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Kia Optima

2001–2005 only

633 classified complaints

41,349 sold in the US for 2001–2005.

153 complaints on file
per 10,000 sold

2001–2005 Kia Optima models have 633 classified complaints on record for these years specifically. The most common issue in this range is Doors, windows, latches, seats and trim, typically surfacing around 90,000 miles.

Computed directly from stored federal records for 2001–2005 model years only — not blended with the rest of this vehicle's production run. See the full Kia Optima report for every year combined.

Where this range fits

2001–2005

2006–2010

2011–2015

2016–2020

Complaints filed per 5-year model-year window — highlighted bars link to their own dedicated page.

What breaks, and when — 2001–2005 only

Doors, windows, latches, seats and trim · Body and interior 347 complaints · 84/10k sold

Median onset: 90,000 miles. 1.7% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.

More common in older model years.

Subframe, cradle and frame corrosion · Suspension 99 complaints · 24/10k sold

Median onset: 126,000 miles.

Tends to show up later than this model's other issues. · More common in older model years.

Airbags, seatbelts and restraints · Body and interior 50 complaints · 12/10k sold

Median onset: 91,000 miles. 8.0% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.

More common in older model years.

Body control and other modules · Electrical 27 complaints · 6.5/10k sold

Median onset: 89,400 miles.

More common in newer model years.

Control arms, ball joints and bushings · Suspension 18 complaints · 4.4/10k sold

Median onset: 102,800 miles.

More common in older model years. · Typical repair: $230–$700 nationally.

Stalling and no-start · Engine 14 complaints · 3.4/10k sold

Median onset: 71,000 miles.

More common in newer model years.

Tank, lines and filler · Fuel system 13 complaints · 3.1/10k sold

Median onset: 78,000 miles.

Body and panel corrosion · Body and interior 12 complaints · 2.9/10k sold

Median onset: 89,500 miles.

More common in older model years.

From owner-filed complaints to NHTSA, not independently verified. Federal mileage reporting on recent complaints is sparse — see how it works. Cost ranges are national estimates from book labor hours and parts pricing, not this vehicle's actual repair history — they don't account for your location or shop type.

Cost estimator: what will this one cost you?

Enter the car's year and mileage. See which known problems are due in your next 3 years, what each costs at your state's labor rates, which ones to ask the seller about, and routine maintenance to budget for.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — complaints and recalls, scoped to 2001–2005 model years. See the full Kia Optima report for every year and full specs/safety data.