2004 Kia Optima Structure:body Problems

NHTSA component category: STRUCTURE:BODY · data through 07/12/2026

28Structure:body complaints

12.4%Of all 225 complaints

#3Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How structure:body ranks on this vehicle

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES73 · 32.4%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM41 · 18.2%

STRUCTURE:BODY28 · 12.4%

AIR BAGS21 · 9.3%

Unspecified / other12 · 5.3%

Share of the 225 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2004 Kia Optima overview page.

What owners report

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK, WHICH PREVENTED ACCESS IN ENTERING OR…”NHTSA complaint 10446385 — filed 02/03/2012

“DRIVER DOOR REFUSED TO OPEN. I HAVE A DISABILITY SO THIS CREATED A HUGE PROBLEM FOR ME. WHEN I PUT GAS IN MY CAR (REGARDLESS…”NHTSA complaint 10444977 — filed 01/23/2012

“DRIVERS DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUT, IT HAPPENED THREE TIMES AND THE STARTED WORKING AGAIN.”NHTSA complaint 10443894 — filed 01/16/2012

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Structure:body complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Kia Optima have structure:body problems?

Structure:body is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 2004 Kia Optima: 28 of 225 complaints on file (12.4%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2004 Kia Optima have in total?

225 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 8 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, 8 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's structure:body category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the STRUCTURE:BODY category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

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.