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2001 Kia Optima: doors won't lock, open or latch

10 of the 143 complaints about the 2001 Kia Optima describe doors won't lock, open or latch.

owner complaints
10
of this car's complaints
7%
recalls
0
Is there a fix? 1 service bulletin covers this area of the car. See below

Doors won't lock, open or latch by model year

What owners say

Filed Nov 28, 2023 · Airbags, Engine · CA

My airbag light on and I've check the fuses in it,Not it,,, My AC,. The drivers door lock , Oxagen senser Crank Shaft,

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 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 Sep 7, 2005 · Locks, Transmission · 100 miles · NY

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 because the problem recurred. *ak

Filed Feb 19, 2004 · Airbags, Electrical · CA

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.

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 Sep 15, 2003 · Electrical · MO

Problems with battery, alternator and electrical systems.*mr consumer had numerous failures and repairs and the results didn't work. Once the electrical system failed, the consumer was trapped inside the vehicle for one and a half hours because the doors locks malfunctioned due to the alternator shutting down. The doors wouldn't unlock. The consumer would like a refund. *ph

Filed Jul 11, 2003 · Locks, Transmission · FL

Vehicle transmission slips while driving.*mr the air condition, auto check light and automatic door locks do not remain unlocked trapping the driver.*ts

Filed Aug 17, 2001 · Body, Electrical · 5,000 miles · KY

Power door locks would lock and unlock by themselves trapping the driver. The engine would stall. Both would occur intermittently/simutaneously. Vehicle was taken to dealer shop, and had computer module replaced. Feel free to provide any further information on this matter.

Filed Aug 3, 2001 · Electrical · KY

While driving 40-50 MPH door locks engaged numerous times, then vehicle stalled. Vehicle has been at dealer since then. Safety theft protection lock system needed to be replaced, and was on backorder, according to dealer. Please add further comments.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the 2001 Kia Optima door locks

Is doors won't lock, open or latch a common problem on the 2001 Kia Optima?

10 of 143 owner complaints about the 2001 Kia Optima (7%) mention doors won't lock, open or latch. The model year with the most reports is 2004.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2001 Kia Optima?

There are 0 recalls and 1 service bulletin for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2001 Kia Optima

Airbag light 17Stalling 13Ball joint 10Check engine light 10No deployment 9Grinding brakes 6Headlights 5

All model years of the Kia Optima

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