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Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  1. Home
  2. >Kia
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  4. >2004

2004 Kia Optima Safety Report

Recalls, complaints, and safety data from NHTSA

The 2004 Kia Optima has 1 recall, 225 complaints.

1

Recalls

225

Complaints

N/A

Safety Rating

Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated April 8, 2026

Recalls

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...

Safety Ratings

Overall

Not Rated

Front Crash

Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Rating for: 2004 Kia Optima 4-DR w/SAB

Top Complaint Categories

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
58
STRUCTURE
21
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
20
AIR BAGS
18
SUSPENSION
11
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
9
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
8
STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
8

Problems by Component

Latches & Locks59Electrical40Structure31Airbags22Suspension17Engine12Other9Fuel System8Steering7Brakes5Powertrain5Seat Belts4

Explore More

All Kia ModelsCompare OptimaVehicles with Zero RecallsView All Makes

All Complaints

Date ↓ComponentSummary
Dec 10, 2024SUSPENSIONHad some noise coming from the front of the car, had my mechanic look at it, he said we needed a con...
Aug 8, 2022STRUCTUREDoor lock/unlock mechanism has failed. Unable to unlock and open door from outside or inside. This d...
Nov 1, 2021FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEThe contact owns a 2004 Kia Optima. The contact stated that after refueling, the vehicle would not s...
Mar 29, 2021SUSPENSION,AIR BAGS,LANE DEPARTUREI WAS REPAIRING BRAKELINES, WHILE OBSERVING UNDER CARRIAGE I NOTICED SUSPENSION RUST, FRAME. LOOKED ...
Oct 25, 2018VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLWHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WITH CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVE, I WAS UNABLE TO TURN OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL W...
Mar 23, 2018STRUCTUREWHILE STATIONARY - DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE WITH KEY, MANUAL LOCK OR ...
Dec 12, 2017ELECTRICAL SYSTEMUNABLE TO OPEN PASSENGER DOOR DUE TO DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR STOPPED WORKING. UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
Nov 2, 2017AIR BAGSTL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONT...
May 1, 2017STRUCTURETL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BILL DORATY KIA (2925 MEDINA R...
Apr 29, 2017STRUCTUREDRIVER DOOR DOES NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE NOR FROM OUTSIDE. WHEN UNLOCKING THE DOORS, ALL DOORS WILL OPE...
Mar 8, 2017UNKNOWN OR OTHERCANNOT ADD FUEL BECAUSE THE PUMP STOPS FROM FILLING UP THE TANK. IT TOOK ME ABOUT 7 TIMES TO GET IN...
Feb 21, 2017SUSPENSIONTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION DUE TO...
Jan 8, 2017ENGINETL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER A...
Jan 2, 2017STRUCTURETL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL LOUD SOUND FROM THE VEHICLE WI...
Dec 9, 2016STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILED TO UNL...
Dec 8, 2016AIR BAGSTHE AIR BAG WENT OFF WHILE MY WIFE WAS REACHING FOR HER SEAT BELT AND SCRAPPED AND BURNED HER ARM. I...
Nov 30, 2016UNKNOWN OR OTHERDRIVER'S DOOR LOCKING SYSTEM WILL NOT UNLOCK, ALL OTHERS DO. THE DOOR LOCKS ITSELF IMMEDIATELY AS YO...
Oct 27, 2016AIR BAGSAIR BAG LIGHT ON DASHBOARD STAYS ON, STARTED TWO DAYS A GO.
Aug 4, 2016STRUCTUREDRIVER DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUT. POWER DOOR LOCK WOULD AUTOMATICALLY RE-LOCK ALL DOORS...
Aug 1, 2016UNKNOWN OR OTHERDRIVERS DOOR LOCK WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE AT ALL & ONLY 10%OF THE TIME FROM OUTSIDE WITH KEY. PULL...