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
144 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Structure, Sep 16, 2014
DRIVER'S DOOR WILL NOT OPEN, FROM EITHER INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THE LOCKING MECHANISM WILL NOT UNLOCK, LEAVING NO EASY ACCESS OR EXIT TO OR FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THIS IS QUITE A HAZARD AS THE OPERATOR COULD BECOME TRAPPED IN THE CAR IN AN EMERGENCY (AND THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED ALL OVER THE INTERNET FOR SOME YEARS NOW AS BEING VERY COMMON TO THIS PARTICULAR CAR). WHY HAS NHTSA BEEN IGNORING THIS PROBLEM? *TR....UPDATED 12/09/15 *BF UPDATED 08/30/2017*CT
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 4, 2014
MY PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK, AND CAN NOT BE OPENED FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE ONLY WAY TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IS TO EITHER CRAWL OUT OF THE WINDOW OR CRAWL OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE. MY FEAR IS IF IN THE EVENT OF EMERGENCY THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN AND WE WOULD BE SICK IN THE VEHICLE. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, May 29, 2014
THE VEHICLE HAS HAD BOTH FRONT DOORS HAVE FAILED LATCHES IN THE LAST YEAR. WHAT WILL HAPPEN IS YOU WILL GO TO UNLOCK THE DOOR AND THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUT WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT FORCE OR NOT AT ALL. I WENT 2 MONTHS WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO OPEN MY PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, AND NOW I JUST KEEP MY DOORS UNLOCKED ALL THE TIME SO I DON'T NEED TO DEAL WITH IT. *TR
Other or unspecified, Apr 17, 2014
THE DRIVERS DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK, YOU CAN NOT OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR. FOR THE DRIVER TO GET OUT OF THE CAR YOU HAVE TO GO OVER THE CONSOLE TO GET OUT THE PASSENGER DOOR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE!!!!! TRIED TO UNLOCK WITH WILL NOT WORK.
Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 8, 2014
THE DRIVERS DOOR WILL LOCK AND UNLOCK, THOUGH IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. IT WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE HANDLE. THE ELECTRONIC LOCK FOB WILL LOCK AND UNLOCK THE CAR. THE KEY WILL LOCK AND UNLOCK THE CAR. ENTRY AND EXIT MUST BE DONE BY CLIMBING OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE AND GOING THROUGH THE PASSENGER DOOR. THIS IS A MAJOR HAZARD TO THE DRIVER AND FELLOW PASSENGERS. IF WE SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH MY TWO YOUNG BOYS IN THE CAR, I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO HELP THEM EXIT THE CAR UNTIL I HAVE CLIMBED OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE AND EXITED THROUGH THE PASSENGER DOOR. HELP!!!!!!!! THIS IS DEFINITELY A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE RELATED TO THE KIA BRAND OF CARS. ALL OVER THE INTERNET IT IS DISCUSSED HOW THIS PROBLEM HAS BECOME A PROBLEM FOR ALL TYPES OF KIA MODELS. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 31, 2014
2005 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DRIVERS SIDE DOOR ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN WITH THE KEY FOB AND IT WOULD NOT OPEN WITH THE KEY. WHEN SHE INSERTED THE KEY AND TURNED IT, SHE COULD HEAR THE ACTUATOR ENGAGING AS THOUGH IT WERE UNLOCKING, BUT ONCE SHE TRIED THE DOOR HANDLE, THE DOOR REFUSED TO OPEN. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, THE DOOR FINALLY RELEASED AND OPENED, BUT TO LOCK THE DOOR AND CLOSE IT, RESULTED IN THE SAME ISSUE. *JB UPDATED 04/22/14
Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 28, 2014
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. FAILED DOOR LATCH/LOCK ASSEMBLY. FIRST HAPPENED IN JULY 2007. HAPPENING AGAIN IN JANUARY 2014 ON SAME CAR. DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE--ONLY WAY OUT IS CRAWLING TO PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OR BACK DOORS, OR BY CRAWLING OUT OF DRIVER SIDE DOOR WINDOW. HAS NEVER HAPPENED ON ANY OTHER VEHICLES WE HAVE OWNED, INCLUDING OLDER CARS. LOCK SHOULD NOT FAIL THAT OFTEN. *TR
Structure, Jan 16, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO EXIT THE VEHICLE FROM THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE DOOR LATCH AND ACTUATOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT HAD THE ACTUATOR REPLACED PREVIOUSLY BUT THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,038.
