2001 Kia Optima: check engine light

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 Apr 6, 2009 · Acceleration, Brakes · 14,000 miles · ME

Since purchasing my 2001 kia optima, I have had nothing but difficulty. I purchased an extended warranty at the dealership I purchased it from in case I needed repairs. I got my money's worth. But the problems I had are common problems with the vehicle, locks not working, windows not rolling up, paint peeling off, transmission problems, check engine light constantly on, decreased acceleration, heat surges when gas pedal released and pressed and the list goes on. It is not hard to find other kia owners with the same problems. The repair that bothers me the most is the complete transmission it needs. There is 41,000 miles on the vehicle. Common problems that are widely known and should be repaired at an authorized dealer at kia motor company's expense.

Filed Dec 29, 2006 · Electrical · 40,000 miles · NY

I purchased my car in 2001 new. I had many problems since then. The alternator and axles had to be replaced in 2005. The locks are malfunctioned. They automatically lock causing us to get locked in the car. The check engine light and the air bag light has been on for a while. The car stalls, jerks when I am driving. The car failed inspection novembeer 30-emissions related. The power steering pump had to be replaced in october. I have spent so much money repairing this car. I took the car to the dealer. I purchased it from kia /bronx. My car was there for 4 days. The service mechanic refused to make the repairs and told me to pick up my car. The car was not repaired and I am still unable to get it inspected. I called the manufacturer. They are of no help. They tell me to take the car to another dealer. They also keep reminding me that the basic warranty has expired and the warranty only covers the powertrain. However, if there is a problem with the transmission, they may ask for maintenance records. The car is clearly unsafe to drive. I recently found out that there are two recalls on the 2001 kias which I was never informed about. The two recalls may be the problems my car is having. I am classifying my car as a lemon and would like help in resolving this issue

Filed Aug 3, 2006 · Airbags, Brakes · 87,000 miles · CA

When I first brought the car and drove it, the lights became dim in the inside and the headlights. The radio turned off and on, took it to dealer 4-5 times for problem and they could find nothing wrong. The car doesn't pick up spend when going over hills not even little ones. The gas needle does not read full even when the tank is practically overflowing with gas. Reading a full tank of gas happens every once in a while. Check engine light comes on . Have taken to shop and was told that my spend sensor is going out and that is why the car is going from 1st to 3rd gear and skips 2nd altogether I've only had the car for one year the warrinty is gone and I was never offered the extended warrinty and really didn't think of it since the car was only 4 yr old. Back brakes have also gone out at least I think so they started grinding with no warning 2 days ago I'm going to have them checked this weekend. Air (never used befoe this summer)doesn't get cold like it should. Door lock making a crazy sound on drivers side, believe the motor is going out on power locks they also tend to not want to unlock sometimes. Atenna broke.air bag light came on and won't turn off. Also how can I find out if any recall items have been fixed on my car or not or if they still need to be replaced.

Filed Mar 1, 2005 · Engine · DC

Driver noticed that the check engine light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the pcv pipe needed to be replaced, and replaced it. However, the problem recurred. While driving 25 MPH vehicle stalled. The driver was not able to restart vehicle, and it was towed to a dealer for inspection. Mechanic determined that the cam shaft position sensor needed to be replaced and replaced it. However, the problem recurred.

Filed Jul 21, 2004 · Electrical, Engine · 8,264 miles · MI

I purchased my brand new car on august 31,2001. I started having electrical problems 9 months after I bought it. I now have a list of problems from electrical to check engine light, fuel sensors, 2 new batteries etc. I have a long long list of repairs that nobody can seem to fix. I am told the problem has been fixed and then my check engine light comes back on and I am told there are additional problems. Meanwhile, I have been stranded on the highway due to these problems, I have had to be towed out of my own driveway to due the electrical problems. I have tried numerous times to tell kia corporation that I do not feel safe driving this vehicle any longer and nobody is listening. The general manager of the dealership I bought the vehicle from even agrees and feels this car to be very unsafe and dangerous to drive. I have tried to talk to joe petazoni(spelling) who is supposed to be a kia representative that would decide what to do, he has been no help at all. I feel that kia corporation should buy back my vehicle because of all the unsafe issues I have had. I feel I bought a lemon and if I can't get anywhere with the company, I will be forced to contact the states attorney's office regarding this lemon of a vehicle!!!!! I have left messages for debbie wojciechowskii and she will not return my calls. I have told the people at 800-333-4-kia how unsafe I feel and nobody puts that information into the system.

Filed Jun 24, 2004 · Airbags, Body · VA

While driving at any speed, the check engine light appeared on the dashboard intermittently. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealership for inspection, but the dealer was unable to resolve the problem. *ak the button on the shift lever popped out. The warning light had come on due to an open circuit and the seal on the gas cap was deformed, there was a rattle coming from the rear ash tray, the front window was inoperative due to a tangle wire in the drum, there were engine/electrical problems due to the oxygen sensors and crank sensors, the ABS light had come on, the console lid was loose due to cracked screw holes, there was a body electrical problem with the driver side regulator, there was poor sound in the radio due to an open circuit. *sc the air bag light illuminated.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Brakes, Engine · IN

I don't have the exact dates of these repairs as my car is at the dealership right now being looked at again and I am going to get a history when I pick up the car, here are the issues I've had since spring/summer of last year. We have lost time, money, wages and possible employment because of these problems! 1. Air conditioner seemed very cool, but not cold. Checked two or three times, each time service dept. Said it was fine. 2. Car died and wouldn't restart without a jump 3 times. Called towing twice. Service could not "recreate the problem." third time they replaced the battery. Seemed to fix the problem temporarily. Fourth time (current) car had to have the headlights replaced once a month, windshield wipers, door locks locked and unlocked on their own when entering/exiting the car, windows rolled up/down slowly, blower on air went up and down with engine speed, lights behind console go out and come on periodically, clock loses time, headlights dim when using power, radio flashes on and off. Today total system failure, all electrical systems went down while driving. Towed car to dealership. Have to pay out of pocket rental fees. Still waiting on result. 3. Loud rattling underneath car periodically. 4. Whistling in engine 5. Check engine light came on periodically. 6. Antenna broke and then fell off. 7. Suspension very poor. 8. When purchasing car, dealer stated air bag recall had been fixed on car. When looking online, found another recall on the car, called kia and they said the air bag repair had not been made. I've only had this car for 17 months and have had nothing but problems. Currently in contact with lemon law laywers in indiana to get total refund for car. Only physical problem right driver door panel from small non-fault accident, no internal damage.

Filed Oct 23, 2003 · Fuel system · NC

Approximately 2 months after purchase, the gas dial would not read full even when the tank was practically overflowing with gas. Took to the dealer who said it was corrected, however periodically it will go weeks without reading a full tank of gas. Check engine light comes on periodically for no reason at all. Have taken to dealer who can not find problem in system.

Filed Oct 12, 2003 · Engine · 54,000 miles · GA

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 tell owner to contact insurance company because there is sand/sugar in gas tank that has caused all of these problems. They claim the car falls out of warranty because of this. Customer disagrees that sand/sugar is cause because problems have persisted for four months. Car currently in shop for past 10 days. Dealership service area will not do any more work until insurance people come. Needless to say the customer is not happy.