4th Mar 2008, 09:05

We bought a 2002 Kia Optima with the 2.5L 4-cylinder motor and it hasn't been a ton of trouble EXCEPT for the timing belt quitting at 68,000 miles. When I looked inside the timing belt cover at the dealership, I noticed that there was what appeared to be some antifreeze that had leaked out of the water pump, (which is by design, since the water pump has a little hole where the fluid is SUPPOSED to "weep" from,) and it had gotten inside the timing assembly and caused the belt to go, hence the motor is blown due to a zero-tolerance timing system.

The dealership wants to give us $2,000 for the old vehicle in trade, and here I am dickering over STICKER prices on pre-owned vehicles that they bought at auction. I called the 800 number and they didn't want to do anything, but bicker over "maintenance" and that if I had changed the belt at 60,000 miles as they recommend, it would not be a problem.

Why does a car's timing belt die at 60,000 miles?!?

I've owned lots of other cars that went well over 150,000 miles and have never had to replace a timing belt or water pump.

At least those other cars didn't have a self-destruct mechanism in the water pump.

21st Apr 2008, 21:13

I have a 2001 Kia Optima LX with 98k miles. Worst car I have ever owned. Personally I believe it was built cheap with the idea of residual income in maintenance.

The transmission is shot (stuck in 3rd), the parking brake light is on (the parking brake is not on).

The rear window is broken.

The ABS is broken.

The armrest is broken.

The 12 volt adapter is broken.

A headlight broke (recently repaired).

Folks, I am a civilian F-18 mechanic, I can maintain my automobiles. But this vehicle is out of hand. The worst part, I cannot obtain an aftermarket or manufacturers repair manual.

9th Feb 2009, 11:37

I owned a 2001 LX model V6. The car is fantastic. There is a few issues, but nothing compared to other used cars that I had in the past. The issues are:

Had to replace the transmission output sensor twice. It seems like it only last for about 30K miles.

Replace fuel tank sensor. 2005 44k (fuel gauge was off)

Replace both head light bulbs once in 2007.

Had to tighten up drivers side windshield wiper.

Replace battery in 2005 at 44K miles.

Car runs great has 98400 miles on it. No problems with the engine at all. Have not replaced the timing belt as yet. The car is very dependable, there was never a time that it did not start. Will keep forever.

13th Feb 2009, 23:11

I have a Kia Optima. Not sure what it is; the motor says V6, but it says 4 cylinder on title and LX on the car, but anyways, I bought it in 2006 for $7000, and in October 2008 it went kapoohy on me. The motor locked up and the transmission was slipping before it died. The check engine light and air bag light stayed on.

I bought it because I had got pregnant and needed a family car. Now Feb 2009 I have 2 babies and no car. So I am so screwed. Should I fix the Kia or buy something else, really can't afford something else, but may have to figure something out. What do you think huh?

Oh yeah, headlights go out all the time. Have been pulled over several times for 1 headlight.

9th Mar 2009, 15:42

I own a 2001 Optima LX V6. I love the car. I have put 20k miles on it in three months, not one problem.

I mean when I bought the car for 600 bucks, of course it needed an alternator, and new brakes. I also replaced the factory head unit (stereo) and swapped out the on board computer for an aftermarket one sent from a high performance place in Korea.

Besides that, the car runs perfect get 32 miles on the highway, and it's a heck of a lot better than the Dodge Neon I had. That thing was a money pit. My next car will most certainly be a brand new KIA Optima, probably an SX.

25th Mar 2009, 12:27

I own a 2006 Kia Optima LX 2.4L with 80,000 miles put on it in the past two years. So far it's been a great car with just normal maintenance, oil changes and headlights.

I drive for a living, and the Kia has taken me from Florida to Texas and back several times.

The only serious problem just happened; the timing belt went bad (teeth stripped off) @ 80,054 miles, apparently they're good for only 50k-75k, which is kinda disappointing. I owned an Chevy Astro with over 300k on it.

6th Apr 2009, 17:41

Bought a 2001 Kia Optima new. No real problems.

Headlights seem to go out frequently (bulbs need replacement)...anyone know why?

30th Apr 2009, 20:04

I had a 2001 KIA Optima LX. I hated it we bought it brand new in 01. Within 3 years it had fuel line problems, then we got that fixed and it was good till 2007.

Then it had acceleration problems, and when the car was on and not moving, it would jerk forward.

Then in 2008, the airbag light turned on, then the alternator went, so paid 600 bucks for that, then the air intake went, so got that fixed for 300 bucks.

The new alternator killed the battery, so got a new one for 150 bucks, then the new battery shorted out the headlights, so got new ones.

It had transmission problem. It was going to cost 4000 bucks, so we didn't get that fixed because that would coast more than what's the car worth.

So on December 23, 2008, we got in a car crash at 35 mph. It was totaled and the air bags did even deploy, so DO NOT BUY THIS CAR!!! It is the worst car ever, but I heard the 2006 V6 is a big improvement.

p.s. This car only had 36,000 miles on it when it was wrecked.

4th Jun 2009, 15:05

I own a 2002 KIA OPTIMA, and have had a good experience with it. After about 4 years I have fixed a few things such as the alternator needed new carbons, which had to be used by using one from a Hyundai and modifying it.

When the alternator busted, it did a little damage to the timing belt, so I had it replaced; the belt was about $100, and it was about $150 to have it installed by a local mechanic in Costa Rica.

I also replaced the battery, tires as normal, and the small bulbs on the head lamps, which are about $6 each several times.

The transmission has had a thump since I bought it, but doesn't seem to affect driving, it does it sometimes.

I also replaced a power steering hose once.

Yesterday as I was driving, my car went off and would not turn on. I am trying to figure out what the problem may be. The battery and the starter, the alternator, the gas pump all seem to be working properly.

There seems to be no electricity getting to the spark plugs. If anyone has an idea of what may need to be fixed or replaced, let me know at attorneykearney@yahoo.com

Thank you,

Lic.Gregory Kearney Lawson.

attorneykearney@yahoo.com

http://costaricare.blogspot.com