no report yet
Suspension: front
Risk. CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME COULD LEAD TO SEPARATION, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
2001 Kia OptimaProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 143 owner complaints about the 2001 Kia Optima, most often about the structure. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 26, 2024. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2001 Kia Optima has problems
143 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
35Structure2 crash/fire/injury
28Suspension1 crash/fire/injury
27Air bags12 crash/fire/injury
24Engine and engine cooling
17Electrical system
15Latches/locks/linkages
12Power train
12Service brakes, hydraulic
7Vehicle speed control
3513 other systems3 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 35 | 2 |
| Suspension | 28 | 1 |
| Air bags | 27 | 12 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 24 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 17 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 15 | 0 |
| Power train | 12 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 12 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 1 |
| 13 other systems | 35 | 3 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2001 Kia Optima recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Electrical system: starter assembly
Risk. INTERNAL GAPS WITHIN THE CASES ALLOWED EPOXY TO CONTACT THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD, WHICH RESULTED IN CRACKING OF THE CIRCUIT BOARD CAPACITOR.
no report yet
Air bags: side/window
Risk. DAMAGE TO THE WIRE HARNESS COULD RESULT IN THE SIDE AIR BAG NOT DEPLOYING IN AN ACCIDENT.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Kia.
Mileage at failure
When do structure problems start?
95kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 31 structure complaints. 52% were reported before 100,000 miles.
1under 30k miles16under 100k miles15100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2001 vs. every other Optima year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Optima median. How we score
'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2001 Kia Optima, and the recalls they led to.
- POWER DOOR LOCK FAILURENo recall
- POWER DOOR LOCK FAILURENo recall
In owners' words
What Optima owners report
Recent structure complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED ON THE LIFT, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND THE DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN.…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER…
I TOOK MY CAR FOR A STATE SAFETY INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS BEGINNING TO SHOW RUST. I TOOK IT TO A SECOND PROVIDER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THIS WAS THE CASE. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THAT RUSTING OF THE SUBFRAME HAD BEEN RECALLED BUT NOT FOR THE STATE I LIVE IN (VIRGINIA).
Own a 2001 Optima?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.