81 of the 306 complaints about the 2004 KIA Optima are about the doors, latches and locks — 26% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 92,000 miles.
81
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GAIN ACCESS AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.
NHTSA complaint #10934627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCK FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE DOORS WOULD AUTOMATICALLY LOCK ONCE OPENED WITH THE KEY FOB. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
NHTSA complaint #10723224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN AND CLOSE. AS THE FAILURE PROGRESSED, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ENTER AND EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 7/16/15
NHTSA complaint #10722928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK MALFUNCTIONED AND WOULD NOT UNLOCK, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK WHEN ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE FOR THE REAR DOOR WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LOCKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #10720975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
I HAVE A 2004 KIA OPTIMA LX 4 DOOR SEDAN, THE FRONT DOOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE YOU CAN NOT LOCK AND UNLOCK I HAVE TO LEAVE THE DOOR PANEL OFF SO IF IT GETS LOCKED, YOU HAVE TO TAKE A SCREWDRIVER AND PUSH UP THE LITTLE ROD THAT LEADS TO THE LATCH. BELIEVE ME I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER KIA OPTIMA OR ANY KIND OF A KIA IN MY EYES THEY ARE JUNK . ESPECIALLY WHEN THIS JUNKY CAR ONLY HAS 87,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10703735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
WHEN TRYING TO EXIT MY KIA, THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT UNLOCK. I TRIED THE MANUAL AND ELECTRICAL SWITCHES ON THE DOOR AND ALL I COULD GET WAS A CLICK, AND THEN AN IMMEDIATE RE-LOCK OF THE DOORS, AS SOON AS I PULLED ON THE DOOR HANDLE. I THEN ROLLED THE WINDOW DOWN AND TRIED THE KEY, SEVERAL TIMES, FROM THE OUTSIDE WITH THE SAME RESULTS. I MANAGED TO WORK MY 79 YEAR OLD 210 LB. BODY OVER TO THE PASSENGER SEAT AND TRIED THE SAME THING AND GOT THE SAME RESULTS. I WAS READY TO CALL 911 WHEN I TRIED THE KEY ON THE OUTSIDE AGAIN FOR THE 5TH OR 6TH TIME AND THE LOCKS WORKED. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND I UNDERSTAND IS QUITE COMMON ON THE KIA'S AT ABOUT 100,000 MILES, I KNOW I WAS FRIGHTENED. I DON'T KNOW WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IN A WRECK WITH A FIRE AND THE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES, TWICE WHILE LOCKED INSIDE AND TWICE FROM THE OUTSIDE TYING TO GET IN.
NHTSA complaint #10693933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
IT STARTED WITH DOORS WILL LOCK AND UNLOCK AUTOMATICALLY WHILE DRIVING, THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE 2012, THEN THE PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK AT TIMES SINCE 2012. THEN ON 2-28-15, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK. I HAD TO CLIMB THROUGH THE BACK SEAT AND THE CONSOLE TO GET TO THE DRIVER SEAT. THEN ON THE 3-02-2015, DRIVER'S DOOR, THE PASSENGER DOOR AND THE REAR BACK DOOR COMPLETELY REFUSED TO UNLOCK. THIS IS VERY SCARY, IN FACT, I ALMOST BROKE MY RIGHT FOOT WHILE CLIMBING INTO THE DRIVER SEAT FROM THE BACK SEAT THROUGH THE CONSOLE, BECAUSE MY RIGHT LEG WAS CAUGHT ON THE PASSENGER SEAT HEAD REST.
NHTSA complaint #10691715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK OR OPEN. THE CONTACT HAD TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE BY USING THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.
