Kia OPTIMA transmission problems
258 complaint narratives mention transmission 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.
Transmission and shifting evidence
258 of 7,489 complaints match this topic (3.4%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.
Owner report 10003331 · 2003-01-24 (January 24, 2003)
MY VEHICLE HAS SPENT MORE THAN 35 DAYS IN A KIA AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP INCLUDING TRANSMISSION REPAIRS SINCE THE DATE OF PURCHASE. I HAVE CARRIED THE VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS MORE THAN SIX TIMES. THE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE HAVE NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. I FEEL THAT THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE AND A LIABILITY TO OTHERS AND MYSELF WHILE IT IS ON THE ROADS. SOME OF THE OTHER PROBLEMS THAT THE VEHICLE HAS HAD, BUT HAVE BEEN CORRECTED ARE 1. KEYS WOULD NOT OPEN TRUNK 2. DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WOULD MALFUNCTION AND LOCK ITSELF. MANUAL RELE…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,905 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003331 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026957 · 2003-07-11 (July 11, 2003)
VEHICLE TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHILE DRIVING.*MR THE AIR CONDITION, AUTO CHECK LIGHT AND AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS DO NOT REMAIN UNLOCKED TRAPPING THE DRIVER.*TS *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10026957 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10059685 · 2004-02-19 (February 19, 2004)
THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IF THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND THE TRANSMISSION DROPPING TO 3RD GEAR WHEN GOING UPHILL. *LA THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONSUMER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT POWERFUL ENOUGH TO DRIVE UPHILL IN 3RD GEAR. THE DRIVER DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR AND LATCH WAS REPLACED BECAUSE THE DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK OR REMAIN UNLOCK, THE WINDOW MADE A CHATTERING NOISE WHEN IT WAS ROLLED DOWN. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10059685 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10064563 · 2004-04-05 (April 5, 2004)
A LADY PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, I TRIED TO STOP, BUT I COULDN'T, I HIT HER @ 20 MPH, MY FRONT BUMPER, DEAD CENTER INTO HER LEFT FRONT TIRE. MY AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AND HERS DID. I HAVE A 2001 KIA OPTIMA LX. MY FEAR IS, IF THE CAR IS FIXABLE,WILL THE BAGS WORK OR WILL THEY COME OUT ON ME SOMETIME GOING DOWN THE ROAD. I'VE TALKED TO THE DEALER AND HAVE GOTTEN DIFFERENT STORIES ON WHERE THE SENSORS ARE LOCATED. NOW THE SAY THE AIR BAG SENSORS ARE RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE TRANSMISSION AND I DIDN'T GET HIT HARD ENOUGH TO MAKE T…
Owner-reported narrative. 53,717 miles reported. Look up ODI 10064563 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10135692 · 2005-09-07 (September 7, 2005)
DT: THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. THE KEY DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK. ALSO THE REMOTE IS NOT ABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. THIS PROBLEM FIRST STARTED IN 7-2001. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP TO BE REPAIRED AND THEY WERE STILL WAITING FOR THE PART. THERE ALSO WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO GET THE GEARS TO SHIFT SMOOTHLY. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FRONT SENSOR FOR THE TRANSMISSION THE FIRST TIME. THE DEALERSHIP RECENTLY REPLACED THE REAR SENSOR BECA…
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10135692 at NHTSA ↗