2004 Kia Optima vs 2004 Nissan Maxima
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2004 Kia Optima | 2004 Nissan Maxima |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 225 | 1,425 |
| Recall campaigns | 1 | 2 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 15 | 114 |
| Investigations | 0 | 1 |
| Crash reports | 8 | 33 |
| Fire reports | 3 | 16 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 21–23 | 21 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 85,000 mi | 80,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Kia Optima | Nissan Maxima |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 8 | 934 |
| Tires | 2 | 141 |
| Suspension | 19 | 102 |
| Electrical System | 45 | 56 |
| Structure | 42 | 56 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 81 | 7 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 11 | 70 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 5 | 61 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Airbag warning light | 17 | 0 |
| Rust / corrosion | 12 | 44 |
| Stalling | 9 | 86 |
| Check engine light | 6 | 31 |
| Shifting problems | 0 | 206 |
| Hesitation / surging | 0 | 72 |
| Vibration / shaking | 0 | 69 |
| Clunking / rattling | 0 | 36 |
2004 Kia Optima
2004 Nissan Maxima
Compare all Kia Optima vs Nissan Maxima years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.