2004 Kia Optima LX 2.4 from North America
Summary:
Decent car for the money
Faults:
I have a 2004 Kia Optima LX with the 4 cylinder motor auto trans. I bought the car with 27k on it in Dec of 2006. Overall it has been a good car with some common problems.
I had all motor mounts replaced by 57k miles. I had to go to KIA 3 times telling them about the motor mounts (I felt were bad). Finally they saw they were cracked and stretched, and replaced them.
As woon as I left, I noticed a vibration in my car. Kia tried to tell me it was normal vibration. USE YOUR Warranty. It turned out to be the transmission mount, which I found out after my warranty ran out and am trying to get KIA to fix. The transmission mount is hard to come by. I searched all over. It usually can only be had at the dealer or if you can find it, it is around $160 just for the mount.
The upper strut housing tach welds were busted when I got the car. So I had a clunk when accelerating or stopping in strut. Took 3 times for KIA to find it.
The CV boots were leaking at 50K and where replaced.
The power steering was replaced as it was leaking by 45k (this is a very common problem).
The sway bar bolt came loose on my car by 45k.
The windshield trim was coming loose and was glued down.
The car has a lot of pulley noise.
Stereo is decent and it's a relatively comfortable safe car with good features. The car has never left me stranded, and always starts well (same starter now with 70k).
I would buy a new KIA if I got it at the right price, also mainly because of the ten year 100,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty. I only had a 60k bumper to bumper since I was not the original owner.
These are definitely common problems people should look for!! Doing your maintenance goes along way! I know I could hop in my car and drive across the country worry free because I do just that my maintenance.
General Comments:
Reliable car with good features, but has some common problems to be aware of.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 26th February, 2009
11th Aug 2010, 12:10
I am still father to this owner, and it still vibrates. I do not recommend it, but it seems to hold up in accidents. Car owner has reduced debt to $600. 2004 Kia is an orphan model and should be avoided. Later models should be better, unless you are the Father of the owner. LOL
21st Nov 2010, 09:49
The list of defective and broken components (sway bar) make me wonder if this vehicle was in a major accident. The vibration could be from damage that can't be repaired. The danger of buying a used car is that it could have suffered major damage, and still not have a marked title or information on the incident. It is imperative to have a vehicle checked by a mechanic and body repair man when buying used cars.
30th Dec 2009, 15:12
I am the father of this owner, I use the term owner loosely as he now wants to borrow more money for fresh repairs. I have found this vehicle to be a money pit. I will NEVER buy another one. I have only been able to drive this once. It scares me to be a passenger in this car. It suddenly accelerates past the speed limit, u-turns blindly and has accidents. I am over it.