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Research · Midsize Cars

2004 Kia OptimaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 225 owner complaints for the 2004 Kia Optima. Most complaints involve latches/locks/linkages (81) and electrical system (45). The EPA rates it 21–23 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
21–23mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest May 2009
Owner complaints
225
Top: latches/locks/linkages
Fuel cost / yr
$2,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Suspension: front

Free remedy

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.

SuspensionReported May 27, 2009NHTSA 09V183000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

225 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2003 – Feb 2025
  1. Latches/locks/linkages81
  2. Electrical system45
  3. Structure42
  4. Air bags26
  5. Suspension19
  6. Engine and engine cooling11
  7. Fuel system, gasoline9
  8. Power train8
  9. Steering7

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Optima model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2001143
2002110
2003144
2004225
2005144
2006155
2007167
2008144
2009116
201075
2011594
2012920
20131,387
2014591
20151,011
2016760
2017257
2018233
2019212
2020151
Crashes reported
8
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
8
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Latches/locks/linkages

81 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GAIN ACCESS AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 12, 2016Structure, Latches/locks/linkagesODI 10934627

Electrical system

45 reports2 crashes3 fires
“ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHEN MANUALLY UNLOCKING THE POWER DOOR LOCKS, THEY WILL IMMEDIATELY LOCK AGAIN AND WILL GO INTO A LOOP OF UNLOCK-RELOCK, WHETHER USING THE MANUAL DOOR LOCK OR THE POWER LOCK SWITCH (THE RELAY CLICKS BUT NOTHING HAPPENS WHEN USING THE SWITCH). THIS HAPPENS ABOUT 10% OF THE TIME.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 16, 2016Electrical systemODI 10896275

Structure

42 reports1 crash
“Door lock/unlock mechanism has failed. Unable to unlock and open door from outside or inside. This defect causes the door to stay locked and unable to open. This can trap people inside of the car if they are unable to crawl out a window or exit from another door. There are many reports of this on Kia forums and general Google search. There was no warning that this part was wearing out until it became impossible to open the door.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 23, 2022StructureODI 11480899
All 2004 Optima problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 2.7L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Optima
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202723$2,800386
Optima
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192722$2,900404
Optima
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182521$3,050423
Optima
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182621$3,050423
  • Optima
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 27 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Optima
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    19 city · 27 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Optima
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Optima
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Kia Optima as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 1324
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2004 Optima questions

How many recalls does the 2004 Kia Optima have?

1 safety recall as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2004 Kia Optima problems?

Owners filed 225 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are latches/locks/linkages (81), electrical system (45), structure (42). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2004 Kia Optima get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Kia Optima at 21–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026