Known Recalls

Model year record

2004 Kia Optima

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 307 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 09V183000

Suspension: front

Component
Suspension: front
Manufacturer
KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
36,538
Reported to NHTSA
2009-05-27
Owners notified
2009-06-16

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME COULD LEAD TO SEPARATION, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Latches/locks/linkages7393,700 mi
Electrical system4187,000 mi
Structure: body28105,000 mi
Air bags2158,000 mi
Suspension1268,592 mi
Unknown or other1277,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling815,600 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch871,634 mi
Structure: body: door8107,000 mi
Suspension: front768,954 mi
Seat belts696,000 mi
Structure: frame and members630,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline5100,000 mi
Steering589,250 mi
Vehicle speed control551,000 mi
Wheels485,854 mi
Air bags: frontal350,000 mi
Engine389,400 mi
Exterior lighting319,195 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump375,600 mi
Power train: automatic transmission33,200 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor33,200 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)289,400 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility2—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner269,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights250,000 mi
Power train2276 mi
Service brakes2700 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module144,143 mi
Air bags: side/window126,400 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel164,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator129,000 mi
Electrical system: horn1500 mi
Electrical system: wiring1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine196,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys15,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)123,682 mi
Equipment163,497 mi
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer: LPG systems1—
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer: LPG systems: tank assembly1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery13,200 mi
Fuel/propulsion system162,000 mi
Lane departure: warning1—
Power train: clutch assembly1—
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)140,000 mi
Power train: driveline189,250 mi
Seats: front assembly: head restraint170,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic15,864 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper180,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion13,200 mi
Steering: rack and pinion: rack14,200 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint110,700 mi
Tires130,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt1112,358 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls110,000 mi

The 2003 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 2005 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.