The Lemon Index2003 Kia Optima.
The 2003 Kia Optima is worse than average by owner complaints: 33 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 117, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about airbags, it has 2 recalls, and it gets 21 to 23 mpg combined. The best Kia Optima year is 2017.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 141 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Kia Optima year. 2003 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 57K to 109K miles on the car (105 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- doors, locks & latches complaints mostly came at 68K–106K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 61K–97K miles
- body structure complaints mostly came at 82K–133K miles
Recalls 2
- suspension 2009
KIA 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, MASSACHUS…
- fuel system, gasoline 2004
SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Kia told dealers about
Kia sent dealers 22 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- This bulletin provides information relating to an engine hesitation or the illumination of the…
- Intermittent mil on with no fault code stored; information about dtc p1330
- TSB - USE OF AFTERMARKET USB CHARGING CABLES IN USB/12V PORTS - This article provides…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side — · rollover ★★★★★
Fuel cost and engines
About $2800–3050 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
The consumer noticed while driving, that the doors locks unlocked and locked without pressing the lock button which was followed by the dash board lights flashing. Problem. Please provide details.
2003 Kia Optima owner · NHTSA complaint 10083319
More owner reports
Air bag light is on. Dealer ordered the part. However, they have been unable to obtain the part, this makes driver's side air bag inoperable.
NHTSA complaint 10094984
Brake failure, front rotors grooved, pads heat glazed, rear rotors also. Plus rear calipers were bounded up.
NHTSA complaint 10105586
Quick answers
Is the 2003 Kia Optima reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 117; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Kia Optima year by this measure is 2017.
What are the most common 2003 Kia Optima problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (27%), electrical (18%) and engine (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Kia Optima have?
2 safety recalls (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Kia Optima get?
21 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2003 Kia Optima problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 57,800 and 109,500 miles. The middle report was at 84,200 miles, from 105 complaints.
Does the 2003 Kia Optima have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 12% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2003 Kia Optima cost in fuel a year?
About $2800 to $3050 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Kia Optima have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl.
What Kia Optima year is better than the 2003?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2017, 2019 and 2020.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works