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NHTSA model-year recall report

2001 Kia Optima Recalls

3 campaigns in our verified NHTSA snapshot, with source consequences, remedies, and VIN-specific next steps.

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3

NHTSA campaigns

3

Affected systems

0

Urgent advisories

May 27, 2009

Latest campaign date

At a glance

What the record says

This model year's count is below the Kia Optima average of 3.3 campaigns per listed year. That is context only—not proof that this year is safer or less safe.

The most frequent affected category is Air Bags › Side/window, appearing in 1 campaign.

  1. 1

    Read

    Review every campaign and urgent instruction below.

  2. 2

    Verify

    Check your exact VIN with NHTSA or the manufacturer.

  3. 3

    Repair

    Contact an authorized dealer if a campaign applies.

Source campaign records

All 2001 Kia Optima recall campaigns

Shown newest first. NHTSA summary, consequence, and remedy text is preserved without truncation.

NHTSA campaign 09V183000

Suspension › Front

Manufacturer: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION

Reported May 27, 2009

What is recalled

KIA MOTORS CORPORATION (KMC) IS RECALLING 36,538 MODEL YEAR 2001-2004 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.

Safety consequence

CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME COULD LEAD TO SEPARATION, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

KMC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 15, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA'S CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.

Campaign history does not confirm applicability or repair status for one VIN.

Campaign details

NHTSA campaign 03V067000

Electrical System › Starter Assembly

Manufacturer: KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.

Reported Mar 4, 2003

What is recalled

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CKP. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 28, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

Campaign history does not confirm applicability or repair status for one VIN.

Campaign details

NHTSA campaign 01V156000

Air Bags › Side/window

Manufacturer: KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.

Reported May 1, 2001

What is recalled

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. 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.

Safety consequence

DAMAGE TO THE WIRE HARNESS COULD RESULT IN THE SIDE AIR BAG NOT DEPLOYING IN AN ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

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. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

Campaign history does not confirm applicability or repair status for one VIN.

Campaign details

Other Kia Optima model years

Compare campaign histories within the same model. Counts are descriptive, not a safety grade.

20191 campaign20182 campaigns20173 campaigns20165 campaigns20154 campaigns20147 campaigns20139 campaigns20125 campaigns20115 campaigns20101 campaign
View all model years

Other 2001 Kia recall reports

2001 Kia RIO3 campaigns2001 Kia Sportage2 campaigns

2001 Kia Optima recall questions

How many recalls does the 2001 Kia Optima have?

This verified dataset contains 3 NHTSA campaigns associated with the 2001 Kia Optima. A campaign can apply to some, not all, vehicles of the same model year.

Does this confirm an open recall for my 2001 Kia Optima?

No. This page is a model-year campaign history. Use NHTSA's official lookup or an authorized dealer to confirm whether a campaign applies to your exact VIN and whether the repair remains open.

Are vehicle recall repairs free?

When a safety recall campaign applies to your VIN, the manufacturer remedy is generally provided at no charge through an authorized dealer. Confirm eligibility and scheduling with the manufacturer or dealer.

Source: NHTSA. Dataset includes campaigns through Jul 30, 2026. Last processed Aug 8, 2026. Methodology