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
225 reports, newest first.
Structure, Feb 23, 2016
BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS WON'T OPEN, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE UNLOCKED. THE CAR COULD BE ON OR OFF WITH THIS PROBLEM.
Other or unspecified, Feb 3, 2016
MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AUTOMATIC LOCKS LOCK AND EVEN AFTER MANUALLY UNLOCKING THEM I AM UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. HAVE TO ENTER AND EXIT THE VEHICLE THROUGH PASSENGER DOOR. MANY OTHER KIA OPTIMA OWNERS ONLINE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. THIS POSES A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK IF I CAN'T EXIT THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY. PLEASE FORCE KIA TO MAKE THIS RIGHT!
Air bags, Dec 11, 2015
AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINS ON SHOWING A PROBLEM WITH THE SYSTEM. WAS TOLD COULD BE A SENSOR AND WOULD COST $150 TO DIAGNOSE AND UP TO $2000 TO FIX. NOT WORTH THE COST CONSIDERING THE AGE BUT NEEDS TO BE FIXED FOR SAFETY REASONS
Structure, Other or unspecified, Dec 1, 2015
OUT OF NOWHERE MY DAUGHTER'S CAR DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN, TRAPPING HER INSIDE. IT WON'T OPEN WITH THE KEY OR REMOTE. I CALLED KIA AND THEY SAID MY WARRANTY RAN OUT AND THERE IS NO RECALL DESPITE THIS BEING A COMMON ISSUE-- A VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE I MUST SAY, SINCE THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS COULD POSSIBLY BE TRAPPED AND DIE IN AN EMERGENCY.
Structure, Nov 13, 2015
THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE, WITH OR WITHOUT THE KEY. I'VE TRIED EVERYTHING AND CAN'T GET IT TO OPEN. I HAD TO CRAWL TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AFTER GETTING HOME TO GET OUT.
Suspension, Structure, Other or unspecified, Oct 24, 2015
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...
Electrical system, Sep 27, 2015
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.
Suspension, Sep 24, 2015
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.
Electrical system, Aug 27, 2015
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.
Other or unspecified, Jul 16, 2015
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!
Air bags, Jul 7, 2015
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.
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 3, 2015
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.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 2, 2015
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
Latches/locks/linkages, May 22, 2015
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.
Electrical system, Structure, May 2, 2015
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
Electrical system, Apr 21, 2015
ALL DOORS LOCK AND WON'T UNLOCK, HAVE TO CLIMB OUT WINDOW THEN PLAY WITH KEY IN LOCKS. CANNOT GET IN OR OUT OF CAR. NOT GOOD IN EMERGENCY ESPECIALLY SINCE MY THREE GRANDCHILDREN ARE WITH ME IN THE CAR 90% OF THE TIME, WE DO NOT FEEL SAFE. LOOKED THE PROBLEM UP AND SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON IT PLUS THE DEALER WON'T FIX FREE OF CHARGE AND THE PARTS ARE PLASTIC. I'M NOT A MECHANIC AND DO NOT BELIEVE I SHOULD PAY FOR REPAIRS SINCE MY WARRANTY IS UP. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 10, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES AND FAILED TO RESTART ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THERE WAS A RECALL ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V067000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 4, 2015
I HAVE A 2004 KIA OPTIMA LX 4 DOOR SEDAN, THE FRONT DOOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE YOU CAN NOT LOCK AND UNLOCK I HAVE TO LEAVE THE DOOR PANEL OFF SO IF IT GETS LOCKED, YOU HAVE TO TAKE A SCREWDRIVER AND PUSH UP THE LITTLE ROD THAT LEADS TO THE LATCH. BELIEVE ME I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER KIA OPTIMA OR ANY KIND OF A KIA IN MY EYES THEY ARE JUNK . ESPECIALLY WHEN THIS JUNKY CAR ONLY HAS 87,000 MILES. *TR
Electrical system, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Mar 28, 2015, crash, fire
