2001 KIA OPTIMA
2002 Kia Optima
2003 Kia Optima
2004 Kia Optima
Manufacturer: HYUNDAI-KIA AMERICA TECHNICAL CENTER INC
Mfr's Report Date: MAY 26, 2009
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 09V183000
EA08016NHTSA Action Number: EA08016
Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT Potential Number of Units Affected: 36,538
Summary: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION (KMC) IS RECALLING 36,538 MODEL YEARS 2001 Optima, 2002 Optima, 2003 Optima, and 2004 OPTIMA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
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.
Consequence: CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME COULD LEAD TO SEPARATION, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: KMC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES.
While admitting that winter road salt can corrode vital suspension parts, Kia downplays the risks when it charitably characterizes the danger of "subframe ... separation" when what they mean is your Optima's front frame and/or suspension might fall apart. This one could be a deadly defect, folks. So, if you live in the southern US, you might not want to drive up north anytime soon either.
If you've got a lemon Kia Optima, or any other lemon car, don't take a chance and don't put up with a runaround. If you've got a lemon, get a Burdge attorney. Getting rid of lemons is what we do. Everyday since 1978.
Burdge Law Office
Because life's too short to drive a bad car.