2003 Kia Optima LX Auto
Unverified
All photo credits
- Photo: Optima Regal Black-First Picture by Thisplus, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Optima Regal Black-Second Picture by Thisplus, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 2003 Kia Optima LX Auto is a 138-hp inline-4 with a 4-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. It starts at $16,420 MSRP and is rated at 22 mpg combined.
It makes 138 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 147 lb-ft of torque at 3000 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway (22 mpg combined).
The Optima measures 185.9 inches long on a 106.3-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,281 lb.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | Sedan |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $16,420 ($29,003 *) |
| MSRP with Destination | $16,960 ($29,957 *) |
| Destination Charge | $540 |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | Sirius II G4JS 2.4L DOHC inline-4, MPI, naturally aspirated |
| Horsepower | 138 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 147 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, 16-valve |
| Bore and Stroke | 86.5 x 100 |
| Compression Ratio | 10.0:1 |
| Injection Type | Multi-point fuel injection |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 19 MPG |
| Highway | 27 MPG |
| Combined | 22 MPG |
| Recommended Fuel | Regular unleaded |
| Tires & Wheels | |
| Wheels Front | 15 in |
| Wheels Rear | 15 in |
| Tires Front | 205/60HR15 |
| Tires Rear | 205/60HR15 |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 185.9 in |
| Width | 71.5 in |
| Height | 55.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 in |
| Ground Clearance | 6.1 in |
| Cargo Volume | 13.6 ft³ |
| Curb Weight | 3,281 lbs |
| Interior | |
| Headroom Front | 39 in |
| Headroom Rear | 37.6 in |
| Legroom Front | 43.3 in |
| Legroom Rear | 36.2 in |
| Shoulder Room Front | 56.9 in |
| Shoulder Room Rear | 55.7 in |
| Hip Room Front | 55.8 in |
| Hip Room Rear | 55.8 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 2003 Kia Optima LX Auto with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
| Overall | Not rated |
| Frontal crash | Not rated |
| Frontal – driver | ★★★★★ |
| Frontal – passenger | ★★★★★ |
| Side crash | Not rated |
| Rollover | Not rated |
Recalls
2 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2003 Kia OPTIMA. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
May 27, 2009 · SUSPENSION:FRONT
KIA MOTORS CORPORATION (KMC) IS RECALLING 36,538 MODEL YEAR 2001-2004 OPTIMA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ROAD SALT APPLIED IN THESE STATES DURING THE WINTER MONTHS MAY RESULT IN PROGRESSIVE, INTERNAL CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME. OVER TIME, SUCH SUBFRAME CORROSION NEAR THE CONNECTION TO THE LOWER CONTROL ARM CAN LEAD TO WHEEL MISALIGNMENT AND/OR OTHER NOTICEABLE STRESS IN STEERING, OR ACCELERATED ABNORMAL TIRE WEAR.
Consequence: CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME COULD LEAD TO SEPARATION, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: KMC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 15, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA'S CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.
NHTSA campaign 09V183000
Apr 12, 2004 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. IF A VEHICLE WITH A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED WERE TO ROLL OVER, FUEL SPILLAGE MAY OCCUR.
Consequence: FUEL SPILLAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 25, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
NHTSA campaign 04V180000
144 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2003 Kia OPTIMA
Owner Complaints
144 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Kia OPTIMA (8 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 5 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 53 |
| Electrical System | 25 |
| Structure | 25 |
| Air Bags | 17 |
| Fuel System | 9 |
| Suspension | 9 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2003 KIA OPTIMA. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.