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Used 2004 Kia Optima Sedan Consumer Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
162 reviews

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4.5 out of 5 stars

Kia Optima

jamesgw, 09/27/2003
2004 Kia Optima EX V6 4dr Sedan (2.7L 6cyl 4A)
1 of 3 people found this review helpful

Have had no problems..only service has been oil changes

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1 out of 5 stars

Worst car of my life

Richard, 08/29/2017
updated 06/14/2021
2004 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
1 of 5 people found this review helpful

The 2004 Kia Optima is a very poorly constructed vehicle and buying this car was a very regrettable choice. It was my first Kia and definitely the last! Edmunds was listing this car as "excellent." Where these "raving" reviews come from are a mystery; whoever is providing the information making the 2004 Kia Optima look so good, in my opinion, is absolutely lying through their teeth with inaccurate information. Believe me, nothing is good about this car, except maybe it looks "pretty." My 2004 Kia Optima has given me nothing but problems from the day I purchased it and drove it home. I had it for almost one year and nine months. Maintaining it was constant stress on my wallet with tire, mechanical, heating, transmission, and electrical issues. I was amazed at how everything was cheaply made and how easily everything breaks consistently. When jacking up the car, the frame will actually bend. I put at too much of my hard earned money into keeping this lemon on the road. Finally, enough was enough & sold this poor excuse for a car for a huge loss. But the beauty of my sad story is this "nightmare" is finally out of my hair. I will never drive another Kia again, even if it is given to me for free. I feel sorry for those who invest a large amount of money into buying a new Kia. Do not buy a Kia! ***Update 6/12/2021:*** Still remember that lemon! The problem was I bought it from some shyster who picks up cheap junk at auctions and dolls them up to resell for a profit. This kia must have been on its last leg and run down to the ground with the previous owner. Unlucky for me to run into this pos letting it fall into my lap being an impulsive buyer. Because of this, I will never buy another Kia again!

Safety
2 out of 5 stars
Technology
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Interior
2 out of 5 stars
Comfort
2 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
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2004 Kia Optima for sale near you
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4.88 out of 5 stars

I lOVE THIS CAR

rvingsuz, 09/27/2009
2004 Kia Optima LX V6 4dr Sedan (2.7L 6cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

This was the first car I have ever picked out for myself and am I ever happy with it. It handles very smoothly and is sooooo comfortable for me....fits me well. I have followed the manufacturers suggestions on care and have not had any problems. It runs great and corners like an expensive sports car. I know, I drive on winding roads regularly. Very fun and inexpensive to own.

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3.75 out of 5 stars

Optima

KIA, 11/21/2008
2004 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I bought my Optima with about 52000 miles. Overall, it is pretty reliable and fuel economy is good, however it could be better. So far the only things I had to replace are the power steering hose, batteries and the lightbulb in the headlight. At times when I start my car, the cars stalls and takes a couple of seconds to start going.

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1.75 out of 5 stars

Will never buy a Kia again

Carmen, 12/09/2009
2004 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I bought this vehicle 3 years ago and I've had nothing but problems. Kia's 100,000 mile warranty only applies if you are the original owner which is dumb. I see why the warranty expires at 100,000 mile because that's when all the problems begin. I always keep up with the maintenance because this is my only transportation to work, so I make it a point to take good care of it; but even then it seems like everything is going wrong with it. I absolutely hate it!

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1.38 out of 5 stars

HORRIBLE piece of junk

David, 01/10/2010
2004 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Have had my Kia for about 2 years. Constant trouble. Timing belt, pully, power steering, and now the computer is out. Guess I will have to sell it on ebay for a few hundred bucks.

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4.25 out of 5 stars

The optima is a race machine

Jamie, 06/14/2008
2004 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

It is a awesome car, but minor problems are going wrong. I commute 65 miles a day. great gas mileage nice and comfortable. The only problem is , is that my trunk latch broke the other day. Now today my front door on the drivers side wouldn't open from the inside and out. It is a fixable problem. The only thing is I look like a retard going in and out of my car just to drive. I now have a paranoia that the other door will go. Or that my key will break!!!

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4.63 out of 5 stars

Try Anything Once!

E.D.B., 11/08/2003
2004 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I find that the accutaments included in this vehicle as standard equipment are far more than what seems to be available in any other offering I have run across. I really cannot comment on the gas milage, except to say that I don't believe it will be as high as the published estimates of 32/33mpg city/highway. Overall, this vehicle seems to be an exceptional value.

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4.25 out of 5 stars

Reliable Kia Optima LX sedan 4cyl(1.8L)

1st Time Kia, 01/27/2010
2004 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

purchased in '05 w/approx. 11k mi. Driven to Den.,CO & back. Not alot of torque for hills,but nice speed. Man/Auto Trans(nice for accel). Pwr steering defective twice. just hit 97k mi. needed Timing belt. Doesn't brake good on quick stop;will slide. Quarter panel dents easy a little. Paint around doorkey fades & driver doorlock played out in the rain 3 days ago. No real complaints. Has good features(pwr lock,cd,compartment/storage,cruise, starter safety(kill)switch,trunk square (space). Takes about $60 to fill @$3 p/gal. OK mileage. Maintain w/svc every 3k mi. & no problem. Oh,it jus start shaking, maybe coil- pack/misfire. Jus fixed timing,hope shop did its job & check for underlying cause!

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4.38 out of 5 stars

'04 EX V6 Optima

Matt Tyndall, 04/30/2005
2004 Kia Optima EX V6 4dr Sedan (2.7L 6cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I've had the car for 5 months and have thoroughly enjoyed it. Its only shortcomings are sup-par fuel mileage and raw acceleration. Everything else has exceeded my expectations. The car appears to be solidly built and hasn't burned a lick of oil for the first 10K miles.

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