2003 Kia Optima Other or unknown Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 5%of 141 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 88,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the other or unknown of the 2003 Kia Optima, 5% of the 141 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 88,000 miles.
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.
“Power locks instantly lock after unlocking,(over and over) prohibiting me and my passengers to enter or exit the vehicle. It sometimes takes 5-10 minutes of trying to unlock that they will finally stay unlocked allowing access. I have a toddler and a baby on the way. If there were to be an accident or a fire, I could only imagine being trapped inside.”
NHTSA complaint #10412608, filed 2011-07, 97,000 miles“The problem with this make and model of car is with the door locking mechanism. It started in april with a problem with the drivers side front door. When you unlocked the doors with the key fob, all the doors would unlock, but when you grabbed the handle of the door to open it, all the doors to the car would lock.it cost me $350.00 to get that fixed. Now the passenger side front door will not unlock, either from the inside or out. The key fob won't unlock it, nor manually using a key. This is a serious defect that I think Kia should be fixing. …”
NHTSA complaint #10668403, filed 2014-12, 88,000 miles“At 24,000 miles my vehicle started locking doors when temperatures reach 32 degrees or lower. Vehicle outside on city street or driveway. When temperatures get to 32 degrees, doors lock and do not unlock to allow access. If you are inside of car it locks you inside of car, as well as out of car. Locks unlock then lock instantly even when using key, not key fob to unlock car~ no access to enter vehicle until above 32 degrees. In case of emergency...you have no vehicle. This has happened every year when temperature gets below 32 degrees. …”
NHTSA complaint #11056734, filed 2017-12, 24,000 miles“My front passenger door had become completely stuck closed and wont open. The lock mechanisms work fine for all four doors still as well as the windows.”
NHTSA complaint #10567302, filed 2014-03, 90,000 miles“Radio turns off and stays off during daylight hours of normal driving on regular paved road ways. The unit is still powered on itself but no audible sound not even static can be heard from the speakers from the cd, cassette player or radio. It was taken to an authorized dealer and he stated that he didn't want to keep wasting their time (radio is no longer covered by warranty) and that I should purchase a new radio because there was something obviously wrong with the output on the factory unit. He also stated that it would cost over $1000 to purchase a new factory unit.”
NHTSA complaint #10188478, filed 2007-04Related service bulletins
- 10016851Dec 1, 2004Enhanced diagnosis and repair for p0446/p2422.
Other or unknown: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 18 | 12% |
| 2019 | 43 | 20% |
| 2018 | 39 | 17% |
| 2017 | 33 | 13% |
| 2016 | 123 | 16% |
| 2015 | 140 | 14% |
| 2014 | 90 | 15% |
| 2013 | 189 | 14% |
| 2012 | 88 | 10% |
| 2011 | 41 | 7% |
| 2010 | 5 | 7% |
| 2009 | 3 | 3% |
| 2008 | 9 | 6% |
| 2007 | 4 | 2% |
| 2006 | 9 | 6% |
| 2005 | 6 | 4% |
| 2004 | 12 | 5% |
| 2003 | 7 | 5% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 2001 | 4 | 3% |
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 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsBrakes
4 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 28, 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