Crankshaft Position Sensor problems of the 2004 Kia Motor Optima

Two problems related to crankshaft position sensor have been reported for the 2004 Kia Motor Optima. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2004 Kia Motor Optima based on all problems reported for the 2004 Optima.

1 Crankshaft Position Sensor problem

Failure Date: 10/10/2010

I was commuting. I gave my car regular oil changes and tune ups. Then the engine coils went out. The car would not go over forty. Replaced that. Heard funny noises coming from the engine. The car was at 70k at this point. The manufacturers warranty said to replace the timing belt at 110k. So I decided to hold off as that probably wasn't the problem and a manufacturer wouldn't lie to me as they are regulated by the government. Then I am driving and the car dies in the middle of a busy intersection. I get the car towed. The timing belt is changed and there are half the teeth left on the timing belt. How is the car still running you may ask? it is a magical car and is like the little train that could. Then I am driving on a busy scary mountainous highway and the car dies again at a blind corner. No check engine light but there are plenty of cars that want to hit me. The car turns back on. The fear for my life and those around me has subsided for a moment. The car is able to turn back on. . . Somehow. The check engine light stays on. The crank sensor is the problem. The crank sensor was then fixed. This car is a hazard to have on the road. The air bag light has also been on for a year and won't go off. I have had to replace engine coils, door locks, trunk alignments and probably some other things that made me fear for my life. The speedometer also broke and said I was going 0 mph when it was really 80 mph. As of right now the car is running okay. I expect by next October that something will go wrong as that is the month that everything does with this car.

2 Crankshaft Position Sensor problem

Failure Date: 07/22/2007

On July 22, 2007, I was on my way back home from my anniversary trip when my car just shut off. We tried several times to get the car restarted with no luck. Since the car is still under warranty, we call for roadside assistance which falls under the warranty. Well 3-1/2 hours later a tow truck showed up. Unfortunately for me, it was not called by kia. He just happened down the road at the time. So I had to pay $250. 00 to have my car towed home to avoid storage fees at the dealership. The next day the kia dealership had the car towed to the dealership where they changed the crank sensor and timing belt. Two weeks later the car started having idling problems. The car would shut off if left to idle. The car jerked when taking off and it sounded like the engine was bouncing around under the hood. So I had it taken back to the dealership to have it fixed. It is now 2 weeks later and my car is still at the kia dealership. They have called me 4 times to come get the car it is ready. No it was not!!! so 4 times I drove an hour to the dealership and an hour home to go down to the dealership, crank up my car, realize it still had the same problem, give them back the keys, and drive home. I am now at the point where kia can keep the piece of t and either give me my money back on my supposedly new car or give me an actual new car. I have had enough!!!@!.




Safety Ratings of Optima Cars
Fuel Economy of Optima Vehicles
Optima Defect Investigations