VehicleVerdict

2004 Kia Optima problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2004 Kia Optima sits mid-pack among Optima years: 306 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 268, with a single recall and no defect investigations. Complainants reported 10 injuries in total across these filings.

Latches & Locks leads the complaint categories with 81 reports (27% of the total).

306

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

14

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

10

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Optima years?

Optima NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted1,871 complaints2001: 231 complaints2002: 168 complaints2003: 190 complaints2004: 306 complaints2005: 180 complaints2006: 214 complaints2007: 217 complaints2008: 188 complaints2009: 166 complaints2010: 99 complaints2011: 771 complaints2012: 1,260 complaints2013: 1,871 complaints2014: 780 complaints2015: 1,388 complaints2016: 1,065 complaints2017: 351 complaints2018: 327 complaints2019: 308 complaints2020: 199 complaints
Optima NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Optima years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Kia Optima problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Latches & Locks8126%
Electrical System4715%
Body & Structure4214%
Airbags268%
Suspension196%
Other176%
Engine145%
Fuel System103%
Transmission83%
Brakes83%
Steering72%
Seat Belts62%
Tires & Wheels62%
Speed Control52%
Lighting52%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)21%
Seats10%
Driver Assistance10%
Visibility & Wipers10%

Does the 2004 Kia Optima have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09V183000SuspensionMay 27, 2009 · 36,538 units

Defect

KIA MOTORS CORPORATION (KMC) IS RECALLING 36,538 MODEL YEAR 2001-2004 OPTIMA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ROAD SALT APPLIED IN THESE STATES DURING THE WINTER MONTHS MAY RESULT IN PROGRESSIVE, INTERNAL CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME. OVER TIME, SUCH SUBFRAME CORROSION NEAR THE CONNECTION TO THE LOWER CONTROL ARM CAN LEAD TO WHEEL MISALIGNMENT AND/OR OTHER NOTICEABLE STRESS IN STEERING, OR ACCELERATED ABNORMAL TIRE WEAR.

Consequence

CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME COULD LEAD TO SEPARATION, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

KMC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 15, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA'S CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM INSIDE OR OUT. ONLY WAY IN/OUT OF THE CAR IS THROUGH 3 OTHER DOORS. CANNOT USE KEY TO MANUALLY GET IN DOOR. LATCH MECHANISM WILL NOT DISENGAGE. IF YOU ARE INSIDE THE CAR AND TRY TO UNLOCK THE DOOR AND OPEN IT, IT WILL MAKE A SOUND LIKE THE DOOR HAS BEEN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · November 1, 2013

“WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE MY PASSENGER NOTICED THAT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE DASHBOARD AREA. IN AN ATTEMPT TO GET OFF THE ROAD THE SMOKE HAD TURNED INTO FLAMES AT WHICH TIME I STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND I AND MY PASSENGER GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND CALLED 911. *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 14, 2005 · fire

“I WAS DRIVING ON I-10 WESTBOUND, KATY TX FREEWAY, TRAVELLING ABOUT 65 MILES PER HOUR. THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT CAUSING THE CAR TO GO BACK AND FOURTH BETWEEN TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC. IN THE PROCESS, I WAS HITTING THE RUBBER DIVIDERS, DAMAGING THE HOOD OF THE CAR AND THE WINDSHIELD. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · January 26, 2015 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF 15 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER. THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF HIM STOPPED SUDDENLY. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE CONTACT WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · March 11, 2010 · crash

“VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE CAR ACCIDENT IMPACTING A FIXED MEDIAN CURB. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP IDENTIFIED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER REMARKED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION APPEARED TO HAVE BOLTS MISSING. THIS WAS INDEPENDENTLY VERIFIED BY THE BODY SHOP. IN THEIR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · August 4, 2005 · crash

2004 Kia Optima — common questions

Is the 2004 Kia Optima reliable?

It is close to typical for the Optima: 306 NHTSA complaints, 1 recall, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2004 Optima problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are latches & locks (81 complaints), electrical system (47 complaints), body & structure (42 complaints).

Does the 2004 Kia Optima have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2004 Kia Optima. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Kia Optima years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Optima years to avoid are 2013, 2015, 2012, 2016, 2014, 2011. The cleanest record among Optima years belongs to 2010.

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.