NHTSA complaint #10691649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
DRIVER'S DOOR LOCKS AND CANNOT BE OPENED WITH A KEY AND DOES NOT OPEN ONCE INSIDE OF THE CAR. THE OPERATOR ESSENTIALLY IS LOCKED IN THE CAR. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH OR FIRE, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO EASILY VACATE THE VEHICLE; THE ONLY WAY WOULD BE TO CLIMB OVER THE CONSOLE TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OR THE REAR TO EXIT THE PASSENGER DOORS. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WITH NO ACTION TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER TO REMEDY THE DEFECT AND AFFECTS MULTIPLE MANUFACTURING YEARS. IN MY OPINION IT CLEARLY IS A SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10652810 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO LATCH AND LOCK FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COULD ONLY ENTER AND EXIT THE VEHICLE BY USING ANOTHER DOOR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LOCK ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #10640273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE DOORS INDEPENDENTLY LOCKED. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW FAILED TO OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
NHTSA complaint #10640298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
DRIVER'S DOOR DOES NOT UNLOCK WHEN TRYING TO ENTER THE CAR AND IT DOES NOT UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE MANUALLY EITHER.
NHTSA complaint #10632888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
I WENT TO UNLOCK MY 2004 KIA OPTIMA AND THE DRIVERS DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. REPEATED ATTEMPTS FAILED. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS FORUMS AND THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR! THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THE CAR IS ONLY 10 YEARS OLD! IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURS, I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE RESCUED. KIA NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10629344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK AND COULD NOT BE OPENED. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DOOR FAILURES HAD OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE AIR BAGS SENSOR LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS FAULTY. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
NHTSA complaint #10621923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
MY DRIVER SIDE LOCKS WILL NO LONGER UNLOCK CORRECTLY. SOMETIMES IF I JIGGLE EVERYTHING TOGETHER JUST SO I CAN GET IT TO UNLOCK FROM THE OUTSIDE. HOWEVER, ONCE INSIDE IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET THE DOOR OPEN. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE, IF I LOCK MY CAR IT TAKES ME FOREVER TO GET BACK IN TO IT. I HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT MY CHILDREN ARE STANDING OUT IN THE HEAT WAITING ON ME AND NOT BAKING IN THE CAR WAITING FOR ME. IF I AM IN AN AREA AFTERHOURS, I AM MORE AT RISK OF HAVING SOMETHING HAPPEN. IN ADDITION, IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT OR IF I NEED TO EXIT CAR QUICKLY, IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE AS I HAVE TO CLIMB OUT OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE. I CURRENTLY HAVE A LOT OF SHOULDER AND NECK PAIN FROM LIFTING MYSELF FROM ONE SEAT TO ANOTHER. I HAVE LOOKED UP THIS PROBLEM ONLINE TO SEE IF THERE IS SOMETHING I CAN DO AND I AM FAR FROM THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS EXPERIENCED THIS EXACT ISSUE. THEY HAVE BEEN OFFERED NO HELP OUTSIDE OF GO TO THE DEALER AND GET IT FIXED FOR $300 - $700. THIS IS A FAULTY MANUFACTURED PART, NOT JUST NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I REPLACED MY BRAKE PADS A COUPLE WEEKS BACK ON THE SAME CAR, THAT'S NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10616654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE POWER LOCK WOULD NOT UNLOCK THE DOOR AND IT COULD NOT BE OPENED MANUALLY FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,628.
NHTSA complaint #10611173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE CONTACT OPENED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW AND OPENED THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ENTER THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS UNLOCKED BUT FAILED TO OPEN AS A RESULT THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 86,200.
