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Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  1. Home
  2. >Kia
  3. >optima
  4. >2003
  5. >Engine

2003 Kia optima Engine Problems

Engine complaints and recalls from NHTSA

Summary

The 2003 Kia optima has 8 NHTSA engine complaints and 0 engine-related recalls.

Problem Areas for the 2003 Kia optima

Latches & Locks
34
Structure
20
Electrical
20
Airbags
15
Other
9
Fuel System
9
Engine
8
Suspension
7
Powertrain
5
Visibility
5
Brakes
4
Lights
4

8

Complaints

0

Recalls

1

Injuries Reported

Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated April 9, 2026

All Engine Complaints

Date ↓ComponentSummary
Jul 7, 2010ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO USE THE AIR CONDITIONER HE ...
Sep 1, 2006ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEMTL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2003 KIA OPTIMA'S WITH 50000 FAILURE MILEAGE LIGHTS, LOCKS, RADIO D...
Nov 19, 2005ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2003 KIA OPTIMA WITH 70,000 MILES JUST BURST INTO FLAMES AND BURNED TOTALLY UP WHILE DRIVING DOWN TH...
Dec 27, 2004ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAINI WAS DRIVING MY 2003 KIA OPTIMA ON I85 AT 65 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND SLOWED QU...
Jun 14, 2004ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGIT WAS RAINING HARD IN OUR AREA( 1 INCHES IN 1 OUR). I LIVE 3 MILES IN ON A COUNTY DIRT ROAD AND IT ...
Oct 28, 2003ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGWHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND HIT THE GUARD RAIL. THE D...
Jan 1, 1970ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGWHILE DRIVING , THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE CONSUMER TOO...
Jan 1, 1970ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLTHE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS AND THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY STARTS. *JG PH

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