Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
110–25K
1025–50K
2250–75K
2775–100K
28100–150K
7150K+
105 reports with mileage · 36 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
8 crash reports2 fire reports5 injury reports
What owners actually said
141 reports
75,504 miles · Aug 16, 2006
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
IT TOOK 3-4 ATTEMPTS TO GET THE CONSUMER'S 2003 KIA OPTIMA TO START AND THE CONSUMER ALSO HAD TO PUMP THE GAS PEDAL. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING. *KB WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PUMP THE GAS PEDAL IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHIC…
Read full complaint
IT TOOK 3-4 ATTEMPTS TO GET THE CONSUMER'S 2003 KIA OPTIMA TO START AND THE CONSUMER ALSO HAD TO PUMP THE GAS PEDAL. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING. *KB WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PUMP THE GAS PEDAL IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN PRESENT SINCE THE DATE OF PURCHASE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10165870
65,336 miles · Jul 25, 2006
Electrical System
2003 KIA OPTIMA CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER PULLED OFF THE FREEWAY AND ONTO A CITY STREET. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF BUT COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE BATTERY CABLES HAD MELTED. *KB *NM
NHTSA ODI #10163722
Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER THEORIZED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS A FAULTY FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS MADE.
NHTSA ODI #10163287
37,000 miles · Jul 7, 2006
Air BagsCrashInjury
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED, WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AT 25 MPH., THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVER'S FRONT DOOR BY A POLICE VEHICLE RUNNING A RED LIGHT, WITHOUT THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON. BOTH FRONTAL AND SIDE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. INJURIES WERE INCURRED IN THE COLLISION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND PICTURES W…
Read full complaint
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED, WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AT 25 MPH., THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVER'S FRONT DOOR BY A POLICE VEHICLE RUNNING A RED LIGHT, WITHOUT THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON. BOTH FRONTAL AND SIDE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. INJURIES WERE INCURRED IN THE COLLISION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND PICTURES WERE TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT WAS REPLACED BY A SERVICE DEALER, APPROXIMATELY ONE-YEAR PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #10161805
64,475 miles · Jul 5, 2006
Electrical System
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE CHARGING SYSTEM'S WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS COASTED OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS UNDETERMINED; HOWEVER BOTH BATTERY CABLES WERE MELTED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNING SIGNALS INDICATING A…
Read full complaint
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE CHARGING SYSTEM'S WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS COASTED OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS UNDETERMINED; HOWEVER BOTH BATTERY CABLES WERE MELTED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNING SIGNALS INDICATING A PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED.
NHTSA ODI #10161487
70,000 miles · Nov 21, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
2003 KIA OPTIMA WITH 70,000 MILES JUST BURST INTO FLAMES AND BURNED TOTALLY UP WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. FIRE STARTED SOMEWHERE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT PER THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. VEHICLE WAS RUNNING FINE PRIOR TO INCIDENT. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR PASSENGERS AND SURROUNDING PROPERTY. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10143300
Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2005
Equipment
WHILE CHANGING A FLAT TIRE, THE JACK WHICH WAS PROVIDED WITH THE VEHICLE BENT AND COLLAPSED UNDER THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING IT TO CRASH ONTO THE GROUND. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10137572
55,000 miles · Aug 11, 2005
Air Bags
DT: THE CALLER STATED THAT AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON ALL THE TIME. DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG WAS DEFECTIVE, AND DID NOT HAVE THE PART TO FIX IT. MANUFACTURER SAID DID NOT HAVE THE PART ANYWHERE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10132459
Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2005
Latches/locks/linkages
DT: PERIODICALLY THE DOORS ON THE CONSUMER'S 2003 KIA OPTIMA LOCK ON THERE OWN. THE CONSUMER STATED HE NEVER LOCKS THE DOORS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ARE CURRENTLY WAITING FOR PARTS. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT OFFERED INFORMATION AS TO WHY THIS HAPPENS. THE CONSUMER STATED HE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USE…
Read full complaint
DT: PERIODICALLY THE DOORS ON THE CONSUMER'S 2003 KIA OPTIMA LOCK ON THERE OWN. THE CONSUMER STATED HE NEVER LOCKS THE DOORS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ARE CURRENTLY WAITING FOR PARTS. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT OFFERED INFORMATION AS TO WHY THIS HAPPENS. THE CONSUMER STATED HE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED AND IT STARTED APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS AGO. HE ALSO STATED THAT THIS DOES NOT ALWAYS HAPPEN. IF THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCKED, THE PASSENGER SIDE ALSO LOCKED. HE HAS TO WORK THE KEY OVER AND OVER. WHEN HE TURNS THE KEY IT FEELS LIKE IT IS OPENING AND THE LOCKS WILL START TO GO UP INSIDE AND THEN IT LOCKS BACK. 8NM
NHTSA ODI #10128422
21,569 miles · Jul 9, 2005
Air BagsCrashInjury
I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE FRONT AND SIDE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. MY CAR WAS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE SITE OF IMPACT WAS ON THE LEFT FRONT END BUT SUBSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE SEVERAL PHOTO'S OF THE CAR, WHICH WAS TOTALED BY MY INSURANCE ADJUSTER. MY CONCERN IS IF THERE IS …
Read full complaint
I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE FRONT AND SIDE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. MY CAR WAS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE SITE OF IMPACT WAS ON THE LEFT FRONT END BUT SUBSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE SEVERAL PHOTO'S OF THE CAR, WHICH WAS TOTALED BY MY INSURANCE ADJUSTER. MY CONCERN IS IF THERE IS A DEFECT WITH THIS CAR REGARDING THE AIRBAGS. A CLOSE MALE FRIEND, WHO WAS A MECHANICAL ENGINEER FOR CHYSLER, COULD NOT EXPLAIN/UNDERSTAND WHY THE AIRBAGS FAILED. PLEASE HELP ME GET TO THE BOTTOM IS THIS MATTER.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME COULD LEAD TO SEPARATION, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: KMC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 15, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA'S CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL SPILLAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 25, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2003 Kia Optima Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration