2004 Kia Optima electrical system problems

“ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHEN MANUALLY UNLOCKING THE POWER DOOR LOCKS, THEY WILL IMMEDIATELY LOCK AGAIN AND WILL GO INTO A LOOP OF UNLOCK-RELOCK, WHETHER USING THE MANUAL DOOR LOCK OR THE POWER LOCK SWITCH (THE RELAY CLICKS BUT NOTHING HAPPENS WHEN USING THE SWITCH). THIS HAPPENS ABOUT 10% OF THE TIME.”

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOCKED AND UNLOCKED WITHOUT USING THE KEYS, AND THE ALARM ACTIVATED ON ITS OWN. THE FAILURE PREVENTED THE DRIVER FROM ENTERING OR EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”

“FIRST MY PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK (CANNOT GET THE DOOR OPEN AT ALL) - MY PASSENGERS HAVE TO CRAWL IN THROUGH THE WINDOW TO SIT IN PASSENGER SEAT AND MY 78 YEAR OLD GRANDMA CAN'T DO THAT SO SHE HAS TO SIT IN THE BACK. NOW 7 MONTHS LATER, MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH THE KEY AND WHEN I GOT OFF THE EXIT LAST NIGHT DOING ABOUT 20 OR 25 MILES AN HOUR, MY ENTIRE CAR FAILED (LCHECK ENGINE, BRAKE, OIL, ETC. LIGHTS ALL CAME ON AND THEN MY CAR DIED - TOTAL SYSTEM FAILURE). TOWED THE CAR TO GET CHECKED - NOTHING WRONG WITH ALTERNATOR OR BATTERY PER MECHANIC. HE SAID KIA KNOWS THEY HAVE THIS ELECTRICAL ISSUE AND FAULTY LOCKS BUT THE CHEAPSKATES WON'T CONDUCT A RECALL LIKE RESPONSIBLE AUTO COMPANIES DO, SO HE TELLS ALL HIS CLIENTS TO NEVER BUY A KIA. FOR ME, THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I SAVED MY MONEY TO BUY MY FIRST CAR AND I HAVE OBVIOUSLY MADE A POOR CHOICE. WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO FORCE KIA TO RECALL THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE? IF MY CAR GOES ON FIRE FROM THEIR FAULTY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, HOW DO I GET OUT OF THE CAR TO SAVE MY LIFE? WHERE DO I TAKE MY CAR TO GET REPAIRED SINCE I CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY A MORE RELIABLE CAR? DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW TO…”

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEYLESS ENTRY ABILITY FAILED TO WORK FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE REAR DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK WHEN UTILIZING A KEY OR MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.”

“POWER DOOR LOCK LOCKS WHEN UNLOCKING FROM OUTSIDE WITH KEY. REPLACED THE DOOR LATCH. BUT IT STILL DOES IT. ALSO THE HEADLIGHTS STAY ON WHEN TURNING OFF THE CAR. HAVE TO MANUALLY TURN OFF HEADLIGHT SWITCH. *TR”

“ALL DOORS LOCK AND WON'T UNLOCK, HAVE TO CLIMB OUT WINDOW THEN PLAY WITH KEY IN LOCKS. CANNOT GET IN OR OUT OF CAR. NOT GOOD IN EMERGENCY ESPECIALLY SINCE MY THREE GRANDCHILDREN ARE WITH ME IN THE CAR 90% OF THE TIME, WE DO NOT FEEL SAFE. LOOKED THE PROBLEM UP AND SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON IT PLUS THE DEALER WON'T FIX FREE OF CHARGE AND THE PARTS ARE PLASTIC. I'M NOT A MECHANIC AND DO NOT BELIEVE I SHOULD PAY FOR REPAIRS SINCE MY WARRANTY IS UP. *TR”