2004 Kia Optima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Latches/locks/linkages is the leading concern among 225 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 9th highest complaint count among 20 Optima model years with reports.
Of the 2004 reports, 8 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 8 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
Representative owner complaints: structure
42 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 8, 2013
THE DRIVERS DOOR WILL NOT OPEN EITHER FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. THE DOOR REMAINS LOCKED AS THE BUTTON AND KEY DO NOT FULLY UNLOCK IT. USING BOTH BUTTON AND KEY AT THE SAME TIME, I WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR AND OPEN IT. DISSASSEMBLY OF THE DOOR AND LATCH LOCATED THE PROBLEM TO BE THE DOOR LATCH MECHANISM. THE DOOR LATCH IS DESIGNED TO FAIL AS EVIDENCED BY THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS LISTING THIS PART. THE LEVER THAT IS MOVED INTO PLACE WHEN THE DOOR IS UNLOCKED IS BLOCKED BY THE CAM THAT IT INTERFACES WITH BECAUSE THE CAM HAS ROTATED BEYOND THE POINT THAT IT SHOULD. THIS HAS THE POTENTIAL TO TRAP SOMEONE IN THE CAR IF IT SHOULD FAIL AT THE WRONG TIME. *TR
Electrical system, Structure, Other or unspecified, May 16, 2012
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN WITH THE POWER LOCK OR BY KEY, I HAVE BEEN GETTING IN AND OUT OF MY CAR BY USING THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR. MY HUSBAND FOUND A WAY TO UNLOCK MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR, NOW I CAN NOT LOCK MY CAR AGAIN.
Structure, Feb 3, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK, WHICH PREVENTED ACCESS IN ENTERING OR EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO ACCESS THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR TO ENTER OR EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Structure, Jan 23, 2012
DRIVER DOOR REFUSED TO OPEN. I HAVE A DISABILITY SO THIS CREATED A HUGE PROBLEM FOR ME. WHEN I PUT GAS IN MY CAR (REGARDLESS OF GRADE OR GAS STATION) MY CAR REFUSES TO START. WHEN I MAKE A U-TURN, MY CAR MAKES LOUD CLICKING SOUND. I HAD IT CHECKED...MY AXLE AND EVERY THING ELSE LOOKS FINE. NO ONE CAN ESTABLISH WHERE THE NOISE COMES FROM. MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON IT, AND IT SHOULD NOT HAVE ALL THESE ISSUES BUT IT DOES. *TR
Structure, Jan 16, 2012
DRIVERS DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUT, IT HAPPENED THREE TIMES AND THE STARTED WORKING AGAIN. *TR
Electrical system, Structure, Nov 21, 2011
THE DRIVERS DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE OR THE INSIDE. I HAVE TO CRAWL IN FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THEN WHEN I WANT TO GET OUT I HAVE TO CRAWL OVER AND EXIT FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. TRIED TO UNLOCK IT WITH MY KEYLESS ENTRY AND NOW IT DOESN'T WORK. REPLACED BATTERIES BUT STILL NOT WORKING. MY SON KEPT TURNING THE KEY IN THE DOOR AND FINALLY GOT IT OPENED. THE NEXT TIME I DROVE IT THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I AM TIRED OF HAVING TO CRAWL IN AND OUT OF MY CAR. I ALWAYS ENJOYED DRIVING MY KIA BUT NOT ANYMORE. *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 12, 2011
DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK. NEITHER THE KEY NOR THE DOOR LOCK KNOB ON THE INSIDE WORKS TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE BEEN ENTERING AND EXITING THE DRIVER SIDE BY ENTERING THE CAR FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH ALL KIA MODELS AS YOU CAN SEE ON THE WEBSITE HTTP://VLANE.COM/DISCUSS-TOPIC/989/MY-DRIVERS-DOOR-IS-LOCKED-WILL-NOT-UNLOCK . THE PROBLEM IS A SAFETY HAZARD SINCE ONCE IN THE DRIVER SEAT, THE DRIVER CAN NOT EXIT THE CAR THROUGH THE DRIVER DOOR WHICH CAN PROVE TO BE A PROBLEM IN AN EMERGENCY. KIA IS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF OWNERS BY NOT ADDRESSING THE ISSUE. I AM AFRAID FOR MY SAFETY, MY FAMILY'S SAFETY WHILE DRIVING AND EMPHATICALLY PLEAD WITH YOU TO RECALL THESE KIA CARS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Structure, Sep 8, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WAS INOPERABLE. ONCE LOCKED, IT COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,580.
