Complaints
190
Crashes
10
Fires
2
Injuries
10
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 2003 Kia Optima Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#149 complaints
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Avg mileage:92,346 mi
#220 complaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Avg mileage:82,882 mi
#313 complaints
STRUCTURE:BODY
Avg mileage:96,686 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2003 Kia Optima.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | 49 | — | — | 92,346 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 20 | — | — | 82,882 mi | |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 13 | — | — | 96,686 mi | |
| AIR BAGS | 10 | 1 | — | 87,018 mi | |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 10 | — | — | 116,924 mi | |
| SUSPENSION | 8 | 1 | — | 136,037 mi | |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 7 | — | — | 71,800 mi | |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 4 | 3 | — | 17,517 mi | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 4 | — | — | 79,169 mi | |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 4 | — | — | 107,450 mi | |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE | 3 | 1 | — | 55,000 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 3 | 1 | 1 | 38,112 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 3 | — | — | 41,500 mi | |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 3 | — | — | 93,733 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN | 3 | — | — | 66,252 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 3 | 1 | 1 | 54,500 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL | 2 | — | — | 58,671 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES | 2 | — | — | 64,906 mi | |
| ENGINE | 2 | — | — | 60,000 mi | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER | 2 | — | — | 103,230 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 2 | — | — | 36,250 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT | 2 | — | — | 20,030 mi | |
| STEERING | 2 | — | — | 169,700 mi | |
| STRUCTURE | 2 | — | — | 123,000 mi | |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE | 1 | 1 | — | 37,000 mi | |
| AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW | 1 | 1 | — | 37,000 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 1 | — | — | 57,000 mi | |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 1 | — | — | 97,055 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 1 | — | — | 89,000 mi | |
| EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. | 1 | — | — | — |
Other Kia Optima Years
Wider context: See the full Kia Optima reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2003 Kia Optima
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