NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
141 reports45,000 miles · Jul 18, 2011
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
POWER DOOR LOCKS RE-LOCK AFTER YOU UNLOCK THEM AND PULL ON THE DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. THIS CAN EITHER TRAP YOU IN YOUR CAR, OR TRAP YOU OUT. YOU HAVE TO GO AROUND TO THE OTHER SIDE, BUT CRAWLING OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. HAD THE SWITCH AND ACTUATOR REPLACED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. AB…
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POWER DOOR LOCKS RE-LOCK AFTER YOU UNLOCK THEM AND PULL ON THE DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. THIS CAN EITHER TRAP YOU IN YOUR CAR, OR TRAP YOU OUT. YOU HAVE TO GO AROUND TO THE OTHER SIDE, BUT CRAWLING OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. HAD THE SWITCH AND ACTUATOR REPLACED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. ABOUT A YEAR LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. KIA DOESN'T SEEM TO CARE SINCE IT GETS THEM OVER $300 WORTH OF BUSINESS EACH TIME. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10413314
97,000 miles · Jul 11, 2011
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
POWER LOCKS INSTANTLY LOCK AFTER UNLOCKING,(OVER AND OVER) PROHIBITING ME AND MY PASSENGERS TO ENTER OR EXIT THE VEHICLE. IT SOMETIMES TAKES 5-10 MINUTES OF TRYING TO UNLOCK THAT THEY WILL FINALLY STAY UNLOCKED ALLOWING ACCESS. I HAVE A TODDLER AND A BABY ON THE WAY. IF THERE WERE TO BE AN ACCIDENT OR A FIRE, I COULD ONLY IMAGIN…
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POWER LOCKS INSTANTLY LOCK AFTER UNLOCKING,(OVER AND OVER) PROHIBITING ME AND MY PASSENGERS TO ENTER OR EXIT THE VEHICLE. IT SOMETIMES TAKES 5-10 MINUTES OF TRYING TO UNLOCK THAT THEY WILL FINALLY STAY UNLOCKED ALLOWING ACCESS. I HAVE A TODDLER AND A BABY ON THE WAY. IF THERE WERE TO BE AN ACCIDENT OR A FIRE, I COULD ONLY IMAGINE BEING TRAPPED INSIDE.
NHTSA ODI #10412608
90,000 miles · Jul 1, 2011
Latches/locks/linkages
POWER DOOR LOCKS INSTANTLY LOCK AFTER UNLOCKING CONTINUOUSLY, PROHIBITING ENTRY OR EXIT TO THE VEHICLE. THIS POSES A SAFETY HAZARD IF THERE WERE TO BE AN ACCIDENT LOCKING ME AND MY CHILDREN INSIDE THE VEHICLE. SOMETIMES IT TAKES 5-10 MINUTES TO GET IN OR OUT OF THE CAR TRYING TO CATCH THE DOOR HANDLE AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME TO BE…
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POWER DOOR LOCKS INSTANTLY LOCK AFTER UNLOCKING CONTINUOUSLY, PROHIBITING ENTRY OR EXIT TO THE VEHICLE. THIS POSES A SAFETY HAZARD IF THERE WERE TO BE AN ACCIDENT LOCKING ME AND MY CHILDREN INSIDE THE VEHICLE. SOMETIMES IT TAKES 5-10 MINUTES TO GET IN OR OUT OF THE CAR TRYING TO CATCH THE DOOR HANDLE AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME TO BE ABLE TO OPEN IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10410184
104,000 miles · Jun 17, 2011
Latches/locks/linkages
ONCE YOU LOCK THE DOORS ON A 2003 KIA OPTIMA, YOU CANNOT UNLOCK FROM EITHER THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. IF YOU KEEP LOCKING AND UNLOCKING FROM INSIDE, THEY WILL EVENTUALLY STAY UNLOCKED. VERY UNSAFE IF YOU NEED TO GET OUT OF CAR QUICKLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10407308
80,000 miles · Jun 16, 2011
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure
OWNER OF 2003 KIA OPTIMA - DRIVER DOOR WON'T OPEN FROM INSIDE OUR OUTSIDE. OWNER MUST USE PASSENGER DOOR TO GAIN ACCESS TO VEHICLE. EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE SEEMS LOOSE. UNABLE TO OPEN DOOR TO REMOVE DOOR PANEL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10407123
126,000 miles · Mar 15, 2011
Structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN OR CLOSE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE HER WITH ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT IF SHE REPAIRED HER VEHICLE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN OR CLOSE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE HER WITH ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT IF SHE REPAIRED HER VEHICLE AND A RECALL WAS LATER ISSUED THAT SHE WOULD BE ENTITLED TO A REFUND. THE VEHICLE WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000. UPDATED 05/03/11*LJ UPDATED 05/11/11
NHTSA ODI #10390244
85,000 miles · Feb 6, 2011
Latches/locks/linkages
DOOR LOCKS STOP WORKING ,CAN'T OPEN THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10380903
Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2011
Latches/locks/linkages
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE BECAME LOCKED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO EXIT. THE LOCKS HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND SHE HAD TO EXIT THE VEHICLE BY CRAWLING OUT OF THE WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE PERSISTED FOR TWO YEAR BEFORE THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE DEALER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE BECAME LOCKED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO EXIT. THE LOCKS HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND SHE HAD TO EXIT THE VEHICLE BY CRAWLING OUT OF THE WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE PERSISTED FOR TWO YEAR BEFORE THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE DEALER REFERRED HER TO THE MANUFACTURER AND THE MANUFACTURER AGREED TO ASSIST WITH REPAIRING THE LOCKS FOR THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR ONLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR DOOR LOCKS WERE AFFECTED BY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,442 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10380125
Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2011
Latches/locks/linkagesPower Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LATCHES ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WERE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY; THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS TO GET IN OR OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE LATCHES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTAC…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LATCHES ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WERE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY; THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS TO GET IN OR OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE LATCHES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR COSTS. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE CV JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 02/16/11 UPDATED 3/8/11 *CN
NHTSA ODI #10378437
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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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 THE DEALER NOR WAS IT REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.
NHTSA ODI #10373927
Official recalls
2May 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.
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 ↗