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Kia Optima

2004 only

238 classified complaints

2004 Kia Optima have 238 classified complaints on record for that year specifically. The most common issue in this year is Doors, windows, latches, seats and trim, typically surfacing around 95,000 miles.

Computed directly from stored federal records for 2004 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 year fits

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Complaints filed per individual model year — highlighted bars link to their own dedicated page.

What breaks, and when — 2004 only

Doors, windows, latches, seats and trim · Body and interior 145 complaints

Median onset: 95,000 miles. 2.1% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.

More common in older model years.

Airbags, seatbelts and restraints · Body and interior 23 complaints

Median onset: 91,000 miles. 17.4% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.

More common in older model years.

Subframe, cradle and frame corrosion · Suspension 20 complaints

Median onset: 85,854 miles.

More common in older model years.

Stalling and no-start · Engine 9 complaints

Median onset: 59,500 miles.

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

Body control and other modules · Electrical 8 complaints

Median onset: 89,400 miles.

More common in newer model years.

Fuel pump and sending unit · Fuel system 7 complaints

Median onset: 132,500 miles.

Tends to show up later than this model's other issues. · Typical repair: $630–$1,700 nationally.

Control arms, ball joints and bushings · Suspension 6 complaints

Median onset: 94,650 miles.

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

Body and panel corrosion · Body and interior 4 complaints

Median onset: 39,000 miles.

Tends to show up earlier than this model's other issues. · 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.

How does 2004 compare with other Optima years? Every model year ranked by complaints per 10,000 sold. See years →

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — complaints and recalls, scoped to 2004 model year. See the full Kia Optima report for every year and full specs/safety data.