Kia OPTIMA fuel problems
153 complaint narratives mention fuel 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.
Fuel system concerns evidence
153 of 7,489 complaints match this topic (2.0%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.
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 10107846 · 2005-01-24 (January 24, 2005)
I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 KIA OPTIMA ON I85 AT 65 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND SLOWED QUICKLY TO LESS THAN 10 MPH. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SPUTTER AND BACKFIRE UNTIL I WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER AND WAIT APPROXIMATELY. 15 MINUTES BEFORE PROCEEDING NORMALLY. MY WIFE HAS ALSO EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS AND IS AFRAID OF BEING INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR THIS ISSUE 4 TIMES. THE LAST REPAIR INVOLVED PARAMOUNT KIA IN HICKORY WHERE THE MECHANIC REPLACED MANY OF THE ASSUMED PROBLEM PARTS SUCH AS FAULTY WIR…
Owner-reported narrative. 33,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10107846 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10230056 · 2008-06-05 (June 5, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CANISTER CLOSE VALVE FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE FUEL GAUGE TO DISPLAY INACCURATE READINGS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE DEALER STATED THAT A VAPOR HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL CANISTER CRACKED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CANISTER CLOSE VALVE AND LEVER FENDER. THE REPAIR COSTS TOTALED $104; HOWEVER, THE REPAIRS DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE DEALER IS NOW SUGGESTING THAT THE CLUSTER PANEL WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT…
Owner-reported narrative. 58,671 miles reported. Look up ODI 10230056 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10522638 · 2013-07-01 (July 1, 2013)
I WAS LEAVING MY DRIVEWAY AND DROVE APPROXIMATELY 2 CAR LENGTHS, MY CAR STOPPED AND STARTED SHAKING, IT WOULDN'T GO FORWARD OR BACKWARDS. TURNED THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS ON AS I PLACED THE CAR IN PARK. I GOT OUT AND WENT AROUND TO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR; THE WHEEL WAS AGAINST THE FIREWALL. I FOUND A RECALL 2-15-13, CALLED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE, THEY SENT A TOWING COMPANY; IN WHICH, TOWED MY CAR TO MIKE SMITH KIA IN PADUCAH, KY. THEY FOUND THAT MY LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD SEPARATED FROM THE SUB-FRAME DUE MASSIVE CORROSION. REPLACED THE SUB-FRAME…
Owner-reported narrative. 169,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10522638 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10557278 · 2013-12-26 (December 26, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCKED AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK IT MANUALLY OR BY USING THE KEY FOB. SHE WAS FORCED TO CLIMB INTO THE BACK SEAT IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE FAILURE RECENTLY RECURRED ALL OF THE DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE LOCKS; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPD…
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10557278 at NHTSA ↗