- #6 of 25
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Re: 2001 Kia Optima transmission problems [marhar60]
by mickeyrom
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Mar 09, 2009 (1:34 pm)
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Replying to: marhar60 (Mar 09, 2009 1:22 pm)
Don't confuse a 2001 KIA with the ones built after 2006.There is a quantum difference in quality,although in 2004 and 2005 the Optima got decent reviews,not so the ones older than that.Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
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- #7 of 25
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Re: 2001 Kia Optima transmission problems [mickeyrom]
by marhar60
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Mar 10, 2009 (7:29 am)
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Replying to: mickeyrom (Mar 09, 2009 1:34 pm)
Well, at least now I know-thanks for the reply. The big decision now is whether it's worth the money to fix it -- assuming I can find a reputable service dept. Any thoughts on (a) best place to take it and (b) is it even worth it? Fredericksburg is a long way to go but worth it if I can drive the car another couple of years.
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- #8 of 25
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Re: 2001 Kia Optima transmission problems [marhar60]
by mickeyrom
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Mar 10, 2009 (10:19 am)
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Replying to: marhar60 (Mar 10, 2009 7:29 am)
You're welcome 
IMO it depends how much you got in the car,and how much it will cost to fix it.I would take it to a KIA dealer first,you can try contacting KIA for the nearest location.Then you can always go to a tranny shop.Where I live,there is one shop that does transmissions.I think they charge around 1.5 K for a rebuild.
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- #9 of 25
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Re: 2001 Kia Optima transmission problems [mickeyrom]
by marhar60
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Mar 10, 2009 (12:46 pm)
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Replying to: mickeyrom (Mar 10, 2009 10:19 am)
OMG-thanks for the feedback. I have invested about $3500 in the car including the $3000 I gave my neighbor for it last summer. I work just 10 miles from home and didn't want a car payment. I had done some research and saw that people were having problems with timing belts at 60k miles so I asked him to replace the timing belt (and water pump - I think -even though it was not a problem at the time). The transmission would have made it a non-starter but I never imagined that kind of problem at 61k miles. Edmunds' reviews of dealers in this area are somewhat troubling but I will see what they say. Whew, not sure of what to do now. I will see what happens. Thanks again.
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- #10 of 25
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Optima service horror
by cc4life
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Jul 28, 2009 (4:18 pm)
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Took my 04 optima with 81k mi to a central california dealer for the dreaded timing belt/water pump change to include idler pulley, tensioner/pully assy. 3 weeks later on my way from cali to oklahoma, i heard a bang,bang, smoke and pulled over. After renting a uhaul and dolly, took the lame optima to tulsa. Needless to say, there was a hole in the oil pan, pieces in the oil pan and the timing belt tensioner bolt had sheared off. Bought it used, no warranty and you know Kia doesn't transfer warranty. Have always done maintenance on time and 1 year later i'm 8k down the drain. Called Kia consumer affairs, they said to call the cali service center and let them try to work it out. Waiting on thier response. 
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- #11 of 25
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Re: Optima service horror [cc4life]
by mickeyrom
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Jul 28, 2009 (4:59 pm)
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Replying to: cc4life (Jul 28, 2009 4:18 pm)
I will be following this story closely.Good luck.
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- #12 of 25
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Re: Optima service horror [cc4life]
by cc4life
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Jul 29, 2009 (8:29 am)
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Replying to: cc4life (Jul 28, 2009 4:18 pm)
Got a response from selma kia the service center who did the work. They said i would need to bring the car into them to look at. Until they looked at it, the only garantee they would give was a replacement engine at cost(nomarkup) and $25 dollars/hour labor. If it was determined that failure was due to workmanship or kia parts failure, they would go from there.
I can see where this is leading. It would be at least $400 to go and tow the vehicle from OK to Cal. Evedently they don't trust the word of a fellow kia dealer in tulsa!! I will recontact the Kia consumer affairs and see what they have to say.
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- #13 of 25
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Re: Optima service horror [cc4life]
by cc4life
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Jul 31, 2009 (9:15 am)
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Replying to: cc4life (Jul 29, 2009 8:29 am)
Kia consummer affairs replied that they have no legal authority to force sevice centers to do anything, but the district manager would call and ask them to do "the right thing" I guess i will be taking a road trip to ok. 
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- #14 of 25
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Re: Optima service horror [cc4life]
by mickeyrom
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Jul 31, 2009 (9:42 am)
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Replying to: cc4life (Jul 31, 2009 9:15 am)
Wow man,best of luck.Hope they "do the right thing" or I won't ever buy another KIA.Amazing the differences between service departments.I expect that work done at any Brand dealer will be done right,but maybe that is too naive.
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- #15 of 25
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Re: Optima service horror [mickeyrom]
by cc4life
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Aug 27, 2009 (2:50 pm)
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Replying to: mickeyrom (Jul 31, 2009 9:42 am)
Had the optima hauled back to cali by auto transport. The dealer wrote up an "advisory" ticket. Have not heard back from them in a week. Well no news is good news so far.
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