 2003-01-06 (January 6, 2003)
NHTSA#14716-02-V-040-000: KIA/CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 55MPH ENGINE STALL, BRAKE AND STEERING WHEEL FROZE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND WONT HONORING THE WARRANTY, PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002152 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10023272 · 2003-06-17 (June 17, 2003)
MY 2001 KIA OPTIMA HAS BECOME THE MODERN AGE , THIS VEHICLE HAS A MIND OF IT'S OWN. THE POWER LOCKS SHUTS OPEN AND LOCKS ON IT'S OWN, THE VEHICLE IS NOT RELIABLE WHEN CROSSING A HIGHWAY ON OUR STREET. VEHICLE STALLS AT THE POINT OF ACCELERATION AND DOES NOT RESPOND TO PRESSING OF GAS PEDAL. WHEN CAR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILS AND YOU ARE IN THE VEHICLE THE POWER LOCKS DO NOT OPERATE CAUSING DRIVER AND PASSENGERS TO BE LOCKED IN VEHICLE. I WAS RECENTLY LOCKED IN MY VEHICLE WITH MY DAUGHTER FOR EXACTLY 4 HOURS WHEN THE POWER FINALLY RETURNED AND I …
Owner-reported narrative. 6,950 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023272 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10041657 · 2003-10-12 (October 12, 2003)
2001 KIA OPTIMA WITH APPROXIMATELY 57,000 MILES HAS BEEN REGULARLY MAINTAINED AT KIA DEALERSHIPS SINCE PURCHASE IN JAN 2002 (USED). SINCE JUNE 2003 CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED FOR NUMEROUS RECALL ITEMS. CAR HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS SINCE THEN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY LIT. ENGINE SURGES OR STALLS WHILE DRIVING. CAR FAILS TO ACCELERATE THEN SURGES. VERY HIGH RPM WITH NO ACCELERATION. ENGINE COILS MISFIRE. DIFFICULTY STARTING OCCASIONALLY. AFTER FOUR MONTHS OF FREQUENT TRIPS TO DEALERSHIP SERVICE AREA, (JUNE-OCTOBER 2003) SERVICE MANAGER CALLS TO T…
Owner-reported narrative. 54,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10041657 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10064628 · 2004-03-22 (March 22, 2004)
VEHICLE STALLED 3 TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, WHO INDICATED THAT THE TIMING BELT DISINTEGRATED, AND THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WENT OUT. THE RECALL 03V067000 WA SISSUED ON THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR BUT ONLY FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A V6 ENGINE. THIS VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A V4 ENGINE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 54,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10064628 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10067268 · 2004-04-16 (April 16, 2004)
CRANKSHAFT SENSOR FAILED. AS A RESULT, ENGINE STALLED. A RECALL WAS ISSUED. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 81,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10067268 at NHTSA ↗