NHTSA complaint #10611257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
WHEN UNLOCKING DRIVERS SIDE DOOR, SAYS ITS UNLOCKED BUT WONT OPEN. WHEN INSIDE OF CAR IF U LOCK DOOR U CANNOT GET OUT USING DRIVERS DOOR. ITS DANGEROUS. AND IT IS EMBARRASSING CLIMBING OVER TO PASSENGER SIDE TO GET OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10604736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE DRIVER'S DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK OR OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. I HAVE TRIED USING THE KEY, THE ELECTRIC LOCKS FROM THE INSIDE AND ALSO MANUALLY. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS DEFECT ON THE INTERNET, IT SEEMS THIS HAPPENS A LOT TO KIA'S AROUND THIS YEAR OF CAR. *TR THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS THE DRIVER IS NOT ABLE TO GET OUT OF OR INTO THE CAR IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY. A DOOR LOCK OF THIS YEAR OF CAR SHOULD NOT FAIL THIS OFTEN OR AT ALL. I HAVE MUCH OLDER VEHICLES THAT HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH NOT BEING ABLE TO GET OUT OF A VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10583724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
THE LOCK TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT DISENGAGE. I PUT THE KEY IN, BUT THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. I HAVE TO ENTER THE CAR FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ONLINE, THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE FOREFRONT FOR THIS COMPANY TO DEAL WITH. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECALLS PLACED ON THIS VEHICLE. ARE WE SUPPOSED TO WAIT TO SEE WHO DIES FIRST BEFORE THE COMPANY IS FORCED TO DO A RECALL? IF I KNEW THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE, I NEVER WOULD HAVE BOUGHT IT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. AT THE TIME, THIS IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. IT IS PAID OFF, AND I CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER ONE. I CAN'T TRADE IT IN KNOWING THAT THE NEXT PERSON WOULD INHERIT THIS PROBLEM. I, FOR ONE, COULD NOT LIVE WITH MYSELF IF A PERSON DIED AS A RESULT OF NOT BEING ABLE TO GET OUT IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. JUST REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PARTS ON THIS VEHICLE. IT IS A GREAT CAR, BUT THE DEFECTIVE ACTUATOR THAT PREVENTS THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FROM OPENING OVERSHADOWS THE THAT FACT. I WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND ANY OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS, FRIENDS, CO-WORKERS, OR ANYONE ELSE BUY THIS CAR (OR ANY OTHER KIA) UNTIL THIS PROBLEM IS FIXED. THE TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD NEEDS TO STEP IN FAST. WE AS CONSUMERS ARE DOING OUR PART BY REPORTING THESE ISSUES, PLEASE DO YOURS BY PROTECTING THE PUBLIC FROM THIS SAFETY HAZARD. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10583216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE DOOR (DRIVERS SIDE) WILL NOT UNLOCK. WHEN YOU PULL THE HANDLE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE IT LOCKS AND WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WHICH CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS DURING AN EMERGENCY. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE IN 2003 - 2005 KIAS. I CAN'T BELIEVE THERE HASN'T BEEN A SAFETY RECALL YET MAKING KIA FIX THIS ISSUE ON ALL VEHICLES. MAYBE IT TAKES AN ACCIDENT AND SOMEONE BEING TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND LOSING THEIR LIFE BEFORE THIS IS REPAIRED. I DIDN'T FIND JUST A FEW ISSUES WHEN I LOOKED ONLINE FOR THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING, I FOUND PAGE AFTER PAGE OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME ISSUE ON THEIR KIA.
NHTSA complaint #10563216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM INSIDE OR OUT. ONLY WAY IN/OUT OF THE CAR IS THROUGH 3 OTHER DOORS. CANNOT USE KEY TO MANUALLY GET IN DOOR. LATCH MECHANISM WILL NOT DISENGAGE. IF YOU ARE INSIDE THE CAR AND TRY TO UNLOCK THE DOOR AND OPEN IT, IT WILL MAKE A SOUND LIKE THE DOOR HAS BEEN UNLOCKED, BUT THEN WILL RELOCK ALMOST IMMEDIATELY.
