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Vehicle safety record

2005 Kia Optima Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 144 complaints about the 2005 Kia Optima with NHTSA, most often about the body, doors & structure (85) and the electrical system (29). Those complaints describe 7 crashes, 1 fire and 6 injuries. There are no recalls for it. For comparison, the 2004 has 225 and the 2006 has 155.

NHTSA data checked

BFewer problems than a typical Optima year, for its age

#86 most complained-about 2005 vehicle

Complaints
144
Recalls
0
Crashes
7
Fires
1
Injuries
6
Deaths
0

Most common 2005 Kia Optima problems

Share of all 144 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

No recalls for the 2005 Kia Optima

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2005 Kia Optima. Recalls can be announced at any time - this page updates daily.

What owners say

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144 complaints about the 2005 Kia Optima

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 6.

Body, doors & structure

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.

Filed Incident Latches / locks / linkagesNHTSA 11470536
Body, doors & structure

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.

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 11461246
Body, doors & structure

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.

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 11151911
Body, doors & structure

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.

Filed Incident Latches / locks / linkagesNHTSA 11058053
Body, doors & structure

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.

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 11023810
Electrical system

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

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11015035
Airbags

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.

Filed Incident Air bags · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11000725
Electrical system1 injury

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

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10993523
Electrical system

Closed driver's door and door would not reopen. I took car to auto shop and mechanic finally got door to open after about an hour and a half. He thought he had repaired the door and closed it, but when he tried to open the door for final inspection, again it would not open normally and upon further inspection he found the door lock mechanisms were not functioning correctly from the way they had been manufactured. And there was a recall on the kia door lock mechanisms including my car's year, make and model. I am...

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concerned this is a serious hazard, especially since I transport small children, some in car seats. My car is an older car and I would like all four locks replaced with 'up to standard' locks.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10888798
Airbags

My airbag continues to have problems and the airbag light will not go off for over a year now. The car was just started and stationary when the light went on.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10863486
Airbags

One morning I turned the car on and the air bag light came on and has not gone off! ; (

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10854924
Electrical systemAirbags

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.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Air bagsNHTSA 10822983
Electrical systemBody, doors & structure

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.

Filed Incident Electrical system · StructureNHTSA 10817234
Electrical systemBody, doors & structure

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.

Filed Incident Electrical system · StructureNHTSA 10779855
Airbags

I started the vehicle this morning and the air bag light remained illuminated. The light remains illuminated after two days.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10762553
Airbags

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 kia optima. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the codes were cleared; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10735285
Other & unknown

Neither the driver door or passenger door will unlock. This occurs from both inside and outside the car. Very unsafe condition.

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 10734045
Electrical systemBody, doors & structure

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 kia optima. While the vehicle was parked, the locks on the door failed to work. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired or diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The vin was unknown. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Latches / locks / linkagesNHTSA 10733620
Electrical system

Drivers side door will not open, this has happened several times. When you pull on the outside handle it will make all the doors lock sometimes. I thought this was an isolated case, but there are several other compliants with this same issue. This is a severe safety issue if the car was in a crash.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10723113
Body, doors & structure

The frame is extensive rusted to the point where the vehicle's structural integrity has likely been compromised. Nothing unusual has happened that would cause such rust, such as backing into salt water, etc. It has been driven on salted ny roads but still, the rust is extreme on this vehicle even with that taken into consideration. The body has rusted extensively as well, to the point where the rear quarter panels by the rear wheel arches have rusted completely through.

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 10715943
Body, doors & structure

For the last few years the driver's side door lock has not worked properly. It will lock without problem but then will not unlock. It cannot be unlocked from within the vehicle at all. To unlock it from outside requires that the door be unlocked at the same time the door handles is pulled open. It requires multiple tries to get it right - usually it takes a few minutes of playing with the door handle and key to get it to work properly.

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 10715940
Body, doors & structure

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 kia optima. While the vehicle was parked, the front driver side door was locked and failed to open from the inside or outside. The contact had to go through the front passenger side door and climb over the seat to the driver's side. The failure recurred continuously. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 10713880
Body, doors & structure

Key will not unlock driver's door and driver cannot unlock door from inside vehicle. Kia motors will not issue a recall even though this is a major safety issue. Climbing over the center console is required to enter or exit the vehicle. This is a frequent issue with kia optima cars, well known and often written up online, the part required to repair the vehicle is sold on ebay by multiple sellers always. *Tr

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 10694950
Electrical system

I believe this problem should be a recall. This is a safety issue and needs to be corrected by the manufacturer. We had the same problem where the driver door would not open no matter what you did,. It wouldn't open from the inside or the outside. All the other doors would open, but the driver door. If you opened it with the key it clicked, but when you pulled the handle to open the door it would lock.. In order to get out of the car my husband, who has a bad back had to climb over the center console. You wouldn't...

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be able to get out in an emergency and this issue needs to be addressed. Another issue that we are having is we are always replacing bulbs in the headlights and taillights; about once a month. We are forever getting pulled over by the police to tell us our headlight or taillight is out. There seems to be a lot of electrical problems with this car and they need to be addressed. The repair cost for the door was $400.00 And we should be refunded as well as everyone else who has paid to repair this defective issue. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10661055
Electrical systemBody, doors & structure

Driver's side door would not open. You could click it and it would sound like it was going to open, but it didn't. Had to drive to a kia store and have the whole assembly replaced at the tune of $450. Interestingly enough, they did not seem to think this was a common problem, but I can see there are hundreds of complaints about this problem. I had my two year old grandson in the back seat and was very worried about getting stuck in the car. If this happens again, I will sell the car. There seem to be a lot of...

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electrical problems on this car. I replace the headlights and taillights regularly (about once a month) and I am always having the engine light come on, when there is nothing wrong. How many of these complaints do you need before something is done? Or does someone have to get killed first? *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · StructureNHTSA 10654169

Kia Optima: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
2009116154Transmission & drivetrainB
20081443204AirbagsC
20071672115AirbagsB
2006155231AirbagsB
2005144071Body, doors & structureB
2004225183Body, doors & structureC
2003144282Body, doors & structureB
20021103165Body, doors & structureB
20011433150Body, doors & structureB
All Optima years

2005 Kia Optima vs rivals

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 2005 Kia Optima

Does the 2005 Kia Optima have any recalls?

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2005 Kia Optima right now. Recalls can be announced at any time, and this page checks NHTSA every day. You can also check your exact vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Kia Optima?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the body, doors & structure (85), electrical system (29), airbags (22).

How many complaints has the 2005 Kia Optima had?

144 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on July 25, 2005 and the latest on June 22, 2022. Of these, 7 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 6 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 2005 Kia Optima a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 68 out of 100 (grade B: fewer problems than a typical Kia Optima year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Kia Optima years have the most complaints?

2013 (1,388), 2015 (1,011), 2012 (923). See every Kia Optima year compared.

What should I do if my 2005 Kia Optima has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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