Complaints
306
Crashes
14
Fires
4
Injuries
10
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 2004 Kia Optima Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#173 complaints
Latches / Locks
Avg mileage:92,127 mi
#241 complaints
Electrical Faults
Avg mileage:85,011 mi
Crash-related:2
Fires:3
#328 complaints
Body Structure
Avg mileage:108,200 mi
Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2004 Kia Optima.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Latches / Locks | 73 | — | — | 92,127 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 41 | 2 | 3 | 85,011 mi | |
| Body Structure | 28 | 1 | — | 108,200 mi | |
| Airbags | 21 | 2 | — | 63,736 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 11 | — | — | 63,627 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 8 | — | — | 32,078 mi | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 8 | — | — | 74,376 mi | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 8 | — | — | 100,709 mi | |
| Suspension:Front | 7 | — | — | 71,260 mi | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 6 | — | — | 94,833 mi | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 6 | — | — | 48,140 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 5 | — | — | 122,500 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 5 | 1 | — | 71,983 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 5 | 1 | — | 58,716 mi | |
| Wheel Issues | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel Pump | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Brakes | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 1 | — | — | — |
Latches / Locks
73
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
92,127
Electrical Faults
41
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
3
Avg Miles
85,011
Body Structure
28
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
108,200
Airbags
21
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
63,736
Suspension Failures
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
63,627
Engine & Cooling
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
32,078
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
74,376
Structure:Body:Door
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
100,709
Suspension:Front
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
71,260
Seat Belt Issues
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
94,833
Structure:Frame And Members
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
48,140
Gasoline Fuel System
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
122,500
Steering Defects
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
71,983
Unintended Acceleration
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
58,716
Wheel Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine Problems
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Headlight/Taillight Failures
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel Pump
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electronic Stability Control
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Side/Window
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Kia Optima. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Kia Optima Years
2004 Kia Optima — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2004 Kia Optima reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2004 Kia Optima has 306 NHTSA complaints, 14 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Latches / Locks with 73 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2004 Kia Optima?
Top reported problems: Latches / Locks (73 complaints, avg 92,127 mi); Electrical Faults (41 complaints, avg 85,011 mi); Body Structure (28 complaints, avg 108,200 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 Kia Optima?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 84,304 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2004 Kia Optima?
NHTSA complaints for the 2004 Kia Optima include 14 crash-related reports, 4 fire reports, 10 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2004 Kia Optima have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2004 Kia Optima as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2004 Kia Optima?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Kia Optima reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2004 Kia Optima
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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