Drivers side door will not unlock with key or inside door look switch. This is a real safety hazzard.
2003 Kia Optima: doors won't lock, open or latch
48 of the 141 complaints about the 2003 Kia Optima describe doors won't lock, open or latch.
- owner complaints
- 48
- of this car's complaints
- 34%
- typical repair cost reported
- $350
- typical mileage
- 88,000
- 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
Drivers side door will not open if locked when closed. Mechanism works fine to lock and unlock when open, however. A part in the lock assembly appears to be rotating too far and getting stuck. As a result, the door cannot be opened if locked when the door is closed or the driver will have to climb out of the passengers side door or through the window.
My main issue is the door lock on the drivers side. I can not open my drivers side door from inside or outside the vehicle. This is a major issue and the problem has been all over the internet for years. Everyone that I know that has a 2003 and 2004 kia optima has the same problem. I bet every vehicle kia sold for these years has this problem. My other issue is I am unable to fill my fuel tank as I normally could do. I have to trickle the fuel in the tank because if I pump it too fast the pump will cut off. I've even had the fuel spill out of the tank before the tank was even full (it was at about 3/4 full). Please demand that kia recall these problems. I can't believe it's taking this long for this recall to be issued. I just found out about this form and that is why I have taken so long to process this form. Thanks and I hope that you can help asap. [xxx] ps. As of today my vehicle has approximately 53,000 miles. I've driven it in one winter so far (last winter) and it started having the door lock problem at around 33,000. The fuel issue started around 2 years ago. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 kia optima. When utilizing the interior and exterior front passenger side door handles, they failed to operate properly. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 177,526.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 kia optima. The contact stated that while parked, the door lock failed. The contact attempted to use the fobik and could lock the doors, but they failed to unlock. The contact had to unlock and lock the doors manually. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 98,000. Updated 02/12/16*lj updated 4/23/18*jb
The problem with this make and model of car is with the door locking mechanism. It started in april with a problem with the drivers side front door. When you unlocked the doors with the key fob, all the doors would unlock, but when you grabbed the handle of the door to open it, all the doors to the car would lock.it cost me $350.00 to get that fixed. Now the passenger side front door will not unlock, either from the inside or out. The key fob won't unlock it, nor manually using a key. This is a serious defect that I think kia should be fixing. What if someone was unable to get out of the car in a serious wreck, and was killed, or seriously injured? I talked to the kia dealership, but they are not interested, because my warranty period is over.
Drivers door is jammed locked. The remote works the locks move with remote and key. The door does not open. Multiple complaints on kia forum regarding door locks.
The auto door lock would snap shut from inside or out. My daughter have to crawl through the passenger side.
The door will not unlock with a key fob, key or manually. You are literally locked in the car and cannot open the door to get out. This is horribly dangerous and if you were in an accident you could not get out of the car. Please help get a recall on this part. This car is not safe.
I had parked at the grocery store one night and my car door wouldn't shut. It appeared as though the latch was stuck in a position that wouldn't catch. Finally, after lifting the door handle and pushing the door shut, it stayed closed. When I came out of the store, I found that the driver side door would not open. I tried using the key and the automatic lock features, but neither allowed for the door to open. I now have to exit and enter in the passenger side door. If I were to get into an accident, I would be trapped.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 kia optima. The contact stated that the drivers side door locked and she was unable to unlock it manually or by using the key fob. She was forced to climb into the back seat in order to exit the vehicle. When the failure recently recurred all of the doors failed to unlock. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the technician replaced the locks; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000 and the current mileage was 90,000. Updated 2/11/14*cn the consumer stated the trunk and ignition would not unlock. The ignition and trunk lock was replaced. Also, the alternator, fuel tank sensor and timing belt were replaced. The high beam lights would come on, when she made turns.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 kia optima. The contact stated that the front passenger's side door would not open. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated that the door actuator would have to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000. Updated 01/07/14
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2003 Kia Optima door locks
Is doors won't lock, open or latch a common problem on the 2003 Kia Optima?
48 of 141 owner complaints about the 2003 Kia Optima (34%) mention doors won't lock, open or latch. The model year with the most reports is 2004.
How much does it cost to fix doors won't lock, open or latch on the 2003 Kia Optima?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $350 (median of 5 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2003 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 2003 Kia Optima
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2003 Kia Optima?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history