2005 Kia Optima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Latches/locks/linkages is the leading concern among 144 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 15th highest complaint count among 20 Optima model years with reports.
Of the 2005 reports, 7 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 6 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints: latches/locks/linkages
66 reports, newest first. Show all
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 6, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO UNLOCK THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR BUT IT WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK USING THE KEY FOB FROM THE EXTERIOR OR MANUALLY FROM THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE KEY FOB AND DOOR LOCKS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED . THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Seat belts, Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 6, 2012
I AM UNABLE TO UNLOCK MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR EITHER MANUALLY/KEY OR BY REMOTE ACCESS THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE FACT THAT IF I NEED TO EXIT MY VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY (FIRE AND OR CRASH) I WOULD BE UNABLE TO. ALSO, TWO OF MY REAR SEATBELTS ARE JAMMED IN THE HALF EXTENDED POSITION. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY AND ALL HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME WITH THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 22, 2011
NEEDED TO REPLACE DOOR LATCH ON DRIVER'S SIDE. DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. AIR BAG ON PASSENGER SIDE WILL NOT DEPLOY. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 26, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ALL OF THE AUTOMATIC DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK WHEN ENGAGED. THE CONTACT HAD TO OPEN THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE POWER AND MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOOR IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,500.
Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 18, 2011
REPORTING A FAILURE IN THE DOOR LOCK MECHANISM. THE DOOR LOCK WILL "UNLOCK" WHEN YOU PUSH THE BUTTON ON THE KEY FOB, DOOR PANEL OR USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. WHEN YOU PULL THE HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR, IT LOCKS THE DOOR PREVENTING YOU FROM OPENING IT. THE DRIVER IS TRAPT IN THE CAR WITH THE ONLY OPTION TO EXIT FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS WOULD BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT OR ANY OTHER TIME YOU NEEDED TO EVACUATE THE CAR QUICKLY. IN SEARCHING THE INTERNET THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM ON KIA VEHICLES. *TT
Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 25, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE DOORS BEGAN TO LOCK AND UNLOCK ON THEIR OWN. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT HAD TO ENTER THE VEHICLE BY USING THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. OVER TIME, THE FAILURE PROGRESSED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE FROM EITHER FRONT DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 23, 2011
THE DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK BY THEMSELVES. THE TWO FRONT DOORS WILL NOT OPEN EVERYTIME I TRY TO OPEN THEM THE DOORS LOCK UP. I CAN NOT SAFELY ENTER AND EXIT MY CAR. I HAVE TO GO OUT THE BACK SEAT BUT IT TAKES SOME TIME TO DO SO. RESEARCH ON THIS SHOWS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH KIA. IF I WERE TO GET IN AN ACCIDENT OR A FIRE STARTED I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF MY CAR. ALSO I HAVE A BULGING DISC IN MY BACK AND THIS IS STARTING TO CAUSE PAIN AND IT CAN CAUSE MY BACK TO FULLY SEIZE UP AGAIN. I HAVE CONTACTED KIA AND THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO HELP BECAUSE THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE ITEM. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED BECAUSE THIS IS GOING TO RESULT IN SOMEONE GETTING HURT OR WORSE EVEN DEATH.. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 23, 2011
