Manufacturer: HYUNDAI-KIA AMERICA TECHNICAL CENTER INC (HATCI)
Manufacturer Id: 1034
Model: Optima
Model Year: 2001
Plant City: Whasung
Plant Country: South Korea
Seat Belts All: Manual
Valve Train Design: Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Type: PASSENGER CAR
Model year
COMPONENT
Complaint
2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
AT 63,000 MILES, THE RED AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ILLUMINATED. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AND THEY SAID THE ADULT/CHILD SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED OR NEITHER FRONT AIRBAG WOULD WORK. ESTIMATE WAS $1,600 PREPAID. PRIOR TO THIS, NO PROBLEM WITH AIRBAG SENSORS IN THIS VEHICLE. *KB
2001
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V183000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE TECHNICIAN DID NOT FIND CORROSION OF THE FRAME AT THAT TIME AND DID NOT PERFORM ANY REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO PULL TO THE SIDES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THE SUB FRAME WAS FRACTURED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DESTROYING THE AXEL AND TIE RODS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.