Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports2 fire reports5 injury reports

Equipment complaints

2 reports

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Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2007

EquipmentUnknown Or Other

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RADIO TURNS OFF AND STAYS OFF DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS OF NORMAL DRIVING ON REGULAR PAVED ROAD WAYS. THE UNIT IS STILL POWERED ON ITSELF BUT NO AUDIBLE SOUND NOT EVEN STATIC CAN BE HEARD FROM THE SPEAKERS FROM THE CD, CASSETTE PLAYER OR RADIO. IT WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND HE STATED THAT HE DIDN'T WANT TO KEEP WASTING THEIR TIME (RADIO IS NO LONGER COVERED BY WARRANTY) AND THAT I SHOULD PURCHASE A NEW RADIO BECAUSE THERE WAS SOMETHING OBVIOUSLY WRONG WITH THE OUTPUT ON THE FACTORY UNIT. HE ALSO STATED THAT IT WOULD COST OVER $1000 TO PURCHASE A NEW FACTORY UNIT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10188478

Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2005

Equipment

WHILE CHANGING A FLAT TIRE, THE JACK WHICH WAS PROVIDED WITH THE VEHICLE BENT AND COLLAPSED UNDER THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING IT TO CRASH ONTO THE GROUND. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10137572

Official recalls

09V183000 · Suspension:front

May 27, 2009

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 & remedy

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.

04V180000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Apr 12, 2004

SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. IF A VEHICLE WITH A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED WERE TO ROLL OVER, FUEL SPILLAGE MAY OCCUR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL SPILLAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 25, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.