2004 Kia Optima Latches & Locks Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN AND CLOSE. AS THE FAILURE PROGRESSED, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ENTER AND EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 7/16/15*CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK MALFUNCTIONED AND WOULD NOT UNLOCK, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK WHEN ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE FOR THE REAR DOOR WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LOCKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

I HAVE A 2004 KIA OPTIMA LX 4 DOOR SEDAN, THE FRONT DOOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE YOU CAN NOT LOCK AND UNLOCK I HAVE TO LEAVE THE DOOR PANEL OFF SO IF IT GETS LOCKED, YOU HAVE TO TAKE A SCREWDRIVER AND PUSH UP THE LITTLE ROD THAT LEADS TO THE LATCH. BELIEVE ME I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER KIA OPTIMA OR ANY KIND OF A KIA IN MY EYES THEY ARE JUNK . ESPECIALLY WHEN THIS JUNKY CAR ONLY HAS 87,000 MILES. *TR

IT STARTED WITH DOORS WILL LOCK AND UNLOCK AUTOMATICALLY WHILE DRIVING, THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE 2012, THEN THE PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK AT TIMES SINCE 2012. THEN ON 2-28-15, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK. I HAD TO CLIMB THROUGH THE BACK SEAT AND THE CONSOLE TO GET TO THE DRIVER SEAT. THEN ON THE 3-02-2015, DRIVER'S DOOR, THE PASSENGER DOOR AND THE REAR BACK DOOR COMPLETELY REFUSED TO UNLOCK. THIS IS VERY SCARY, IN FACT, I ALMOST BROKE MY RIGHT FOOT WHILE CLIMBING INTO THE DRIVER SEAT FROM THE BACK SEAT THROUGH THE CONSOLE, BECAUSE MY RIGHT LEG WAS CAUGHT ON THE PASSENGER SEAT HEAD REST. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO LATCH AND LOCK FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COULD ONLY ENTER AND EXIT THE VEHICLE BY USING ANOTHER DOOR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LOCK ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

I WENT TO UNLOCK MY 2004 KIA OPTIMA AND THE DRIVERS DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. REPEATED ATTEMPTS FAILED. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS FORUMS AND THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR! THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THE CAR IS ONLY 10 YEARS OLD! IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURS, I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE RESCUED. KIA NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. *TR

MY DRIVER SIDE LOCKS WILL NO LONGER UNLOCK CORRECTLY. SOMETIMES IF I JIGGLE EVERYTHING TOGETHER JUST SO I CAN GET IT TO UNLOCK FROM THE OUTSIDE. HOWEVER, ONCE INSIDE IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET THE DOOR OPEN. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE, IF I LOCK MY CAR IT TAKES ME FOREVER TO GET BACK IN TO IT. I HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT MY CHILDREN ARE STANDING OUT IN THE HEAT WAITING ON ME AND NOT BAKING IN THE CAR WAITING FOR ME. IF I AM IN AN AREA AFTERHOURS, I AM MORE AT RISK OF HAVING SOMETHING HAPPEN. IN ADDITION, IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT OR IF I NEED TO EXIT CAR QUICKLY, IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE AS I HAVE TO CLIMB OUT OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE. I CURRENTLY HAVE A LOT OF SHOULDER AND NECK PAIN FROM LIFTING MYSELF FROM ONE SEAT TO ANOTHER. I HAVE LOOKED UP THIS PROBLEM ONLINE TO SEE IF THERE IS SOMETHING I CAN DO AND I AM FAR FROM THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS EXPERIENCED THIS EXACT ISSUE. THEY HAVE BEEN OFFERED NO HELP OUTSIDE OF GO TO THE DEALER AND GET IT FIXED FOR $300 - $700. THIS IS A FAULTY MANUFACTURED PART, NOT JUST NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I REPLACED MY BRAKE PADS A COUPLE WEEKS BACK ON THE SAME CAR, THAT'S NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE POWER LOCK WOULD NOT UNLOCK THE DOOR AND IT COULD NOT BE OPENED MANUALLY FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,628.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE CONTACT OPENED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW AND OPENED THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ENTER THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS UNLOCKED BUT FAILED TO OPEN AS A RESULT THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 86,200.

