2004 Kia Optima Wheels Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 2%of 225 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 85,854miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the wheels of the 2004 Kia Optima, 2% of the 225 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,854 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“The passenger wheel came off the car as my son was backing out of a parking space at a grocery store. I bought this car new. That part of the car had never been worked on. The car had to be towed to a garage for repair. Kia used glue on life a support nut on a ball joint, where they should have used a cotter pin. I have bought four (4) kias. These cars are still in the family. The Kia I drive daily is identical (except being automatic) to the one that the wheel came off.”
NHTSA complaint #10534657, filed 2013-08, 102,800 miles“I was driving on I-10 westbound, katy tx freeway, travelling about 65 miles per hour. The passenger's side front tire blew out causing the car to go back and fourth between two lanes of traffic. In the process, I was hitting the rubber dividers, damaging the hood of the car and the windshield. The blown tire caused damage to the oil pan, the radiator, and eventually the transmission. I got the car to the emergency lane. The car was towed off the freeway and eventually picked up and transported to a car repair shop. …”
NHTSA complaint #10680973, filed 2015-02, 62,000 miles“The NHTSA campaign number is 09v183000 and the component is suspension. I was told that the recall portion for my vehicle was performed but only as an inspection by glassman Kia, southfield michigan, in july 2009. I experienced the actual corrosion of the front sub-frame but thank god I did not have a crash. I am told by kmc that there is a possibility they may not fix the car. I have an appointment at glassman tomorrow, july 17, 2014.”
NHTSA complaint #10611056, filed 2014-07“The contact owns a 2004 Kia Optima. While driving approximately 10 MPH, an extremely loud sound of metal to metal emitted outside of the vehicle. The contact drove onto the emergency lane and noticed the front driver's side suspension and frame completely fractured due to rust corrosion. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The failure was associated with recall NHTSA campaign id number 09v183000 (suspension: front); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact planned to notify the manufacturer regarding the defect. The failure mileage was 85,854. …”
NHTSA complaint #10407497, filed 2011-06, 85,854 milesWheels: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 3 | 1% |
| 2018 | 1 | 0% |
| 2017 | 1 | 0% |
| 2016 | 5 | 1% |
| 2015 | 5 | 1% |
| 2014 | 3 | 1% |
| 2013 | 18 | 1% |
| 2012 | 8 | 1% |
| 2011 | 9 | 2% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2004 | 4 | 2% |
| 2003 | 1 | 1% |
| 2002 | 5 | 5% |
| 2001 | 5 | 4% |
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 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