MUCH LIKE THE COUNTLESS COMPLAINTS I'VE READ, MY 2005 KIA OPTIMA LX HAS A DEFAULT IN THE DRIVER SIDE AND NOW THE PASSENGER SIDE DOORS. ABOUT A MONTH AGO MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR STOPPED OPENING. SURE I COULD HEAR THE DOORS ELECTRONICALLY UNLOCKING.. BUT STILL COULD NOT OPEN MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. FINDING OUT THIS WAS GOING TO RUN ME ABOUT 300-400 DOLLARS I WAITED TO SEE IF IT WAS SOMETHING I COULD FIX... MY FRIEND AND I REMOVED BOTH PANELS AFTER HAVING TO SLIM JIM AND PUSH AND PULL THE DOOR OPEN. WE LOOKED AT BOTH DOOR INSIDES AND SAW NO DIFFERENCE AND NOTHING THAT SEEMED TO BE BROKEN, BENT OR UNATTACHED. OF COARSE AS I DROVE A WAY MY LOCKS LOCKED AGAIN.. SO I WAS BACK TO CLIMBING OUT MY PASSENGER SIDE. AS OF YESTERDAY MY PASSENGER SIDE IS NOW DOING THE SAME THING.. THEY SAY IM UP TO 500 NOW AND NOTHING IS COVERED BY WARRANTY. IM THINKING, REALLY!!?? THIS IS THE SECOND KIA I HAVE PURCHASED AND HAVE ALWAYS LOVED MY KIA'S BUT THIS SUCKS! THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE! HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO BE STUCK IN THERE CAR ON FIRE OR AT THE BOTTOM OF THE RIVER DYING BEFORE KIA RECALLS THIS. I'VE READ SEVERAL POSTS ABOUT PEOPLE WITH KIDS OR PEOPLE THAT ARE "TOO BIG" TO GO CLIMB OVER THEIR CAR SEATS TO SAFETY! AT THIS POINT THE ONLY WAY IN AND OUT OF MY CAR IS NOW THE BACK DOORS BUT FOR HOW LONG, WHO KNOWS! WHAT'S NEXT, SQUEEZE THROUGH THE GLOVE BOX? OKAY, OKAY SO THAT'S NOT REALISTIC BUT JEEZ! WHAT THE HECK CAN WE DO ABOUT THIS? *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 26, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. IN ORDER TO ENTER THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE DOOR LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 18, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK FROM THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR, WITH OR WITHOUT THE KEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ONLY WAY TO ENTER THE DRIVERS SEAT WAS TO ENTER THE VEHICLE FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 27,000. UPDATED 09/01/2011 *LN
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 11, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK. THERE WAS A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE WHO WAS UNABLE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE DOOR LOCKS. THE DEALER STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR RELATED WARRANTIES AND TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 5, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN AUTOMATICALLY OR MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILES WERE 69,000.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 17, 2011
I DRIVE A 2005 KIA OPTIMA. YESTERDAY WHEN I CAME OUT TO MY CAR THE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. EVERYTIME I PUT THE KEY IN AND ATTEMPT TO UNLOCK THE DOOR, IT LOCKS BACK IMMEDIATELY. I TRIED TO UNLOCK AND OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE AS WELL BUT THE DOOR WILL NO LONGER OPEN. IN ORDER TO GET INTO OR OUT OF THE VEHICLE I HAVE TO USE THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THIS IS A MAJOR HAZARD IF I WERE TO BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT OR IF FOR SOME REASON I NEED TO EXIT MY CAR IMMEDIATELY. I HAVE 3 KIDS THAT I TRANSPORT ALSO AND AM TERRIFIED THAT SOMETHING SHOULD HAPPEN. I HAVE READ THE BLOGS THAT THIS IS A TYPICAL ISSUE BUT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED YET. I AM GOING TO TAKE ANY ACTION POSSIBLE TO INSURE THAT THIS ISSUE IS RESOLVED SINCE IT IS A MALFUNCTION ON THE PART OF A KIA PART. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 15, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK OR OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENTER THE VEHICLE FROM THE PASSENGER DOOR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 13, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRYING TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WITH THE KEY, SHE WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. SHE HAD TO ENTER THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OR NOT LOCK THE VEHICLE AT ALL. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE LOCK MECHANISM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 5, 2011
I RECENTLY BOUGHT A 2005 KIA OPTIMA AND ABOUT THE FIFTH TIME I DROVE IT I WENT TO THE STORE AND WAS STUCK INSIDE THE DOOR WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK FROM INSIDE OR OUT THEN FINALLY IT DOES BUT I NEVER KNOW WHEN ITS GOIN TO WORK OR NOT ..THIS IS CRAZY AND LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THIS WHY HASN'T IT BEEN RECALLED. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 3, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF, ALL FOUR DOORS BEGAN LOCKING AND UNLOCKING REPEATEDLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A CONSTANT OCCURRENCE. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE CHECK SWITCH IN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Latches/locks/linkages, May 24, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK ELECTRONICALLY OR MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
