2002 Kia Optima brakes problems

Filed Nov 27, 2013 · Body, Brakes · 137,858 miles · MO

We have had ongoing problems with a 2002 kia optima, including tire wear, brake problems, electrical issues, excessive battery wear. This week we were notified by our auto shop that there is excessive rust on the subframe and that a recall exists for this condition. When I contacted both our local dealer and kia corporate, I was told that this particular VIN is not included in the recall, although the recall clearly states that it does meet the parameters. Upon further research, it appears that many others have experienced the same problems and been given the same information. Currently, we are left with a car that is a danger to drive and enormous personal expense to resolve.

Filed Jun 16, 2012 · Brakes · 129,000 miles · PA

Upon routine inspection of vehicle, my repair garage noted that brake lines were quite rusted, and stated that they could fail suddenly. Is this common or uncommon in a 10 year old vehicle?

Filed Jun 3, 2010 · Brakes · 89,323 miles · NV

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 kia optima. She stated while driving at speeds of 30 MPH, the brakes were applied and would not engage. The contact utilized the emergency brakes in order to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility where it was discovered that the master cylinder had fractured. The mechanic replaced the master cylinder at the owners expense. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileages were 89,323. Updated 08/03/10. *lj the rear wheel cylinders, rear brakes and rear drums were replaced. Updated 10/12/10

Filed Aug 1, 2005 · Airbags, Brakes · 44,185 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

Dt: 2002 kia optima lx. There is an electrical problem with the vehicle. The lights will start to flicker, and then the vehicle will lose power and shut everything down. When the temperature was around 80-90 degrees and at long distances this problem will happen. The dealership changed the battery twice, the alternator twice, the main wiring harness, and the main computer for the vehicle. This still did not fix the problem. Consumer took vehicle back to the dealership when the power wentout on 7-14-05. This caused consumer's vehicle to run a stop sign , and hit another vehicle, causing both vehicles to be totaled. The brakes went out as a result of the power outage, and could not stop the vehicle. Also, there was no steering. The vehicle was not overheating. The airbags did not deploy. Everything electrical failed with the vehicle. The fire department disconnected both batteries to prevent fire from happening. When they did this it deleted all the codes that would have told dealer what the problem was. The mechanic said that there was battery acid all over the computer, they still were unable to identify the problem. The electrical problems have been happening since purchase. Consumer has contacted the kia manufacturer at least ten times, complaint numbers for the first was 24306, on 7-18-03, and the last was on 9-13-04, complaint . 56482. When the consumer contacted the manufacture after the accident they said they wanted a copy of the police report and pictures of the vehicle after the accident.

Filed Mar 29, 2005 · Brakes · 45,300 miles · MI

Recent catrostropic failure of the emerngency brake

Filed Jan 27, 2005 · Brakes · 47,000 miles · NY

When braking vehicle vibrated severely. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the consumer that the front brake rotors and pads needed to be replaced due to excessive wear.

Filed Oct 19, 2004 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 64,399 miles · AL

Consumer stated the alarm system failed . As a result, a child was trapped inside because the vehicle doors locked.*ak vehicle was in park and starting to slip out of park an roll while child was trapped inside of the vehicle.

Filed Jul 31, 2004 · Brakes · 55,000 miles · PA

Rotors warped, not worn out, warped completely around 55,000 miles. Car has a 60,000 mileage/5 year bumper to bumper warranty and kia will not honor it. Contacted langhorne kia service dept. And was told that I was lucky that they lasted so long. I was informed that kia changed the way they make the rotors and that the new rotors heat quickly causing them to warp when the milage is usually under 30,000 miles.

Filed Jun 7, 2004 · Brakes · 23,668 miles · CA

I bought a used kia optima 2002 in january of 2003. It had about 23000 miles on it. We took a trip to lake tahoe in feb.2003 and on the ride home every time I braked comming down the mountain the car would jerk and shake violently. When we got home I took the car into the dealer and they repaired it for me after I pleaded and argued with them. Less than 8 months later the same poblem started happening again so I took my in and they automaticaly placed the blame on me. They told me that I must be driving my car way to hard and don't know how to properly apply the brakes. That came from the service department manager. They then told me that thay are not reasponsible for repaires that are caused by bad driving. We'll here it is less than four months later and I'm about to pay another $700 for a problem that is not my fault and my brakes are the worst yet. Oh and by the way the last time that I had my car fixed they refused to show me the parts that they took off my car. Said that it is unusual to show the parts to the owner. I find that strange. Someone needs to refresh them on the laws. When I purchased my car I also purchased a 5 yr bumper to bumper warrenty which is good until 82000 miles and my car know has 47000 and about to go through its third complete brake job.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Airbags, Brakes · 6,000 miles · RI · crash · 1 injury

Purchased car brand new on april 30, 2003 - incident #1: july 15, 2003, I was traveling about 30-35 miles per hour exiting the mass pike exit at route 30. All traffic was slowing to exit - I applied the brakes - went all the way down - realized that the breaks were not working - panicked - impacted the vehicle in front of me. The airbags did not work. Incident #2: august 8, 2003, when vehicle was repaired the owner of bucci's auto body took the car in the parking lot for a test drive. At about 15 miles per hour - when brakes were applied the front freezed up and the back pushed forward to create a lunge forward effect. I contacted kia motor america in irvine, ca and have a complaint file number. After about 1 month of doing nothing I demanded, on august 8th, that they tow the car from the body shop to boch kia (where the car was purchased)and check out the master cylinder/proportionate value system. They did so and on august 12th I was told that an engineer looked at the car and found nothing wrong. Kia refuses to stand accountable and alledges that the vehicle has no problem. I am forced to drive a car that has bad brakes until 2 more incidents happen in order to proceed under the massachusetts lemon law. Every model of kia in 2002 has had hydraulic as well as ABS break failure. Seems to me that kia needs to redesign the braking system - or - perhaps try this new tag line in advertising: kia - buy our car - just don't ever have to stop fast!