MYRModel Year Report

2004 Kia Optima

◆ Worse than typical
2004 Kia Optima
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
225
Recalls
1

Campaigns on file for 2004

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Latches/locks/linkages

36% of complaints

Complaints per year

2001: 143 complaints 2001 2002: 107 complaints 2003: 141 complaints 2004: 225 complaints 2004 225 2005: 144 complaints 2006: 155 complaints 2007: 166 complaints 2007 2008: 144 complaints 2009: 116 complaints 2010: 75 complaints 2010 2011: 593 complaints 2012: 919 complaints 2013: 1,383 complaints 2013 2014: 587 complaints 2015: 1,008 complaints 2016: 756 complaints 2016 2017: 256 complaints 2018: 231 complaints 2019: 210 complaints 2019 2020: 146 complaints
2001: 143 complaints 2001 2002: 107 complaints 2003: 141 complaints 2004: 225 complaints 2004 225 2005: 144 complaints 2006: 155 complaints 2007: 166 complaints 2007 2008: 144 complaints 2009: 116 complaints 2009 2010: 75 complaints 2011: 593 complaints 2011 2012: 919 complaints 2013: 1,383 complaints 2013 2014: 587 complaints 2015: 1,008 complaints 2015 2016: 756 complaints 2017: 256 complaints 2017 2018: 231 complaints 2019: 210 complaints 2019 2020: 146 complaints
2001: 143 complaints 2001 2002: 107 complaints 2002 2003: 141 complaints 2003 2004: 225 complaints 2004 225 2005: 144 complaints 2005 2006: 155 complaints 2006 2007: 166 complaints 2007 2008: 144 complaints 2008 2009: 116 complaints 2009 2010: 75 complaints 2010 2011: 593 complaints 2011 2012: 919 complaints 2012 2013: 1,383 complaints 2013 2014: 587 complaints 2014 2015: 1,008 complaints 2015 2016: 756 complaints 2016 2017: 256 complaints 2017 2018: 231 complaints 2018 2019: 210 complaints 2019 2020: 146 complaints 2020

2004: 225 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
2001143
2002107
2003141
2004225
2005144
2006155
2007166
2008144
2009116
201075
2011593
2012919
20131,383
2014587
20151,008
2016756
2017256
2018231
2019210
2020146

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Latches/locks/linkages

36% · 81 reports

Most commonly citing latch.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

My driver side locks will no longer unlock correctly. Sometimes if I jiggle everything together just so I can get it to unlock from the outside. However, once inside it is impossible to get the door open.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-07-27

Electrical system

20% · 45 reports

Most commonly citing wiring and horn.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Purchased a brand new 2004 Kia Optima from the dealer on 12/09/2004. The cruise control has not been working since the first day it was driven out of the dealer's lot.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-03-27

While I was driving my vehicle my passenger noticed that there was smoke coming out of the dashboard area.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-02-04

While driving, a fire started from the dashboard. The cause of fire was undetermined.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-02-03

Structure

19% · 42 reports

Most commonly citing body and door.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-02-03

Also filed under Fuel/propulsion system

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Kia Optima. When the vehicle was taken to bill doraty Kia (2925 medina rd, medina, oh 44256, (330) 721-9500) for routine brake service, the technician found a crack in the front frame.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-29

Air bags

12% · 26 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owned a 2004 Kia Optima. While driving 25 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the contact's vehicle from the front. The passenger side air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-01-16

Suspension

8% · 19 reports

Most commonly citing front and lower ball joint.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Had some noise coming from the front of the car, had my mechanic look at it, he said we needed a control arm. When he took off the cover to replace the control arm, he found the sub frame had rotten and was cracking.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-02-11

Safety timeline

1 recall · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2004Complaint volume 225 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2009-06-16Suspension09V183000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2004 Kia Optima — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Latches/locks/linkages: 81 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 45 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 42 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 09V183000 · Suspension
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2004 Kia Optima reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Kia Optima is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Kia Optima?
The most-reported component is latches/locks/linkages, accounting for 36% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2004 Kia Optima have?
1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.