← New search

2003 Kia Optima

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Kia Optima do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 186.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

105 reports with mileage · 36 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • 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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

3 reports
Clear category filter
40,000 miles · May 18, 2012
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

I HAD PROBLEM WITH BRAKES LOCKING UP ON 2003 KIA OPTIMA, HAD IT AT A DEALERSHIP TO GET FIXED. THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT, BUT HAD SAME PROBLEM. THEY HAD IT TOWED, TOOK IT BACK TO FIX IT AGAIN, THEN PUT A GOVERNOR ON IT, SAID THE BRAKES WERE NOW FIXED. WELL, THIS EVENING, ENROUTE TO PICK MY DAUGHTER FROM THE DAYCARE FACILITY, I SAW …

Read full complaint

I HAD PROBLEM WITH BRAKES LOCKING UP ON 2003 KIA OPTIMA, HAD IT AT A DEALERSHIP TO GET FIXED. THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT, BUT HAD SAME PROBLEM. THEY HAD IT TOWED, TOOK IT BACK TO FIX IT AGAIN, THEN PUT A GOVERNOR ON IT, SAID THE BRAKES WERE NOW FIXED. WELL, THIS EVENING, ENROUTE TO PICK MY DAUGHTER FROM THE DAYCARE FACILITY, I SAW TRAFFIC STOPPED, WENT TO SLOW UP BY APPLYING BRAKES AND GUESS WHAT? NO BRAKES! THIS DID NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME, BUT INTERMITTENTLY, NOW CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK! THE REPAIR SHOP AT THE DEALERSHIP IS THE ONE WHO SAID IT WAS ALL TAKEN CARE OF, HOWEVER, AS YOU CAN SEE , IT IS NOT TAKEN CARE OF AS THE BRAKES FAILED!! THE BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE, I WAS GOING TO TRY TO GO IN THE LEFTHAND LANE OF THE TWO LANE HIGHWAY ON MY SIDE OF THE ROAD, HOWEVER THERE WAS A CAR ALREADY IN POSITION ON THAT SIDE AND THE CURB, GRASS AND THEN A PIZZA HUT ON MY RIGHT, LEAVING ME NO WHERE TO GO BUT UNDER THE BUMPER OF A PICK UP. IT PUSHED THE GRILL INTO THE RADIO, THEREFORE THE HOOD IS BUCKLED, THE BUMPER DESTROYED AND CAR WILL BE TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY AS IT IS COST MORE TO REPAIR AS IT ALSO TORE OFF SIDE STRIP AND OTHER PARTS ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE CAR. THE LEFT HAND TURN SIGNAL BLINKS TWICE AS FAST AS IT SHOULD AS I CHECKED OUT EVERYTHING AS THE POLICE OFFICER SAID IT WAS DRIVABLE. I DROVE IT HOME VERY SLOWLY WITH MY DAD IN A CAR BEHIND ME TO MAKE SURE I DID NOT LEAK ANY FLUID AND ALSO TO MAKE SURE I GOT HOME ALRIGHT WITH MY 8 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AFTER WE PICKED HER UP AT DAYCARE. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED SO WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE 2003 BRAKES ON KIA OPTIMAS? IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THEM I NEED TO KNOW AS I AM TRYING TO FIND A WEBSITE FOR THEM AS I HAVE BEEN TOLD THERE HAVE BEEN BRAKE ISSUES ON KIAS FOR SEVERAL YEARS, ONE OF WHICH IS THE 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THANK YOU AHEAD OF TIME FOR YOUR PROMPT RESPONSE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10458891

69,000 miles · Sep 20, 2011
Service Brakes, HydraulicFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE SMELLED SMOKE WHEN SHE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES. SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACTIVATE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SYSTEM, BUT IT FAILED AND DID NOT ACTIVATE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED TO INCLUDE T…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE SMELLED SMOKE WHEN SHE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES. SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACTIVATE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SYSTEM, BUT IT FAILED AND DID NOT ACTIVATE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED TO INCLUDE THE BRAKE HOUSING UNIT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 69,000.

NHTSA ODI #10426533

Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2004
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE FAILURE, FRONT ROTORS GROOVED, PADS HEAT GLAZED, REAR ROTORS ALSO. PLUS REAR CALIPERS WERE BOUNDED UP. *BF THE DOORS LOCKED BY THEMSELVES, AND THERE WAS SQUEALING WHEN THE CONSUMER PLACED THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE DOORS HARNESS CONNECTION WAS POOR AND SHORTED OUT. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10105586

Official recalls

2

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.