Common Problems, Issues, Recalls, and Reliability

  • Door Locks Malfunction Not Allowing Driver or Passanger to Open Their Doors

    A faulty door latch assembly may cause one or both front doors to be difficult to open. Replacing the worn latch will commonly correct this problem.

  • Faulty Throttle Position Switch

    Check Engine Light illumination—combined with a lack of power or a stumble on acceleration—may be caused by the throttle position switch (TPS). Kia released an improved part which should correct this concern.

  • Software Update Available to Correct Transmission Issues

    Reprogramming the transmission control module with the latest Kia transmission software may fix abnormalities in the automatic transmission and erroneous transmission-related Check Engine Light illumination. Software updates are commonly most effective on newer vehicles. Higher mileage vehicles may exhibit a similar symptom caused by a component failure. However, whenever major transmission repairs are performed the transmission software should be checked and updated as necessary.

  • Kia Issues New Alternator to Replace Weak One

    After the vehicle has been operated with electrical loads (lights, air conditioning), a weak alternator can cause starting difficulties. In some cases, the original alternator could not sufficiently charge the battery; Kia released a new alternator which can correct this concern.

  • Failure of AC Compressor Clutch

    A defective AC compressor clutch assembly can cause excessive noise or vibration when the air conditioning is on. Improved parts are available. Replacing the faulty clutch assembly does not necessitate replacement of the complete AC compressor or evacuation and recharging of the air conditioning system.

  • Crankshaft Position Sensor May be Damaged if Timing Belt Breaks

    Timing belts can break prematurely and cause serious engine damage. When replacing a broken timing belt, the crankshaft position sensor should also be replaced as it most likely has suffered damage as well.

  • Use Only Kia Approved Transmission Fluid

    Make sure the transmission is filled with Kia-approved transmission fluid and at the correct level. Our technicians tell using incorrect transmission fluid or operating the transmission when it is low on fluid can result in internal transmission damage.

2003 Questions and Answers

Related Questions

  • Kia Optima 2003 Kia Optima Car Shakes.

    EXPERT, 2003 KIA OPTIMA, 194, 476 MILES

    related to general, shakes

    Hi guys or gals. Ok so I noticed last week that my car shakes in gear. When its parked and idling, it's smooth. When I shift to reverse, it starts to shake a little. I shift to neutral, it goes b..

  • Kia Optima Checking Coolant Level

    2003 KIA OPTIMA, 6 CYL, AUTOMATIC, 89, 000 MILES

    related to engine-cooling, leak

    Need to check coolant level. Is the long hose inside cap considered the dipstick? Where are the marks designating Full and Low @media(max-width: 960px) { .adt { display: none;padding:0; } } ..

  • Kia Optima 2003 Kia Optima Fuel Delivery

    2003 KIA OPTIMA, 2.4L, 4 CYL, FWD, AUTOMATIC, 153, 000 MILES

    related to fuel-system, fuel-pump, replace-remove

    The car stopped running, I could here the fuel pump running on and off. I changed the fuel pump. Now it wont come on at all. I put a wire I ran from the battery terminal to the pump and it turn..

  • Kia Optima 2003 Kia Optima Noise From Speakers

    2003 KIA OPTIMA, 2WD, AUTOMATIC, 120, 000 MILES

    related to interior, speaker

    We just bought the car and the speakers are making a squealing/buzzing sound. It has an after market radio/cd player. When we test drove it the face plate was off so we didn't realize the problem...

  • Kia Optima P0304 2003 Kia Optima

    2003 KIA OPTIMA, 4 CYL, FWD, AUTOMATIC, 126, 000 MILES

    related to trouble-codes, p-codes-powertrain, p0300-p0399, p0304

    What is cyclinder 4 misfire @media(max-width: 960px) { .adt { display: none;padding:0; } } Friday, August 19th, 2011 AT 9:27 PM ..

  • Kia Optima Passenger Door Wont Open But If You Lock The Door...

    2003 KIA OPTIMA

    related to body, door, lock, actuator

    Passenger door wont open but if you LOCK the door, the lock button clicks from lock to unlock but door cannot be opened. Would it be the door lock actuator? SOS! @media(max-width: 960px) ..

  • Kia Optima My Tail Lights, Dashlights And Power Windows Do Not...

    2003 KIA OPTIMA, 110, 000 MILES

    related to body, window, fuse

    My tail lights, dashlights and power windows do not work. I have checked all the fuses replaced the power window 40 amp fuse, and the tail light bulbs. Where should I go from here? @media(ma..

  • Kia Optima When I Unlock My Doors With The Key Fob And Then Try...

    2003 KIA OPTIMA, 82, 000 MILES

    related to body, door, lock

    When I unlock my doors with the key fob and then try to get in the front driver or passenger side all the doors lock themselves. If I fiddle around a few times I can usually unlock the doors with my..

  • Kia Optima Anti Theft Not Allowing Car To Start

    2003 KIA OPTIMA, 0.6L, V6, 2WD, AUTOMATIC, 80, 000 MILES

    related to security, bypass

    Replaced battery. We have tried all the reset tricks yet it will not start. It cranks. How can we bypass the system or what can we do? Short of hauling it on a trailer to a dealer. Closes one is one..

  • Kia Optima Suddenly Car's Exhaust Is Loud

    2003 KIA OPTIMA, 2.4L, 4 CYL, 2WD, AUTOMATIC, 120, 000 MILES

    related to exhaust, loud

    My car was fine yesterday and when I started to drive today my car is loud. I'm pretty sure it is my exhaust. Because it just happened can I just mend it or do I need to replace the exhaust? @me..

