2003 KIA Optima problems
Owners have filed 190 complaints about the 2003 KIA Optima with NHTSA. Latches/locks/linkages account for 27.9% of them — the clear leader, ahead of structure at 13.7%.
Complaints190
Crashes10
Fires2
Injuries10
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Latches/locks/linkages 27.9% · 53
Structure 13.7% · 26
Electrical system 13.2% · 25
Air bags 10.0% · 19
Suspension 4.7% · 9
Power train 4.2% · 8
Fuel system, gasoline 3.7% · 7
Engine and engine cooling 3.7% · 7
Severity
Of those complaints, 10 describe a crash, 2 describe a fire and 10 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 19 model years of the KIA Optima in this data, 2003 sits 15th by complaint volume. 2013 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 9 in the last three years against 22 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 84,200 miles.
In owners' own words
The contact owns a 2003 KIA Optima. The contact stated that the front passenger and driver seat doors remained locked without a warning. The dealer was notified and advised him that there was an electrical defect. The contact did not inform the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The current mileage was approximately 120,000. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. The vin was unavailable. Latches/locks/linkages · reported at 70,000 miles
The door(s) have locked and will not unlock without many attempts to pull on the handle while turning the key. When it first happened to the passenger side, attempts at unlocking with the key resulted in all doors locking when the inner or outer handle was pulled, potentially trapping someone in the car. Then it happened to the driver door a few months later. Replacing the latch fixed the problem. Latches/locks/linkages · reported at 145,000 miles
I parked my car for the day to go to work. At that point in time there were no issues with the car. Upon returning that night I found that the driver's side door would no longer unlock. I must now enter and exit my vehicle through the passenger door. The door will not unlock with a key, the unlock-all button, remote entry, interior unlock button, or by turning the car off. Latches/locks/linkages · reported at 75,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…