ALMOST DIED IN AN ACCIDENT TATE KIA DID NOT ALLOW ME TO LEAVE THE THROUGH MY DOOR. I WAS HIT ONE MY PASSENGER SIDE NOT ALLOWING MY ESCAPE THROUGH THAT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND I NEEDED TO CRAWL THROUGH TO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE TO ESCAPE. MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK MALFUNCTIONED BECAUSE OF WEAR ON A COMMONLY KNOW PART. THIS SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR CONSIDERING MY 1967 CAMERO STILL HAS FUNCTIONING LOCKS AND 50 YRS OLDER. I SEE NOT REASON AS TO WHY A 11 YR OLD VEHICLE HAS NON FUNCTIONING LOCKING EQUIPMENT AND I HAVE OWNED VARIOUS OTHER CARS WITHOUT A PROBLEM LIKE THIS MALFUNCTION THAT SEEMS ONLY TOO OBVIOUS OF AN AMERICAN SAFETY CONCERN. THIS SEEMS LIKE A MANDATORY RECALL FOR SUCH AN IMPORTANT FUNCTION OF A VEHICLE TO BE ABLE TO EVEN "GET IN" OR "GET OUT" OF THE CAR. SIMPLE CONCEPT! WON'T EVEN BE ABLE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE IF I CAN'T GET IN IT OR SLEEP IN MY APARTMENT IF I CAN'T GET OUT OF IT. HUH? THE WEB IS FULL OF THESE COMPLAINTS AND NEAR LIFE DISASTERS BECAUSE OF THIS MALFUNCTION. SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT PEOPLE WANT RESOLUTION INCLUDING MYSELF! IF THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND THEY HAVE REGULAR JOBS NO SLATED TO THE TASK OF HIGHWAY SAFETY. HOW IS IT THAT YOUR AGENCY SLATED WITH THE TASK OF THIS IMPORTANT JOB HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE HAS NOW SPAN SEVERAL YEARS OF THESE VEHICLES AND VARIOUS MODELS. SEEMS TO ME THAT SOMEONE, REFERRING TO YOUR AGENCY IS NOT DOING THEIR JOB VERY WELL AT ALL AND NEEDS TO WAKE UP CONCERNING THIS ISSUE WITH THE KIA MANUFACTURER TO FIX THIS VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. GET TO ITS BOYS AND GIRLS AND GET THIS DONE, BECAUSE FAMILIES DEPEND ON YOU TO DO THE RIGHT THING FOR OUR WELL BEING. SCENARIO: CAR STARTS ON FIRE.......CAN'T OPEN DOOR....DEAD.......A DUH!!!!!!!! MAKE SENSE? YEAH! GOOD! THEY HAVE CREATED A DEATH TRAP. FIX IT!!!!!! *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 12, 2015
WHEN TRYING TO EXIT MY KIA, THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT UNLOCK. I TRIED THE MANUAL AND ELECTRICAL SWITCHES ON THE DOOR AND ALL I COULD GET WAS A CLICK, AND THEN AN IMMEDIATE RE-LOCK OF THE DOORS, AS SOON AS I PULLED ON THE DOOR HANDLE. I THEN ROLLED THE WINDOW DOWN AND TRIED THE KEY, SEVERAL TIMES, FROM THE OUTSIDE WITH THE SAME RESULTS. I MANAGED TO WORK MY 79 YEAR OLD 210 LB. BODY OVER TO THE PASSENGER SEAT AND TRIED THE SAME THING AND GOT THE SAME RESULTS. I WAS READY TO CALL 911 WHEN I TRIED THE KEY ON THE OUTSIDE AGAIN FOR THE 5TH OR 6TH TIME AND THE LOCKS WORKED. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND I UNDERSTAND IS QUITE COMMON ON THE KIA'S AT ABOUT 100,000 MILES, I KNOW I WAS FRIGHTENED. I DON'T KNOW WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IN A WRECK WITH A FIRE AND THE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES, TWICE WHILE LOCKED INSIDE AND TWICE FROM THE OUTSIDE TYING TO GET IN. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 3, 2015
ACCELERATED TO GET OUT OF SNOW EMBANKMENT AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THEN CAR LOCKS WENT OUT OF WHACK AND LOCKED DOORS. COULD NOT EXIT, CONTINUED TO RELOCK AND TIME YOU TOUCHED LOCKS OR DOOR TO GET OUT! VERY UNSAFE!!! LOCKED IN VEHICLE ONLY EXIT REAR DOORS, ELECTRICAL NOT OK AFTER RESET BATTERY. I ORDERED NEW PART, NOT EVEN SURE IT WILL FIX IT. DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL!!!!!!!!! *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 3, 2015
IT STARTED WITH DOORS WILL LOCK AND UNLOCK AUTOMATICALLY WHILE DRIVING, THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE 2012, THEN THE PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK AT TIMES SINCE 2012. THEN ON 2-28-15, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK. I HAD TO CLIMB THROUGH THE BACK SEAT AND THE CONSOLE TO GET TO THE DRIVER SEAT. THEN ON THE 3-02-2015, DRIVER'S DOOR, THE PASSENGER DOOR AND THE REAR BACK DOOR COMPLETELY REFUSED TO UNLOCK. THIS IS VERY SCARY, IN FACT, I ALMOST BROKE MY RIGHT FOOT WHILE CLIMBING INTO THE DRIVER SEAT FROM THE BACK SEAT THROUGH THE CONSOLE, BECAUSE MY RIGHT LEG WAS CAUGHT ON THE PASSENGER SEAT HEAD REST. *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 2, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK OR OPEN. THE CONTACT HAD TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE BY USING THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.
Electrical system, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Mar 2, 2015
DRIVERS SIDE LOCKING AND NOT RELEASING. NUMEROUS INCIDENTS WHERE THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCKS AND WILL NOT RELEASE. (USING THE KEY ON THE OUTSIDE OR THE PAD ON THE INSIDE DOOR) I HAVE REPEATEDLY HAD TO CLIMB OUT THE BACK DOOR BECAUSE THE PLASTIC PIECES THAT WERE USED WHEN MAKING THE CAR ARE WORN OUT AND NOT ALLOWING THE LOCK TO UNLOCK. IF THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURES DEFECT. I AM HOPING THAT A RECALL OR A SILENT RECALL WILL BE ISSUED FOR THIS SINCE I AM NOT ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR TO GET THE DOOR PANEL OFF TO FIX IT. *TR
Seats, Feb 25, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE HEAD RESTS WERE DESIGNED WITH AN INTERIOR BAR COVERED BY FABRIC. OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, THE METAL PROTRUDED AND CAUSED DISCOMFORT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.