Latches/locks/linkages, May 12, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS WOULD NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK FROM THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO CLIMB OVER THE FRONT SEAT AND CONSOLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE REAR DOORS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE COULD POTENTIALLY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY A DEFECT IN THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
Latches/locks/linkages, May 12, 2011
2005 KIA OPTIMA. DRIVER DOOR WON'T UNLOCK OR OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. I HAVE TO CLIMB ACROSS THE PASSENGER SEAT TO GET IN OR OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE, NOT TO MENTION WHAT IT IS DOING TO MY LOWER BACK. THE DEALER SAYS THEY CAN FIX IT FOR ABOUT $400 PLUS ABOUT $105 IN DIAGNOSTIC FEES. I SHOULD NOT BE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR SOMETHING THAT IS OBVIOUSLY A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH A LOT OF THE KIAS OUT THERE . THERE IS A LIST OF MANY OWNERS WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. KIA NEEDS TO STEP UP AND TAKE CARE OF IT. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT THE CAR QUICKLY OR SAFELY. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED! *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 11, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER LOCKS MALFUNCTIONED, WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR TO LOCK. THE DOOR COULD NOT BE REOPENED. THE CONTACT WOULD ENTER THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND CLIMB OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED BECAUSE THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN AND SUGGESTED THAT THE DOOR BE UNASSEMBLED AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WAS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,703.
Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 29, 2011
I CAN'T OPEN MY DOOR!! MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR REFUSES TO OPEN, FROM INSIDE OR OUT! I TRY TO UNLOCK IT FROM THE OUTSIDE AND WHEN I PULL ON THE LATCH, IT LOCKS THE DOOR AGAIN, AND IT WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE, SOMETIMES RELOCKING THE DOOR ON ME. IT WAS WORKING JUST FINE BEFORE THEN, AND THEN ALL OF SUDDEN IT STARTED MALFUNCTIONING, NOTHING HAPPENED TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN. ONLY THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR IS AFFECTED. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO, THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET THIS CORRECTED AS OF YET.
Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 28, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCKS BECAME DEFECTIVE AND WOULD SPORADICALLY CAUSE HER TO BECOME LOCKED INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WOULD OFTEN HAVE TO CLIMB OUT OF THE WINDOWS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,677 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,000.
Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 12, 2011
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM INSIDE VEHICLE OR OUTSIDE. THIS IS NOT ONLY EXTREMELY INCONVENIENT BUT ALSO VERY UNSAFE. LAST YEAR THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENED ON PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, WHICH I PAID TO HAVE FIXED AND NOW THE SAME ISSUE IS HAPPENING ON DRIVERS SIDE. KIA SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DEFECT. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 9, 2011
DRIVER DOOR OF KIA 2005 OPTIMA WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE AT ALL. HAVE TO CLIMB OVER PASSENGER SEAT TO GET TO DRIVERS SEAT. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT MOST LIKELY THE PART THAT IS BAD IS CALLED THE 'DOOR CHECKER' ACCORDING TO THE KIA MANUALS. I HAVE TO GET A NEW ONE. CALLED DEALERSHIP THERE WILL BE 2 HOURS OF LABOR INVOLVED. THE PART WEARS OUT TO THE POINT WHERE IT TELLS THE SYSTEM THAT THE DOOR IS NOT LATCHED SO IT TRIPS THE AUTO LOCK FEATURE TO KEEP THE DOOR FROM SWINGING OPEN. APPARENTLY THIS IS A DEALER PART ONLY. NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. MY CAR ONLY HAS 41,000 MILES ON IT. *TR