WHEN UNLOCKING DRIVERS SIDE DOOR, SAYS ITS UNLOCKED BUT WONT OPEN. WHEN INSIDE OF CAR IF U LOCK DOOR U CANNOT GET OUT USING DRIVERS DOOR. ITS DANGEROUS. AND IT IS EMBARRASSING CLIMBING OVER TO PASSENGER SIDE TO GET OUT. *TR

THE DRIVER'S DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK OR OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. I HAVE TRIED USING THE KEY, THE ELECTRIC LOCKS FROM THE INSIDE AND ALSO MANUALLY. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS DEFECT ON THE INTERNET, IT SEEMS THIS HAPPENS A LOT TO KIA'S AROUND THIS YEAR OF CAR. *TR THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS THE DRIVER IS NOT ABLE TO GET OUT OF OR INTO THE CAR IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY. A DOOR LOCK OF THIS YEAR OF CAR SHOULD NOT FAIL THIS OFTEN OR AT ALL. I HAVE MUCH OLDER VEHICLES THAT HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH NOT BEING ABLE TO GET OUT OF A VEHICLE. *TR

THE LOCK TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT DISENGAGE. I PUT THE KEY IN, BUT THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. I HAVE TO ENTER THE CAR FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ONLINE, THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE FOREFRONT FOR THIS COMPANY TO DEAL WITH. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECALLS PLACED ON THIS VEHICLE. ARE WE SUPPOSED TO WAIT TO SEE WHO DIES FIRST BEFORE THE COMPANY IS FORCED TO DO A RECALL? IF I KNEW THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE, I NEVER WOULD HAVE BOUGHT IT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. AT THE TIME, THIS IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. IT IS PAID OFF, AND I CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER ONE. I CAN'T TRADE IT IN KNOWING THAT THE NEXT PERSON WOULD INHERIT THIS PROBLEM. I, FOR ONE, COULD NOT LIVE WITH MYSELF IF A PERSON DIED AS A RESULT OF NOT BEING ABLE TO GET OUT IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. JUST REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PARTS ON THIS VEHICLE. IT IS A GREAT CAR, BUT THE DEFECTIVE ACTUATOR THAT PREVENTS THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FROM OPENING OVERSHADOWS THE THAT FACT. I WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND ANY OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS, FRIENDS, CO-WORKERS, OR ANYONE ELSE BUY THIS CAR (OR ANY OTHER KIA) UNTIL THIS PROBLEM IS FIXED. THE TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD NEEDS TO STEP IN FAST. WE AS CONSUMERS ARE DOING OUR PART BY REPORTING THESE ISSUES, PLEASE DO YOURS BY PROTECTING THE PUBLIC FROM THIS SAFETY HAZARD. THANK YOU. *TT

THE DOOR (DRIVERS SIDE) WILL NOT UNLOCK. WHEN YOU PULL THE HANDLE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE IT LOCKS AND WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WHICH CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS DURING AN EMERGENCY. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE IN 2003 - 2005 KIAS. I CAN'T BELIEVE THERE HASN'T BEEN A SAFETY RECALL YET MAKING KIA FIX THIS ISSUE ON ALL VEHICLES. MAYBE IT TAKES AN ACCIDENT AND SOMEONE BEING TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND LOSING THEIR LIFE BEFORE THIS IS REPAIRED. I DIDN'T FIND JUST A FEW ISSUES WHEN I LOOKED ONLINE FOR THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING, I FOUND PAGE AFTER PAGE OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME ISSUE ON THEIR KIA. *TR

DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM INSIDE OR OUT. ONLY WAY IN/OUT OF THE CAR IS THROUGH 3 OTHER DOORS. CANNOT USE KEY TO MANUALLY GET IN DOOR. LATCH MECHANISM WILL NOT DISENGAGE. IF YOU ARE INSIDE THE CAR AND TRY TO UNLOCK THE DOOR AND OPEN IT, IT WILL MAKE A SOUND LIKE THE DOOR HAS BEEN UNLOCKED, BUT THEN WILL RELOCK ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. *TR

