2003 Kia Optima Other Problems
4 owner-reported other complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Owner Complaints (4)
When temperatures drop to 32°F or below, your car's doors lock automatically and won't unlock, trapping you inside or locking you out. The doors cycle between locking and unlocking repeatedly, even when using the physical key rather than the key fob, making the vehicle inaccessible until the temperature rises above 32°F. This has occurred every winter, creating a serious accessibility problem in cold weather emergencies. A technician will need to diagnose and repair the door lock actuator system and potentially reprogram the locking mechanism.
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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. *TR
MY FRONT PASSENGER DOOR HAD BECOME COMPLETELY STUCK CLOSED AND WONT OPEN. THE LOCK MECHANISMS WORK FINE FOR ALL FOUR DOORS STILL AS WELL AS THE WINDOWS.
THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE TIME IT TOOK TO GET THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS. *BF *SC