2003 Kia Optima Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

2003 Kia Optima recalls

Most common 2003 Kia Optima problems

Problem areas named in the 141 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Latches/Locks/Linkages	53
Structure	26
Electrical System	25
Air Bags	19
Suspension	9
Power Train	8
Engine And Engine Cooling	7
Fuel System, Gasoline	7
Unknown Or Other	7
Visibility	5

What owners report

2025-02-03, Steering
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 here a noise underneath the vehicle . As I wasn't sure exactly what had happened, I attempted to limp the vehicle down the road to a friend's. As I did the steering got worse and as I could nearly stear the vehicle something was in the road which because of the steering I couldn't avoid it as it was late at night and raining and I ran over something that gave me a flat on the passenger side front tire

2019-11-05, Structure
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: 09V183000(SUSPENSION). THE CONTACT CALLED BOB ROHRMAN KIA (801 SAGAMORE PKWY S, LAFAYETTE, IN 47905, 765-746-7301) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR HAD ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST SINCE THE RECALL REPAIR HAD BEEN COMPLETED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,531.

2019-07-29, Structure
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 THAT AN ALIGNMENT COULD NOT BE DONE. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A RECALL HAD BEEN MADE FOR THIS VEHICLE. RECALL #09V183000. GURLEY LEEP KIA IN MISHAWAKA, INDIANA WAS CONTACTED AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE. THE TECHNICIAN SAID THE FRAME WAS RUSTED BUT KIA WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE AS THE RECALL HAD ALREADY BEEN MADE.

2018-06-14, Structure
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH KEY OR INSIDE DOOR LOOK SWITCH. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY HAZZARD.

2017-12-27, Unknown Or Other
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. LOCKS UNLOCK THEN LOCK INSTANTLY EVEN WHEN USING KEY, NOT KEY FOB TO UNLOCK CAR~ NO ACCESS TO ENTER VEHICLE UNTIL ABOVE 32 DEGREES. IN CASE OF EMERGENCY...YOU HAVE NO VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED EVERY YEAR WHEN TEMPERATURE GETS BELOW 32 DEGREES. I HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM IN PAST.RECALL AND FIX IT PLEASE!!!

2003 Kia Optima questions

Does the 2003 Kia Optima have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2003 Kia Optima: Suspension:Front; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Kia Optima?

Based on 141 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Latches/Locks/Linkages (53), Structure (26), Electrical System (25).

How do I check if a recall on my 2003 Kia Optima has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.