2003 Kia Optima Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 3%of 141 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Kia Optima, 3% of the 141 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I had problem with brakes locking up on 2003 Kia Optima, had it at a dealership to get fixed. They said they fixed it, but had same problem. They had it towed, took it back to fix it again, then put a governor on it, said the brakes were now fixed. Well, this evening, enroute to pick my daughter from the daycare facility, I saw traffic stopped, went to slow up by applying brakes and guess what? No brakes! This did not happen all the time, but intermittently, now caused me to have an accident because the brakes did not work! …”
NHTSA complaint #10458891, filed 2012-05, 40,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Kia Optima. The contact stated that she smelled smoke when she applied pressure to the brakes. She attempted to activate the emergency brake system, but it failed and did not activate. The dealer inspected the vehicle and informed the contact that the rear end of the vehicle was rusted to include the brake housing unit. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure nor was the vehicle repaired. The current and failure mileages were 69,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10426533, filed 2011-09, 69,000 miles“Brake failure, front rotors grooved, pads heat glazed, rear rotors also. Plus rear calipers were bounded up. The doors locked by themselves, and there was squealing when the consumer placed the vehicle in reverse. It was found that the doors harness connection was poor and shorted out.”
NHTSA complaint #10105586, filed 2004-12Related service bulletins
- 10026726Aug 28, 2008Kia: all models. Article provides information relating to the improved durability of bulb life for rear combination bulb; rear stop lamp/tail lamp bulb utilized on multiple kia…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 8 | 5% |
| 2019 | 19 | 9% |
| 2018 | 17 | 7% |
| 2017 | 6 | 2% |
| 2016 | 24 | 3% |
| 2015 | 90 | 9% |
| 2014 | 42 | 7% |
| 2013 | 114 | 8% |
| 2012 | 88 | 10% |
| 2011 | 47 | 8% |
| 2010 | 4 | 5% |
| 2009 | 21 | 18% |
| 2008 | 7 | 5% |
| 2007 | 8 | 5% |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% |
| 2004 | 7 | 3% |
| 2003 | 4 | 3% |
| 2002 | 12 | 11% |
| 2001 | 14 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2003 Kia Optima
53 complaintsElectrical system
25 complaintsBody and structure
25 complaintsAir bags
17 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Kia Optima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology