2003 Kia Optima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Latches/locks/linkages is the leading concern among 144 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 16th highest complaint count among 20 Optima model years with reports.
Of the 2003 reports, 8 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 6 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Suspension, frontMay 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.
CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME COULD LEAD TO SEPARATION, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
Campaign 09V183000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storage, tank assemblyApr 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.
FUEL SPILLAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 25, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
Campaign 04V180000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
144 reports, newest first.
Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 5, 2010
THE DRIVER DOOR ON MY 2003 KIA OPTIMA WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH MY KEY, EVEN THOUGH THE INSIDE LOCK WOULD MOVE TO THE "UNLOCK" POSITION. IT WILL ONLY OPEN WITH A COMBINATION OF TURNING THE KEY AND PULLING THE DOOR HANDLE AT THE SAME TIME OR HAVING MY SON PUSH DOWN ON THE INSIDE LOCK WHILE I TURN THE KEY AND PULL THE DOOR HANDLE. THIS SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM ONLY WORKS ABOUT HALF THE TIME. IF THE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK, I HAVE TO ENTER THE CAR THROUGH THE PASSENGER DOOR AND THE DRIVER DOOR WILL STILL NOT UNLOCK, EVEN FROM THE INSIDE. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 31, 2010
DRIVER SIDE LOCK DEFECTIVE. DRIVER GET LOCKED IN. 2003 KIA OPTIMA. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 27, 2010
***SAFETY ISSUE*** 1) UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS WITHOUT ABUSE OR CONSUMER MODIFICATION. 2) DOOR LOCKS FREQUENTLY FAIL TO UNLOCK OR WILL AUTOMATICALLY RE-LOCK WHEN ATTEMPTING TO UNLOCK EITHER MANUALLY OR ELECTRONICALLY. THIS COULD CAUSE AN INABILITY TO ESCAPE THE VEHICLE IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME OR MAY RESULT IN BEING UNABLE TO ACCESS CHILDREN TRAPPED INSIDE. THUS, LEADING TO HEAT STROKE, DEATH, OR OTHER PHYSICAL HARM. 3) HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY, BUT STILL INTERMITTENTLY FAILS TO UNLOCK AS OF THE DATE OF THIS REPORT. THERE IS NO MANUAL OVERRIDE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS WITH THIS MECHANICAL/ELECTRICAL FAILURE. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 4, 2010
THE DOORS ON MY KIA OPTIMA (2003) LOCK BY THEMSELVES AFTER I UNLOCK THE CAR. WHEN I GO TO OPEN MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR IS WHEN THE CAR LOCKS BY ITSELF. I AM AFRAID OF LOCKING MY KIDS IN THE CAR BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE OTHER DAY I COULDN'T GET THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR OPEN AT ALL. *TR
Fuel system, Other, Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 27, 2010
HAVE 2003 KIA OPTIMA. CAR STOPS WHILE RUNNING.LOOKS INTO GOOGLE. IS COMMON PROBLEM. CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. ALSO LOCKS ON THE DRIVER SIDE NOT WORKING ,LOCKS SELF INSIDE THE CAR. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 25, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE INTERIOR DOOR LOCKS WERE INOPERABLE. WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO REACH OUTSIDE THE WINDOW AND UNLOCK THE DOORS FROM THE OUTSIDE LATCH. ONCE THE DOORS WERE UNLOCKED, THEY WOULD INDEPENDENTLY RELOCK WITHIN SECONDS. THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE A REASON FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
Latches/locks/linkages, May 10, 2010
THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY. SOMETIMES THE DOORS WOULD UNLOCK ELECTRONICALLY AND SOMETIMES NOT. SEVERAL TIMES WE COULD NOT UNLOCK MANUALLY EITHER. A FEW TIMES THE PASSENGER HAD TO CLIMB OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE AND EXIT THE CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I WAS ABLE TO TAKE IT A KIA DEALER JANUARY 28, 2010 AND THEY REPLACED BOTH DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLIES. THE LOCKS WERE WORKING UNTIL THIS WEEK, MAY 6, WHEN THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM BEGINNING TO APPEAR. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT BUT THE DOOR SHOULD BE ABLE TO BE UNLOCKED MANUALLY. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 13, 2010
