2003 Kia Optima: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 141 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is latches/locks/linkages (33% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 141 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 kia optima. The contact noticed that the vehicle was out of alignment. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that an alignment could not be performed because the subframe was fractured. The contact discovered NHTSA campaign number: 09v183000(suspension). The contact called bob rohrman kia (801 sagamore pkwy s, lafayette, in 47905, 765-746-7301) and was informed that the recall repair had already been performed on the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified and stated that they could not assist since the recall repair had been completed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 168,531.”Owner report · Suspension · Oct 2019
“The frame is rusted through causing the vehicle to be unsafe, though it had a recall for this exact problem and it was only inspected and not replaced. The car was initially taken to a local auto repair shop for an alignment as it pulled to the right, the shop said the frame was rusted so badly that an alignment could not be done. It was determined that a recall had been made for this vehicle. Recall #09v183000. Gurley leep kia in mishawaka, indiana was contacted and an appointment was made. The technician said the frame was rusted but kia would not repair the vehicle as the recall had already been made.”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2019
“At 24,000 miles my vehicle started locking doors when temperatures reach 32 degrees or lower. Vehicle outside on city street or driveway. When temperatures get to 32 degrees, doors lock and do not unlock to allow access. If you are inside of car it locks you inside of car, as well as out of car. Locks unlock then lock instantly even when using key, not key fob to unlock car~ no access to enter vehicle until above 32 degrees. In case of emergency...you have no vehicle. This has happened every year when temperature gets below 32 degrees. I have reported this problem in past.recall and fix it please!!!”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 2017
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“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 kia optima. The contact stated the vehicle was taken to dulles motorcars located at 107 catoctin cir se, leesburg, va 20175, phone number: (703) 777-7077, for a routine oil change and safety inspection, there it was informed by the technician of severe corrosion and cracks in the sub frame and the vehicle was unsafe to be driven. The contact stated that the vehicle has been at the dealer for several weeks without repairs being completed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09v183000 (suspension). The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2017
“Air bag light on dashboard is lite, for no reason! The car has less than 48k miles , never been in an accident nor hit anything . I am afraid to drive the vehicle nor have anyone in the car with me because , it's without an airbag there is no protection”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 kia optima. When utilizing the interior and exterior front passenger side door handles, they failed to operate properly. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 177,526.”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 kia optima. The contact stated that the passenger side door failed to unlock from either side of the vehicle. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact also mentioned that the same failure occurred on the driver side door prior to the failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 147,433.”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2016
“Kia has issued a recall (09v183000) however it does not include the state in which I reside, but all bordering states to the east, west, and north. I'm in ky and states like oh, in, il, wv, are included. I'm having the exact issue listed in the recall however as they have selected to cover only specific states I'm left with a vehicle that is now inoperable. The sub-frame on the passenger side has rusted through and caused the tire and suspension to break free.”Owner report · Suspension · Apr 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 kia optima. The contact stated that while driving at 20 mph, the vehicle began to swerve and drove into a ditch. A police report was not filed and no injuries were sustained. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Nov 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 kia optima. The contact stated that while parked, the door lock failed. The contact attempted to use the fobik and could lock the doors, but they failed to unlock. The contact had to unlock and lock the doors manually. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 98,000. Updated 02/12/16*lj updated 4/23/18*jb *cn”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 8 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2003 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Optima by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Kia Optima reliable?
NHTSA has 141 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Kia Optima. The most complained-about area is latches/locks/linkages (33% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Kia Optima problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 84,226 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Kia Optima have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning suspension:front. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.