IN THE CAR WITH THE DOORS LOCKED, PARKED AND DRIVERS DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. TRIED THE UNLOCK BUTTON AND THE LOCKS UNLOCKED AND IMMEDIATELY LOCKED AGAIN. I TRIED SEVERAL TIMES. I TRIED TO ACTUALLY US THE LOCK ITSELF (MANUAL) AND DID THE SAME THING. I ALSO TRIED THE KEYLESS REMOTE AND THIS DIDN'T WORK EITHER. THE LOCKS WOULD UNLOCK THEN RELOCK IMMEDIATELY. I STARTED TO PANIC BUT LEANED OVER TO THE PASSENGER DOOR AND THE MANUAL LOOK UNLOCK JUST THAT DOOR. IF I WERE IN AN ACCIDENT OR IF A CHILD WERE IN THE CAR, THIS WOULD BE A HUGE PROBLEM! I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE CAR AND I HAVEN'T HAD OTHER PROBLEMS WITH IT. I HAVE READ ONLINE AND MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS LOCKED BUT COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOOR WITH THE KEY IN ORDER TO GET THE DOOR TO OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 12/28/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER'S DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK USING THE REMOTE OR SWITCH. ALL THE OTHER DOORS WOULD UNLOCK AND UNLOCK USING THE REMOTE OR SWITCH. UPDATED 01/09/13

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT DOOR FAILED TO OPEN FROM BOTH THE OUTSIDE AND INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THE DOOR LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED REGARDING THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS 71,634.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCKS FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE TRIED TO ENTER THE VEHICLE WITH THE AUTOMATIC KEY FOB BUT THE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE BY MANUALLY TURNING THE KEY ABRUPTLY AND PULLING THE DOOR HANDLE. THE CONTACT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN LOCKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. HE WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE BY CONSTANTLY DEPRESSING THE AUTOMATED KEY FOB UNTIL THE DOOR LOCKS RESPONDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

THE DRIVER'S SIDE WILL LOCK YOU IN THE VEHICLE AND WON'T LET YOU OUT. YOU CAN BE DRIVING WITH THE DOORS UNLOCKED AND IT WILL LOCK ITSELF WHILE IN MOTION OR YOU MAYBE READY TO LEAVE A LOCATION AND CAN'T GET BACK IN THE CAR. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITHIN THE LAST WEEK OF BEING TRAPPED IN MY CAR AND SOMETIMES I CAN'T GET THE LOCKS TO LET ME OUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE EITHER. THIS HAS BEEN A SCARY SITUATION AND I HOPE IT DOESN'T CAUSE SOMEONE TO BE HURT OR KILLED. *TR

DRIVER SIDE DOOR AUTOMATICALLY LOCKS AND WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM OUTSIDE WITH THE KEY OR FROM THE INSIDE UNLOCK LEVER. DRIVER IS TRAPPED INSIDE CAR AND MUST EXIT BY CRAWLING OVER CONSOLE TO PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THIS HAPPENS SPORADICALLY AND IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. IT RENDERS THE CAR UNABLE TO BE LOCKED AT ALL. THERE SEEM TO BE PLENTY OF OTHERS EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM, YET NO RECALL FROM KIA. *TR

THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR ON MY CAR WILL NOT UNLOCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I HAVE BEEN PUTTING UP WITH THIS FOR 4 TO 6 MONTHS NOW. AND GETTING REALLY UPSET PLEASE TELL ME IF THIS IS CONSIDERED A SAFETLY HAZARD AND THIS IS COVERED I REALLY DON'T THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS PROBLEM TO BE FIXED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE ONLY WAY I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET IT TO UNLOCK IS FOR ME TO CRAWL OUT OF THE PASSANGER SIDE. THEN PLAY WITH THE LOCK WITH THEY KEY FOR A FEW DAYS TO HAVE IT UNLOCK. *TR

