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2004 Kia Optima locks problems

81 complaints (36% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 92,000.

owner complaints
81
of this car's complaints
36%
typical mileage
92,000
crashes
0
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Doors: latch
    8

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Kia Optima locks problems in other years

2001200520102019

Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 Kia Optima locks

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Door locks 83

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2004 Kia Optima owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Dec 12, 2016 · Body, Locks · 101,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 kia optima. The contact stated that the driver's side door failed to unlock. The contact was able to gain access after several attempts. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 101,000.

Filed Jun 3, 2015 · Body, Locks · 125,000 miles · AR

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 kia optima. The contact stated that the door lock failed. In addition, the doors would automatically lock once opened with the key fob. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 125,000.

Filed Jun 2, 2015 · Locks · 70,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 kia optima. The contact stated that the driver side door failed to open and close. As the failure progressed, the contact was unable to enter and exit the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000. Updated 7/16/15

Filed May 22, 2015 · Locks · 100,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 kia optima. The contact stated that the front driver side door lock malfunctioned and would not unlock, which made it difficult for the driver to exit the vehicle. The contact also indicated that the rear passenger side door would not unlock when attempting to exit the vehicle. The contact indicated that the failure for the rear door was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the door locks needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Apr 4, 2015 · Locks · OH

I have a 2004 kia optima lx 4 door sedan, the front door on the driver side you can not lock and unlock I have to leave the door panel off so if it gets locked, you have to take a screwdriver and push up the little rod that leads to the latch. Believe me I will never buy another kia optima or any kind of a kia in my eyes they are junk . Especially when this junky car only has 87,000 miles.

Filed Mar 12, 2015 · Electrical, Locks · 126,000 miles · NC

When trying to exit my kia, the door locks would not unlock. I tried the manual and electrical switches on the door and all I could get was a click, and then an immediate re-lock of the doors, as soon as I pulled on the door handle. I then rolled the window down and tried the key, several times, from the outside with the same results. I managed to work my 79 year old 210 lb. Body over to the passenger seat and tried the same thing and got the same results. I was ready to call 911 when I tried the key on the outside again for the 5th or 6th time and the locks worked. This is a dangerous situation and I understand is quite common on the kia's at about 100,000 miles, I know I was frightened. I don't know what would happen in a wreck with a fire and the doors would not unlock from the inside or outside. This has happened 4 times, twice while locked inside and twice from the outside tying to get in.

Filed Mar 3, 2015 · Locks · 79,000 miles · OH

It started with doors will lock and unlock automatically while driving, this has been going on since 2012, then the passenger door will not unlock at times since 2012. Then on 2-28-15, the driver's side door will not unlock. I had to climb through the back seat and the console to get to the driver seat. Then on the 3-02-2015, driver's door, the passenger door and the rear back door completely refused to unlock. This is very scary, in fact, I almost broke my right foot while climbing into the driver seat from the back seat through the console, because my right leg was caught on the passenger seat head rest.

Filed Mar 2, 2015 · Body, Locks · 138,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 kia optima. The contact stated that the driver side door failed to unlock or open. The contact had to get in and out of the vehicle by using the passenger side door. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 138,000.

Filed Nov 5, 2014 · Body, Locks · 150,000 miles · PA

Driver's door locks and cannot be opened with a key and does not open once inside of the car. The operator essentially is locked in the car. In the event of a crash or fire, the occupant may not be able to easily vacate the vehicle; the only way would be to climb over the console to the passenger compartment or the rear to exit the passenger doors. There have been numerous complaints with no action taken by the manufacturer to remedy the defect and affects multiple manufacturing years. In my opinion it clearly is a safety issue.

Filed Sep 30, 2014 · Electrical, Locks · 10,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 kia optima. Upon entering the vehicle, the doors independently locked. In addition, the front driver and rear passenger side doors failed to unlock in order to exit the vehicle on numerous occasions. The contact stated that the front passenger side window failed to open. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000.

Questions about the 2004 Kia Optima locks

Does the 2004 Kia Optima have locks problems?

Owners have filed 81 complaints about the locks of the 2004 Kia Optima, 36% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2004 Kia Optima locks problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 92,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2004 Kia Optima locks?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Kia Optima have the most locks problems?

The Kia Optima model years with the most locks complaints are 2004 (81 complaints), 2005 (66 complaints) and 2003 (53 complaints).

Other 2004 Kia Optima problems

Electrical 45Body 42Airbags 26Suspension 19Engine 14Fuel system 10Transmission 8Brakes 7Steering 7Seat belts 6Acceleration 5Lights 5Wheels 4Driver assistance 3Tires 2Seats 1Visibility 1

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