2006 Kia Optima: key fob or push-button start problems

Filed Jul 10, 2013 · Locks · 78,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 kia optima. The contact stated that the front driver's door failed to unlock whenever entering or exiting the vehicle. The power locks neither would release open with the use of the key fob nor when attempting to engage the locks manually. The driver exited the vehicle from the front passenger's side. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.

Filed Feb 9, 2013 · Body, Electrical · 61,300 miles · FL

I was trapped inside the car when the drivers door would not open by activating the inside door handle, the inside door unlock lever or the remote key fob. When I used the door handle nothing happened. When I pressed the inside door unlock lever I could hear the power unlock mechanism activate but the door would not open. Nor would the door open when the remote key fob unlock was pressed even though I could hear the unlock mechanism activate. The door latch would not release and allow the door to open. I had to crawl across the front console to exit the car thru the passenger door. Due to the small size of the car this could easily have been impossible with an injury or for an elderly person. In case of a fire where the only exit was thru the drivers door this would be a fatal component failure. After exiting thru the passenger door I tried to unlock the door with the key but the latch would not release the door. I tried pressing and releasing the remote unlock with and without the key multiple times using multiple combinations of the door handle, door unlock lever and remote key fob, nothing worked. This is a very dangerous situation. The door handle and door key should always function to allow exit from the car.

Filed Nov 3, 2011 · Electrical · NC

I own a 2006 kia optima. When I use the remote key fob to unlock the doors they unlock. Then when I pull on the handle the driver side, it automatically locks. If I am inside the car and hit the unlock button it unlocks but when I pull the handle it locks again. I can get out the passenger side. My car was bought new in 2006 so it is out of warranty. The failure and current mileage is 4400.

Filed Aug 22, 2011 · Locks · 35,000 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 kia optima. The contact stated that when using the remote key fob to unlock the doors, the vehicle would respond but once the contact physically pulled on the driver side door handle, the vehicle would automatically lock. The dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure but denied assistance with repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 35,000.

Filed Aug 4, 2011 · Locks · 63,000 miles · AZ

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 kia optima. The contact stated that the drivers side door lock would not disengage. The contact tried to unlocked the door manually, with a key, and the key fob and it failed to unlock. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 63,000.

Filed Feb 25, 2008 · Body, Fuel system · 2,000 miles · KS

I bought a new 2006 kia optima ex in apr 2006. Sept 2006 the key fobs quit working and the pass side back seat does not secure itself in place at the bottom of the seat and stay/taken to a dealership and fixed. July 2007, the key fob again quit working/taken to the dealership and I was told a tsb was out on this problem and they would replace the receiver which was done. Nov 2007 after the tsb supposedly was taken care of, again the key fob quits working/dealership has again reprogrammed to work again and currently they continue to work. This car handles extremely poorly and in my opinion is a safety risk. It seems to have a pretty loose suspension and a lot of swaying when driving. The car pulls hard to the left causing one to have to hold the steering wheel tight to keep it from taking nearly a 45 degree left turn while driving. When applying the brakes, the car pulls both left and right/usually left. When driving over a smooth dip in the road, it feels the front tires actually leave the ground slightly causing the steering wheel to vibrate right/left quickly. This vehicle also handles extremely poorly on icy roads. This is without any question the worst handling vehicle I have ever driven...concerns me as I drive on the highway about 35 miles to work one way daily, and drive in windy as well as snow and icy conditions fairly frequently. At about 15,000 miles, the latch on the gas door doesn't want to stay closed after you fuel up and the electronics that operate the side view mirrors intermittently do not work. Feb 2008, my car reached 30,000 miles and when washing it last week, I noted an area of paint peeling off on the driver's side door trim (black), as well as the chrome paint starting to bubble. I took pictures of both of these areas. Since driving this car off the showroom floor, it has been garaged at both work and home. Last week (feb 2008), driver's side seatbelt quit retracting.