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

Exterior Lighting complaints

3 reports

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180,000 miles · Jan 3, 2011

Exterior LightingLatches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK FROM THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE ONLY WAY TO EXIT FROM THE VEHICLE WAS TO CLIMB OUT FROM THE OPPOSITE SIDE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY …

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NHTSA ODI #10373927

31 miles · Jun 27, 2003

Exterior Lighting

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THE VEHICLE CAME EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC SWITCH TO TURN THE HEADLIGHTS ON OR USE THE MANUAL SWITCH. WHEN THE AUTOMATIC SWITCH WAS USED, THE HIGH BEAMS WERE INOPERATIVE. *JB IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO TURN ON THE HIGH BEAMS. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS NORMAL. ALSO, THE POSITION OF THE REAR VIEW MIRROR SIZE/HEIGHT OF THE DRIVER SEAT LIMITED FRONT VIEW ON THE RIGHT OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONSUMER ALMOST HIT A PASSING VEHICLE AS HE WAS GOING INTO THE DEALERS LOT AND COULD NOT SEE IT UNTIL IT WAS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10020418

Mileage unknown · May 30, 2003

Exterior Lighting

VEHICLE COMES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL OPERATED HEADLIGHTS. WHEN THE AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHT ARE ENGAGED VEHICLE'S HIGH BEAMS ARE INOPERATIVE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10021935

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.