2004 Kia Optima Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 2%of 225 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 34,598miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2004 Kia Optima, 2% of the 225 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 34,598 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.
“Hello I have a few issues with my 2004 Kia Optima that I have been unable to get resolved. The 1st is my air bag light is constantly on. I took the car into the shop for this while it was under warranty and was told that it was fixed. The light came back on and now the car is no longer under warranty. I was told that in order to have it fixed I have to spend a couple hundred dollars to have my passenger seat removed and some wires would have to be spliced to correct the issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #10231212, filed 2008-06, 50,000 miles“The fuel system is giving me problem after problem after problems I have changed the fuel pump 3 times in 12 months. And the head lights also keep going out. I've changed the left side head light twice and the right side once in 4-1/2 years.”
NHTSA complaint #10345869, filed 2010-07“I bought a 2004 Kia optimia in march 5005 and already the headlight globe was starting to fade. Took it to the dealership, and was told there was nothing they could do about it. The car has 26800 miles on it. And was kept in a garage . The serviceman said it came from sun rays. The only time the car was in the sun was when I was at work. The car wasin good condition. Think this was an injustice, I didn't cause the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10191071, filed 2007-05“This is an on going problem from nearly day one. I talked to the dealership and they said there is no correction for the problem as this is the way the car is made, and they would not even try to correct the problem, other than to sell me other bulbs at a high price. The problem being that the headlights illuminate about 6 (yup, inches) in front of the car on the dim setting. It is very difficult to see anything in front of me at night unless there is additional illumination, in the form of other vehicles or street lights, which is not always available. …”
NHTSA complaint #10375532, filed 2011-01“The contact owns a 2004 Kia Optima. In june of 2004, the exterior lighting failed while driving at an unknown speed. In addition, the driver's side door would not lock and the check engine light consistently illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and the exterior lighting was repaired; however, the door was not because it was not under warranty. After the repair was made, the exterior lighting continued to fail as well as the other issues. She took the vehicle back to the dealer approximately four times to repair the same failures, but the issues kept persisting. …”
NHTSA complaint #10243177, filed 2008-09, 19,195 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10201529Sep 13, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this…
- 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…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 1% |
| 2019 | 2 | 1% |
| 2018 | 14 | 6% |
| 2017 | 15 | 6% |
| 2016 | 47 | 6% |
| 2015 | 23 | 2% |
| 2014 | 18 | 3% |
| 2013 | 40 | 3% |
| 2012 | 31 | 3% |
| 2011 | 88 | 15% |
| 2010 | 2 | 3% |
| 2009 | 9 | 8% |
| 2008 | 8 | 6% |
| 2007 | 27 | 16% |
| 2006 | 16 | 10% |
| 2005 | 4 | 3% |
| 2004 | 5 | 2% |
| 2003 | 3 | 2% |
| 2002 | 2 | 2% |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2004 Kia Optima
81 complaintsElectrical system
45 complaintsBody and structure
42 complaintsAir bags
26 complaintsSuspension
19 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsEngine cooling
11 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Kia Optima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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