Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2003 Kia Optima. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗FRONT SUB-FRAME CORRIOSION
- Summary
- 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, 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.
- Consequence
- CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME COULD LEAD TO SEPARATION, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy
- KMC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 15, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA'S CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.
KIA/FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE
- Summary
- SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. IF A VEHICLE WITH A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED WERE TO ROLL OVER, FUEL SPILLAGE MAY OCCUR.
- Consequence
- FUEL SPILLAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 25, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (141)
141 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The latches/locks/linkages is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 141 |
|---|---|---|
| Latches/locks/linkages | 53 | 37.6% |
| Electrical system | 25 | 17.7% |
| Structure | 25 | 17.7% |
| Air bags | 17 | 12.1% |
| Fuel system | 9 | 6.4% |
| Suspension | 9 | 6.4% |
| Power train | 8 | 5.7% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 7 | 5% |
| Unknown or other | 7 | 5% |
| Visibility | 5 | 3.5% |
How 2003 compares with other Optima years
Best and worst Optima years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 143 | 3 |
| 2002 | 107 | 3 |
| 2003 | 141 | 2 |
| 2004 | 225 | 1 |
| 2005 | 144 | 0 |
| 2006 | 155 | 2 |
| 2007 | 167 | 2 |
| 2008 | 144 | 3 |
| 2009 | 116 | 1 |
| 2010 | 75 | 1 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 23 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,900
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 386 g/mi
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 23 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 27 / 23 | $2,900 | 386 |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 27 / 22 | $3,050 | 404 |
| 2.7 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 25 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
| 2.7 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 26 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2003 Optima for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2003 Kia Optima FAQ
How many recalls does the 2003 Kia Optima have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 09V183000 (suspension), 04V180000 (fuel system). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2003 Kia Optima problems?
Owners filed 141 complaints with NHTSA. Latches/locks/linkages (53), Electrical system (25), Structure (25) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2003 Kia Optima get?
EPA rates the 2.4 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 20 city, 27 highway and 23 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2003 Optima compare with other years?
Among the 2001–2010 Kia Optima model years at least five years old, the 2010 drew the fewest complaints (75) and the 2004 the most (225). The 2003 drew 141. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.