Structure complaints and recalls from NHTSA
Summary
The 2003 Kia optima has 20 NHTSA structure complaints and 0 structure-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 |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 24, 2019 | STRUCTURE | THE FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE UNSAFE, THOUGH IT HAD A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT ... |
| Jun 16, 2017 | STRUCTURE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DULLES MOTORCARS... |
| 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... |
| Jan 1, 2014 | STRUCTURE | I HAD PARKED AT THE GROCERY STORE ONE NIGHT AND MY CAR DOOR WOULDN'T SHUT. IT APPEARED AS THOUGH THE... |
| Oct 7, 2013 | STRUCTURE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR WOUL... |
| May 31, 2013 | STRUCTURE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE D... |
| Oct 23, 2012 | STRUCTURE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER DOOR FAILED AND AS A RESU... |
| Jul 2, 2012 | STRUCTURE | ALL OF A SUDDEN, WITHOUT ANY EXTRA/ABNORMAL STRESS, DAMAGE OR ACCIDENT... THE PASSENGER-SIDE DOOR LO... |
| Feb 6, 2012 | STRUCTURE | THE DOOR HANDLE(S) ARE DEFECTIVE TO POINT WHERE EVEN THOUGH THE DOOR IS UNLOCKED, THE DOOR CANNOT BE... |
| Nov 4, 2011 | STRUCTURE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE DRIVER ... |
| Oct 27, 2011 | STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | PASSENGER SIDE DOOR DID NOT UNLOCK. THIS FORCED PASSENGER TO COME OUT FROM THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. *T... |
| Jun 15, 2011 | STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | OWNER OF 2003 KIA OPTIMA - DRIVER DOOR WON'T OPEN FROM INSIDE OUR OUTSIDE. OWNER MUST USE PASSENGER... |
| Jan 1, 2011 | STRUCTURE | TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN... |
| Dec 10, 2010 | STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | DRIVER'S DOOR WON'T OPEN. FAILED IN SHUT POSITION. *TR |
| Jan 1, 2009 | STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES | DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH KEY OR INSIDE DOOR LOOK SWITCH. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY HAZZAR... |
| Jun 8, 2008 | STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | 2003 KIA OPTIMA DRIVER SIDE DOOR WONT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUT. NO WARRANTY ON THE CAR, WAS TOLD BY K... |
| Mar 28, 2008 | STRUCTURE | PAINT CHIPPING OFF FRONT BUMPER AND BOTH HANDLES. *TR |
| Aug 1, 2007 | STRUCTURE | DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN IF LOCKED WHEN CLOSED. MECHANISM WORKS FINE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK WHEN ... |
| Nov 20, 2006 | STRUCTURE | ABOUT A YEAR AGO THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK STUCK AND I COULD NOT OPEN THE DOOR. TOOK THE VEHICLE IN... |