| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
2004 Kia Optima repairs by problem area
Engine (57%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (12%)
Brakes and Traction Control (2%)
Suspension and Steering (7%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (19%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (0%)
Other (2%)
Select a problem area
Chart based on 42 repairs.
2004 Kia Optima engine repair cost distribution
$2500+ (0%)
$1000 - $2499 (4%)
$500 - $999 (4%)
$100 - $499 (39%)
< $100 (52%)
Chart based on 23 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2004 Kia Optima
Engine not specified
| 101000 mi US $276 |
the timing belt broke and had to be replaced. |
2004 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
170-horsepower 2.7L V6 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 109000 mi | The timing belt shatter (just coming up time for another change) and ruined the engine. Repairs would have cost 4000.00. Just couldn't see spending that much for this old of a car. It is up for salvage sale. |
| 71000 mi US $270 |
Car started to idle rough at stop lights, then began to stall. Problem was Throttle Position Sensor which was replaced. |
| 82000 mi | Went on road trip, after driving in 90+ degree weather and through mountains the car stalled out twice, each time on a different day. After letting it cool, the car started up and was fine. Possibly vapor lock. |
2004 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
138-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 135000 mi US $100 |
Rough engine. Required motor mounts. Chose not to replace at this time. |
| 143000 mi | Timing belt failure. Bent valves in engine. Too expensive for repair. Sold car to someone who can fix it on the cheap. |
| 128000 mi US $60 |
Crankshaft position sensor failed. Apparently a common occurance with this model. It's behind the timing belt cover which is behind the power steering/AC belt and alternator/water pump belt. Difficult repair, but I did it myself. |
| 166000 mi US $60 |
Leaking valve cover gasket. |
| 190300 mi US $50 |
Cooling system not working properly. Computer is not properly commanding fans. New computer is $1000. Fans are connected to manual switches now, still overheating. Replaced water pump at recent timing belt change. Radiator is next. |
| 194600 mi | Replaced radiator, still overheats. Ended up routing windshield washer nozzles to in front of radiator. I give it a few sprays and this cools it right down. Fixed, sort of... Car isn't worth spending any money on so I'm going to live with it. |
| 209000 mi | So it turns out this beast isn't overheating at all. Problem is all to do with the ECU. It won't smog now due to this issue so i can't register it w/o spending more than the car is worth. CA will supposedly buy it from me for $1000. |
| 209000 mi | ECU issue never fixed. |
| 73500 mi US $175 |
Check Engine light, intermittent tach. P0320 error. Traced to failing ignition sensor. Purchased sensor from dealer and replaced myself (2 bolts and a plug). [3rd repair, 2nd not covered by mfg warr, since new. <$250 total. Not bad!] |
| 84000 mi US $250 |
Replaced ignition amplifier |
2004 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
138-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 139000 mi US $65 |
Engine misfire sensor had been bad, making tachometer inoperative, and illuminating CEL. Sensor replaced, problems corrected. Replaced engine misfire sensor. Bad sensor rendered tachometer inoperative, and lit the CEL. |
| 108300 mi US $1155 |
Bad crankshaft sensor was causing car to stall. Replaced: crankshaft sensor, balance shaft belt, camshaft seal Valve cover leaking. Replaced spark plug seal and valve cover gasket. |
| 195000 mi US $225 |
MIL, Pre-Converter Temp Low. Replaced pre-converter. |
| 203000 mi US $110 |
Shop replaced timing belts and did not set the balance shaft timing correctly. Caused excessive engine vibration that contributed to the early failure of the harmonic balancer. Replaced with used part. |
| 238000 mi US $220 |
Horrible engine vibration. Dealer diagnosed bad ignition coil...quoted $550 to repair. Purchased 2 new coils and new plugs for $170 and self performed repairs. |
| 284000 mi | Catastrophic timing belt failure. Engine destroyed. Not worth repairing the car. |
| 104000 mi US $700 |
timing sensor replace |
| 106000 mi US $150 |
Replaced faulty pulley and replaced belt |
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