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Sedans Kia Optima Kia Optima 2006 and earlier
578 messages, Last post on Nov 02, 2009 at 2:15 PM
You are in the Kia Optima Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
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Replying to: redptc (Sep 18, 2007 4:52 pm) Kia, unfortunately is still stuck with some marginal dealers. Have you tried another?
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Replying to: csandste (Sep 28, 2007 6:36 am) 
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| My Optima has a little over 61,000 miles and I bought the car new late in December, 2004. So far the only problems I have with the car is that the lights for the radio is going out. It started with the 1 and 4 buttons and now it is the whole bottom left hand corner that is out- it's so far not too much of a problem, because there's enough light from the rest of the radio that I can still read it (having the car for so long it is probably etched in my brain!). Little things like the driver's side visor clip is a little loose. The little inner plastic piece broke about a year or so ago- it stays in place and doesn't rattle, so I guess it's not a problem, either. The only thing I know that mechanically sounds funny is that there is a weird clicking noise coming from the left, front tire area- I believe it is a direct result of hitting a cow carcass in New Mexico back in April, 2005. I still get around 25+ MPG in mixed mountain/highway driving. The best I've got was a trip from Asheville, NC to Wilmington, NC that averaged over 32 MPG. We thought we had a problem with the shocks or struts (August) and took it to the Kia dealership and they found that the tire shop inflated the tires to around 60 PSI on all four tires! They put it back to factory spec and we've been happy ever since. I put a minimum of 70 miles on the car every work day and on my days off can easily put around 130-200 miles, I've been averaging 1850 miles per month. I am completely satisfied with the car. I have not had to replace the brakes or even get a tune-up. I'm due for a timing belt, but I can't really afford the price. I read the manual and California cars only recommend an inspection at 60,000 miles. I figure I can squeeze out a few more miles, God willing. The interior and exterior of the car is still in pretty good shape and other than the odd ding on the hood and the side of the car it's in really good condition. Oh yeah- the same time I took the car to the dealership, I had them check the key remote and they found out the receiver was broken and put in a new one under warranty. A very solidly built car and I believe I would buy a Kia again. I would probably choose a Kia over a Toyota, unless it was free! Kia is great! | |
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Replying to: bblackman (Jan 03, 2006 5:30 pm)
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Replying to: gatorfan80 (Dec 20, 2007 10:37 pm)
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Replying to: mickeyrom (Dec 21, 2007 9:57 am) The new 065+ cars should have a lower maintenance cost in the four cylinder, but the Optima is more expensive to maintain than my Maxx. On the other hand my Maxx ran out of warranty at 36,000. |
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I'm a newbie! First I'd like to thank everyone for their contributions on this website. I have learned soooo much about my car and happy to know that I'm not alone. Here's my dilema. My 02 Optima SE V6 was purchased with 300 miles on it (it was a dealer loaner) and for the past 3 months, the check engine light has been coming on. The car seems to skip 2nd gear and jerks really hard into 3rd and when this happens, the light comes on and acceleration is decreased drastically. Sometimes I have to put the car in park and back to drive again in order for it to respond. I've taken it to the dealer 3 times for these problems and they have changed the spark plugs, drive wires, fuel line and reset the timing belt, but none of that has fixed the problem, $1300 later. Additionally, it takes me 40 minutes to fill my gas tank. I literally have to let the gas drip into the tank because it keeps clicking off when I press the handle as though the tank is full, when I know it's near empty. The dealer keeps guessing what the problem might be and now tells me I will need a new gas tank installed. I mentioned to the dealer that it may be the emission sensor (after reviewing online forums) and he insists that I will need a new gas tank, without even checking the sensor. Based on what I've read so far, could it be something as simple as a gas cap replacement? Or could it be an evaporation valve solenoid in the gas tank? Please help! |
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Replying to: glomls (Jan 13, 2008 7:46 pm) 
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I have an '04 Kia Optima EX V6 with just over 71,500 miles. I am a little nervous about the timing belt issue, but it being at the mileage it is now and the fact I don't have the money to get a new timing belt and all the other services connected to the 60,000 mile maintenance scedule I guess I'll be at the mercy of God. Now, don't get me wrong, when I had money maintenance was not an issue and proper maintenance and good driving skills are critical in any car being reliable, no matter what make you have. I just feel that the car has been admirably reliable for the past four years and I hope to have it for a long time. I think I'm about due for a new set of front brakes, I had it checked in the spring and found it had enough pad left. I may need the rotors turned also. I read all the posts and a lot of them are negative and it's sad to see there are that many problems. I have to wonder if my car is the norm, because I'm seeing a lot of older Kia Optimas in my town! My town is small and in the mountains, so I think it's a testament to reliability? Well, I haven't had anything major done to the car and it has run like a champ. Good luck to everyone and if you do have a problem, call Kia and try to get it resolved.
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Need help, no one seems to know how to change the head light bulbs on my 2006 Kia Optima. Also is there a better bulb than the factory bulbs.
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