Electrical complaints and recalls from NHTSA
Summary
The 2003 Kia Optima has 20 NHTSA electrical complaints and 0 electrical-related recalls.
20
Complaints
0
Recalls
0
Injuries Reported
Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated April 9, 2026
| Date ↓ | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 15, 2015 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE DOOR LOCK FAILED. ... |
| 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 ... |
| 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... |
| 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... |
| Apr 14, 2014 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | FIRST: IN THE AFFECT PARTS SECTION OF THIS COMPLAINT THERE IS NO WHERE TO MARK DEFECTIVE LOCKS. I ... |
| Jul 1, 2013 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILED TO UNL... |
| Apr 26, 2013 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | PASSENGER DOOR LOCKS AND WILL NOT UNLOCK WITHOUT PUSHING THE UNLOCK BUTTON AND PULLING THE DOOR HAND... |
| Feb 13, 2013 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | DOOR LOCK FOR THE DRIVERS SIDE DOES NOT WORK AND ALSO DOES NOT UNLOCK. THIS PRESENTS A HUGE SAFETY ... |
| Jun 7, 2012 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | DOORS (ALL) WILL LOCK AFTER UNLOCKING WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO GET IN. I UNLOCK THE DOOR, EITHER MANUAL... |
| Apr 15, 2010 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,ENGINE | AFTER 60,000 MILES, WHILE DRIVING OR WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON... |
| Apr 4, 2009 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | LOCKING SYSTEM FAILURE CAUSING ALL DOORS TO LOCK ON THE VEHICLE WITH NO MEANS TO GET OUT OF THE VEHI... |
| Jul 18, 2008 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | ***SAFETY ISSUE*** 1) UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS WITHOUT ABUSE OR CONSUMER MODIFICATION. 2... |
| Jan 1, 2008 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | POWER LOCKS INSTANTLY LOCK AFTER UNLOCKING,(OVER AND OVER) PROHIBITING ME AND MY PASSENGERS TO ENTER... |
| Apr 1, 2007 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY FAILS TO START.... |
| Jul 5, 2006 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE CHARGING SYSTEM'S WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE ... |
| Jul 1, 2006 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2003 KIA OPTIMA CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER PULLED OFF THE FREEWAY AND... |
| May 15, 2006 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | POWER DOOR LOCKS RE-LOCK AFTER YOU UNLOCK THEM AND PULL ON THE DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. THIS CA... |
| Nov 9, 2004 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | EL AUTO KIA OPTIMA 2003, EN MLTIPLES OCASIONES HA MARCADO ALTAS TEMPERATURAS. EXISTEN PROBLEMAS PAR... |
| Jul 20, 2004 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | THE CONSUMER NOTICED WHILE DRIVING, THAT THE DOORS LOCKS UNLOCKED AND LOCKED WITHOUT PRESSING THE LO... |
| Sep 23, 2003 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | CONSUMER TURNED ON THE IGNITION SWITCH AND HEARD A CLICKING NOISE, AND THEN LIGHTS/RADIO, AND AIR ... |