2004 Kia Optima Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 5%of 225 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 19,195miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2004 Kia Optima, 5% of the 225 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 19,195 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.
“I was on my way to work and my car just stopped running while I was driving on the highway. I got it towed, it is the crankshaft position sensor, the cost to repair $460. I have done some research on the internet and many people have had this problem with this year. Also earlier models have been recalled.”
NHTSA complaint #10227927, filed 2008-05, 66,600 miles“I purchased a brand new 2004 Kia Optima and paid in full. I purchased for the 10 yr warranty and extended warranty I bought. The A/C has always overheated , car seats in the locked positionmoving while driving out of their position, locks malfunctioning when no one is touching them, transmission jumping. Various other problems. The big bell road Kia in phoenix, located at 2121 east bell road,”
NHTSA complaint #10126773, filed 2005-06, 7,000 miles“I was commuting. I gave my car regular oil changes and tune ups. Then the engine coils went out. The car would not go over forty. Replaced that. Heard funny noises coming from the engine. The car was at 70k at this point. The manufacturers warranty said to replace the timing belt at 110k. So I decided to hold off as that probably wasn't the problem and a manufacturer wouldn't lie to me as they are regulated by the government. Then I am driving and the car dies in the middle of a busy intersection. I get the car towed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10370509, filed 2010-12, 80 miles“Ry time it rains and our county dirt road gets wet and muddy. Mud splashes up into the engine compartment and into the EGR valve and causes it to malfuction due to the way it was desined. I took the car to the dealers shop and was told it was a maintence problem and that the dealer would fix it only once and after that I will have to pay for any repair if it fails again. As of this date ( 03/24/05) this car had 23760 miles of a 100,000 mile warranty on it.”
NHTSA complaint #10114770, filed 2005-03, 23,682 miles“While driving 35 MPH vehicle suddenly decelerated and would not go over 20 MPH. No impact reported. As a result, the check engine signal light stayed on.”
NHTSA complaint #10081896, filed 2004-07, 114 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10133170Mar 2, 2018PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned…
- 10034246May 1, 2010Kia: intermittent mil on with no fault code stored; information about dtc p1330. Provides information relating to certain vehicles. In affected vehicles an intermittent short to…
- 10033464Nov 1, 2009Kia: ecm upgrade with tp sensor replacement-mil on with dtc p2135/p0638. Information related to ecm software and tp sensor upgrade on some vehicles with 2.7l engines which may…
- 10023626Nov 1, 2007This bulletin provides information relating to an engine hesitation or the illumination of the malfunction indicator lamp (mil) for p0123 (throttle position sensor / switch (a)…
- 10017768Oct 1, 2005Hesitation for a short period of time after an initial cold start. Ecm reprogramming/upgrade.
- 10015272Jan 1, 2005Improved timing belts for the kia rio and optima.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 8 | 5% |
| 2019 | 3 | 1% |
| 2018 | 14 | 6% |
| 2017 | 8 | 3% |
| 2016 | 24 | 3% |
| 2015 | 31 | 3% |
| 2014 | 16 | 3% |
| 2013 | 42 | 3% |
| 2012 | 20 | 2% |
| 2011 | 8 | 1% |
| 2010 | 2 | 3% |
| 2009 | 2 | 2% |
| 2008 | 5 | 3% |
| 2007 | 4 | 2% |
| 2006 | 9 | 6% |
| 2005 | 6 | 4% |
| 2004 | 11 | 5% |
| 2003 | 7 | 5% |
| 2002 | 7 | 7% |
| 2001 | 24 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2004 Kia Optima
81 complaintsElectrical system
45 complaintsBody and structure
42 complaintsAir bags
26 complaintsSuspension
19 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaintsEquipment
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Kia Optima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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