no report yet
Suspension: front
Risk. CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME COULD LEAD TO SEPARATION, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
2003 Kia OptimaProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 141 owner complaints about the 2003 Kia Optima, most often about the latches/locks/linkages. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 3, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2003 Kia Optima has problems
141 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
53Latches/locks/linkages
25Electrical system
25Structure
17Air bags5 crash/fire/injury
9Suspension
8Power train
7Engine and engine cooling
7Fuel system, gasoline
5Visibility
2413 other systems2 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Latches/locks/linkages | 53 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 25 | 0 |
| Structure | 25 | 0 |
| Air bags | 17 | 5 |
| Suspension | 9 | 1 |
| Power train | 8 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 7 | 2 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 7 | 0 |
| Visibility | 5 | 0 |
| 13 other systems | 24 | 2 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
2003 Kia Optima recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Storage: tank assembly
Risk. FUEL SPILLAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Kia.
Mileage at failure
When do latches/locks/linkages problems start?
90kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 41 latches/locks/linkages complaints. 63% were reported before 100,000 miles.
0under 30k miles26under 100k miles15100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2003 vs. every other Optima year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Optima median. How we score
'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2003 Kia Optima safety ratings
2003 Kia Optima 4-DR in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What Optima owners report
Recent latches/locks/linkages complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
MY MAIN ISSUE IS THE DOOR LOCK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. I CAN NOT OPEN MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE AND THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN ALL OVER THE INTERNET FOR YEARS. EVERYONE THAT I KNOW THAT HAS A 2003 AND 2004 KIA OPTIMA HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. I BET EVERY…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK FROM EITHER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR PRIOR…
DOORS (ALL) WILL LOCK AFTER UNLOCKING WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO GET IN. I UNLOCK THE DOOR, EITHER MANUALLY OR WITH THE KEY FOB, WHEN YOU PULL THE HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR THE DOORS LOCK. YOU CAN PLAY WITH IT AND FINALLY GET IN BUT I'VE HEARD ALOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME THING ON THE SAME MODEL. *TR
Own a 2003 Optima?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.