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2004 Kia Optima

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Kia Optima do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 186.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

187 reports with mileage · 38 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 81 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 42 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 reports3 fire reports7 injury reports

What owners actually said

225 reports
124,000 miles · Oct 24, 2015
StructureSuspensionUnknown Or Other

SUB FRAME ROT LEADING TO POOR HANDLING , TIRE WEAR, BAD ENGINE PERFORMANCE. THE ROTTED SUPFRAME IS SEPARATING FROM BODY, CAUSING POOR PERFORMANCE. THE CAR IS PERFORMING POORLY AT ALL SPEEDS. NOT SAFE...

NHTSA ODI #10785782

47,000 miles · Sep 27, 2015
Electrical System

FIRST MY PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK (CANNOT GET THE DOOR OPEN AT ALL) - MY PASSENGERS HAVE TO CRAWL IN THROUGH THE WINDOW TO SIT IN PASSENGER SEAT AND MY 78 YEAR OLD GRANDMA CAN'T DO THAT SO SHE HAS TO SIT IN THE BACK. NOW 7 MONTHS LATER, MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH THE KEY AND WHEN I GOT OFF THE EXIT LAS…

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FIRST MY PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK (CANNOT GET THE DOOR OPEN AT ALL) - MY PASSENGERS HAVE TO CRAWL IN THROUGH THE WINDOW TO SIT IN PASSENGER SEAT AND MY 78 YEAR OLD GRANDMA CAN'T DO THAT SO SHE HAS TO SIT IN THE BACK. NOW 7 MONTHS LATER, MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH THE KEY AND WHEN I GOT OFF THE EXIT LAST NIGHT DOING ABOUT 20 OR 25 MILES AN HOUR, MY ENTIRE CAR FAILED (LCHECK ENGINE, BRAKE, OIL, ETC. LIGHTS ALL CAME ON AND THEN MY CAR DIED - TOTAL SYSTEM FAILURE). TOWED THE CAR TO GET CHECKED - NOTHING WRONG WITH ALTERNATOR OR BATTERY PER MECHANIC. HE SAID KIA KNOWS THEY HAVE THIS ELECTRICAL ISSUE AND FAULTY LOCKS BUT THE CHEAPSKATES WON'T CONDUCT A RECALL LIKE RESPONSIBLE AUTO COMPANIES DO, SO HE TELLS ALL HIS CLIENTS TO NEVER BUY A KIA. FOR ME, THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I SAVED MY MONEY TO BUY MY FIRST CAR AND I HAVE OBVIOUSLY MADE A POOR CHOICE. WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO FORCE KIA TO RECALL THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE? IF MY CAR GOES ON FIRE FROM THEIR FAULTY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, HOW DO I GET OUT OF THE CAR TO SAVE MY LIFE? WHERE DO I TAKE MY CAR TO GET REPAIRED SINCE I CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY A MORE RELIABLE CAR? DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW TO FIX THIS ISSUE? I CAN'T KEEP GOING BACK, SO I WANT IT FIXED ONCE AND FIXED RIGHT.

NHTSA ODI #10777966

Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 2015
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V183000 (SUSPENSION). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10775927

87,000 miles · Aug 27, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEYLESS ENTRY ABILITY FAILED TO WORK FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE REAR DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK WHEN UTILIZING A KEY OR MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS N…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEYLESS ENTRY ABILITY FAILED TO WORK FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE REAR DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK WHEN UTILIZING A KEY OR MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

NHTSA ODI #10759819

100,000 miles · Jul 16, 2015
Unknown Or Other

DRIVER DOOR FAILS TO OPEN. WHEN WILL SOMETHING BE DONE ABOUT THIS? THERE ARE COMPLAINTS EVERYWHERE ONLINE ABOUT THIS EXACT ISSUE ON THIS EXACT MODEL AND OTHER YEARS TOO. I CAN'T GET IN OR OUT OF MY CAR THROUGH THE DRIVER DOOR. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN!

NHTSA ODI #10734562

Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2015
Air Bags

THE VEHICLE HASN'T BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS WHICH I AM VERY THANKFUL FOR CONSIDERING THE AIR BAGS MAY OR MAY NOT WORK. THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS RESET IT SEVERAL TIMES. THE CAR WON'T PASS INSPECTION WITH THE LIGHT ON. I AM A RECENT COLLEGE GRADUATE ON A FIXED INCOME. I NEED THE CAR FOR TRANSPORTATION TO WORK AN…

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THE VEHICLE HASN'T BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS WHICH I AM VERY THANKFUL FOR CONSIDERING THE AIR BAGS MAY OR MAY NOT WORK. THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS RESET IT SEVERAL TIMES. THE CAR WON'T PASS INSPECTION WITH THE LIGHT ON. I AM A RECENT COLLEGE GRADUATE ON A FIXED INCOME. I NEED THE CAR FOR TRANSPORTATION TO WORK AND AT THIS TIME DON'T HAVE THE FUNDS TO GET IT FIXED IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAGS. I NEED THE KIA DEALERSHIP TO CONSIDER CALLING A RECALL ON THESE AIRBAGS DUE TO A SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY IF THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT AND THE BAGS WOULDN'T DEPLOY. I NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET THIS CAR INSPECTED WITH LITTLE COST TO ME.

NHTSA ODI #10732385

125,000 miles · Jun 3, 2015
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCK FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE DOORS WOULD AUTOMATICALLY LOCK ONCE OPENED WITH THE KEY FOB. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA ODI #10723224

70,000 miles · Jun 2, 2015
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN AND CLOSE. AS THE FAILURE PROGRESSED, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ENTER AND EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPD…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN AND CLOSE. AS THE FAILURE PROGRESSED, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ENTER AND EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 7/16/15*CN

NHTSA ODI #10722928

100,000 miles · May 22, 2015
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK MALFUNCTIONED AND WOULD NOT UNLOCK, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK WHEN ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK MALFUNCTIONED AND WOULD NOT UNLOCK, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK WHEN ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE FOR THE REAR DOOR WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LOCKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10720975

146,680 miles · May 2, 2015
Electrical SystemStructure

POWER DOOR LOCK LOCKS WHEN UNLOCKING FROM OUTSIDE WITH KEY. REPLACED THE DOOR LATCH. BUT IT STILL DOES IT. ALSO THE HEADLIGHTS STAY ON WHEN TURNING OFF THE CAR. HAVE TO MANUALLY TURN OFF HEADLIGHT SWITCH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10714185

Official recalls

1

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.

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.