2004 Kia Optima: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 225 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is latches/locks/linkages (34% of complaints); the 2002 model year looks more trouble-free.
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 225 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Had some noise coming from the front of the car, had my mechanic look at it, he said we needed a control arm. When he took off the cover to replace the control arm, he found the sub frame had rotten and was cracking. As I looked online, I saw that KIA had a recall for this issue. When I contacted KIA, their response was "as my car is not under warranty, they are not required to repair the car" The car in question has 70, 558 miles on it. We are the 2nd owner.”Owner report · Suspension · Dec 2024
“Door lock/unlock mechanism has failed. Unable to unlock and open door from outside or inside. This defect causes the door to stay locked and unable to open. This can trap people inside of the car if they are unable to crawl out a window or exit from another door. There are many reports of this on Kia forums and general Google search. There was no warning that this part was wearing out until it became impossible to open the door.”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2022
“The contact owns a 2004 Kia Optima. The contact stated that after refueling, the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V180000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Nov 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
“I was repairing brakelines, while observing under carriage I noticed suspension rust, frame. Looked up recalls and this is one. I included screenshot of proog”Owner report · Lane Departure · Mar 2021
“While driving on a highway with cruise control active, I was unable to turn off the cruise control with the steering wheel control buttons. The cancel and set buttons had no effect when pressed. The car remained traveling at the set speed. Tapping on the brake pedal did cancel the cruise control.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Oct 2018
“While stationary - driver's side door will not open from inside or outside with key, manual lock or electronic lock controls (stuck closed). Unable to evacuate car from driver's side. Safety concern - lack of egress”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2018
“Tl* the contact owned a 2004 kia optima. While driving 25 mph, another vehicle crashed into the contact's vehicle from the front. The passenger side air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained stomach and chest injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 57,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2017
“Driver door does not open from inside nor from outside. When unlocking the doors, all doors will open except the driver's door. Center lock mechanism or manual use of keys does not help. This is without a doubt a safety problem where driver can be trapped in the car in case of emergency. This is very common in kia optima models.”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2017
“Cannot add fuel because the pump stops from filling up the tank. It took me about 7 times to get in $7 worth of gas. Even though this car only has 25,830 miles on it. It has hardly been used. We put gas in about every 3 or 4 weeks - not that often.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 kia optima. The contact stated that the vehicle failed inspection due to severe corrosion of the subframe. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 09v183000 (suspension) as a possible solution to the failure; however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000. ..updated 05/05/17 *bf *cn”Owner report · Suspension · Feb 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 8 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2004 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 2004 Kia Optima reliable?
NHTSA has 225 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2004 Kia Optima. The most complained-about area is latches/locks/linkages (34% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Kia Optima problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 85,854 miles or less.
Does the 2004 Kia Optima have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has 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.