DOOR LOCKS - THE DOOR LOCKS ON MY '03 OPTIMA HAVE FAILED TWICE. FIRST THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOCKS FAILED. AFTER UNLOCKING THE DOORS, THE DOORS LOCK AGAIN WHEN PULLING ON THE DOOR HANDLE. KIA DEALER REPLACED THE ACTUATOR AND LATCH AT A COST OF $300+. WITHIN 1-1/2 YEARS THE SAME THING HAPPENED WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE, WITH THE SAME COST TO REPAIR. WHEN IT HAPPENS, YOU CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. IT IS A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
Visibility, Apr 13, 2010
PASSENGER MIRROR FALLS OFF. *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 12, 2010
2003 KIA OPTIMA DRIVER SIDE DOOR WONT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUT. NO WARRANTY ON THE CAR, WAS TOLD BY KIA DEALERSHIP WHEN I CALLED THAT THEY HAVE HEARD OF THE PROBLEM!! ALSO THE PASSENGER DOOR IS DOING THE SAME THING. LOTS OF BLOGS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN MY DAUGHTER HAS TO GET OUT OF HER CAR AND CANT? SOMETIMES SHE HAS TO GET IN AND OUT THROUGH THE BACK SEAT DOORS!! *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 26, 2010
FOR THE 2003 KIA OPTIMA , THE DOOR LOCKS FAIL AND THE DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE. THIS IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT ABOUT THE CAR IN THE 2000-03 GENERATION.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 19, 2009
I BOUGHT MY 2003 KIA OPTIMA NEW 5/24/03. SOMETIME DURING THE WINTER OF 2004/06 NOTICED DOOR LOCKS CLICKED MORE THAN I WAS USED TO HEARING, BUT THEY WORKED. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE DUE TO COLD WEATHER AS ANTENNA DOESN'T GO ALL THE WAY DONE IN COLD WEATHER (ANTENNA NOTED TO DEALER 12/20/04). I THOUGHT I MENTIONED THIS TO DEALER PRIOR TO 60K MILES WHILE GETTING ANOTHER SERVICE DONE AND WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED, BUT THERE IS NO RECORD OF IT PER DEALER. IN ANY CASE I BROUGHT THE CAR TO DEALER 3/6/07 FOR OIL CHANGE AND ASKED THEY CHECK DOOR LOCKS WHICH WERE ONLY WORKING INTERMITTENTLY - PER THE INVOICE THEY CHECKED LOCK RELAYS, DISCONNECTED AND CHECKED SWITCH, CHECKED GROUND AT JB-07, 0 OHMS , ETCS MODULE ALL OK. THE MILEAGE AT THAT POINT WAS 67288. I WAS TOLD THE ELECTRICAL WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 60K. I DID NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO GET IT REPAIRED. BY 10/24/07, THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR COULD NO LONGER BE OPENED WITH DRIVER DOOR SWITCH OR REMOTE, AND KEY ENTRY TOOK SEVERAL MINUTES WHILE TURNING THE KEY WHILE THE DOOR UNLOCKED THEN LOCKED AS I PULLED UP THE HANDLE. I WAS CHARGED $35.55 TO DIAGNOSE THAT THERE WAS A POSSIBLE WIRING ETAC OR RELAY PROBLEM NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY - COST OF REPAIR WOULD BE OVER $1000. NOW THE COVER TO THE PASSENGER DOOR KEY HOLE JUST CAME OFF PROBABLY DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE KEY PLAY NEEDED TO OPEN THE DOOR. I AM CONCERNED FOR SAFETY OF PASSENGERS GETTING STUCK IF THE DRIVER IS INCAPACITATED IN AN ACCIDENT AND CAN'T RUN AROUND THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CAR WITH KEY IN HAND TO LET THEM OUT. RIGHT NOW CAR IS IN THE DEALERSHIP GETTING THE RECALLED RUSTED SUBFRAME REPLACED. IT WILL TAKE 1 WEEK TO GET THE PART. MEANWHILE, I AM WITH OUT CAR, THE DEALER WON'T PAY FOR RENTAL AND I DRIVE 72 MILES ROUND TRIP TO WORK . CAR LURCHES FORWARD OCCASIONALLY WITH HIGH WAY DRIVING, NOTED TO DEALER AT 89346 MILES - DEALER CAN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM. *TR
Structure, Jul 16, 2009
PAINT CHIPPING OFF FRONT BUMPER AND BOTH HANDLES. *TR
Visibility, Jul 16, 2009
RUSTING OF WINDSHIELD WIPERS. *TR
Fuel system, Other, Jul 16, 2009
EXCESSIVE CHECK ENGINE ON.....ALL TESTS WERE DONE ON FUEL SYSTEM AND EVERYTHING WAS DIAGNOSED AS FUNCTIONING. *TR
Suspension, Jul 16, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V183000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAD TO RECEIVE A WHEEL ALIGNMENT IN CONJUNCTION TO THE RECALL REPAIR. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WOULD NOT BE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT SERVICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THERE WAS NO RESOLUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONSUMERS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 132,818. UPDATED 8/7/09 *CN UPDATED 08/11/09.*JB