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 15, 2014
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NO LONGER OPEN. WHEN I TRY TO UNLOCK IT FROM EITHER THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE, THE UNLOCK MECHANISM WORKS, BUT THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. I NOW HAVE TO CRAWL IN FROM ANOTHER DOOR AND WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT IN AN EMERGENCY. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH KIAS AND COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED WITH KIA. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 27, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LATCH WAS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO EXIT THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE REMAINING DOORS. THE FAILURE PROGRESSED FOR OVER FIVE YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 15, 2013
I BELIEVE BECAUSE OF THE OPTION OF 'AFFECTED PARTS" DOES NOT INCLUDE LOCKS/LINKAGE, IS WHY THE NHTSA IS NOT SEEING HOW 1000S ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING A LOCKED DOOR ISSUE WITH KIAS OF MANY MODELS OVER A SPAN OF 10 YEARS! MY DRIVER DOOR IS PERMANENTLY LOCKED AND UNTIL I CAN COME UP WITH $700 TO GET IT FIXED I CAN NOT DRIVE IT DUE TO SAFETY BECAUSE I CAN NOT GET IT INSPECTED!!! DUE TO SAFETY! KIA NEEDS TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE FOR THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE! *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 15, 2013
I BECAME ENTRAPPED IN MY 2005 KIA OPTIMA WHEN I ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE LOCK. ITS BEEN AN ISSUE BEFORE. WHILE ITS DANGEROUS TO KEEP IT UNLOCKED, I CHOSE THAT OVER BEING LOCKED OUT OR BEING LOCKED IN. LAST NIGHT MY ELBOW HIT THE LOCK AS I PARKED. I HAD MY COWORKER COME PULL THE HANDLE WHILE I PUSHED THE UNLOCK BUTTON. WHILE IT HAS WORKED AFTER SEVERAL TRIES IN THE PAST, IT JUST WOULDN'T GIVE IN. I THEN, HAD MY COWORKER TRY THE PASSENGER SIDE AND IT POPPED. I'M NOW REDUCED TO CLIMBING OVER FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. WHILE ITS PAINFUL AND TIMELY, ITS NOT AS BAD AS CLIMBING OVER THE BACK. I'VE HAD TO DO THAT WHEN I HAD NO ONE TO CALL FOR HELP. IT'S SO DANGEROUS NOT BEING ABLE TO GET OUT OF YOUR CAR WHEN YOU'RE READY. ITS ALSO HORRIBLE TO THINK ABOUT YOUR VEHICLE NOT BEING THERE WHEN YOU COME OUTSIDE BECAUSE YOU LEFT YOUR DOORS UNLOCKED FOR A CAR THIEF. IF I OPEN MY PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND PRESS LOCK AND CLOSE IT. I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ENTER OR USE MY VEHICLE WITHOUT BREAKING A WINDOW. IF THERE WAS A FIRE CAUSE BY SOME SORT OF COLLISION, MY CHILD AND I WOULD BE BURNED BEFORE I COULD GET TO HIM. IF ME OR A PASSENGER ACCIDENTALLY HITS THE LOCK BEFORE WE GET OUT, I'LL HAVE TO BREAK MY OWN WINDOW TO GET BACK IN. I SENT THE CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS AN EMAIL WHICH I'M SURE WILL BE IGNORED LIKE THE MANY OTHERS SENT BEFORE ME. THIS IS SAD CAUSE MECHANICALLY THE CAR SEEMS TO RUN GREAT. THIS IS MY SECOND ONE. IF I HAD OF KEPT THAT ONE LONGER, I'M SURE I WOULD'VE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED AND FIXED. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 7, 2013
PASSENGER SIDE DOOR NO LONGER OPENS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. DRIVER MUST ENTER AND EXIT VEHICLE FROM PASSENGER SIDE. THIS IS DANGEROUS. KIA DEALERSHIP WAS NOT ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR OR FIX THE PROBLEM... *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 8, 2013
I CANNOT ENTER AND EXIT MY CAR SAFELY ANYMORE. THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH KEY FOB OR BY KEY MANUALLY. I WAS IN A HURRY AT ONE POINT TO EXIT TO RETRIEVE MY CHILD WHO HAD EXITED THE CAR AND WAS HEADING INTO TRAFFIC AT A PARKING LOT AND I COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE CAR. I HAD TO EXIT FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DOOR WORKS IN RARE INSTANCES, BUT IS NOT RELIABLE OR DEPENDABLE. THIS IS MY ONLY MODE OF TRANSPORTATION AND I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE NEW. HOWEVER, I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE SHOULD I HAVE AN EMERGENCY, I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ENTER OR EXIT THE CAR AS NEEDED. *TR
Structure, Jul 29, 2013
THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN AFTER THE DOORS ARE LOCKED . IF YOU UNLOCK THE DOORS THE DRIVER SIDE WILL UNLOCK AND THEN RE LOCK ITSELF. IF THERE WAS TO BE A VEHICLE FIRE OR OTHER PROBLEM, THE DRIVE WOULD HAVE TO CLIMB OUT OF A WINDOW OR CROSS OVER THE CENTER CONSUL TO EXIT THE VEHICLE . THIS IS WITHOUT A DOUBT A SAFETY ISSUE THAT THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURE SHOULD BE MADE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRING. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 25, 2013
MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR STICKS AND WONT OPEN. AT FIRST IT STARTED LOCKING AND UNLOCKING BY ITSELF. SOMETIMES WHEN YOU LOCK AND UNLOCK IT A FEW TIMES IT OPENS. BUT AS SOON AS YOU LOCK THE DOORS ITS BACK TO NOT UNLOCKING WHEN YOU LOCK AND UNLOCK IT. NOW MY PASSENGER DOOR WONT OPEN AT ALL. I AM WORRIED THAT IF THERE'S EMERGENCY I WONT BE ABLE TO GET OUT ANY OF THE DOOR. SOMEONE NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, BUT NOBODY SEEMS TO WANT TO HELP FIX IT. *TR
Structure, Jul 25, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS COULD NOT BE LOCKED. THE CONTACT COULD HEAR THE LOCKS ATTEMPTING TO LATCH, BUT THEY FAILED TO DO ACTUALLY ENGAGE. THE CONTACT HAD TO CLIMB IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE REAR DOORS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 158,338.
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Seats, May 15, 2013
1. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCKS AND REFUSES TO UNLOCK. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR CANNOT BE OPEN AND THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR KNOBS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE ARE NOT WORKING. THIS CAN BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, BECAUSE THE DRIVER CANNOT ESCAPE THROUGH THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THIS ISSUE MUST BECOME A RECALL ITEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. (HAPPENED ON 05/13/2013, ABOUT 82,000 MILEAGE) 2. DRIVER SEAT (POWER) IS NOT WORKING SINCE ABOUT 52,000 MILEAGE. (AROUND SPRING 2010). *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, May 15, 2013
2005 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE UNLOCKED THE DOORS, THEY WOULD AUTOMATICALLY LOCK ON THEIR OWN. THE CONSUMER STATED ON ONE OCCASION, SHE WAS LOCKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE FOR 10-15 MINUTES, BEFORE SHE WAS ABLE TO GET THE DOOR UNLOCKED.
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, May 8, 2013
THE PASSENGER DOOR LOCK STARTED STICKING AND WILL NOT OPEN. NOW BOTH DOORS ARE LOCKED AND I CANNOT OPEN EITHER. THE BACK DOORS DO OPEN, HOWEVER IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO CLIMB OUT THE BACK DOOR. I DON'T KNOW HOW I WILL EVEN GET IT TO A DEALER TO FIX IT. *TR
Electrical system, Structure, Apr 26, 2013
MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN BOTH FROM OUTSIDE AND INSIDE, SO I'VE TO GO THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE TO GET OUT AND GET IN THE CAR. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 25, 2013
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCKS AND REFUSES TO UNLOCK IF THE DOOR IS COMPLETELY CLOSED. HUGE SAFETY ISSUE, AS I'VE BEEN FORCED TO CRAWL OUT THE PASSENGERS SIDE MULTIPLE TIMES DAILY! *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 14, 2013
WHILE I DID EXPERIENCE THE SAME LOCK PROBLEMS AS A LOT OF 2005 OPTIMA OWNERS... MY DEALERSHIP TOOK CARE OF THE PROBLEM BY REPLACING THE LOCK MECHANISM. IN MY CASE, THE LOCK WOULD ACT FINE ONE MOMENT AND NOT WORK THE NEXT. FOR THOSE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, I WOULD SUGGEST GETTING THE DEALERSHIP TO LOOK INTO REPLACING THE ENTIRE LOCK MECHANISM. I HAVE HAD NO TROUBLE SINCE! *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 7, 2013
PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AUTOMATICALLY LOCKS WHEN YOU TRY TO OPEN IT. WHETHER IN OR OUT, IT WON'T OPEN. SOMETIMES IT WILL OPEN WITH A KEY OUT OF THE CAR, BUT WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 27, 2013
THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. I CAN HEAR THE ASSEMBLY TRYING TO WORK, THE KEY WILL UNLOCK THE OTHER DOORS. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE IN AN EMERGENCY. I CALLED THE KIA DEALERSHIP IAND THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS WITH THIS VEHICLE. HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE GOING TO POSSIBLY LOSE THEIR LIFE IN AN ACCIDENT,BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT BEFORE THERE IS A RECALL. *TR