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.
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 25, 2013
I HAVE HAD TO TAKE MY CAR TWICE NOW TO GET MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR OPEN, I HAVE BEEN HAVING TO CLIMB IN FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR AND I HAVE HURT MY KNEES IN DOING SO. EVERYTIME I LOCK MY DOORS AND THEN UNLOCK THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR DOESN'T OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THIS NEEDS A RECALL .I HAVE ALREADY SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM... *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 6, 2012
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 IN NEWPORT RICHEY FL AND THEY TOLD ME THIS A COMMON PROBLEM 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
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 5, 2012
I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM I HAVE WITH MY 2005 KIA OPTIMA AND I FOUND OUT THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS ISSUE. THEREFORE I SAW IT NECESSARY FOR ME TO BRING THIS TO YOUR ATTENTION. THE DOOR LATCHES ARE MALFUNCTIONING. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IF THE CAR EVER CAUGHT FIRE OR IF THE CAR EVER WENT INTO A RIVER, GOT FLOODED, OR IN A WRECK IT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN, FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. IT STAYS LOCKED AND EVEN WHEN YOU UNLOCK THE CAR, THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. I CURRENTLY HAD A BABY AND HAD TO HAVE A C-SECTION. IT WAS HORRIBLE HAVING TO CLIMB IN AND OUT THE CAR THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE.... FROM RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE I HAVE COME ACROSS SO MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. KIA SHOULD RECALL THE 2005 OPTIMA. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Jun 12, 2012
DOORS, LOCKS, LINKAGE, UPON LEAVING WORK ON JUNE 16TH, 2010, I WENT TO UNLOCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR USING THE KEY AND THE CAR DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. I OPENED THE CAR FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE AND CRAWLED OVER TO TRY TO OPEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE, NO LUCK. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HAS NOT AND WILL NOT OPEN FROM EITHER SIDE. HUGE SAFETY HAZARD!!! NO LUCK WITH KIA FIXING IT EITHER!!! *TR
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.
Fuel/propulsion system, May 14, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA OPTIMA LX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, FUEL WAS SEEN LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 97,000.
Structure, Mar 14, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DOORS DID NOT OPEN WHEN USING THE KEY, KEY FOB, OR FROM THE INTERIOR. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENTER THE VEHICLE FROM THE REAR. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000. THE VIN WAS NOT ACCEPTED.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Feb 12, 2012
IN 2011 WE HAD A HOLE FORM IN THE GAS TANK OF OUR 2005 KIA OPTIMA. WE TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP IN WHICH THEY DETERMINED THAT THE STRAPS THAT HOLD THE GAS TANK IN HAD CAUSED WEAR ONTO THE ACTUAL TANK. THEY REPLACED THE TANK WITH NEW GAS TANK (ORIGINAL FACTORY GAS TANK) ON FEBRUARY 7, 2012 THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN BACK IN FOR SERVICING. *TR
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, Equipment, Jan 6, 2012
I WENT TO KIA DEALERSHIP REGARDING KEYLESS REMOTE NOT WORKING. I ADVISED DEALERSHIP THAT BOTH REMOTES WERE RE-PROGRAMMED 12 MONTHS AGO AND THAT ONE REMOTE STOPPED WORKING 6 MONTHS AFTER RE-PROGRAMMING AND THE 2ND REMOTE STOPPED WORKING 12 MONTHS AFTER RE-PROGRAMMING. BASED ON DISCUSSION, IT APPEARS THAT 2003 THROUGH 2006 KIA OPTIMAS HAVE DEFECTIVE KEYLESS REMOTE SYSTEMS, BUT BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN NO FORMAL RECALL, REPAIR OF KEYLESS REMOTE IS NOT COVERED OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY. I BELIEVE REPAIR COST IS ABOUT $400. MY OPINION IS THAT A RELATIVE KEYLESS REMOTE RECALL SHOULD BE MADE BY KIA SINCE THE KEYLESS REMOTE DEFECT IS NOT CUSTOMER'S FAULT. *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
Fuel system, Gasoline, Dec 19, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS DEFECTIVE AND COULD ONLY BE FILLED PARTIALLY BEFORE SPILLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED THAT THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK GASKET SEAL FAILED. THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE DEALER PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 21, 2011
THE CAR WILL RUN FINE, THEN ENGINE WILL START TO MISFIRE. THEN LOSE POWER (PUT THE GAS PETAL TO THE FLOOR AND CAR DOES NOT MOVE AND THE ENGINE DOES NOT REV UP DUE TO THE INCREASED GAS FLOW.) THE ENGINE WILL SHUTTER AND TURN OFF. LE IT SIT FOR 5 TO 10 MINUTES AND THE CAR WILL START. THE CAR WILL DRIVE FOR ANOTHER 5-10 MINUTES AND SHUT OFF AND WILL NOT RUN FOR START FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND WILL NOT DRIVE BEYOND COUPLE HUNDRED FEET. WE HAVE REPLACED THE CAM SENSOR, CRANK SENSOR, EGR VALVE, SPARK WIRES, SPARKS, COIL PACKS, WATER PUMP, ALL BELTS, ALTERNATOR, BATTERY, AND SHORT BLOCK REBUILD (WARRANTY WORK). THE CODE WAS THE FIRST TIME WAS MISFIRE IN 1 AND 4 CYDERS, AFTER THE REBUILD THE CODE IS MISFIRE 2 AND 3 CYDERS. WE HAVE THE COMPUTER REPROGRAMMED TWICE. THE DEALERSHIP HAVE NO CLUE. *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.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jul 20, 2011
THE GAS TANK ON THIS 05 KIA WAS LEAKING AT 78,000 MILES, TOOK IT TO DEALER, I HAD TO PAY FOR LABOR, THEY FURNISHED THE NEW GAS TANK COST ME $330, NOW AT 98,000 MILES IT IS LEAKING AGAIN AND KIA IS REFUSING TO FIX IT, I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, GOING ON 3 GAS TANKS LESS THAN 100,000 MILES. PAID DEALER $95 TO INSPECT THE TANK AS TOLD BY KIA CONSUMER DEPT, DEALER DIDNT LOOK AT THE TANK INSTEAD SAID IT NEEDED A GAS VALVE FIRST $400, BEFORE THEY WOULD LOOK AT THE TANK. THE DEALER IS LEE KIA, IN FT WALTON BEACH FL. SO I GUESS I JUST CONTINUE DRIVING CAR TILL SOMETHING REAL SERIOUS HAPPENS? NEED SOME HELP HERE PLEASE THANK YOU CHALMER & KASEY BERRY
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
Other or unspecified, Jul 15, 2011
KIA OPTIMA DOOR LOCK IS FAULTY, WILL NOT UNLOCK AND ONLY WAY TO GET DOOR OPEN IS TO USE A SLIM JIM (IF YOUR LUCKY) OR BREAK OPEN DOOR PANEL AND OPEN MANUALLY BY PULLING ON LOCKING MECHANISM. FAULTY PART IS A SMALL PLASTIC PART IN THE MECHANISM. THIS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON MANY KIA MODELS
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