NHTSA complaint #10550567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
IN THE CAR WITH THE DOORS LOCKED, PARKED AND DRIVERS DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. TRIED THE UNLOCK BUTTON AND THE LOCKS UNLOCKED AND IMMEDIATELY LOCKED AGAIN. I TRIED SEVERAL TIMES. I TRIED TO ACTUALLY US THE LOCK ITSELF (MANUAL) AND DID THE SAME THING. I ALSO TRIED THE KEYLESS REMOTE AND THIS DIDN'T WORK EITHER. THE LOCKS WOULD UNLOCK THEN RELOCK IMMEDIATELY. I STARTED TO PANIC BUT LEANED OVER TO THE PASSENGER DOOR AND THE MANUAL LOOK UNLOCK JUST THAT DOOR. IF I WERE IN AN ACCIDENT OR IF A CHILD WERE IN THE CAR, THIS WOULD BE A HUGE PROBLEM! I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE CAR AND I HAVEN'T HAD OTHER PROBLEMS WITH IT. I HAVE READ ONLINE AND MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10549453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR LOCK FAILED TO UNLOCK ELECTRONICALLY OR MANUALLY. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ALSO REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVERS DOOR LOCK ALSO FAILED AT 41,000 MILES; HOWEVER, THE ACTUATOR WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE PASSENGER DOOR OR THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000. ..UPDATED 12-30-13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE REPAIED. THE TECHICIAN ADVISED THERE WAS A NICKEL IN THE DOOR PANEL AND THAT THE WAS REPAIRED. THERE DOOR WAS NOT ACTUALLY REPAIRED. UPDATED 1/16/2014
NHTSA complaint #10543057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
WHEN I STARTED TO LEAVE FOR WORK THIS MORNING; I COULD NOT GET INTO THE CAR FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE; THE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK; I COULD NOT GET IT TO OPEN. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPEN BEFORE SO I LOOKED CAREFULLY AND SAW NO DAMAGE WAS DONE TO MY CAR SO I TRIED AGAIN TO UNLOCK AND OPEN MY DOOR. I PUT THE KEY IN THE KEYHOLE AS USUAL BUT I NOTICE THAT IT FELT LIKE IT WAS NOT FITTING CORRECTLY AND AS I TURNED THE KEY AND IT WAS HARDER TO TURN BUT I COULD HEAR THE SOUND OF THE DOORS UNLOCKING SO I PULLED THE HANDLE TO OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR AGAIN AND IT STILL WOULD NOT OPEN. THE OTHER THREE CAR DOORS WORKS FINE; LOCKING AND UNLOCKING LIKE THEY SHOULD. I WAS THEN FORCED TO GET INTO THE CAR FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. THERE I ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR FROM THE INSIDE BUT MY EFFORTS THERE ALSO FAILED; WHICH WAS VERY ALARMING. I COULD FEEL MY ANXIETY BUILDING (FEELING TRAPPED & NOT ABLE TO OPEN MY CAR DOOR AT ANYTIME) I WAS RUNNING OUT OF TIME AND HAVE TO GO TO WORK . I TRIED TO OPEN MY DOOR FROM THE INSIDE SEVERAL TIMES BUT NOTHING WORKED. I WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR AND LET DOWN ALL THE WINDOWS. I COULD BREATHE SOME FRESH AIR. ALL DAY I HAD TO GET IN AND OUT OF MY CAR FORM THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. I TRIED TO OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR SEVERAL TIME THROUGHOUT THE DAY BUT NOTHING WOULD WORK. MY DOOR BEING STUCK SHUT IS A HORRIBLE FEELING TO HAVE WHEN DRIVING KNOWING THAT ONE OF MY WAYS TO ESCAPE FROM THE CAR GONE ALMOST HELPLESS AT FIRST SO I HOPE THIS PROBLEM IS NOT A SMALL MATTER TO YOU BECAUSE IT IS PUTTING OUR LIFE IN A SERIOUS SITUATION; SO PLEASE TREATED THIS AS SUCH. THINK OF THIS: IF THERE WERE FIRE MARSHALLS FOR CARS, WOULD THEY EVER TOLERATE A FRONT DOOR THAT CAN'T BE OPEN WHEN PEOPLE ARE INSIDE? NO.