  • Kia Optima Fuel Filter Location

    2003 KIA OPTIMA, 2.4L, 4 CYL, AUTOMATIC, 200, 000 MILES

    related to fuel-system, fuel-filter, location

    Trying to locate my fuel filter. @media(max-width: 960px) { .adt { display: none;padding:0; } } Wednesday, December 19th, 2018 AT 3:23 PM ..

  • Kia Optima Fuel Filter Location

    2003 KIA OPTIMA, 2.4L, 4 CYL, 2WD, AUTOMATIC, 209, 000 MILES

    related to fuel-system, fuel-filter, location

    Having a problem finding the fuel filter on my car. @media(max-width: 960px) { .adt { display: none;padding:0; } } Tuesday, June 18th, 2019 AT 12:51 PM ..

  • Kia Optima How Do I Disconnect The Fuel Line From The Top Of The...

    2003 KIA OPTIMA, 2.4L, 4 CYL, 2WD, AUTOMATIC, 255, 000 MILES

    related to fuel-system, line, disconnect

    I have the fuel return off and the power relay but not the main line. @media(max-width: 960px) { .adt { display: none;padding:0; } } Saturday, December 28th, 2019 AT 7:43 AM ..

  • Kia Optima Fuel Filter Replacement

    2003 KIA OPTIMA, 0.5L, 4 CYL, 8, 700, 000 MILES

    related to fuel-system, fuel-filter, replace-remove

    I need to change my fuel filter? @media(max-width: 960px) { .adt { display: none;padding:0; } } Tuesday, June 18th, 2019 AT 11:48 PM ..

  • Kia Optima Thermostat Replacement

    2003 KIA OPTIMA, AUTOMATIC, 200, 000 MILES

    related to engine-cooling, thermostat, replace-remove

    I have a 2003 Kia Optima LX and I'm trying to find out how to change the thermostat on it. @media(max-width: 960px) { .adt { display: none;padding:0; } } Friday, June 23rd, 2017 AT 10:..

  • Kia Optima 2003 Kia Optima

    2003 KIA OPTIMA, 6 CYL, FWD, AUTOMATIC, 52, 346 MILES

    related to exhaust, white-smoke-

    Sirs- I am in the military stationed in Germany and car repair is very expensive, hope you can help. My wife filled up her car w/gas and the next day we were driving and the engine light came..

  • Kia Optima 2003 Kia Optima Can't Pump Gas

    2003 KIA OPTIMA, 4 CYL, FWD, AUTOMATIC, 65, 000 MILES

    related to fuel-system, fuel-pump

    Nobody believes me when I tell them this. When it is raining, snowing or when I drive through a puddle my check engine light comes on. When the light is on I can't pump gas. Everyone that hasn't be..

  • Kia Optima 2003 Kia Optima Door Locks

    2003 KIA OPTIMA, 6 CYL, 2WD, AUTOMATIC, 80, 696 MILES

    related to body, door, lock

    Drivers side door lock would lock doors fine but began immediately re-locking after unlocking. Door lock is now not unlocking at all and seems as though something is mechanically jamming it from tur..

  • Kia Optima 2003 Kia Optima Drivers Side Electric Door Lock

    2003 KIA OPTIMA, 4 CYL, FWD, AUTOMATIC, 10, 300 MILES

    related to body, door, lock

    When the key is used to unlock the door, it immeadiatly locks back. Can't open it from the inside either. The door handle is like it is not catching any latch. After many cycles it will even..

  • Kia Optima Fuel Filter

    2003 KIA OPTIMA

    related to fuel-system, fuel-filter, replace-remove

    Where is the fuel filter located and how do you change it? @media(max-width: 960px) { .adt { display: none;padding:0; } } Saturday, October 9th, 2010 AT 3:38 PM ..

  • Kia Optima 2003 Kia Optima Locks By Its Self

    2003 KIA OPTIMA, 6 CYL, 2WD, AUTOMATIC, 100, 000 MILES

    related to body, door, lock

    When I go to unlock my car using the key it unlocks then when you let go of the key it locks again it will only stay unlocked if you hold the key in the lock and then pull the handle then promptly l..

  • Kia Optima 2003 Kia Optima Whining Noise Under Engine...

    2003 KIA OPTIMA, 6 CYL, FWD, AUTOMATIC, 76, 000 MILES

    related to general, noises, whine

    My girlfriend's car recently started to make to strange whining sound. The sound is coming from the engine area but I can not locate the source. The noise happens at all times when the car is runn..

  • Kia Optima Location Of Fuel Filter

    2003 KIA OPTIMA, 2.4L, 4 CYL, AUTOMATIC, 121, 300 MILES

    related to fuel-system, fuel-filter, location

    I have been trying to find the location of the fuel filter, but cannot seem to find it. Although I looked thoroughly under the car. @media(max-width: 960px) { .adt { display: none;padding:0; } ..

  • Kia Optima No Power To My Windows

    2003 KIA OPTIMA, 2.7L, V6, 2WD, AUTOMATIC, 197, 000 MILES

    related to body, window, fuse

    Just had my alternator replaced. After a few times of turning my car on and off my engine light came one. I then realized that my car no longer beeped to warn me my keys were still in the ignition o..

  • Kia Optima Steering Sticks In Both Directions

    2003 KIA OPTIMA, 2.4L, V6, 2WD, AUTOMATIC, 150, 000 MILES

    related to steering, symptoms, sticks

    My grand daughter called me when the car would not steer. I thought she maybe broke a belt or it loosened up and just lost power steering. Being night time and close to home, I switched cars and d..

2003 Maintenance and Repair