Skip to main content

2001 KIA Optima

3 recalls Risk Grade: D- Most severe issue: High Priority

All recalls are free to repair at your local dealership. Contact your dealer to schedule service.

Known Safety Recalls

High Priority #09V183000 Plain English
Component

SUSPENSION:FRONT

Manufacturer
KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
What Happened
Your vehicle's front suspension system has a part called the front subframe, which is at risk of corroding due to road salt in certain states.
Risk if Unfixed
If the subframe corrodes, it could separate, which might cause a car accident.
Free Fix
Kia will contact you and fix the issue for free. You should contact Kia's consumer assistance center at 1-800-333-4542 to schedule a repair.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
KIA MOTORS CORPORATION (KMC) IS RECALLING 36,538 MODEL YEAR 2001-2004 OPTIMA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ROAD SALT APPLIED IN THESE STATES DURING THE WINTER MONTHS MAY RESULT IN PROGRESSIVE, INTERNAL CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME. OVER TIME, SUCH SUBFRAME CORROSION NEAR THE CONNECTION TO THE LOWER CONTROL ARM CAN LEAD TO WHEEL MISALIGNMENT AND/OR OTHER NOTICEABLE STRESS IN STEERING, OR ACCELERATED ABNORMAL TIRE WEAR.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME COULD LEAD TO SEPARATION, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Original — Remedy
KMC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 15, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA'S CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #01V156000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

Manufacturer
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
What Happened
Your vehicle's side air bag wire harness might be mis-routed, which could damage it. This could lead to the side air bag not deploying in an accident.
Risk if Unfixed
If the wire harness is damaged, the side air bag might not work properly in a crash, which could increase the risk of injury.
Free Fix
A Kia dealer will check and secure the wire harness properly. If it's damaged, they'll replace it at no cost to you, and you'll be notified starting in May 2001.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SIDE AIR BAG WIRE HARNESS FOR THE DRIVER POSITION COULD BE MIS-ROUTED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN IT BEING PINCHED OR CUT BY THE SEAT CUSHION TILT MECHANISM.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
DAMAGE TO THE WIRE HARNESS COULD RESULT IN THE SIDE AIR BAG NOT DEPLOYING IN AN ACCIDENT.
Original — Remedy
DEALERS WILL CHECK FOR PROPER ROUTING OF THE SIDE AIR BAG WIRE HARNESS AND SECURE IT IN PLACE WITH A PLASTIC TIE-WRAP. IF THE WIRE HARNESS IS DAMAGED, IT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Moderate #03V067000 Plain English
Component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY

Manufacturer
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
What Happened
Your vehicle's starter assembly has a faulty crankshaft position sensor case that can crack a critical electrical component, causing engine stalling.
Risk if Unfixed
If left unfixed, a damaged sensor could cause your engine to stall, which can happen while driving, potentially leading to a loss of power or even an accident.
Free Fix
The dealership will replace the crankshaft position sensor assembly at no cost to you. You can schedule an appointment with an authorized dealer and have the repair done for free.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5 AND 2.7 LITER V6 ENGINES, THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR (CKP) CASES DID NOT MEET DIMENSIONAL SPECIFICATIONS.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
INTERNAL GAPS WITHIN THE CASES ALLOWED EPOXY TO CONTACT THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD, WHICH RESULTED IN CRACKING OF THE CIRCUIT BOARD CAPACITOR. A DAMAGED CKP CAPACITOR COULD RESULT IN ENGINE STALLING.
Original — Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CKP. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 28, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →

Browse by Component

SUSPENSION
1 recall
AIR BAGS
1 recall
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 recall

Other KIA Optima Years

2019
1 recall
2018
2 recalls
2017
3 recalls
2016
5 recalls
2015
4 recalls
2014
7 recalls
2013
9 recalls
2012
5 recalls
2011
5 recalls
2010
1 recall
2009
1 recall
2008
3 recalls
2007
2 recalls
2006
2 recalls
2004
1 recall
2003
2 recalls
2002
3 recalls

Related Pages

2001 Hyundai Sonata Recalls 2001 Toyota Camry Recalls 2000 KIA Optima Recalls 2002 KIA Optima Recalls All KIA Recalls KIA Optima Recall History