2004 KIA Optima problems
Owners have filed 306 complaints about the 2004 KIA Optima with NHTSA. Latches/locks/linkages account for 26.5% of them — the clear leader, ahead of electrical system at 14.7%.
Complaints306
Crashes14
Fires4
Injuries10
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Latches/locks/linkages 26.5% · 81
Electrical system 14.7% · 45
Structure 13.7% · 42
Air bags 8.5% · 26
Suspension 6.2% · 19
Unknown or other 3.9% · 12
Engine and engine cooling 3.6% · 11
Fuel system, gasoline 2.9% · 9
Severity
Of those complaints, 14 describe a crash, 4 describe a fire and 10 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 19 model years of the KIA Optima in this data, 2004 sits 10th by complaint volume. 2013 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 6 in the last three years against 11 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 80,034 miles.
In owners' own words
Driver side door automatically locks and will not unlock from outside with the key or from the inside unlock lever. Driver is trapped inside car and must exit by crawling over console to passenger side door. This happens sporadically and is a serious safety hazard. It renders the car unable to be locked at all. There seem to be plenty of others experiencing this same problem, yet no recall from KIA. Latches/locks/linkages · reported at 70,000 miles
I have a 2004 KIA Optima lx 4 door sedan, the front door on the driver side you can not lock and unlock I have to leave the door panel off so if it gets locked, you have to take a screwdriver and push up the little rod that leads to the latch. Believe me I will never buy another KIA Optima or any kind of a KIA in my eyes they are junk . Especially when this junky car only has 87,000 miles. Latches/locks/linkages
The contact owns a 2004 KIA Optima. The contact stated that the front driver side door failed to latch and lock from inside or outside the vehicle. The contact could only enter and exit the vehicle by using another door. The dealer stated that the lock actuator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000. Latches/locks/linkages · reported at 120,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…