Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix
2003 vs 2004 KIA OPTIMA
NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21
Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.
First 275 months on market for each model year
Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026
Age-matched reports
▲ 59.3% more reports in the equal exposure window
NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21
Component share shift
Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.
View component share data as a table
| Component | 2003 share | 2004 share | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|
| FUEL SYSTEM | 5.7% | 2.2% | ▼ 3.5 pts smaller share |
| VISIBILITY | 3.6% | 0.5% | ▼ 3.1 pts smaller share |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 10.7% | 13.0% | ▲ 2.3 pts larger share |
| AIR BAGS | 10.7% | 8.5% | ▼ 2.2 pts smaller share |
| SEAT BELTS | 0.7% | 2.2% | ▲ 1.5 pts larger share |
| SUSPENSION | 5.0% | 6.3% | ▲ 1.3 pts larger share |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1.4% | 2.7% | ▲ 1.3 pts larger share |
| POWER TRAIN | 4.3% | 3.1% | ▼ 1.2 pts smaller share |
| TIRES | not reported | 0.9% | ▲ 0.9 pts larger share |
| STEERING | not reported | 0.9% | ▲ 0.9 pts larger share |
| STRUCTURE | 12.1% | 13.0% | ▲ 0.9 pts larger share |
| ENGINE | 5.0% | 4.5% | ▼ 0.5 pts smaller share |
| LANE DEPARTURE | not reported | 0.5% | ▲ 0.5 pts larger share |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1.4% | 1.8% | ▲ 0.4 pts larger share |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1.4% | 1.8% | ▲ 0.4 pts larger share |
| WHEELS | 0.7% | 0.5% | ▼ 0.3 pts smaller share |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 71.4% | 65.9% | ▼ 5.5 pts smaller share |
NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22
Recall campaigns
Campaign components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE and SUSPENSION
Campaign components: SUSPENSION
NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21
Safety signals
- ◆ Fires
- 2 → 3
- ◆ Injuries
- 6 → 8