Structure, Aug 4, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NOT OPEN FROM NEITHER THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT A MODULE INSIDE THE DOOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85, 960 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
Structure, Jul 5, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN WHEN IT'S UNLOCKED. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENTER THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR TO MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER NOR A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 27, 2010
THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR ON MY 2004 KIA OPTIMA LOCKS ITSELF BACK WHEN I OPEN IT. I CAN'T GET IN OR OUT THE CAR BECAUSE THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. I WENT TO GET IN THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT OPEN. I'VE HAD TO CLIMB ACROSS THE CENTER CONSOLE TO GET IN THE CAR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR ME BECAUSE IT HURTS MY BACK EVERYTIME I HAVE TO DO THIS. THIS IS MY ONLY FORM OF TRANSPORTATION SO I NEED TO HAVE THIS FIXED. DID AN ONLINE SEARCH TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD POSSIBLY BE AND FOUND OUT THAT I WASN'T THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE. I FEEL THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE TO REMEDY THIS ISSUE WITH SO MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME THING ON THE SAME YEAR,MAKE, AND MODEL CAR. WILL CHECK BACK TO SEE WHAT IS BEING DONE TO RESOLVE THESE ISSUES. IF NOTHING IS BEING DONE THEN WILL SEEK OTHER AVENUES TO HANDLE THIS MATTER. *TR
Suspension, Structure, Oct 15, 2010
AS DESCRIBED BY OTHERS DRIVER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT ON '04 KIA OPTIMA BROKE WITH 1 SHEARED BOLT AND 1 BOLT JUST FALLING OUT (RUSTED WITH NO CLEAN AREAS) THE BALL JOINT HAD 1 PART OF THE SHEARED BOLT REMAINING AND 1 RUSTED THREADED HOLE. DEALER OFFERED NO HELP OTHER THAN TO INDICATE THAT THIS WAS NOT RELATED TO THE SUBFRAME RECALL OF LAST AUGUST ('09). *TR
Structure, Sep 17, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD BECOME STUCK AND HE WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE FOUR YEARS PRIOR TO THE MOST RECENT RECURRENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
Suspension, Structure, Tires, Feb 17, 2010
I HAVE BEEN REFUSED THE REPAIR ON MY 2004 KIA BY NO LESS THAN 3 DEALERSHIPS ABOUT THE RUSTING FRONT END BECAUSE OF LACK OF RUST PROOFING. IT MADE THE CAR UNDRIVABLE 4 MONTHS AGO AND I HAVE HAD NO SATISFACTION. YOU ARE GOING AFTER TOYOTA WITH BOTH BARRELS YET YOU ARE LEAVING KIA ALONE AND I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT SERIOUS EXPENSES AND PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN 2004. I HAVE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AT CONTACTING YOUR OFFICE WITH NEGATIVE REPLIES. IF I DO NOT HERE FROM THIS AGENCY IN THE NEAR FUTURE CONCERNING MY ISSUES I WILL CONTACT THE MEDIA AND SEEK MY RESTITUTION THROUGH THE SQUEAKY WHEEL GETTING THE GREASE METHOD AND MY ATTEMPTS TO HAVE THE GOVERNMENT ASSIST WILL BE PART OF THAT DISCUSSION. PLEASE PUT HEAT ON KIA TO GET AGGRESSIVE WITH THE RECALL REPAIRS. *TR
