3rd Nov 2005, 04:19

Well I have the V4 version. It's a 2002 model and its been fine. I've had not one problem with it as such. Except for a mechanic who didn't tighten my ac belts and due to the fact that I converted the car to gas.

It's a brilliant all rounder car.

17th Nov 2005, 22:19

To the comment above: Kias do not come with V4 engines. They do however come with inline 4-cylinder engines. Just wait until your 4-cylinder decides to start stalling and sputtering. Your timing belt will probably go prematurely too!

2nd Jan 2006, 11:15

I have a 02 LX v6 and it has 196k on it with no problems. Of course I had the regular tune ups and it runs great.

1st Apr 2006, 21:19

Again, I say the V6 is FINE! The 4-cylinder is the engine to be avoided. The stats show that the 4-cylinder model is not as durable as the V6. The 4 starts every time, but it seems the problems are always there. Update: my friend is now experiencing a very bad power steering fluid leak that has been appraised at over $200 to fix. Pitiful for such a new car.

1st Jun 2006, 13:25

I purchased a 2001 KIA Optima over 5 months ago. A sensor in the transmission went out after the 1st month costing about 280 dollars to repair. The airbag light was on, but the mechanic fixed that for free when fixing the transmission sensor. The Fuel gauge is not accurate, the radio comes back on when the key is removed. A month later the airbag light came on again and is still on. I am impressed with the handling of the car on the road, the horsepower is more than adequate and the fuel mileage is a little over 25 MPG highway. So far a pretty good used car all in all. The timing belt has not been replaced yet at 76000 miles. I was however very upset when I attempted to change the spark plugs and wires. Apparently the intake manifold needs to be removed in order to access the back 3 spark plugs.

6th Jun 2006, 13:36

Update: At less than 100,000 miles, my friend had to have their transmission rebuilt and one of the A/C hoses has failed. The power steering pump is also still leaking. The transmission cost them $1,400 to rebuild, the A/C hose is going to be about $250 to fix, and the power steering leak has to wait because the part to fix it is on backorder! Too many problems for such a new, well-maintained, low-mileage car.

24th Jul 2006, 14:51

Well I recently bought my 2001 KIA Optima from an auction, the car runs great, but the timing belt is worn and the pulleys are loose. The silver trim on the rear door is off, but other than that I honestly think the car is worth it's price. I'm glad I read other people's comments and I'll be sure to get those other parts checked out also.

20th Jan 2007, 14:14

I have a 2001 Optima LX with the 4. It is the most unreliable car I have ever had. It will not start when it is cold. I have to put power steering fluid in every morning. The airbag light stays on. The interior lights turn off every time I turn on my blinker. Stereo sounds good though. I was going to keep it, but with the amount I have to pay to fix it I can buy a better car. I think the car is a recycled Pepsi can.

29th Jun 2007, 16:50

I bought an 05 Optima last year. The second week I had to replace struts. My airbag light stays on. I have to get it fixed every 2 months! I'm fed up with it. I love the car and it is so pretty, but pretty won't help me beside the road!

10th Sep 2007, 09:25

We have a 2001 Kia Optima; nothing but trouble since the day we got it. It started with the clock not working and the windows being off track, plus the check engine light stayed on. I took it back to the dealer and the mechanic said he had fixed them. Well 2 days later, the same things continued to happen. Then I ended up stuck along the road due to a sensor malfunction. That was replaced, but it just so happened to be a faulty sensor, so once again it had me stuck along the side of the road.

None of the windows stay on track; I had to replace a wheel hub; the power steering system leaks from a main hose (which will be expensive to replace), and the transmission isn't working properly. Never again will I purchase a Kia and if you want nothing but trouble, go and get one. Unreliable.

I am disappointed because we put so much money into this car and it is still sitting in front of my house, undrivable, and we still have to make payments on it. There is no way out of this deal now unless I really want to ruin my credit entirely.

29th Oct 2007, 12:55

2002 Kia Optima LX.

(1) Kia factory sunroof was leaking water, but Kia refused to fix the sunroof even though it was still under warranty.

(2) timing belt broke off and busted a transmission mount, the broken transmission mount put strain on the others and all had to be replaced.

(3) car has a constant shake that is unable to be fixed. Spent over $1200.00 to fix, and still shakes.

(4) car was hit on the side by another car going like 20 miles and hr and did over a $1,000.00 worth of damage. The cars metal crumbled like a tin can being stepped on.

(5) headlights have been replaced. have to replace the bulb every 3 months. currently high beams work, low don't.

(6) doors automatically lock and unlock while parked/ being driven.

(7) window regulator cable has broken 2 times and cost $180.00 to fix both times.

(8) window had faulty molding that stopped windows from powering up and down.

*the list continues, but I seriously don't have the time to list everything. just be weary of certain foreign cars. if I could have forseen these issues when I first got the car, I would have gotten a grand prix or something.

4th Nov 2007, 22:40

I have a 2004 Kia Optima and have had a belly full of problems, air bag light fixed 4 times on again, check engine light goes on and off something to do wtih gas cap, front doors on both side stuck at times even when open, dents very easily, have changed every bulb, light, fuse in the car in the last 2 yrs. I really thought I was getting a good deal, but all I got was a car that is falling apart inside and out.

27th Dec 2007, 15:43

Well that's what you get for buying a Kia. I only buy GM cars. I buy them with 30,000 to 100,000 miles when they are 3-5 years old and keep them until they have 300,000 miles. Yes that's miles, not kilometers. I keep my cars quite a while. My last one that I sold was a 1991 Firebird with a V6 and 4spd OD Automatic, with 300,000 miles it sold for $1995 in one week. That car never needed a timing belt, it has a timing chain. The only thing that went on the car was the computer at 170,000 miles and costed $200. That's all.