Model Year Problem Record

Kia Optima 2004 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2004 Kia Optima: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

225Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints

1Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls

0Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations

18Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Latches, Locks and Linkages81 complaints

81 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System45 complaints

45 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure42 complaints

42 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags26 complaints

26 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension19 complaints

19 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 09V183000.

Engine14 complaints

14 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

09V183000Reported May 27, 2009 - 36,538 vehicles potentially affected

Suspension. Recall covering the suspension system, reported to NHTSA on May 27, 2009. The campaign covers an estimated 36,538 vehicles across all affected models.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20031

20046

20059

20065

20078

200815

20099

201030

201128

201220

201318

201420

201529

201612

20178

20182

20191

20211

20222

20251

How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.