Engine
2.4L 4-cyl
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 135 of 141 complaints with a usable failure date.
Odometer when the failure occurred
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 103 of 141 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Latches & locks
53 complaint records
"FOR THE 2003 KIA OPTIMA , THE DOOR LOCKS FAIL AND THE DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE. THIS IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT ABOUT THE CAR IN THE 2000-03 GENERATION...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse latches & locks parts in the directory →
Body & structure
26 complaint records
"OWNER OF 2003 KIA OPTIMA - DRIVER DOOR WON'T OPEN FROM INSIDE OUR OUTSIDE. OWNER MUST USE PASSENGER DOOR TO GAIN ACCESS TO VEHICLE. EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE SEEMS LOOSE. UNABLE TO OPEN DOOR TO REMOVE DOOR PANEL. *TR..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse body & structure parts in the directory →
Electrical system
25 complaint records
"DRIVERS DOOR IS JAMMED LOCKED. THE REMOTE WORKS THE LOCKS MOVE WITH REMOTE AND KEY. THE DOOR DOES NOT OPEN. MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON KIA FORUM REGARDING DOOR LOCKS. *TR..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse electrical system parts in the directory →
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09V183000 | Suspension | 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,... | Normally free |
| 04V180000 | Fuel System, Gasoline | SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. IF A VEHICLE WITH A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED WERE TO ROLL OVER, FUEL SPILLAGE MAY OCCUR. | Normally free |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| TSB_BOD055_R1 Sep 2021 | Structure | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. | |
| PS539 Mar 2018 | Engine And Engine Cooling | PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned and transferred to the new engine. | |
| TSB-GEN085R1 Jan 2017 | Equipment | TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners, which are designed to lock into place once fully attached, are utilized in various Kia models and are strictly intended for ?one time use.? | |
| TSB-GEN085 Nov 2016 | Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners utilized in various Kia models are strictly intended for ?one time use?. | |
| PS443 Apr 2016 | Equipment | TSB - USE OF AFTERMARKET USB CHARGING CABLES IN USB/12V PORTS - This article provides information regarding the use of USB ports and 12V power outlets to connect/charge mobile phones. |
Show 17 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| TSBTRA046 Dec 2013 | Power Train | TSB: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO THE CORRECT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUIDS THAT ARE REQUIRED FOR EACH KIA MODEL. | |
| TSB-068 May 2010 | Engine And Engine Cooling | KIA: INTERMITTENT MIL ON WITH NO FAULT CODE STORED; INFORMATION ABOUT DTC P1330. PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO CERTAIN VEHICLES. | |
| TSB-044 Nov 2009 | Electrical System | KIA: ECM UPGRADE WITH TP SENSOR REPLACEMENT-MIL ON WITH DTC P2135/P0638. INFORMATION RELATED TO ECM SOFTWARE AND TP SENSOR UPGRADE ON SOME VEHICLES WITH 2.7L ENGINES WHICH MAY EXPERIENCE A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATED WITH THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (ETC)... | |
| TSB-026 Jun 2009 | Structure | KIA: DURING A SERVICE PROCEDURE THAT REQUIRES THE SUBFRAME TO BE REMOVED FROM A 2001-2005 OPTIMA (MS) (V-6 OR I-4), AN IMPROVED SERVICE PROCEDURE HAS BEEN DEVELOPED TO ENHANCE SERVICE EFFICIENCY. *PE | |
| KT-2008082201 Aug 2008 | Parking Brake | KIA: ALL MODELS. ARTICLE PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO THE IMPROVED DURABILITY OF BULB LIFE FOR REAR COMBINATION BULB; REAR STOP LAMP/TAIL LAMP BULB UTILIZED ON MULTIPLE KIA MODELS. *PE | |
| 038 Nov 2007 | Engine And Engine Cooling | THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO AN ENGINE HESITATION OR THE ILLUMINATION OF THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) FOR P0123 (THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR / SWITCH (A) CIRCUIT HIGH INPUT). *NJ | |
| 035 Sep 2007 | Air Bags | SUPPLEMENT RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATION FOR B1378 AND B1382. *NJ | |
| 023 Oct 2005 | Engine And Engine Cooling | HESITATION FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AFTER AN INITIAL COLD START. ECM REPROGRAMMING/UPGRADE. *TT | |
| 82 Jan 2005 | Engine And Engine Cooling | IMPROVED TIMING BELTS FOR THE KIA RIO AND OPTIMA. *TT | |
| 006 Dec 2004 | Fuel System | ENHANCED DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR FOR P0446/P2422. *TT | |
| 016 Jul 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | O2 SENSOR ENGINE CONTROL MODULE UPGRADE. *TT | |
| SC033 Sep 2003 | Equipment | SERVICE LETTERS TO DEALERS AND OWNERS AND QUESTIONNAIRE REGARDING AIR CONDITIONING RECEIVER-DRIER REPLACEMENT. *TT | |
| 033 Sep 2003 | Equipment | THIS TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION ON A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM RECEIVER-DRIVER ON 2003MY OPTIMA MODELS PRODUCED FROM 11/14/02 THROUGH 4/16/03. *TT | |
| 011 May 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | CHARGING SYSTEM CHANGES TO IMPROVE ALTERNATOR OUTPUT IN HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURE SEVERE OPERATING CONDITIONS. *TT | |
| 012 May 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | OPTIMA CHARGING SYSTEM - V6 ENGINE. *TT | |
| 01055 Oct 2002 | Seat Belts | SRS INDICATOR ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) 9-3 OR DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE REPLACEMENT. *TT | |
| 56 Jan 2002 | Visibility | AIR QUALITY SYSTEM. KIA TECH TIMES. *TT |
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Close every door, hood, and tailgate gently, once.A door that needs a slam or springs back is the latch complaint on this vehicle. It is the kind of fault a seller has learned to hide by slamming.
- Walk the body slowly in daylight.Panel gaps, rust at the rockers and wheel arches, and cracked trim are this vehicle's structure complaints. Open and close the liftgate or trunk and look at the latch area.
- Sit in it with the engine off and test everything that has a switch.Windows, locks, lights, the cluster, the radio. Electrical faults are this vehicle's story and the hardest to see on a drive: an intermittent no-start waits for the second week of ownership. Ask for the battery's age and whether any control module has been replaced.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 2 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Kia Optima →