2001 Kia Optima LX 5MT
Unverified
All photo credits
- Photo: Optima Regal Black-First Picture by Thisplus, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Optima Regal Black-Second Picture by Thisplus, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 2001 Kia Optima LX 5MT is a 149-hp inline-4 with a 5-speed manual and front-wheel drive. It starts at $15,299 MSRP and is rated at 21 mpg combined.
It makes 149 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 156 lb-ft of torque at 4500 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway (21 mpg combined).
The Optima measures 185.9 inches long on a 106.3-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,157 lb.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | Sedan |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $15,299 ($28,076 *) |
| MSRP with Destination | $15,794 ($28,984 *) |
| Destination Charge | $495 |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | Sirius II G4JS 2.4L DOHC inline-4, MPI, naturally aspirated |
| Horsepower | 149 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 156 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, 16-valve |
| Bore and Stroke | 86.5 x 100 |
| Compression Ratio | 10.0:1 |
| Injection Type | Multi-point fuel injection |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 19 MPG |
| Highway | 26 MPG |
| Combined | 21 MPG |
| Recommended Fuel | Regular unleaded |
| Tires & Wheels | |
| Wheels Front | 14 in |
| Wheels Rear | 14 in |
| Tires Front | 195/70HR14 |
| Tires Rear | 195/70HR14 |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 185.9 in |
| Width | 71.5 in |
| Height | 55.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 in |
| Ground Clearance | 6.1 in |
| Cargo Volume | 13.6 ft³ |
| Curb Weight | 3,157 lbs |
| Interior | |
| Headroom Front | 39 in |
| Headroom Rear | 37.6 in |
| Legroom Front | 43.3 in |
| Legroom Rear | 36.2 in |
| Shoulder Room Front | 56.9 in |
| Shoulder Room Rear | 55.7 in |
| Hip Room Front | 55.8 in |
| Hip Room Rear | 55.8 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 2001 Kia Optima LX 5MT with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.
Recalls
3 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2001 Kia OPTIMA. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
May 27, 2009 · SUSPENSION:FRONT
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.
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 FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 15, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA'S CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.
NHTSA campaign 09V183000
Mar 4, 2003 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
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.
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.
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.
NHTSA campaign 03V067000
May 1, 2001 · AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
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.
Consequence: DAMAGE TO THE WIRE HARNESS COULD RESULT IN THE SIDE AIR BAG NOT DEPLOYING IN AN ACCIDENT.
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.
NHTSA campaign 01V156000
143 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2001 Kia OPTIMA
Owner Complaints
143 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Kia OPTIMA (15 mention a crash, 5 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Structure | 35 |
| Suspension | 28 |
| Air Bags | 27 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 24 |
| Electrical System | 17 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 15 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2001 KIA OPTIMA. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.