1.8

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
93,733 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Kia Optima fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2003 Kia Optima Owner Comments

problem #3

Dec 202012

Optima 6-cyl

  • 108,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car will not start after adding fuel. After reviewing this issue online, I found that hundreds of other owners have the same problem. We have not found a fix to the problem. In order to start the vehicle, it is necessary to pump the gas numerous times then slam into gear while holding down the gas. This could easily cause harm to those around the vehicle. Please help us find a fix or better yet have Kia recall the 2003 Optima. Thank you

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #2

Mar 112013

Optima 6-cyl

  • 63,200 miles
For some time now we have had to very slowly pump gas in to tank, it keeps splashing back and shutting off the gas pump. It is at the repair shop now being repaired at quite an expense, which this should not happen to a car with this low mileage.

- Merritt Island, FL, USA

problem #1

Dec 232012

Optima 4-cyl

  • 110,000 miles
As I fill the tank, gasoline forcefully spits back out onto the person filling the tank. This is getting worse. I have taken this to a Kia dealer and he does not know what is happening. The last time it got all over my arm, causing severe irritation.

- Pawpaw, WV, USA

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