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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

What owners actually said

141 reports
109,000 miles · Apr 3, 2013
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

DOOR LOCK FOR THE DRIVERS SIDE DOES NOT WORK AND ALSO DOES NOT UNLOCK. THIS PRESENTS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN, DRIVER CANNOT EXIT THE DRIVERS' DOOR! WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO UNLOCK THE DRIVERS' DOOR BUT IT WILL NOT OPEN! I REVIEWED THE ISSUE ONLINE AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF THE SAME COMPLAINT. KIA NEEDS TO ADDRESS THE DRIVERS DOOR ISSU…

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DOOR LOCK FOR THE DRIVERS SIDE DOES NOT WORK AND ALSO DOES NOT UNLOCK. THIS PRESENTS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN, DRIVER CANNOT EXIT THE DRIVERS' DOOR! WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO UNLOCK THE DRIVERS' DOOR BUT IT WILL NOT OPEN! I REVIEWED THE ISSUE ONLINE AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF THE SAME COMPLAINT. KIA NEEDS TO ADDRESS THE DRIVERS DOOR ISSUE ASAP AS IT IS A HUGE LIABILITY SINCE IT IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10505583

63,200 miles · Mar 11, 2013
Fuel/propulsion System

FOR SOME TIME NOW WE HAVE HAD TO VERY SLOWLY PUMP GAS IN TO TANK, IT KEEPS SPLASHING BACK AND SHUTTING OFF THE GAS PUMP. IT IS AT THE REPAIR SHOP NOW BEING REPAIRED AT QUITE AN EXPENSE, WHICH THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO A CAR WITH THIS LOW MILEAGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10502394

175,000 miles · Dec 31, 2012
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS TRYING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE BUT THE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO CLIMB OUT OF ANOTHER DOOR IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS TRYING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE BUT THE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO CLIMB OUT OF ANOTHER DOOR IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

NHTSA ODI #10490559

110,000 miles · Dec 23, 2012
Fuel/propulsion System

AS I FILL THE TANK, GASOLINE FORCEFULLY SPITS BACK OUT ONTO THE PERSON FILLING THE TANK. THIS IS GETTING WORSE. I HAVE TAKEN THIS TO A KIA DEALER AND HE DOES NOT KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING. THE LAST TIME IT GOT ALL OVER MY ARM, CAUSING SEVERE IRRITATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10489573

Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2012
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS MANUALLY OR BY USING THE KEY FOB. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT ONCE SHE FINALLY OPEN THE DOOR AND ENTER THE VEHICLE THE DOORS WOULD LOCK AUTOMATICALLY LOCKING HER IN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE KEY FOB …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS MANUALLY OR BY USING THE KEY FOB. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT ONCE SHE FINALLY OPEN THE DOOR AND ENTER THE VEHICLE THE DOORS WOULD LOCK AUTOMATICALLY LOCKING HER IN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE KEY FOB WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO REFERRED HER TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

NHTSA ODI #10484782

90,000 miles · Oct 25, 2012
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER DOOR FAILED AND AS A RESULT, THE DOOR DOES NOT OPEN AUTOMATICALLY OR MANUALLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR TO BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER DOOR FAILED AND AS A RESULT, THE DOOR DOES NOT OPEN AUTOMATICALLY OR MANUALLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR TO BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10482168

100,000 miles · Aug 20, 2012
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED AND HE HAD TO EXIT THE VEHICLE BY CLIMBING THROUGH A WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,300. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED AND HE HAD TO EXIT THE VEHICLE BY CLIMBING THROUGH A WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,300. UPDATED 10/11/12*LJ UPDATED 10/11/2012 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10471554

77,000 miles · Aug 8, 2012
Latches/locks/linkages

KIA OPTIMA 2003. CAN NOT OPEN DRIVER DOOR. LOCK DOES NOT DISENGAGE WITH KEY OR POWER LOCK BUTTON. LOTS OF COMPLAINTS AND I AM SURE THERE LOTS MORE UNREPORTED. DOES 15 OR TWENTY OF US HAVE TO DIE BEFORE KIA IS FORCED TO FIX THIS ISSUE. NO INJURY, CRASH OR FATALLY YET........ *TR

NHTSA ODI #10469615

135,001 miles · Jul 29, 2012
Latches/locks/linkages

I OWN A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. I HAVE HAD TO EITHER CLIMB OUT THE WINDOW OR THE ONE OF THE OTHER DOORS IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. WHEN I LIFT THE OUTSIDE HANDLE TO ENTER THE CAR ALL OF THE DOORS LOCK. WHEN I UNLOCK THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE YOU CAN PUSH AND PUSH ON THE DOOR AND IT W…

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I OWN A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. I HAVE HAD TO EITHER CLIMB OUT THE WINDOW OR THE ONE OF THE OTHER DOORS IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. WHEN I LIFT THE OUTSIDE HANDLE TO ENTER THE CAR ALL OF THE DOORS LOCK. WHEN I UNLOCK THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE YOU CAN PUSH AND PUSH ON THE DOOR AND IT WILL NOT OPEN. I SEE THAT SEVERAL OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE IT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED AS IF I GET IN AN ACCIDENT I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT THE CAR. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10468176

124,700 miles · Jul 13, 2012
Structure

ALL OF A SUDDEN, WITHOUT ANY EXTRA/ABNORMAL STRESS, DAMAGE OR ACCIDENT... THE PASSENGER-SIDE DOOR LOCK WOULD NOT ENGAGE EITHER FROM THE REMOTE LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTONS, OR SAME BUTTON FUNCTION AVAILABLE INSIDE THE CAR, AND EVEN MANUALLY SWITCHING THE LOCK WHILE SITTING IN THE PASSENGER'S CHAIR FAILS EVERY-TIME. THE ONLY WAY TO GET T…

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ALL OF A SUDDEN, WITHOUT ANY EXTRA/ABNORMAL STRESS, DAMAGE OR ACCIDENT... THE PASSENGER-SIDE DOOR LOCK WOULD NOT ENGAGE EITHER FROM THE REMOTE LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTONS, OR SAME BUTTON FUNCTION AVAILABLE INSIDE THE CAR, AND EVEN MANUALLY SWITCHING THE LOCK WHILE SITTING IN THE PASSENGER'S CHAIR FAILS EVERY-TIME. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE DOOR LOCKED OR UNLOCKED IS TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AND USE THE KEY TO JIGGLE THE LOCK UNTIL IT FINALLY SWITCHES TO A LOCKED OR UNLOCKED POSITION. THIS ISSUE IS NOT THE FIRST I'VE HEARD ABOUT THIS VEHICLE MODEL AND YEAR... IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING AND I'M SURE IT COULD BE A DANGER TO THE PASSENGER IN THE EVENT OF A ROLLOVER. OR EVEN CREATE A NEW POSSIBILITY FOR THEFT IF THE LOCKING MECHANISM FAILS TO LOCK THE DOOR PROPERLY WHEN WE LEAVE THE VEHICLE...! PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THIS CAN BE RESOLVED WITHOUT HAVING TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR POOR WORKMANSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10465616

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.