2005 Kia Optima: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 144 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is latches/locks/linkages (41% of complaints).
Data updated weekly
0
recalls
144
owner complaints
1
fire reports
78,000
typical failure mileage, mi
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
No recall campaignsWeak spot: latches/locks/linkages (41%)1 fire report
Common problems
Computed from 144 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Latches/Locks/Linkages (door locks, latches, hood release)41% · 56 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)14% · 20 complaints
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)13% · 18 complaints
Structure (body, frame, doors, rust)12% · 17 complaints
Fuel System, Gasoline (fuel pump, tank, lines)7% · 9 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)4% · 6 complaints
“The contact owns a 2005 Kia Optima. The contact was unable to use the key to manually unlock the door to the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle failed to open consistently from inside the vehicle. Due to the failure, the contact was unable to take the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Jun 2022
“driver side door lock does not open using the arm rest switch. wife was in the car could reach the switch but not the unlatch lever . Car was overheating with Ac on with keys in the ignition . Had to have her roll down the passenger door window to manually open the rear passenger side door . From the rear seat I could reach the lever and unlock the door. If I could not it would have been a fire hazard.”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2021
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 kia optima. While attempting to exit the vehicle, the door's failed to unlock. The contact had to exit through the sun roof. The contact also stated that he was able to unlock the front passenger side door from outside of the vehicle; however, the front driver's door was inoperable. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Nov 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“The driver door become jammed and sometimes will not open. You have to continuously/excessively jerk on it. Due to not opening, I have to crawl through the passenger side door in order to gain entrance into the vehicle. Not only that, after finally getting the driver door to open, I have to leave it crack to avoid this struggle.”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2017
“After repairing the mass air flow hose,purge valve,and the valve cover gasket. It didn't pass the state inspection. I was told to drive it a little longer to put miles on the car. So I did.. After seven week going back to have it check it was still showing not ready. The merchanic there couldn't tell me what the problem and their subjested to take it to the dealer after putting 1175 miles on my car”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2017
“I am a disabled woman who became trapped in her own car because the lock mechanism on the door would not open nor could I roll down the window. This is unacceptable. I tried to climb over the gearshift to try the passenger door and hurt my back in the process. I called 911 for help”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2017
“The light for my air bag has been staying on and my horn quit working for over a year now. I finally took it to the shop for them to look at it, they told me it was a clock switch (I believe I said that right) which is something in the steering connected to the airbag and horn. I am concerned that the airbag might activate while I am driving which would not be good. Maybe even not work if I get in a wreck.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2016
“Airbag light came on for no reason and will not go off. The driver seat and sunroof have an electrical issue where they work then don't, found that the switches are bad and work sometimes.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2016
“Locked car after buying it used drivers door will not unlock. Multiple complaints online about this problem. My daughter was going to drive this thing. Kia dealer did not even mention this to me, but did say it was 200 minimum. I hope this gets investigated. In an accident the door will never open. I drove the car home and after 2 hours it will not unlock.”Owner report · Structure · Dec 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 kia optima. While in park, the automatic door locks failed. The contact attempted to use the remote for entry and heard a clicking noise. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 128,000.”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2005 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
Engines2.4L · 2.7L
Cylinders6
FuelGasoline
How other years compare
Check your exact Optima by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Kia Optima reliable?
NHTSA has 144 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Kia Optima. The most complained-about area is latches/locks/linkages (41% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 Kia Optima problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 78,000 miles or less.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.