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
The worst 2001 Kia Optima problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Body35
- Suspension28
- Airbags27
- Engine26
- Electrical17
- Locks15
- Brakes14
- Transmission12
- Acceleration7
- Seat belts5
- Visibility5
- Wheels5
- Fuel system3
- Lights3
- Seats1
- Steering1
- Tires1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2001 Kia Optima
Airbag light 17Stalling 13Ball joint 10Check engine light 10Door locks 10No deployment 9Grinding brakes 6Headlights 5
Recalls 3
Suspension: front
- What is wrong
- 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 winter months may result in progressive, internal corrosion of the front subframe. Over time, such subframe corrosion near the connection to the lower control arm can lead to wheel misalignment and/or other noticeable stress in steering, or accelerated abnormal tire wear.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 09V183000 · Recall details
Electrical system: starter assembly
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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 at 1‑800‑333‑4542.
Recall number 03V067000 · Recall details
Air bags: side/window
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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 2001. 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 at 1‑800‑333‑4542.
Recall number 01V156000 · Recall details
See all 3 recalls for the 2001 Kia Optima
Defect investigations
Power door lock failure
Investigation failed to disclose a malfunction with a clear and consistent pattern of compromise to motor vehicle safety.failure of the subject door locks may impede normal egress of a vehicle occupant but does not entrap the occupant.complaints and warranty data document the deficiencies of the door lock system, but these malfunctions have not been accompanied by a history of demonstrated safety related implications.details regarding this investigation are contained in the engineering analysis closing report.further expenditure of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding that a safety related defect does not exist.the agency may take further action if warranted by the circumstances.
EA04030
Power door lock failure
This pe disclosed that the subject vehicles have experienced incidents of the alleged defect in significant numbers.this pe has been upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea04-030) to facilitate a thorough review of the matter, including evaluation of the potential safety-related consequences.
PE04050
Technical service bulletins for the 2001 Kia Optima 25
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Information for headlamp condensation and moisture
- Pitstop - engine component re-use guidelines
- Mandatory replacement of locking/security hardware
- Mandatory replacement of locking/security hardware
- TSB - use of aftermarket USB charging cables in USB/12V ports
- Automatic transmission fluid application guide - this bulletin provides information relating to the...
- Kia: intermittent MIL on with no fault code stored; information about DTC P1330
- Kia: ECM upgrade with tp sensor replacement-mil on with DTC P2135/P0638. information related to ECM...
- Kia: during a service procedure that requires the subframe to be removed from a 2001-2005 optima (ms) (V-6...
- Kia: all models. article provides information relating to the improved durability of bulb life for rear...
2001 Kia Optima fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4‑cyl | FWD | 18-19 | 24-26 | 20-21 |
| 2.5L 6‑cyl | FWD | 17-18 | 23-24 | 19-21 |
What 2001 Kia Optima owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
My airbag light on and I've check the fuses in it,Not it,,, My AC,. The drivers door lock , Oxagen senser Crank Shaft,
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 kia optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for scheduled maintenance, when the vehicle was placed on the lift, the mechanic noticed that the sub frame was severely rusted and the determined that the vehicle should not be driven. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnosis. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. *tt
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 kia optima. While driving 15 MPH, the front passenger side wheel completely detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the subframe was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The contact was aware of the federal safety agency campaign number: 09v183000 (suspension). The failure mileage was 100,000.
I took my car for a state safety inspection and was told the engine cradle was beginning to show rust. I took it to a second provider who confirmed that this was the case. After doing some research I found that rusting of the subframe had been recalled but not for the state I live in (virginia).
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 kia optima. While driving approximately 30 MPH in the rain, the vehicle swerved to the right. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front end needed to be aligned. The vehicle was not repaired because the front subframe was corroded and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was made aware of the federal safety agency campaign number: 09v183000 (suspension); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 kia optima. The contact stated that while the vehicle being inspected by an independent mechanic, the mechanic stated that the axle had fractured due to severe corrosion on the motor mount brackets. The contact was made aware of the federal safety agency campaign number: 09v183000 (suspension). The manufacturer was contact and informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 236,000.
Got in car to go home noticed car steering was terrible as if I was on ice in the middle of sept. Got out to see if I was experiencing a flat tire noticed the two front tires weren't lined up correctly. After getting to a garage and having the two front tires removed it was found that the front subframe on passenger side of car had rusted and broken!!!! It needed replaced. I haven't been able to do so as of yet :( something needs to be done about all these 2001 optimas that are still on the street in desperate need of recall. I could of easily have wrecked and injured myself or someone else.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 kia optima. While performing maintenance on the vehicle, the vehicle was lifted and the contact noticed that the subframe of the vehicle was corroded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was confirmed that the sub frame of the vehicle was indeed corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 123,000.
The front k frame of the vehicle is rusted and makes loud noise while driving. This has affected the alignment of the vehicle, and can cause a road accident or fatality.
Compare the 2001 Kia Optima
Optima vs Honda AccordOptima vs Ford FusionOptima vs Chevrolet MalibuOptima vs Toyota CamryOptima vs Hyundai SonataOptima vs Nissan AltimaOptima vs Volkswagen PassatOptima vs Subaru Legacy
Other model years
20012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020
Questions about the 2001 Kia Optima
Is the 2001 Kia Optima reliable?
Owners have filed 143 complaints about the 2001 Kia Optima, fewer than a typical Optima model year.
What is the 2001 Kia Optima year score?
The 2001 Kia Optima scores 81 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Kia Optima: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 Kia Optima?
Body and structure, with 35 complaints, typically around 95,200 miles. Next is suspension (28).
How many recalls does the 2001 Kia Optima have?
3 recalls, covering suspension, electrical system and air bags.
What gas mileage does the 2001 Kia Optima get?
Official estimates for the 2001 Kia Optima range from 19 to 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.4L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 18-19 city and 24-26 highway.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2001 Kia Optima?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history