2004 Kia Optima LX review from North America

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.

Reliable car with good features, but has some common problems to be aware of.