Kia · 2001

2001 Kia Optima

Official EPA fuel economy and NHTSA recall record, best combined figure 21 MPG.

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Fuel economy (EPA)

Engine	Transmission	Fuel	City	Highway	Combined	CO2 g/mi
2.4L 4-cyl	Automatic 4-spd	Regular	18	24	20	444
2.4L 4-cyl	Manual 5-spd	Regular	19	26	21	423
2.5L 6-cyl	Automatic 4-spd	Regular	17	23	19	468
2.5L 6-cyl	Manual 5-spd	Regular	18	24	21	423

Safety recalls (NHTSA)

3 campaigns on record for this model year. Recall repairs are free at dealers; check your exact vehicle by VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Campaign 01V156000

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.

Campaign 03V067000

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.

Campaign 09V183000

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 SA

Owner complaints (NHTSA)

231 complaints filed by owners for this model year (26 involving a crash, 0 a fire). Complaints are owner reports, not confirmed defects - browse them in full on nhtsa.gov.

Structure 37 Air Bags 31 Suspension 29

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fuel economy of a 2001 Kia Optima?

EPA figures for the 2001 Kia Optima reach 21 MPG combined depending on configuration; the table on this page lists every tested engine and transmission combination.

Are there recalls on the 2001 Kia Optima?

NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns for the 2001 Kia Optima. Check your specific vehicle by VIN on the official NHTSA site, recalls are fixed free of charge by dealers.

What are common problems with the 2001 Kia Optima?

Owners have filed 231 complaints with NHTSA for the 2001 Kia Optima, most often about: Structure, Air Bags, Suspension. Complaint counts reflect what owners report, not confirmed defects.

Sources: EPA fueleconomy.gov, the NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings databases (all US public data), refreshed monthly. Recall texts are quoted from the official record. Details on About & Data Sources.