2004 KIA OPTIMA EX. THE DRIVER DOOR LOCK WILL NOT UNLOCK TRAPPING US IN CAR. MUST CRAWL OUT THROUGH PASSENGER SEATS. DOES NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. LOCKING MECHANISM IS MESSED UP ON DRIVERS SIDE. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR DOES NOT UNLOCK FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE KEY NOR THE KEYLESS ENTRY WOULD UNLOCK THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENTER THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO WAS ABLE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE DOOR BY USING THE KEY. WHEN THE CONTACT LEFT THE DEALER SHE COULD NOT OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DOOR LATCH WAS FAULTY AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA LX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK WHEN USING THE KEY. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENTER THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 42,000. UPDATED 08/05/11*LJ UPDATED 08/15/11

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTIONED. SHE WAS UNABLE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND HAD TO CLIMB IN ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 83,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK ALL FOUR AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS WHICH PREVENTED HER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE ABLE TO UNLOCK THE FRONT PASSENGER AND BOTH REAR DOORS. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK AND THE CONTACT EXIT THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK FAILED AND COULD NOT BE OPENED AUTOMATICALLY OR MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000. UPDATED 07/08/11*LJ UPDATED 07/18/11

DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. HAVE TO CRAWL OVER CENTER CONSOLE, GEAR SHIFT AND PARKING BRAKE HANDLE TO GET OUT THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, WILL BE TRAPPED INSIDE THE CAR. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO BE IN. THERE ARE 23 COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE PLUS NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE WHEN YOU DO A SEARCH. WHAT DOES IT TAKE FOR A RECALL TO BE DONE? KIA SHOULD STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND FIX THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS UNABLE TO BE LOCKED FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE . THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST $200 AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. UPDATED 06/01/11*LJ THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OVER FIVE YEARS OLD, HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS. UPDATED 06/10/11

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK WHETHER USING THE KEYLESS ENTRY FOB OR USING THE KEY TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOOR. IN ORDER TO ENTER THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO CLIMB THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE PASSENGER SIDE DOORS AND THE LOCK WOULD NOT RELEASE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, ALL OF THE DOORS WOULD LOCK INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK ALL DOORS EXCEPT THE DRIVERS DOOR WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED WHEN UNLOCKING THE DOOR WITH THE KEYLESS ENTRY FOB OR MANUALLY WITH THE KEYS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ACTUATOR AND THE LATCH FOR THE DOOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 151,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DOOR LOCK FAILED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, AND ONCE INSIDE THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOCK ACTUATOR HAD FAILED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT BECASUE THE LOCK WAS MANUFACTURERED FROM PLASTIC, IT WAS DESIGNED TO WEAR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,000.

THE DRIVERS DOOR CAN'T BE UNLOCKED IN ANY WAY. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. THE DRIVER CANNOT EASILY EXIT THE VEHICLE.*LN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND LOCKED WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THROUGH THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR BUT THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO CLIMB OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE TO EXIT THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS LOCKED. THE FAILURE ALSO INTERMITTENTLY OCCURRED WHEN TRYING TO ENTER THE LOCKED VEHICLE FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 02/17/11*LJ UPDATED 04/28/11

THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. IT WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM THE OUTSIDE, NOR FROM THE INSIDE. I AM FORCED TO GET INTO AND OUT OF MY VEHICLE THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE AND CLIMB OVER THE CONSOLE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME, IN 2006, THE DEALERSHIP IN GREER, SOUTH CAROLINA, SAID THAT PART OF THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THEY CHARGED ME A LITTLE OVER $300.00 AND KEPT MY CAR FOR 2 WEEKS! I HAD TO RENT A CAR AND PAY FOR IT MYSELF. NOW, I HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE A 5 SPEED OPTIMA. IN ADDITION TO CLIMBING OVER THE CONSOLE, I HAVE THE STICK SHIFT AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO CLIMB OVER AS WELL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE!! SHOULD I HAVE AN ACCIDENT, ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, I WILL BE TRAPPED IN MY CAR. I SEE FROM THE OTHER POSTS ON HERE, I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I AM ALSO SURE THERE ARE OTHERS THAT ARE HAVING THIS SAFETY ISSUE, THAT HAVE NOT REPORTED IT. WHEN IS THE NHTSA GOING TO INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER AND HAVE A RECALL ISSUED??? HOW MANY OF US ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE INJURED AND/OR KILLED BECAUSE WE ARE TRAPPED IN OUR VEHICLE DUE TO THIS? AS I MENTIONED, THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MY CAR. PERHAPS, A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST KIA FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE IS IN ORDER SINCE A RECALL APPARENTLY IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I OWN A 2004 KIA OPTIMA AND I AM RECENTLY EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE EXPERIENCING THESE PROBLEMS BECAUSE I HAVE DONE MUCH RESEARCH ON THE TOPIC. THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE LOCKING MECHANISM. RESULTING IN MANY PEOPLE HAVING TO CRAWL THROUGH THERE WINDOW OR PASSENGER DOOR. IF THERE WAS EVER AN EMERGENCY WHERE SOMEBODY NEEDED TO GET OUT OF THE CAR IMMEDIATELY THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO WHICH COULD BE INCREDIBLY UNSAFE IF THE VEHICLE WAS EVER ON FIRE, SUBMERGED IN WATER, OR IF IN A BAD ACCIDENT IT WOULD TAKE LONGER TO GET THE MEDICAL ATTENTION NEEDED. *TR

THE EVENT THAT LEAD TO THE FAILURE WAS ME SIMPLY LOCKING THE DOOR TO MY 04 KIA OPTIMA TO GO INTO THE STORE. THE FAILURE WAS WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO UNLOCK THE DOOR AND WAS FORCED TO CLIMB OVER THE CONSOLE FROM THE DRIVERS SEAT. IT MOST OFTEN OCCURS WHEN THE DOORS ARE LOCKED FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE, (POWER LOCKS). CAN ONLY UNLOCK VEHICLE TO GET IN OR OUT THROUGH THE PASSENGER OR REAR DOORS. IT'S CONSEQUENCES WHERE DESCRIBED ABOVE. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THIS IS NOT A NEW ISSUE WITH THIS CAR. MY WIFE DID RESEARCH ON WHAT WAS WRONG. IT IS A LOCK MECHANISM THAT CAN ONLY BE PURCHASED FROM THE DEALER. I HAVE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO COULD ONLY TELL ME I WOULD BE REIMBURSED IF THE EVER IS A RECALL. THE PROBLEM IS NOT YET FIXED BECAUSE OF MY RECENT NECK SURGERY. TO FIX THE ISSUE YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE DOOR PANEL. THE PROBLEM HAS YET TO BE FIXED BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE. THE VEHICLE HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT. HOW AM I SUPPOSE TO GET OUT OF ME VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY?????????? OR EVEN WORSE MY WIFE????????????? PLEASE HELP AND DO SOME RESEARCH. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE CONTACT WAS LOCKED IN THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO CLIMB THROUGH THE WINDOW TO GET OUT. THE CONTACT HAD BEEN LEAVING THE DOORS OPEN BUT AFTER A MINOR ACCIDENT, THE DOORS LOCKED AGAIN AND WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE MECHANIC AT THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIX THE DOOR LOCKS BECAUSE IT WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000. UPDATED 12/29/10 *BF UPDATED 01/03/11

HI THERE, 2 WEEKS AGO MY KIA OPTIMA LX 2004 DRIVER DOOR GOT LOCKED OUT AND IT IS NOT UNLOCK ANY MORE. I CALLED DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT IS NOT UNDER THE WARRANTY AND THEY NEED TO ORDER THE PARTS AND I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. I UNDERSTAND THIS. BUT I FOUND LOT OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AND ALL OF THOSE CONSUMER GOT THE SIMILAR KIND OF RESPONSE WHEN THE CONTACT THEIR DEALER. THE QUESTION IS SINCE LOT OF CONSUMERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH SAME MAKE AND MODEL WHY THERE IS NO OFFICIAL RE-CALL. SINCE THIS IS KNOWN ISSUE WITH KIA OPTIMA 2004 WHY CONSUMER NEEDS TO PAY IF THEY DID NOT CREATE A GOOD PART OR MODEL. PLEASE ADVISE. *TR

THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR ON MY 2004 KIA OPTIMA WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE OR FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE POWER LOCK SYSTEM RE-LOCKS THE DOOR WHEN I ATTEMPT TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. TO ENTER OR EXIT THE VEHICLE, I MUST CLIMB OVER THE CONSOLE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AND USE THAT DOOR. THE PROBLEM BEGAN ABOUT 80,000 MILES ON THE CAR. SO FAR THERE HAS BEEN NO CRISIS, BUT IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE OR SUBMERSION IN WATER, IT COULD LEAD TO MORE HARM SINCE EXIT THROUGH THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR ISN'T POSSIBLE. *TR

KIA OPTIMA 2004. DRIVER-DOOR LOCKED UP. WOULDN'T OPEN. CAN'T OPEN THE DOOR EITHER FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. I HAD TO GET OUT OF THE CAR FROM PASSENGER DOOR. WINDOWS CAN'T BE OPENED! *TR

2004 KIA OPTIMA (ALTHOUGH ALL MODELS AND YEARS ARE AFFECTED) - FRONT DOOR LATCH DEFECTIVE (RESEARCH SHOWS BOTH SIDES AFFECTED; THIS COMPLAINT IS SPECIFIC TO PASSENGER-SIDE); DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. COSTLY TO FIX; MANUFACTURER AWARE OF DEFECT. SAFETY HAZARD; IN THE EVENT ACCIDENT INVOLVING DRIVERS' SIDE, NO WAY TO EXIT VEHICLE; WOULD INHIBIT SUCCESSFUL RESCUE ATTEMPTS. THERE IS NO REASON FOR THE CONSUMER TO HAVE TO SHOULDER THE COST OF REPAIR DUE TO POOR QUALITY PARTS OR WORKMANSHIP. THIS IS NOT ONLY A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT ALSO A WIDESPREAD DEFECT, AS EVIDENCED BY NUMEROUS INTERNET BLOGS ON THIS SUBJECT, AND DEALER ACKNOWLEDGMENT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED SHE USED THE KEYLESS ENTRY SWITCH TO UNLOCK THE AUTOMATIC POWER DOORS. WHEN SHE REACHED FOR THE DOOR HANDLE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE, THE DOORS INDEPENDENTLY LOCKED. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS, SHE WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR AND ENTER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THE CONTACT STATED THE ONLY WAY TO ENTER THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE DRIVER'S DOOR WAS TO PULL ON THE DOOR HANDLE WHILE UNLOCKING IT MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 76,000.

THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OF MY 2004 KIA OPTIMA LOCKS BACK EVERYTIME I UNLOCK IT AND TRY TO GET OUT . THIS IS AN ISSUE FOR ME AND A SAFETY DEFECT AND I AM AFRAID OF NOT BEING ABLE TO GET OUT OF MY CAR. ALL OF A SUDDEN ONE DAY I STOPPED AT THE SERVICE STATION TO GET GAS AND TRIED TO OPEN THE DOOR AS FAST AS IT UNLOCK IT WOULD LOCK BACK TRAPPING ME INSIDE THE VEHICLE I HAD TO BEG SOMEONE TO HELP ME OUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE INTERNET AS THERE ARE OTHER CONSUMERS JUST LIKE MYSELF HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND WE ARE ASKING KIA TO DO A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IT TO BE A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE DOOR ITSELF. I TRIED TO OVERRIDE IT BY TURNING THE KEY AND PULLING THE LATCH AT THE SAME TIME UNTIL I GOT IT TO UNLOCK AND I LEFT IT UNLOCK AND THEN RIDING IN THE CAR ON THE NEXT DAY IT AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED AND I FREAKED OUT THANK GOD MY HUSBAND WAS THERE BECAUSE I HAD TO PULL OVER AND GET OUT OF THE CAR AND THIS IS THE THIRD DAY AND IT WON'T OPEN. I CANNOT STAND THE FEELING OF BEING CLOSED IN. I CANNOT AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED AND I NEED TO BE ABLE TO USE MY CAR PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND SEE IF IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE. THANK YOU *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS PERMANENTLY LOCKED AND COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE FROM THE FRONT, PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND CRAWL OVER THE MIDDLE CONSOLE TO GET INTO THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS MECHANICAL. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 48,015. UPDATED 10/27/10. *LJ

