Recalls, complaints, and safety data from NHTSA
The 2001 Kia Optima has 3 recalls, 143 complaints.
3
Recalls
143
Complaints
N/A
Safety Rating
Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated April 8, 2026
01V156000
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SIDE AIR BAG WIRE HARNESS FOR THE DRIVER POSITION COULD BE MIS-ROUTED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN IT BEING P...
03V067000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5 AND 2.7 LITER V6 ENGINES, THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR (CKP) CASES DID NOT MEET DIMENSIONAL SPECIFIC...
09V183000
SUSPENSION:FRONT
KIA MOTORS CORPORATION (KMC) IS RECALLING 36,538 MODEL YEAR 2001-2004 OPTIMA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONN...
No NHTSA safety ratings available for the 2001 Kia Optima.
| Date ↓ | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 28, 2023 | AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | My airbag light on and I've check the fuses in it,Not it,,, My AC,. The drivers door lock , Oxag... |
| May 16, 2021 | AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS | My air bag light has been on and I've check everything and my seat belt don't lock when its on and t... |
| Oct 26, 2018 | STRUCTURE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPEND... |
| Aug 6, 2016 | STRUCTURE,WHEELS | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL COMPLET... |
| Jul 30, 2016 | STRUCTURE | I TOOK MY CAR FOR A STATE SAFETY INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS BEGINNING TO SHOW RUS... |
| Nov 23, 2015 | SUSPENSION | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE BEING INSPECTED BY... |
| Oct 21, 2015 | SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE VEHICLE ... |
| Sep 26, 2015 | STEERING | GOT IN CAR TO GO HOME NOTICED CAR STEERING WAS TERRIBLE AS IF I WAS ON ICE IN THE MIDDLE OF SEPT. GO... |
| Aug 27, 2015 | STRUCTURE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE PERFORMING MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WAS... |
| Jul 3, 2015 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | THE FRONT K FRAME OF THE VEHICLE IS RUSTED AND MAKES LOUD NOISE WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS AFFECTED THE... |
| Nov 10, 2013 | AIR BAGS | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2001 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINA... |
| Feb 8, 2013 | SUSPENSION | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER... |
| Oct 25, 2012 | SUSPENSION | 2001 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SUB-FRAME RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER BELIEVED HE W... |
| Oct 17, 2012 | SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE | AS I WAS LEAVING MY NEIGHBORHOOD, MY CAR DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT AND FELL ON TOP OF THE RIGHT FRONT TIR... |
| Oct 4, 2012 | SUSPENSION | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE ... |
| Aug 13, 2012 | ENGINE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR A ROUTINE ... |
| Apr 3, 2012 | SUSPENSION | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT M... |
| Mar 6, 2012 | SUSPENSION | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN T... |
| Dec 16, 2011 | SUSPENSION | WHILE DRIVING IN A NEIGHBORHOOD, MY DAUGHTER HEARD A LOUD "POP" AND THEN THE CAR CAME TO A STOP AND ... |
| Dec 1, 2011 | SUSPENSION | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN THE FRONT ... |