Kia · Optima · 2004
2004 Kia Optima
1
Recall
225
Complaints
N/A
NCAP overall
The 2004 Kia Optima has 1 recall and 225 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most frequent stored component label: latches/locks/linkages (58 reports).
Stored NHTSA configuration: 2004 Kia Optima 4-DR w/SAB NCAP Vehicle ID: 1324
Ratings describe one stored NHTSA configuration, not every trim, body style or drivetrain for this model year. How this configuration is selected
Source: NHTSA Public Records
NHTSA source checks for this vehicle year
- Complaints
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Recalls
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Safety ratings
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Investigations
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Manufacturer communications
- Separate successful check not recorded.
Checks are recorded separately for each dataset, not for the whole page. Dates use UTC. A missing check date does not mean no records exist.
Vehicle import recorded: Apr 28, 2026. This is the stored import date, not confirmation that every source was successfully refreshed.
Research Context
The 2004 Kia Optima page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most frequent complete stored component label is latches/locks/linkages with 58 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2004 Kia Optima currently shows 1 NHTSA recall listed on this page and 225 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows no overall NHTSA safety rating in our current dataset.
- The most frequent complete stored component labels on this page are latches/locks/linkages (58), structure (21), electrical system (20).
- Vehicle
- 2004 Kia Optima
- Recalls
- 1
- Complaints
- 225
- Stored Configuration Overall Rating
- Not available in this dataset
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Configuration Test Results
Stored NHTSA configuration: 2004 Kia Optima 4-DR w/SAB NCAP Vehicle ID: 1324
Ratings describe one stored NHTSA configuration, not every trim, body style or drivetrain for this model year. How this configuration is selected
No overall score is available in our current dataset. The individual results below are not a combined safety rating; compare vehicles within the same test program and model year.
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
No rollover risk estimate available in this dataset
Safety Features
ESC: NoForward Collision Warning: NoLane Departure Warning: No
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 09V183000May 27, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT
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 Status
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.
Owner Complaints
225 totalSUSPENSION
Dec 10, 2024
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 iss...
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STRUCTURE
Aug 8, 2022
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 r...
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FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Nov 1, 2021
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...
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SUSPENSION,AIR BAGS,LANE DEPARTURE
Mar 29, 2021
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
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Oct 25, 2018
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 TH...
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STRUCTURE
Mar 23, 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
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Dec 12, 2017
UNABLE TO OPEN PASSENGER DOOR DUE TO DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR STOPPED WORKING. UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
AIR BAGS
CRASH1 injuryNov 2, 2017
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 ATTENT...
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STRUCTURE
May 1, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BILL DORATY KIA (2925 MEDINA RD, MEDINA, OH 44256, (330) 721-9500) FOR ROUTINE BRAKE SERVICE, THE TECHNICIAN FOUND A CRACK IN THE FRONT FRAME. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE AT THAT TIME. ...
Preview excerpt
STRUCTURE
Apr 29, 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 EM...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 225 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2004 Kia models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Kia Optima Years
2005 Kia OptimaCompare this year against 2004 for complaint and recall shifts.144c2003 Kia OptimaCompare this year against 2004 for complaint and recall shifts.2r144c2006 Kia OptimaCompare this year against 2004 for complaint and recall shifts.2r155c2002 Kia OptimaCompare this year against 2004 for complaint and recall shifts.3r110c2007 Kia OptimaCompare this year against 2004 for complaint and recall shifts.2r166c2001 Kia OptimaCompare this year against 2004 for complaint and recall shifts.3r143c
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2004 Kia Optima have?
The 2004 Kia Optima has 1 recall recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2004 Kia Optima?
NHTSA has received 225 owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Kia Optima.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2004 Kia Optima?
An overall NHTSA safety rating is not available in our current dataset for the 2004 Kia Optima. Individual crash-test results may still be available.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Kia Optima?
The most frequent complete stored component labels for the 2004 Kia Optima are latches/locks/linkages (58 reports), structure (21 reports), electrical system (20 reports). These are exact-label counts, not broader component-group totals or confirmed defects.
Does the 2004 Kia Optima have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 1 recall on record for the 2004 Kia Optima. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.