2003 Kia Optima body & structure problems
The 2003 Kia Optima has 26 body & structure complaints filed with NHTSA — 14% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.
26
Body & Structure complaints
14%
Share of year
0
Crash-involved
0
Related recalls
Body & Structure complaints by year
What owners report
“DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN IF LOCKED WHEN CLOSED. MECHANISM WORKS FINE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK WHEN OPEN, HOWEVER. A PART IN THE LOCK ASSEMBLY APPEARS TO BE ROTATING TOO FAR AND GETTING STUCK. AS A RESULT, THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED IF LOCKED WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED OR THE DRIVER WILL HAVE TO CLIMB…”
Common questions
How many body & structure complaints does the 2003 Kia Optima have?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the 2003 Kia Optima body & structure — 14% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Related
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.