2005 KIA Optima Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Optima years
- Fewer complaints than other years 14th of 20 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- None on file
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 144 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 KIA Optima. That ranks 14th out of 20 Optima model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is latches/locks/linkages (66 complaints, 46%), typically at around 74,000 miles. Complaints mention 7 crashes, 1 fire, 6 injuries. There are no safety recalls on file for this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.
- 144owner complaints
- 0safety recalls
- 2NHTSA investigations
- 7complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2005 KIA Optima problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Latches/locks/linkages problems | 66 | 46% | 74,000 | “side door” (61%) | — |
| Electrical System | 29 | 20% | 99,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 22 | 15% | 55,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 22 | 15% | 80,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 9 | 6% | 70,150 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 6 | 4% | 30,920 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 6 | 4% | 122,078 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 | 3% | 40,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 3 | 2% | 34,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 2% | 87,500 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 1% | 42,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 2 | 1% | 58,243 | — | — |
| Equipment | 1 | 1% | 87,000 | — | — |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 1 | 1% | 84,123 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 1% | 97,000 | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 1% | 82,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 1 | 1% | 98,486 | — | — |
| Visibility | 1 | 1% | 59,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2005 KIA Optima recalls (0)
No safety recalls are on file for the 2005 KIA Optima.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Loss of Motive Power (DP22003) — opened Sep 12, 2022, closed Dec 12, 2023.
- Throttle control system vulnerabilities (DP21003) — opened Nov 12, 2021, closed Jun 20, 2023.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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…
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 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…
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…
Drivers side door locking mechanism malfunction. Mechanism will not allow the door to unlock, therefore the door can not be opened. Driver must climb out of passenger side.
Other KIA Optima years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Optima | 151 | 0 |
| 2019 Optima | 212 | 1 |
| 2018 Optima | 232 | 2 |
| 2017 Optima | 256 | 3 |
| 2016 Optima | 759 | 5 |
| 2015 Optima | 1,009 | 4 |
| 2014 Optima | 589 | 7 |
| 2013 Optima | 1,386 | 9 |
| 2012 Optima | 920 | 5 |
| 2011 Optima | 594 | 5 |
| 2010 Optima | 75 | 1 |
| 2009 Optima | 116 | 1 |
| 2008 Optima | 144 | 3 |
| 2007 Optima | 167 | 2 |
| 2006 Optima | 155 | 2 |
| 2005 | 144 | 0 |
| 2004 Optima | 225 | 1 |
| 2003 Optima | 141 | 2 |
| 2002 Optima | 107 | 3 |
| 2001 Optima | 143 | 3 |
See all KIA Optima problems by year, every KIA model, or the KIA VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2005 KIA Optima?
Owners most often report latches/locks/linkages, electrical system, air bags problems. The top one, latches/locks/linkages, accounts for 66 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2005 KIA Optima?
No safety recalls are on file for this model year.
Was the 2005 KIA Optima a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Optima model years, the 2005 has fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.