2003 KIA Optima Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Optima years
- Fewer complaints than other years 17th of 20 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 2 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 141 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 KIA Optima. That ranks 17th out of 20 Optima model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is latches/locks/linkages (53 complaints, 38%), typically at around 90,000 miles. Complaints mention 8 crashes, 2 fires, 6 injuries. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 141owner complaints
- 2safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 8complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2003 KIA Optima problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Latches/locks/linkages problems | 53 | 38% | 90,000 | “driver side” (34%) | — |
| Electrical System | 25 | 18% | 78,769 | — | — |
| Structure | 25 | 18% | 114,993 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 17 | 12% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 9 | 6% | 132,818 | — | — |
| Power Train | 8 | 6% | 33,000 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 7 | 5% | 41,668 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 7 | 5% | 77,752 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 7 | 5% | 88,000 | — | — |
| Visibility | 5 | 4% | 9,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 | 2% | 90,016 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 3 | 2% | 108,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 | 2% | 54,500 | — | — |
| Engine | 2 | 1% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 2 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 2 | 1% | 103,230 | — | — |
| Steering | 2 | 1% | 169,700 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 1% | 75,504 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 1% | 97,055 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 1% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 1 | 1% | 119,829 | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 1% | 169,700 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2003 KIA Optima recalls (2)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Suspension:front
Problem: 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.
Risk: Corrosion of the front subframe could lead to separation, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Fix: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly
Problem: 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.
Risk: Fuel spillage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will install an additional fuel tank assembly valve. Owner notification began june 25, 2004. Owners should contact kia at 1-800-333-4542.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
While driving on the roadway, I was almost to a four way intersection, as i was going to get into the left turn lane, I turned the steering wheel slightly to the left as the steering wheel turned but the car almost did little adjusting to turn into the left turn lane. As this occurred you could…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT AN ALIGNMENT COULD NOT BE PERFORMED BECAUSE THE SUBFRAME WAS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER…
The frame is rusted through causing the vehicle to be unsafe, though it had a recall for this exact problem and it was only inspected and not replaced. The car was initially taken to a local auto repair shop for an alignment as it pulled to the right, the shop said the frame was rusted so badly…
Drivers side door will not unlock with key or inside door look switch. This is a real safety hazzard.
At 24,000 miles my vehicle started locking doors when temperatures reach 32 degrees or lower. Vehicle outside on city street or driveway. When temperatures get to 32 degrees, doors lock and do not unlock to allow access. If you are inside of car it locks you inside of car, as well as out of car…
Other KIA Optima years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Optima | 151 | 0 |
| 2019 Optima | 212 | 1 |
| 2018 Optima | 232 | 2 |
| 2017 Optima | 256 | 3 |
| 2016 Optima | 758 | 5 |
| 2015 Optima | 1,009 | 4 |
| 2014 Optima | 589 | 7 |
| 2013 Optima | 1,386 | 9 |
| 2012 Optima | 920 | 5 |
| 2011 Optima | 594 | 5 |
| 2010 Optima | 75 | 1 |
| 2009 Optima | 116 | 1 |
| 2008 Optima | 144 | 3 |
| 2007 Optima | 167 | 2 |
| 2006 Optima | 155 | 2 |
| 2005 Optima | 144 | 0 |
| 2004 Optima | 225 | 1 |
| 2003 | 141 | 2 |
| 2002 Optima | 107 | 3 |
| 2001 Optima | 143 | 3 |
See all KIA Optima problems by year, every KIA model, or the KIA VIN decoder.
Similar KIA models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2003 KIA Optima?
Owners most often report latches/locks/linkages, electrical system, structure problems. The top one, latches/locks/linkages, accounts for 53 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2003 KIA Optima?
Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2003 KIA Optima a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Optima model years, the 2003 has fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.