Photo: Benespit / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
2004 Kia Optima: common problems and reliability
An average Optima year.
225 owner complaints, most about latches/locks/linkages. 1 recall.
Should I buy a 2004 Optima?The 2004 Kia Optima has 225 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 1 recall on record. The most-reported areas are latches/locks/linkages and electrical system.
Safety record for the 2004 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2004 Kia Optima vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Optima years only. How we score it
Is 2004 a good year for the Optima?
Across the 20 Optima model years we track, complaint volume runs from 75 (2010) to 1,440 (2013). With 225 complaints, the 2004 Optima sits about the same as the model's median of 225.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2004 Optima
suspension:front
Campaign 09V183000KIA 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.
What owners say across generations
Mixed sentiment with a strong generational divide. Long-term owners of earlier models (pre-2011) report exceptionally high reliability and satisfaction, with examples reaching over 270,000 miles with minimal maintenance beyond oil changes.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Optima. See the full Optima owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Optima listings typically run $8,155–$12,889 across 2011 to 2020 model years.
Other Optima model years
Compare every Optima year side by side to see how 2004 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Optima against its rivals
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