2001 Kia Optima: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2001 Kia Optima: 3 recalls, 143 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #01V156000 · 2001 · 16,231 vehicles
What's wrong: The side air bag wire harness for the driver position could be mis-routed, which could result in it being pinched or cut by the seat cushion tilt mechanism.
Why it matters: Damage to the wire harness could result in the side air bag not deploying in an accident.
The fix: Dealers will check for proper routing of the side air bag wire harness and secure it in place with a plastic tie-wrap. If the wire harness is damaged, it will be replaced. Owner notification is expected to begin during May 2001.
Electrical Vehicle recall #03V067000 · 2003 · 11,501 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.5 and 2.7 liter v6 engines, the crankshaft position sensor (ckp) cases did not meet dimensional specifications.
Why it matters: Internal gaps within the cases allowed epoxy to contact the printed circuit board, which resulted in cracking of the circuit board capacitor. A damaged ckp capacitor could result in engine stalling.
The fix: Dealers will replace the ckp. Owner notification began March 28, 2003.
Suspension Vehicle recall #09V183000 · 2009 · 36,538 vehicles
What's wrong: Road salt applied in these states during the winter months May result in progressive, internal corrosion of the front subframe. Over time, such subframe corrosion near the connection to the lower control arm can lead to wheel misalignment and/or other noticeable stress in steering, or accelerated abnormal tire wear.
Why it matters: Corrosion of the front subframe could lead to separation, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Kmc will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on June 15, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 7 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Body & structure (35): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (27), door / lock issues (4).
- Suspension (28): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (19), steering problems (4).
- Airbags (27): the most common themes are fails to deploy (10), warning light on (10).
- Engine & cooling (24): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (10), warning light on (8).
The 2001 Kia Optima has 143 owner complaints, ranking #16 of 20 Optima model years for complaints (well below the 376 average). Complaints peaked in 2003 (24 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 81,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2002 (107 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 21 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 21 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 19 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2001 Kia Optima.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2001 Kia Optima have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2001 Kia Optima. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2001 Kia Optima problems?
Owners have filed 143 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are body & structure (35), suspension (28), airbags (27).
What gas mileage does the 2001 Kia Optima get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (2.4 L, Manual 5-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2001 Kia Optima repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.