03 Optima Issues help!

McCheeks2001 · 08-11-2006, 09:38 AM

I have an 03 Optima LX 4cyl with 54000 miles on it. I have had it since 20000 miles and have had regular maintenance done on it so I was hoping I wouldnt have issues, but I was WRONG!

Issue 1:The belts kept squeling and the dealership kept adjusting them, I finally replaced them (all the drive belts $400) and now they are squeling again after only 4000 miles! The dealership says they need replaced again but I dont wanna fork over the money cause I think there has to be a secondary issue.

Issue 2: I have lots of vibration in the front end. I have had it since I bought the car. I put new shocks or struts whichever it has, tires, alignment, balanced tires, tried everything and it continually gets worse. It used to be at 60 mph + speeds but now it is at all speeds.

Issue 3: This one is new. I was leaving work the other day and lost all steering capabilities for about 30 seconds. It happened 4 more times, always at very slow speeds. I checked the tires, made sure nothing was rubbing, check the power steering fluid, all are good. Today I was on the interstate going 80 mph and it happened again. If I hadnt had good brakes I would be splattered all over the highway right now. Any ideas?

There are lots of little things too. I have had to replace the front driver headlight every 3000ish miles since Ive had the car...got the dealership to give me a good deal on mass purchasing bulbs! The transmission seems sluggish, the truck light works 50% of the time, the inside overhead light flickers when its on, I was going to trade it in until the dealer told me they would give me $2000

for a car I owe almost $8000 on so I am sticking with it. If anyone has any ideas please help. I am a girl and am not extremely mechanical but I do know my way around a motor ok.

Thanks
McCheeks

McCheeks2001 · 08-11-2006, 03:09 PM

Well I just took my car to a mechanic to be looked at on the steering problem. It seems the rack in my steering is going bad...and Kia's warrantee does not cover it. Just great. I decide to keep the car and it kicks my wallet for $900

Schnauzer · 08-11-2006, 03:27 PM

Call Kia HQ's customer service number and get them to verify the warranty for you. Normally, the rack would be covered under the 5yr/60mi warranty as it would be considered a defect. You have documentation, so don't listen to the dealer without going the next step with HQ. If necessary ask for a regional tech representative to meet with you at the dealership. This will be arranged.

ahfrederick · 08-11-2006, 07:44 PM

Schnauzer is right.. these issues NEED to be addressed by the dealership CORRECTLY. If not then just go above them and give some one from HQ a call. They DO NOT want an unhappy customer, so they will do whatever needs to be done to make you happy.
Btw, where do you live Mccheeks2001? And how many dealerships are there in your area?

McCheeks2001 · 08-14-2006, 07:59 AM

I live in the Indianapolis Metro Area. There are only 2 dealerships that handle warrentee work in my area. One I went to and they said is probably wont be covered, and the other one can not get me in for 4 weeks! My warrentee runs out in 6,000 miles so I dont think I can wait that long. I told the guy at the Kia dealership I would think it should be covered and he is "checking" with someone the see about it. If he comes back and says no then I will go over his head. thanks for all the great advise!

Classic boy · 08-14-2006, 08:38 PM

I agree advise KIA of you concerns in writting, as I understand it if you formally notify them of a warranty claim and they cannot address it before the warranty expires then they are still responsible to repair the problem.
I suspect your steering rack issues may also be related to you vibration problems.
You can buy a spray can of 'belt quietner' for only a few bucks from auto parts stores to get rid of the belt squeaking.

I think there maybe a inferior batch of headlamp globes going around given the burn out rate in North america, try getting a different brand bulb installed.
Do a search on this forum for a discussion about headlamp bulb burnouts on Optima's

Schnauzer · 08-15-2006, 11:21 AM

Make certain the dealer has entered all the details about your problems in the Kia service computer. This informatin is also printed on your invoices and passed on throughout the Kia system. Some dealers seem to short circuit documentation on purpose so it is wise to verify all is on the computer and submitted. Once that has been done, the info becomes history that can be reviewed by Kia at various levels. Kia stands behind known problems that are documented before the warranty ends but were not addressed by the dealer at the time due to no fault of the customer so long as it is documented in the system. However, Kia won't leave warranty work open ended for long so act upon things quickly.