Structure, Aug 14, 2009
THE RECALL CONCERNING THE 01 -04 KIA OPTIMA SUBFRAME CAUSING THE CAR TO BE UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALIGNMENT IS NOT BEING HONORED BY DEALERS. I HAVE MADE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO EITHER CONTACT DEALERS FOR AN APPOINTMENT TO WHICH THEY WOULD NOT RETURN PHONECALLS OR E-MAILS, OR IN ONE CASE ACTUALLY GOT HOLD OF A DEALER WHO TOLD ME THAT AT 130,000 MILES IT WAS TIME TO REPLACE THE SUBFRAME AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. I HAVE BEEN EATING TIRES AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO KEEP THIS CAR ALIGNED AFTER THE FIRST 20,000 MILES. I CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS CAR BECAUSE I AM UNABLE TO REPLACE IT. I HAVE HAD TO PUT 2 CLUTCHES IN IT (THE FIRST ONE AFTER 29,000 MILES. FOR THE RECORD I HAVE DRIVEN STANDARDS FOR 27 YEARS BEFORE THIS AND HAD NEVER HAD TO REPLACE A CLUTCH) AND FOUND OUT AFTER THE SECOND CLUTCH (WHICH AT NO TIME WOULD KIA ACKNOWLEDGE A DESIGN FLAW OR ANY CULPABILITY) THAT THE ORIGINAL CLUTCHES WERE NOT LASTING ON THESE CARS AND A STANDARD PRESSURE PLATE CLUTCH HAD REPLACED THE ORIGINAL UNDER AN ENGINEERING CHANGE INSTEAD OF A RECALL. THIS CAR IS UNSAFE AND KIA CORPORATION AND ANY DEALER I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT SO FAR HAS REFUSED EVER TO MAKE GOOD ON ANY ASPECT OF THIS CAR. THIS CAR AND ANY 01-04 KIA OPTIMA SHOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED BY THE KIA CORPORATION FOR THEIR BLATANT DISREGARD TO THE CONSUMER FOR THEIR SAFETY AND COSTS. I AM GOING TO ATTEMPT A MEDIA BLITZ TO INFORM THE AMERICAN PUBLIC OF THIS BLATANT DISREGARD AND THESE SAFETY ISSUES IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS AND FELT YOU WOULD WANT TO KNOW IN ORDER TO GET YOUR DATA IN ORDER. *TR
Structure, Aug 8, 2009
RECEIVED RECALL LETTER FROM KIA JUNE15,2009, POSSIBILITY OF CORROSION OF THE SUBFRAME. I CALLED MY DEALER WITHIN A COUPLE OF DAYS AND WAS TOLD NO PARTS IN THEY WOULD CALL ME. ON AUG. 03 I CALLED THE KIA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AND THEY CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD STILL NOT PARTS. I WAS TOLD I WOULD BE CALLED BACK WITHIN TWO DAYS TO LET ME KNOW WHY NO PARTS HOWEVER IT WAS THE SAME NO CALL. I AM CONCERNED THAT MY CAR MAY BE FAULTY AND I CAN GET NO SERVICE OR HELP. IF IT IS A RECALL WHY CAN I NOT GET HELP TO HAVE IT CHECKED. KIA MOTORS AMERICA INC. GAVE NO REPLY AND THE DEALER STILL SAYS NO PARTS. ON AUG 15TH IT WILL BE TWO MONTHS AND NO HELP. THANK YOU (THIS IS FROM A RECALL LETTER TO ME). *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Structure, Dec 2, 2005
MOTOR MOUNTS AND PULLEYS DEFECTIVE. THIS WILL BE MY THIRD TIME TO THE SHOP IN LESS THAN A MONTH. THE PULLEYS AND MOUNTS ARE BOUND TO CAUSE OTHER DAMAGE. *JB