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2001 Kia Optima body problems

35 complaints (24% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 95,200. 2 crashes reported.

owner complaints
35
of this car's complaints
24%
typical mileage
95,200
crashes
2
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Frame and members
    21
  • Body
    5
  • Frame and members: underbody shields
    4
  • Body: door
    3
  • Body: trunk lid
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Kia Optima body problems in other years

20012005201020152020

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2001 Kia Optima owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 29, 2018 · Body · 90,000 miles · MO

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

Filed Aug 9, 2016 · Body, Wheels · 100,000 miles · MS

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.

Filed Aug 2, 2016 · Body · 130,000 miles · VA

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).

Filed Dec 15, 2015 · Body, Suspension · 190,000 miles · IN

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.

Filed Sep 17, 2015 · Body · 123,000 miles · NJ

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.

Filed Nov 18, 2012 · Body, Suspension · 210,000 miles · SC · crash

As I was leaving my neighborhood, my car drifted to the right and fell on top of the right front tire. After inspection of the car, we noticed that there was a hole in the subframe where the suspension broke apart. Insurance informed me of recall sc075 and not kia. Insurance will not cover because of recall and kia will not cover because they did not recall it, they say.

Filed May 2, 2011 · Body, Suspension · 113,400 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns 2001 kia optima. The contact stated that the federal safety agency campaign id number: 09v183000, suspension: front was related to the corrosion on the front sub frame of his vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who sprayed an under coating on the bottom to cover the rust, corrosion and replaced the sub frame. After routine maintenance, he found the entire bottom of the vehicle including the fuel well covered with rust again. The vehicle was not taken back to the dealer. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 113,400.

Filed Sep 27, 2010 · Body, Brakes · 50,000 miles · ME

The front frame and many components of my 2001 kia optima have completely rusted out. It currently has 50,000 miles on it and has had many problems since I purchased it. Check engine light is pretty much on every day. I was told it was something to do with the gas cap, although that never really came up as the reason, there was more than that- resulting in multiple repairs. The o2 sensor has gone twice, the brakes have corroded so badly my repairman had to hit them off to remove them. I had to replace all of the brake lines since they all rusted out. The airbag light goes on and stays on and noone can figure out why. The silver trim on the back window has fallen off. The paint comes off in random places making weird spots of primer show. The transmission has almost caused an accident numerous times because the car would not accelerate from a stop. Speed sensor was replaced twice. The same headlight goes out almost monthly and is almost impossible to put in and find in stores. Door locks will lock and unlock on their own, locking me in or out of the car. The windows have very weak motors that barely roll up or down. This is a car I bought from a dealership and am still making payments on it. I have taken excellent care of it. I have brought it in for regular service and have spent more than the car is worth on repairs while still making car payments and keeping full coverage insurance. I am very upset because the frame has rotted out and I was told to junk the vehicle by bill dodge kia service and then again by the gentleman doing my state inspection today. Kia states there is no recall currently on my VIN #. I find that difficult to understand. I believe this vehicle should be replaced or all the parts that have corroded should be completely replaced free of charge by kia motor co.

Filed Feb 19, 2010 · Body · 113,000 miles · TX

Kmc's recall campaign no. Sc075 the sub frame on our kia optima 2001 has rusted through this caused the lower control arm and strut to collapse inward pinning the wheel at 45 degree angle and damaging the tire. The car is undrivable. Kia says they will only honor the damages in a northern state.... That uses road salt but we live on the gulf coast that is also a slat hazard area.

Filed Jan 4, 2010 · Body, Suspension · 138,000 miles · KY

While driving my 2001 kia optima on north interstate 65 to indiana, in four lane traffic my kia right front wheel nearly came off due to corrosion of the sub-frame and lower wheel control arm causing separation. My husband and I could have both been kill along with many other people. I loved my car and I praise the kia, now they don't care about me or other people in kentucky. They want fix my car but most of the states around my state is doing so, they are thousands of recalls on all other car's I am sending a letter to the president of the u.s.a. I will not stop until ky or kia is allowing vehicle in ky not be in the recalls. Tells me people in ky just don't matter to kia or ky , we are people to, and this car would have last me a life time I am sure if this had not happen. Just because my VIN number was not in the system , even though 2001 - 2004 kia optima has been recall ky lags behind and does not care about me. My car is just junk now and I can not buy another. I will continue to spread the word about how they are treating me I will never give up.

Questions about the 2001 Kia Optima body

Does the 2001 Kia Optima have body problems?

Owners have filed 35 complaints about the body of the 2001 Kia Optima, 24% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2001 Kia Optima body problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 95,200 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2001 Kia Optima body?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Kia Optima have the most body problems?

The Kia Optima model years with the most body complaints are 2013 (127 complaints), 2015 (76 complaints) and 2014 (48 complaints).

Other 2001 Kia Optima problems

Suspension 28Airbags 27Engine 26Electrical 17Locks 15Brakes 14Transmission 12Acceleration 7Seat belts 5Visibility 5Wheels 5Fuel system 3Lights 3Seats 1Steering 1Tires 1

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