Kia · Optima · 2004
1
Recall
225
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2004 Kia Optima has 1 recall and 225 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: latches/locks/linkages (58 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
UNABLE TO OPEN PASSENGER DOOR DUE TO DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR STOPPED WORKING. UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
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.
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. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED, BUT NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. SINCE WINTER WAS APPROACHING, THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FRAME WOULD COMPLETELY CRACK DUE TO THE WEATHER AND SALTED ROADWAYS IN HER STATE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A MANUFACTURER RECALL AND EXTENDED WARRANTY NOTICES IN 2009. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT NO ISSUES WERE FOUND. THE DEALER SENT PICTURES OF THE CRACKED FRAME TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ISSUED CASE NUMBER: 2560103. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT THE LOCAL DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A CALL BACK FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,000.
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.
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.
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SEVERAL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND WAS PUSHED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH THE HELP OF THE STATE HIGHWAY PATROL. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING BELT FRACTURED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 163,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL LOUD SOUND FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL; HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GAIN ACCESS AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.
THE AIR BAG WENT OFF WHILE MY WIFE WAS REACHING FOR HER SEAT BELT AND SCRAPPED AND BURNED HER ARM. IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN GOING OFF. I RUSHED HER HOME AND TOOK CARE OF HER WOUNDS
DRIVER'S DOOR LOCKING SYSTEM WILL NOT UNLOCK, ALL OTHERS DO. THE DOOR LOCKS ITSELF IMMEDIATELY AS YOU TRY TO UNLOCK EITHER WITH THE KEY (OUTSIDE) OR PRESSING THE CENTRAL LOCK BUTTON (WHEN INSIDE). THIS WOULD BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM IF THE CAR WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND/OR FIRE WAS AN ISSUE. RIGHT NOW IT IS INCONVENIENT TO CLIMB OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE. I SEE THIS IS NOT THE FIRST COMPLAINT ON THIS SUBJECT AND THE PROBLEM SEEMS ENDEMIC TO THIS CAR. THE PROBLEM STARTED INTERMITTENTLY FROM SEPTEMBER 2016 AND NOW IS PERMANENT AS OF NOVEMBER 30.
AIR BAG LIGHT ON DASHBOARD STAYS ON, STARTED TWO DAYS A GO.
DRIVER DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUT. POWER DOOR LOCK WOULD AUTOMATICALLY RE-LOCK ALL DOORS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO OPEN OR UNLOCK WITH KEY OR INSIDE LOCK LEVER. HAD TO CRAWL OVER CONSOLE TO GET IN OR OUT WHEN FINALLY ABLE TO GET PASSENGER FRONT DOOR TO OPEN. FINALLY ABLE TO GET DOOR OPEN BY HOLDING KEY CYLINDER IN UNLOCK POSITION AND FORCING HANDLE TO OPEN. UNHOOKED DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR. AS LONG AS LOCKED OR UNLOCKED DOOR WITH KEY ONLY, DOOR WOULD OPEN. IF LOCKED DOOR WITH INSIDE LOCK LEVER, DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN AGAIN. MECHANIC REPLACING THE DRIVER FRONT DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY REPAIRED VEHICLE. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF IN ACCIDENT OR VEHICLE FIRE.
DRIVERS DOOR LOCK WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE AT ALL & ONLY 10%OF THE TIME FROM OUTSIDE WITH KEY. PULLED FUSE ON ACTUATORS & LOCK CONTINUES TO MALFUNCTION. CAN NOT EFFICIENTLY GET IN OR OUT OF THE CAR. HAVE TO SLIDE OVER CENTER TO REACH PASSENGER DOOR TO GET OUT. I AM 6'4" SO THIS IS A REAL SAFETY HAZARD.
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2004 Kia Optima has 1 recall recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 225 owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Kia Optima.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2004 Kia Optima.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2004 Kia Optima are latches/locks/linkages (58 reports), structure (21 reports), electrical system (20 reports).
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.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
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.