Recalls, complaints, and safety data from NHTSA
The 2003 Kia Optima has 2 recalls, 144 complaints.
2
Recalls
144
Complaints
N/A
Safety Rating
Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated April 8, 2026
04V180000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
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...
09V183000
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 CONN...
Overall
Not Rated
Front Crash
Not Rated
Side Crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
Rating for: 2003 Kia Optima 4-DR
| Date ↓ | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 1, 2025 | STEERING,SUSPENSION,ENGINE | While driving on the roadway, I was almost to a four way intersection, as i was going to get into th... |
| Oct 7, 2019 | SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. T... |
| Jul 24, 2019 | STRUCTURE | THE FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE UNSAFE, THOUGH IT HAD A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT ... |
| Dec 25, 2017 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | AT 24,000 MILES MY VEHICLE STARTED LOCKING DOORS WHEN TEMPERATURES REACH 32 DEGREES OR LOWER. VEHICL... |
| Jun 16, 2017 | STRUCTURE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DULLES MOTORCARS... |
| Aug 29, 2016 | AIR BAGS | AIR BAG LIGHT ON DASHBOARD IS LITE, FOR NO REASON! THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 48K MILES , NEVER BEEN IN A... |
| Apr 29, 2016 | STRUCTURE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. WHEN UTILIZING THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR FRONT PASSENGER SID... |
| Apr 13, 2016 | STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO UN... |
| Apr 11, 2016 | SUSPENSION | KIA HAS ISSUED A RECALL (09V183000) HOWEVER IT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE STATE IN WHICH I RESIDE, BUT ALL... |
| Nov 22, 2015 | SUSPENSION | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE... |
| Mar 15, 2015 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE DOOR LOCK FAILED. ... |
| Feb 9, 2015 | TIRES | I STOPPED TO HAVE MY TIRE PRESSURE CHECKED AND THE MECHANICS WERE VERY CONCERNED WITH THE PASSENGER ... |
| Jan 29, 2015 | SUSPENSION | TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, T... |
| Dec 8, 2014 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | DRIVERS DOOR IS JAMMED LOCKED. THE REMOTE WORKS THE LOCKS MOVE WITH REMOTE AND KEY. THE DOOR DOES ... |
| Dec 1, 2014 | LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | THE AUTO DOOR LOCK WOULD SNAP SHUT FROM INSIDE OR OUT. MY DAUGHTER HAVE TO CRAWL THROUGH THE PASSENG... |
| Sep 22, 2014 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS | THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE DOORS WOULD LOCK WITHOUT ANY PROMPTS. THE HORN WOULD HONK WHILE PARK... |
| Aug 20, 2014 | AIR BAGS | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP FLASHED AND... |
| Jul 17, 2014 | AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED T... |
| May 9, 2014 | AIR BAGS | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMI... |
| May 1, 2014 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | THE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH A KEY FOB, KEY OR MANUALLY. YOU ARE LITERALLY LOCKED IN THE CAR AND C... |