2004 KIA OPTIMA 140,000 MILES. THIS FAILURE HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING. I FIRST NOTICED WHEN I TRIED TO UNLOCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE KEY WAS HARD TO TURN AND THE UNLOCK BUTTON MOVED SLIGHTLY. UPON PULLING THE HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR THE LOCK AUTOMATICALLY MOVED TO THE LOCKED POSITION AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. THIS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY. FROM INSIDE THE CAR, IF YOU MANUALLY LOCK THE CAR OR IF THE AUTOMATIC LOCKS ENGAGE WHILE DRIVING YOU CAN NOT OPEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR BY ANY MEANS. THE LOCKING MECHANISM FAILURE CAUSES 3 SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES. 1) PREVENTS THE OPERATOR FROM ENTERING THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION 2) THE DRIVER CAN NOT LOCK THE DOOR FOR PERSONAL SECURITY WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THIS WILL PERMANENTLY LOCK THE OCCUPANT INSIDE. 3) THE POTENTIAL THAT AN OCCUPANT WOULD BE LOCKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE DURING AN EMERGENCY AND PREVENTED FROM ESCAPING THE VEHICLE. FROM THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS FOR KIA VEHICLES THIS WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A SERIOUS INJURY OR A FATALITY IF THIS ISSUE IS NOT ESCALATED TO A FULL RECALL OF THE LOCKING MECHANISM. THIS SHOULD BE AN IMMEDIATE RECALL FOR MODELS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO 2001-2005. *TR

DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH THE KEY, USING THE INSIDE HANDLE OR ELECTRIC LOCK CONTROL. THE DOOR CONSTANTLY RELOCKS WHEN YOU TRY TO UNLOCK WITH THE KEY OR THE TOGGLE LEVER INSIDE THE CAR. IT WILL NOT OPEN IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. EVEN TRIED TO DISABLE THE ELECTRIC LOCK BY REMOVING THE FUSE. THE ELECTRIC DOORS DID NOT WORK BUT THE DOOR DID RELOCK WHEN I TRIED TO OPEN WITH A KEY (MUST BE ON ANOTHER CIRCUIT - MAYBE SECURITY). LARGE NUMBER OF IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

THE DOOR LOCK TO THE 2004 KIA OPTIMA HAVE DEFECTS THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD WARRANTY. HEY GO BAD FROM 40 MILES ALL THE WAY BEYOND ALSO THE SEAT BELTS DO NOT RECOIL WHEN TAKEN OFF THE BODY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THEY WERE UNAWARE OF A REMEDY THAT WOULD CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 35,000.

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, DRIVERS SIDE CAR DOOR WON'T UNLOCK. HAS BEEN REPLACED AND SERVICED MANY TIMES. NOW IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I'VE DONE RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. OBVIOUSLY IF YOU CAN'T GET IN AND OUT OF THE DRIVERS DOOR (FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE) IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW YOUR FINDINGS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION IN LOOKING INTO THIS MATTER! I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. I UNDERSTAND IT IS THE LOCKING MECHANISM THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, BUT HOW MANY TIMES DOES IT HAVE TO BE REPLACED BEFORE IT IS FIXED--THAT IS THE QUESTION. [XXX] *TR

IN JULY 2008 THE LEFT FRONT DOOR LATCH MECHANISM MALFUNCTIONED ON MY 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THIS MALFUNCTION MADE IT UNABLE TO BE UNLOCKED. AS THE LOCKING FUNCTION OF THIS MECHANISM WORKS BY MOVING THE LATCH OPENING LEVER OUT OF POSITION, THIS MALFUNCTION MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE OCCUPANT TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM INSIDE. THIS PRESENTS A HAZARD TO THE OCCUPANT IN CASE OF CRASH OR FIRE. THE LATCH WAS REPLACED WITH A REPLACEMENT UNIT. IN DEC 2009, THE REPLACEMENT LATCH MALFUNCTIONED AND HAS EXHIBITED THE SAME CHARACTERISTIC PROBLEMS. I HAVE NOT HAD THE $ TO REPLACE IT AGAIN. A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH HAS REVEALED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS SHARED BY MANY KIA AND HYUNDAI OWNERS. I HOPE MY WIFE AND KIDS ARE NEVER IN A CRASH AND CANNOT EXIT THE CAR. *TR

