2004 Kia Optima vs 2006 Kia Optima
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 | 2006 Kia Optima |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 225 | 155 |
| Recall campaigns | 1 | 2 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 15 | 37 |
| Investigations | 0 | 3 |
| Crash reports | 8 | 3 |
| Fire reports | 3 | 1 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 21–23 | 21–23 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 85,000 mi | 65,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Kia Optima | Kia Optima |
|---|---|---|
| Latches/locks/linkages | 81 | 27 |
| Air Bags | 26 | 46 |
| Electrical System | 45 | 23 |
| Structure | 42 | 12 |
| Suspension | 19 | 6 |
| Power Train | 8 | 14 |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 | 16 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 11 | 9 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Airbag warning light | 17 | 33 |
| Rust / corrosion | 12 | 0 |
| Stalling | 9 | 9 |
| Check engine light | 6 | 0 |
2004 Kia Optima
2006 Kia Optima
Compare all Kia Optima vs Kia Optima 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.