Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Latches/locks/linkages — runs 6.9× the fleet median for that category across the 191 model-years tracked on this site.
225Complaints
1Recalls
8Crashes
3Fires
8Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Latches/locks/linkages (32.4% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.
Latches/locks/linkages complaints here are 6.9× the median for that category across the 191 model-years tracked on this site.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Latches/locks/linkages
73 · 32.4%
not available
—
Electrical System
41 · 18.2%
not available
—
Structure:body
28 · 12.4%
not available
—
Air Bags
21 · 9.3%
not available
—
Suspension
11 · 4.9%
Recalled
Recall 09V183000
Engine And Engine Cooling
8 · 3.6%
not available
—
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 225 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME COULD LEAD TO SEPARATION, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“DRIVER SIDE DOOR AUTOMATICALLY LOCKS AND WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM OUTSIDE WITH THE KEY OR FROM THE INSIDE UNLOCK LEVER. DRIVER IS TRAPPED INSIDE CAR…”NHTSA complaint 10456534 — filed 04/26/2012 · LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
“THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR ON MY CAR WILL NOT UNLOCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I HAVE BEEN PUTTING UP WITH THIS FOR 4 TO 6 MONTHS NOW. AND GETTING…”NHTSA complaint 10452145 — filed 03/18/2012 · LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
“DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK. NEITHER THE KEY NOR THE DOOR LOCK KNOB ON THE INSIDE WORKS TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE…”NHTSA complaint 10435350 — filed 11/12/2011 · LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Kia Optima?
Latches/locks/linkages issues are the most-reported category, cited in 73 of 225 NHTSA complaints (32.4%), followed by electrical system (41), structure:body (28), air bags (21). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2004 Kia Optima have?
225 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 8 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, and 8 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 2004 Kia Optima have any recalls?
Yes — 1 NHTSA safety recall campaign, including campaign 09V183000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2004 Kia Optima's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
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