THE DRIVER DOOR FAILED TO OPEN BY USING THE KEYLESS ENTRY OR MANUALLY. YOU HAVE TO CLIMB OVER THE PASSENGER SEAT TO GET INTO OR OUT OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE DRIVER'S DOOR WILL NOT EVEN OPEN USING THE HANDLE FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. THERE IS NOT A CHOICE OF NOT HAVING IT FIXED OR NOT. YOU DON'T HAVE THE OPTION OF NOT USING THE KEYLESS ENTRY SINCE THE DOOR WILL NOT WORK MANUALLY. KIA DOES NOT HAVE THIS UNDER WARRANTY SO YOU ARE FORCED TO REPLACED BOTH THE LATCH AND THE ACTUATOR. THE CAR HAD TO TAKEN TO A KIA DEALER TO BE SERVICED UNLESS CLIMBING OVER THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS THE WAY YOU WOULD CHOOSE TO ENTER AND EXIT THE CAR. *TR

THE FRONT DOOR LOCK ON OUR 2004 KIA OPTIMA WILL NOT UNLOCK, YOU CANNOT UNLOCK IT FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE CAR, AND THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN; THEREFORE, YOU MUST CLIMB TO THE OTHERSIDE OF THE CAR TO EXIT OR CLIMB OUT THROUGH THE WINDOW, WHICH I BELIEVE CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. NOONE WOULD BE ABLE TO REMOVE YOU FROM THE CAR IN THE EVENT OF SERIOUS INJURY, FIRE OR A WATER RESCUE. THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP SHOP TOLD US THAT IT WAS A FAULTY DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR AND A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT DID NOT OPEN THE DOOR FOR US. THEY ESTIMATED THE COST TO REPAIR AT $200 PLUS LABOR. IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, THEN THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS CAR, ESPECIALLY DUE TO THE UNSAFE NATURE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. WHEN ENTERING THE VEHICLE WITH THE REMOTE ACCESS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE CONTACT PROCEEDED TO OPEN THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WITH THE KEY, BUT THE VEHICLE STILL WOULD NOT UNLOCK. SHE HEARD THE LOCKS CLICKING IN AN ATTEMPT TO OPEN, BUT THE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLATCH. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ENTER THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WITH THE KEY OR REMOTE ENTRY. SHE WAS FINALLY ABLE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE BY MANEUVERING THE LOCK. THE CONTACT IS UNABLE TO LOCK THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT MAY NOT OPEN AGAIN OR SHE COULD BECOME LOCKED INSIDE. SHE CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT WOULD COST $300 TO INSPECT AND REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED BECAUSE THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

DRIVER SIDE DOOR WON'T UNLOCK. WENT THROUGH A PERIOD WHEN IT WOULD LOCK/UNLOCK NORMALLY, THEN PERIODICALLY WE HAD TO UNLOCK WITH KEY AND PULLING DOOR HANDLE AT SAME TIME, NOW THE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK AT ALL. *TR

DRIVERS DOOR LATCH WILL NOT OPEN UP. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE USED THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE DOORS, ONLY THE REAR DOORS UNLOCKED. THE FRONT DOORS ALSO FAILED TO UNLOCK FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. SHE HAD TO CLIMB IN THE VEHICLE FROM THE BACKSEAT. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WILL NOT UNLOCK AND HAVE BEEN LOCKED OUT OF THE VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CONSUMER FURTHER STATED THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND HAD TO LEAVE DOORS UNLOCKED FOR FEAR OF BEING LOCKED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 08/29/07 *TR