NHTSA complaint #10531921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH THE KEY OR INSIDE SWITCH. ALL THE OTHER DOORS WILL UNLOCK EXCEPT THE DRIVER DOOR. AFTER TURNING THE KEY FOR ABOUT 10 MINS UP TO A DAY OR A WEEK IT WILL SOMETIMES UNLOCK, BUT ONLY USING THE KEY. THIS IS A VERY BAD SAFETY HAZARD. IT LOOKS AS IF THE PLASTIC PART INSIDE THE DOOR THAT CONTROLS THE LOCKING IS BROKEN . THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS THAT MADE THIS OCCUR . I HAVE TALKED TO KIA ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS ABOUT THE MATTER AND THIS IS ONE FEATURE THAT THE CUSTOMER DOES NOT NEED TO PAY FOR. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART AND CAN TRAP SOMEONE IN A CAR . YOU HAVE TO CRAWL THROUGH PASSENGER DOOR TO EVEN TO GET IN AND DRIVE. SHAMEFUL ON KIA . SEEMS LIKE ITS GOING TO TAKE SOME ONE BURNING OR HAVE A FATALITY FOR KIA TO DO A RECALL ON THIS , BUT ALL ABOUT MONEY WHEN THEY PRIDE ON SAFETY.
NHTSA complaint #10519881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
ON MY 2004 KIA OPTIMA WHEN I UNLOCK THE DOORS WITH THE KEY ALL DOORS UNLOCK EXCEPT THE DRIVERS DOOR REAL BIG SAFETY CONCERN, IF I GET STUCK IN MY CAR DURING AN ACCIDENT AN CANNOT GET OUT I WILL SUE KIA MOTOR COMPANY FOR NOT ISSUING A SAFETY RECALL, I HAVE ALSO NOTICE A LOT OF POSTINGS BASED UPON THIS ISSUE ON FIXYA.COM FOR THE 2003-2006 KIA OPTIMA NEED ATTENTION ASAP.
NHTSA complaint #10507295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK.
NHTSA complaint #10502519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE DRIVERS DOOR WILL NOT OPEN EITHER FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. THE DOOR REMAINS LOCKED AS THE BUTTON AND KEY DO NOT FULLY UNLOCK IT. USING BOTH BUTTON AND KEY AT THE SAME TIME, I WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR AND OPEN IT. DISSASSEMBLY OF THE DOOR AND LATCH LOCATED THE PROBLEM TO BE THE DOOR LATCH MECHANISM. THE DOOR LATCH IS DESIGNED TO FAIL AS EVIDENCED BY THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS LISTING THIS PART. THE LEVER THAT IS MOVED INTO PLACE WHEN THE DOOR IS UNLOCKED IS BLOCKED BY THE CAM THAT IT INTERFACES WITH BECAUSE THE CAM HAS ROTATED BEYOND THE POINT THAT IT SHOULD. THIS HAS THE POTENTIAL TO TRAP SOMEONE IN THE CAR IF IT SHOULD FAIL AT THE WRONG TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10502154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN, ACCIDENTALLY LOCKED DOOR NOW IT WILL NOT OPEN, HAVE TO CLIMB OVER FROM PASSENGER SIDE TO DRIVER SIDE, WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE, I AM DISABLED AND IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO HAVE TO CLIMB OVER TO DRIVER SIDE, FOR A LONG TIME NOW I HAVE LEFT THE CAR UNLOCKED FOR THIS REASON, SEEMS I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM, A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE PLACED POSTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. IT'S NOT ONLY AN INCONVENIENCE BUT A SAFETY ISSUE. I FEEL THIS IS A MAJOR RECALL THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND FIXED. ANYONE IN AN ACCIDENT (GOD FORBID) IS TRAPPED, MORE SO IF THERE DISABLED, PEOPLE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THIS ISSUE. THANK-YOU
NHTSA complaint #10490482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.