general problems of the 2004 Kia Motor Optima - part 1

The contact owns a 2004 kia Optima. The contact stated that the driver's side door failed to unlock. The contact was able to gain access after several attempts. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 101,000.

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.

The contact owns a 2004 kia Optima. The contact stated that the driver side door failed to unlock or open. The contact had to get in and out of the vehicle by using the passenger side door. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 138,000.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The driver side door will not unlock.

The contact owns a 2004 kia Optima. The contact stated that after turning the vehicle off and attempting to exit the vehicle the drivers side door would not unlock and could not be opened. The contact also indicated that the front drivers side door could not be unlocked from outside of the vehicle. The door failures had occurred on multiple occasions. The air bags sensor light remained illuminated indicating that the air bag system was faulty. The failure was not diagnosed nor was the vehicle repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,000.

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.

Driver side door will not open, stuck in locked position. Can't get out of car unless go over to passenger side door.

Drivers side door latch failed and would not unlock from inside or out side. Had to exit the vehicle through passenger side door. Very dangerous if there were an emergency. I have seen many complaints online about this issue with the same make, model and approx. Mileage as mine. Kia needs to issue a recall before some one gets hurt.

I own a 2004 kia Optima purchased brand new. I have been unable to unlock (or open) the driver side door. The vehicle has never been in an accident. The problem accorded a few weeks ago when I attempted to unlock my car door. Once I removed my key and lifted the handle to get in all of the doors lock. I had to enter through the passenger side door. The drivers side door will also not open from the inside. This is a safety hazard as if I get into a car accident I will be trapped inside and could die!! I am not the only person with this issue for this make and model. And it appears that the 2003 model has the same issue. . Read more...

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.

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.

The contact owns 2004 kia Optima. The contact stated the passenger front door lock failed to unlock electronically or manually. The air bag warning light also remained illuminated. The drivers door lock also failed at 41,000 miles; however, the actuator was replaced. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for the passenger door or the air bag warning light. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 41,000. The current mileage was 64,000.

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.

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.

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/lj updated 08/15/11.

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/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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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/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.

Driver side door will not unlock. Neither the key nor the door lock knob on the inside works to unlock the door. Unfortunately, we have been entering and exiting the driver side by entering the car from the passenger side. . Read more...

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.

The driver's side door on my 2004 kia Optima locks itself back when I open it. I can't get in or out the car because the door will not open. I went to get in the car and it would not open. I've had to climb across the center console to get in the car. This is a safety issue for me because it hurts my back everytime I have to do this. This is my only form of transportation so I need to have this fixed. Did an online search to see what the problem could possibly be and found out that I wasn't the only one with this issue. I feel there needs to be a recall on this vehicle to remedy this issue with so many people complaining about the same thing on the same year,make, and model car. Will check back to see what is being done to resolve these issues. If nothing is being done then will seek other avenues to handle this matter.

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/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).

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.