Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Structure:frame And Members (14.7% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.
Structure:frame And Members complaints here are 2.5× the median for that category across the 1176 model-years tracked on this site.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure:frame And Members | 21 · 14.7% | not available | — |
| Suspension:front | 17 · 11.9% | Recalled | Recall 09V183000 |
| Air Bags | 17 · 11.9% | Recalled | Recall 01V156000 |
| Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch | 11 · 7.7% | not available | — |
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 10 · 7% | not available | — |
| Suspension | 10 · 7% | Recalled | Recall 09V183000 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 143 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 01V156000 · 2001 · reported 05/01/2001
DAMAGE TO THE WIRE HARNESS COULD RESULT IN THE SIDE AIR BAG NOT DEPLOYING IN AN ACCIDENT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 03V067000 · 2003 · reported 03/04/2003
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 09V183000 · 2009 · reported 05/27/2009
CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME COULD LEAD TO SEPARATION, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“I HAVE A 2001 KIA OPTIMA WHICH HAS HAD A VERY BAD VIBRATION FOR A LONG TIME. TAKEN TO MULTIPLE SHOPS AND PROBLEM COULD NOT…”NHTSA complaint 10260275 — filed 02/28/2009 · STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
“I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE ON 10/20/08. UPON PURCHASE, PRIVATE DEALER NOTIFIED ME OF A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN TO THE LOCAL…”NHTSA complaint 10258114 — filed 02/09/2009 · STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS REPLACING THE TIMING BELT ON THE VEHICLE, AN AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN ENTERED THE SHOP AND…”NHTSA complaint 10247757 — filed 11/05/2008 · STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Structure:frame and members issues are the most-reported category, cited in 21 of 143 NHTSA complaints (14.7%), followed by suspension:front (17), air bags (17), latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
143 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 15 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, and 7 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 01V156000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
