2004 Kia Optima Problems and Repair Histories
2004 Kia Optima problems reported via the Car Repair History and Car Reliability Surveys
See what people are saying about 2004 Kia Optima problems
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Kia Optima
2004 Kia Optimas for which no problems have been reported are not displayed. So the 2004 Kia Optima problems and repair histories you see here should not be used to infer car problem frequency.
For 2004 Kia Optima problem frequency, check the Car Reliability Survey result. For the problems behind the score, check the 2004 Kia Optima problems and repair histories that follow it.
Kia Optima Reliability through December 31, 2012
General NotesModels and statistics marked with an asterisk (*) have very low sample sizes. These results, visible only to logged-in members, provide only a rough estimate of car reliability.Any result under 20 repair trips per 100 cars is likely a result of the small sample size, and should be expected to increase to 20 or so in future updates.
New models often start out with high repair rates, and then improve as the manufacturer identifies and addresses common problems. MethodologyOnly successfully completed repairs are currently included in the analysis. Routine maintenance, most wear items, recalls, and problems fixed with just a reflash or warning light reset are not included.
| Year | Make/Model | Trips/Year/100 Cars | Compared to all models for the same year | |
| 2004 | Kia Optima | 22 Optimas, 9.8 months of data per Optima, average 102800 miles Small sample size. Join or 22 Optimas, 9.8 months of data per Optima, average 102800 miles Small sample size. sign in to view |
see reported repairs |
Non-members can see only ten 2004 Kia Optima problems and repair histories. Log in or join us to see them all.
Repair costs are in local units.
2004 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
170-horsepower 2.7L V6 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| Kia Optima in Oklahoma, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Dec | 2010 | 109000 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2011 | 127000 | 0 | The airbag light kept coming on then off for several months. Now it is permanent. Am told that is expensive to repair and I am on limited income. Will have to wait a few months. |
| Jan | 2012 | 127000 | 0 | The timing belt shatter (just coming up time for another change) and ruined the engine. Repairs would have cost 4000.00. Just couldn't see spending that much for this old of a car. It is up for salvage sale. Airbag light on when sold. |
| Kia Optima in Ohio, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Oct | 2007 | 0 | Air bag light went on. Not sure what the fix was, since the service guy basically couldn't tell me what they did since the actual mechanic had left for the day. | |
| Oct | 2011 | 84000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Kia Optima in Georgia, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2009 | 116000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2010 | 134000 | 500 | Not a problem, the car was over double the suggested mileage for a new timing belt. I replaced the timing belt along with a new thermostat and water pump. |
| Oct | 2010 | 151000 | 680 | Brakes felt weaker and started screeching. New rotors and pads installed. Window regulator went out, the window would roll all the way down, but roll only halfway up. It was the driver's window regulator. |
| Jun | 2012 | 175000 | 150 | Air was not blowing cold since summer of 2011. Decided to get it fixed. Not sure if there is a slow leak or not. The service rep said that there was no noticeable leak, but they did put in some dye just in case. |
| Aug | 2012 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Kia Optima in Colorado, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Apr | 2009 | 56000 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2009 | 71000 | 270 | Car started to idle rough at stop lights, then began to stall. Problem was Throttle Position Sensor which was replaced. |
| Jul | 2010 | 82000 | 0 | Went on road trip, after driving in 90+ degree weather and through mountains the car stalled out twice, each time on a different day. After letting it cool, the car started up and was fine. Possibly vapor lock. |
2004 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
138-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| Kia Optima in Arizona, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2009 | 39000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jul | 2009 | 42000 | 72 | Slightly squeaking belt. High pressure power steering hose had begun leaking at the joint between the hose and the crimp connector at the PS pump end. The drips were falling on the PS serpentine belt. Took hose to A/C shop and had the end replaced. |
| Jun | 2010 | 52000 | 339 | Replaced timing belt. (Received coupon for reduced price and it was due.) |
| Nov | 2011 | 65000 | 0 | Finally after 6.5 years and 65,000 miles, the first non-maintenance repair -- a split CV joint boot. Shop spotted a small hole in the other and replaced it, too. Work done under warranty. |
| Oct | 2012 | 74000 | 175 | Check Engine light, intermittent tach. P0320 error. Traced to failing ignition sensor. Purchased sensor from dealer and replaced myself (2 bolts and a plug). [3rd repair, 2nd not covered by mfg warr, since new. <$250 total. Not bad!] |
| Dec | 2012 | 76000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Kia Optima in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2009 | 82000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jul | 2009 | 83700 | 800 | Clutch pressure plate! I drive 95% freeway miles - hardly any shifting. |
| Sep | 2010 | 106000 | 200 | Leaking high pressure AC hose. Replaced hose, recharged system. |
| Dec | 2011 | 128000 | 60 | Crankshaft position sensor failed. Apparently a common occurance with this model. It's behind the timing belt cover which is behind the power steering/AC belt and alternator/water pump belt. Difficult repair, but I did it myself. |
| Mar | 2013 | 150000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
2004 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
138-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| Kia Optima in Ohio, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2013 | 112000 | First odometer entry | |
| Mar | 2013 | 113000 | 0 | the brake system keeps locking up |
| Kia Optima in Virginia, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2011 | 184000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jun | 2011 | 195000 | 225 | MIL, Pre-Converter Temp Low. Replaced pre-converter. |
| May | 2012 | 224000 | 395 | A/C Compressor failed. Evac system, replace compressor, drier, and expansion valve, recharge system. |
| Sep | 2012 | 238000 | 220 | Horrible engine vibration. Dealer diagnosed bad ignition coil...quoted $550 to repair. Purchased 2 new coils and new plugs for $170 and self performed repairs. |
| Mar | 2013 | 256000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Kia Optima in Florida, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2010 | 98000 | First odometer entry | |
| Aug | 2010 | 101000 | 276 | the timing belt broke and had to be replaced. |
| Jun | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Kia Optima in Texas, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2010 | 103000 | First odometer entry | |
| Aug | 2010 | 104000 | 700 | timing sensor replace |
| Jun | 2011 | 113000 | 198 | broken power steering hose |
| Dec | 2011 | 123000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Kia Optima in New York, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2011 | 101000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2012 | 106000 | 150 | Replaced faulty pulley and replaced belt |
| Jun | 2012 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
Expert 2004 Kia Optima Repair Advice
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What People Are Saying about Problems with the 2004 Kia Optima
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