| 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%)
Chart based on 42 repairs.
2004 Kia Optima repair cost distribution
$2500+ (0%)
$1000 - $2499 (3%)
$500 - $999 (5%)
$100 - $499 (42%)
< $100 (50%)
Chart based on 38 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
| Kia Optima in Florida, United States Jul 2010 - Jun 2011 | |||
| Aug 2010101000 miUS $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
| Kia Optima in Ohio, United States Dec 2007 - Oct 2011 | |||
| Oct 200743000 mi | Air bag light went on. Not sure what the fix was, since the service guy basically couldn't tell me what they did since the actual mechanic had left for the day. | ||
| Kia Optima in Georgia, United States May 2009 - Aug 2012 | |||
| Oct 2010151000 miUS $170 | Window regulator went out, the window would roll all the way down, but roll only halfway up. It was the driver's window regulator. | ||
| Jun 2012175000 miUS $150 | Air was not blowing cold since summer of 2011. Decided to get it fixed. Not sure if there is a slow leak or not. The service rep said that there was no noticeable leak, but they did put in some dye just in case. | ||
| Kia Optima in Oklahoma, United States Dec 2010 - Jan 2012 | |||
| Dec 2011127000 mi | The airbag light kept coming on then off for several months. Now it is permanent. Am told that is expensive to repair and I am on limited income. Will have to wait a few months. | ||
| Jan 2012 | 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. Airbag light on when sold. | ||
| Kia Optima in Colorado, United States Apr 2009 - Jul 2010 | |||
| Sep 200971000 miUS $270 | Car started to idle rough at stop lights, then began to stall. Problem was Throttle Position Sensor which was replaced. | ||
| Jul 201082000 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
| Kia Optima in California, United States Jun 2009 - Sep 2016 | |||
| Jul 200983000 miUS $800 | Flywheel broke. Newer "dual mass" type flywheel is very expensive ($1000) but was covered under warranty along with labor ($350). Failure damaged the clutch and pressure plate which were not covered ($350). Clutch pressure plate! I drive 95% freeway miles - hardly any shifting. | ||
| Sep 2010106000 miUS $200 | Leaking high pressure AC hose. Replaced hose, recharged system. | ||
| Dec 2011128000 miUS $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. | ||
| Feb 2014166000 miUS $60 | Leaking valve cover gasket. | ||
| May 2015190300 miUS $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. | ||
| Aug 2015194600 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. | ||
| Jun 2016209000 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. | ||
| Sep 2016209000 mi | ECU issue never fixed. | ||
| Kia Optima in Virginia, United States Dec 2013 - Oct 2014 | |||
| Dec 2013135000 miUS $100 | Rough engine. Required motor mounts. Chose not to replace at this time. | ||
| Oct 2014143000 mi | Timing belt failure. Bent valves in engine. Too expensive for repair. Sold car to someone who can fix it on the cheap. | ||
| Kia Optima in Arizona, United States Mar 2009 - Dec 2014 | |||
| Jul 200942000 miUS $72 | Slightly squeaking belt. High pressure power steering hose had begun leaking at the joint between the hose and the crimp connector at the PS pump end. The drips were falling on the PS serpentine belt. Took hose to A/C shop and had the end replaced. | ||
| Nov 201165000 mi | Finally after 6.5 years and 65,000 miles, the first non-maintenance repair -- a split CV joint boot. Shop spotted a small hole in the other and replaced it, too. Work done under warranty. | ||
| Oct 201273500 miUS $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!] | ||
| Dec 201384000 miUS $250 | Replaced ignition amplifier | ||
2004 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
138-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| Kia Optima in Ohio, United States Feb 2013 - Mar 2013 | |||
| Mar 2013113000 mi | the brake system keeps locking up | ||
| Kia Optima in Texas, United States Jan 2012 - Jan 2014 | |||
| Nov 2012139000 miUS $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. | ||
| Jan 2013141000 miUS $80 | Battery finally died, was approx. 5 years old, which is a good lifespan in the desert southwest. | ||
| Kia Optima in New York, United States Jul 2011 - Jun 2012 | |||
| Jan 2012106000 miUS $150 | Replaced faulty pulley and replaced belt | ||
| Kia Optima in Texas, United States Jun 2010 - Dec 2011 | |||
| Aug 2010104000 miUS $700 | timing sensor replace | ||
| Jun 2011113000 miUS $198 | broken power steering hose | ||
| Kia Optima in Virginia, United States Mar 2011 - May 2014 | |||
| Jun 2011195000 miUS $225 | MIL, Pre-Converter Temp Low. Replaced pre-converter. | ||
| Sep 2011203000 miUS $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. | ||
| May 2012223800 miUS $395 | A/C Compressor failed. Evac system, replace compressor, drier, and expansion valve, recharge system. | ||
| Sep 2012238000 miUS $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. | ||
| Jun 2013263000 miUS $150 | Replaced Front Struts Replace Driveshafts | ||
| Aug 2013268000 miUS $68 | Drivers door latch failed closed. Safety issue as the driver's door would not open from the inside or out. Ordered replacement latch (dealer only part) and fixed. Took about 3 days for the part to arrive. | ||
| May 2014284000 mi | Catastrophic timing belt failure. Engine destroyed. Not worth repairing the car. | ||
| Kia Optima in Washington, United States Mar 2011 - Nov 2016 | |||
| Oct 2013108300 miUS $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. Front left CV boot cracked. Replaced left front axle shaft assembly | ||
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