2002 Kia Optima electrical complaints

Filed Jan 8, 2007 · Electrical · 40,000 miles · OH

Wiring to the drivers' side body lights blows the fuse. Fuses last only a few days.

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 Jan 7, 2005 · Electrical, Lights · 52 miles · WA · crash

While driving my 2002 kia optima, my stereo,headlights,dashlights would cut out while driving. I took it in to a kia dealership, the instructed me to get a new battery. I did, and that did not fix the problem. On saturday, january 1rst,2005 I was driving down the freeway doing about 60 MPH, my car lost all power and stalled in the middle of the freeway. I could not warn other drivers behind me because my hazard lights would not turn on, I had no electrical power to my car. It almost caused people behind me to slam into me. Since the dealership was closed on sunday, I took the risk of going to the store, and once again I lost all power to my car hitting a near by garbage can and denting the front left side of my car. I took it into kia of tacoma, they told me to get a tune up. Not liking that answer, I had it towed to kia of puyallup..they are unable to find the problem and want me to come pick the car up and drive it around again. After researching this on the internet, I found there are many other people that this is happening too, and there has not yet been a recal on this car. This car is a danger to my life, and others around me. Something needs to be done about this right away before it costs somebody their life.

Filed Aug 19, 2004 · Electrical · 11,800 miles · NY

While driving, a burning smell was detected, then the air bag light came on. After pulling into a service station the vehicle would not start. It was discovered the alternator, computer and air bag module was defective. After the repair the air bag light remained on.