Power train, Jun 2, 2009
AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND TURN LEFT. MY CAR WOULD NOT "GO". SO I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR HARDER AND IT FINALLY AND SLOWLY MOVED FORWARD. I HAVE AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, BUT IT WAS LIKE I WAS DRIVING A MANUAL AND HAD TRIED TO START IN 3RD GEAR INSTEAD OF 1ST. IT'S ALMOST LIKE MY CAR HAD TO CATCH UP FOR A MINUTE BEFORE IT WOULD GO. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THAT TO DIFFERENT DEGREES. IT IS A 2003 WITH ONLY 41,000 MILES AND NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY SINCE I BOUGHT IT USED. I AM AFRAID IT WILL DO THIS ON THE INTERSTATE OR WHEN I AM TRYING TO MERGE AND COULD BE DANGEROUS. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 2, 2009
EVERYTIME I TRY TO OPEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, FROM INSIDE THE CAR OR OUTSIDE, THE ENTIRE CAR LOCKS DOWN. I CAN ONLY OPEN THIS DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE, WITH THE KEY, WHILE CATCHING THE LOCKING MECHANISM BETWEEN CYCLES. THIS TAKES A LOT OF TIMING AND SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. NO ONE CAN GET IN OR OUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED 2 YEARS AGO AND IT ONLY HAS 41,000 MILES. THE 10 YEAR 100,000 MILE WARRANTY ONLY APPLIES TO THE 1ST OWNER. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, May 1, 2009
LOCKING SYSTEM FAILURE CAUSING ALL DOORS TO LOCK ON THE VEHICLE WITH NO MEANS TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. CAN NOT GET OUT BY THE WINDOWS AND THE MOTOR WILL NOT SHUT DOWN FOR QUIT SOME TIME. WE BELIEVE IT ALSO TRIGGERED OR MALFUNCTIONED THE ANTI-THEFT CAUSING IT TO INGAGE WHICH WOULD PREVENT YOU EXITING THE VEHICLE AS WELL. *TR
Air bags, Jan 22, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED IN HER VEHICLE. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC, BUT NO CODES APPEARED. THE DEALER RESET THE COMPUTER AND THE INDICATORS REMAINED DIM FOR A FEW DAYS; HOWEVER, THEY WOULD EVENTUALLY ILLUMINATE AGAIN. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Air bags, Dec 4, 2008
2003 KIA OPTIMA HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT STAYING ON. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICE FOR THIS ISSUE BUT IT KEEPS RECURRING. *NJ
Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 18, 2008
2003 KIA OPTIMA POWER DOOR LOCKS STICK & WON'T RELEASE, NECESSITATING DRIVER TO CRAWL OVER CONSOLE IN ORDER TO EXIT AND/OR PASSENGERS CANNOT GET OUT WITHOUT CRAWLING THROUGH WINDOW. IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE OR OTHER EMERGENCY SERIOUS INJURY COULD RESULT. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 31, 2008
RE:2003 KIA OPTIMA POWER DOOR LOCKS STICK & WON'T RELEASE, NECESSITATING DRIVER TO CRAWL OVER CONSOLE IN ORDER TO EXIT. IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE OR OTHER EMERGENCY SERIOUS INJURY COULD RESULT. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Jun 5, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CANISTER CLOSE VALVE FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE FUEL GAUGE TO DISPLAY INACCURATE READINGS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE DEALER STATED THAT A VAPOR HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL CANISTER CRACKED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CANISTER CLOSE VALVE AND LEVER FENDER. THE REPAIR COSTS TOTALED $104; HOWEVER, THE REPAIRS DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE DEALER IS NOW SUGGESTING THAT THE CLUSTER PANEL WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V180000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY) AND WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,671. UPDATED 07/29/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE FILLING THE GAS TANK, THE PUMP CLICKED, BUT THAT GAS GAUGE ONLY SHOWED 1/2 TANK OF GAS. UPDATED 08/05/08
Electrical system, Mar 11, 2008
EL AUTO KIA OPTIMA 2003, EN MLTIPLES OCASIONES HA MARCADO ALTAS TEMPERATURAS. EXISTEN PROBLEMAS PARA PONERLE GASOLINA YA QUE LA BOTA O NO PERMITE QUE SE LE ECHE MS ENTRE OTROS DEFECTOS.