2004 Kia Optima vs 2004 Toyota Camry
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 Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 225 | 638 |
| Recall campaigns | 1 | 3 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 15 | 174 |
| Investigations | 0 | 2 |
| Crash reports | 8 | 199 |
| Fire reports | 3 | 11 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 21–23 | 21–24 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 85,000 mi | 48,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Kia Optima | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 | 238 |
| Air Bags | 26 | 79 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 81 | 6 |
| Steering | 7 | 80 |
| Electrical System | 45 | 37 |
| Structure | 42 | 19 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 5 | 54 |
| Power Train | 8 | 48 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Airbag warning light | 17 | 9 |
| Rust / corrosion | 12 | 0 |
| Stalling | 9 | 32 |
| Check engine light | 6 | 24 |
| Hesitation / surging | 0 | 66 |
| Vibration / shaking | 0 | 18 |
| Clunking / rattling | 0 | 13 |
| Brake problems | 0 | 11 |
2004 Kia Optima
2004 Toyota Camry
Compare all Kia Optima vs Toyota Camry 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.