2005 KIA OPTIMA

0 recalls — 180 complaints

No recalls found for this vehicle.

Complaint Statistics

180 total complaints 7 crashes 2 fires 7 injuries

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES62
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM29
AIR BAGS19
STRUCTURE:BODY12
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR9
UNKNOWN OR OTHER6
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING5
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING3
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH Jun 22, 2022
Incident date: Jun 4, 2022
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 vehic... Read more
STRUCTURE:BODY Apr 18, 2022
Incident date: Aug 12, 2021
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 th... Read more
STRUCTURE:BODY Nov 16, 2018
Incident date: Oct 31, 2017
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... Read more
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES Jan 2, 2018
Incident date: Nov 15, 2017
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 ... Read more
STRUCTURE:BODY Sep 16, 2017
Incident date: Jun 2, 2015
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.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Aug 14, 2017
Incident date: Jun 26, 2017
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 TEL... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Aug 14, 2017
Incident date: Jun 26, 2017
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 TEL... Read more
AIR BAGS Jun 22, 2017
Incident date: Mar 1, 2016
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 T... Read more
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Jun 22, 2017
Incident date: Mar 1, 2016
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 T... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Jun 6, 2017
Incident date: Mar 20, 2017
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
1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Jul 26, 2016
Incident date: Jul 22, 2016
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... Read more
AIR BAGS May 5, 2016
Incident date: Apr 22, 2015
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.
AIR BAGS Apr 11, 2016
Incident date: Apr 1, 2016
ONE MORNING I TURNED THE CAR ON AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS NOT GONE OFF! ; (
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Jan 29, 2016
Incident date: Jan 4, 2016
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.
AIR BAGS Jan 29, 2016
Incident date: Jan 4, 2016
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Dec 31, 2015
Incident date: Dec 31, 2015
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.... Read more
STRUCTURE:BODY Dec 31, 2015
Incident date: Dec 31, 2015
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.... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Oct 5, 2015
Incident date: Sep 17, 2015
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.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR Oct 5, 2015
Incident date: Sep 17, 2015
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.
AIR BAGS Sep 9, 2015
Incident date: Sep 8, 2015
I STARTED THE VEHICLE THIS MORNING AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED AFTER TWO DAYS.
AIR BAGS Jul 20, 2015
Incident date: Jan 1, 2015
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.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Jul 14, 2015
Incident date: Jun 20, 2015
NEITHER THE DRIVER DOOR OR PASSENGER DOOR WILL UNLOCK. THIS OCCURS FROM BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CAR. VERY UNSAFE CONDITION.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Jul 13, 2015
Incident date: Jul 10, 2015
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 ... Read more
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES Jul 13, 2015
Incident date: Jul 10, 2015
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 ... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Jun 3, 2015
Incident date: Mar 9, 2015
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.
STRUCTURE:BODY May 12, 2015
Incident date: May 11, 2015
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 R... Read more
STRUCTURE:BODY May 12, 2015
Incident date: May 1, 2013
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 WI... Read more
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR Apr 30, 2015
Incident date: Apr 30, 2012
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 ... Read more
STRUCTURE:BODY Mar 17, 2015
Incident date: Mar 10, 2015
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 O... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Nov 26, 2014
Incident date: Nov 22, 2014
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.... Read more
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR Nov 11, 2014
Incident date: Nov 7, 2014
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 ... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Nov 11, 2014
Incident date: Nov 7, 2014
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 ... Read more
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR Sep 16, 2014
Incident date: 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 INTER... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Sep 16, 2014
Incident date: 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 INTER... Read more
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES Aug 4, 2014
Incident date: Jul 26, 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 V... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Aug 4, 2014
Incident date: Jul 26, 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 V... Read more
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES May 29, 2014
Incident date: Apr 18, 2013
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 ... Read more
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Apr 17, 2014
Incident date: Apr 13, 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
Incident date: Apr 1, 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 A... Read more
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES Mar 31, 2014
Incident date: Mar 3, 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, B... Read more
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES Jan 28, 2014
Incident date: Jul 30, 2007
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.... Read more
STRUCTURE:BODY Jan 16, 2014
Incident date: 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 DEF... Read more
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES Jan 15, 2014
Incident date: 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 C... Read more
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR Jan 15, 2014
Incident date: 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 C... Read more
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES Nov 27, 2013
Incident date: Jun 1, 2008
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 ... Read more
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES Nov 15, 2013
Incident date: Jun 15, 2011
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 G... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Nov 15, 2013
Incident date: Nov 14, 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... Read more
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES Nov 15, 2013
Incident date: Nov 14, 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... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Nov 7, 2013
Incident date: Oct 23, 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
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES Aug 8, 2013
Incident date: Aug 5, 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 E... Read more

Showing 50 of 180 complaints.

EPA Fuel Economy — 2005 KIA OPTIMA

Trim / Engine City MPG Highway MPG Combined MPG Fuel Type Annual Fuel Cost
2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 19.0 28.0 22.0 Regular $2,700
2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 20.0 27.0 23.0 Regular $2,600
2.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 18.0 25.0 21.0 Regular $2,850
2.7L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 18.0 26.0 21.0 Regular $2,850

CO2 Emissions: 404.0 g/mile (Midsize Cars)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

NHTSA Safety Investigations — KIA OPTIMA

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

RQ17003 Opened: May 18, 2017 — Closed: Dec 22, 2021
RQ — Closed — Model Year: 2011
Scope and Timeliness
NHTSA opened Recall Query (RQ) 17-003 to investigate the timeliness and scope of Kia?s Theta II GDI engine recall (Recall No. 17V-224), and Kia?s compliance with reporting requirements. On November 23, 2020, the Agency entered into a Consent Order with Kia to administratively resolve NHTSA?s asserti... Read more
PE10046 Opened: Nov 22, 2010 — Closed: Apr 5, 2011
PE — Closed — Model Year: 2008
Transmission Shift Cable Detachment
During manufacture the automatic transmission shift cables in certain subject vehicles were installed incorrectly causing extra tension on the cable.This condition can cause the shift cable to detach from the gear shifter assembly's dowel pin preventing the transmission from being shifted.The shift ... Read more
EA04030 Opened: Nov 4, 2004 — Closed: Nov 7, 2005
EA — Closed — Model Year: 2001
POWER DOOR LOCK FAILURE
INVESTIGATION FAILED TO DISCLOSE A MALFUNCTION WITH A CLEAR AND CONSISTENT PATTERN OF COMPROMISE TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY.FAILURE OF THE SUBJECT DOOR LOCKS MAY IMPEDE NORMAL EGRESS OF A VEHICLE OCCUPANT BUT DOES NOT ENTRAP THE OCCUPANT.COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY DATA DOCUMENT THE DEFICIENCIES OF THE DOO... Read more
PE04050 Opened: Jul 7, 2004 — Closed: Nov 4, 2004
PE — Closed — Model Year: 2001
POWER DOOR LOCK FAILURE
THIS PE DISCLOSED THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE EXPERIENCED INCIDENTS OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN SIGNIFICANT NUMBERS.THIS PE HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA04-030) TO FACILITATE A THOROUGH REVIEW OF THE MATTER, INCLUDING EVALUATION OF THE POTENTIAL SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES.

KIA OPTIMA — All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the KIA OPTIMA across all model years (2001–2019).

100 Total Recalls
10,128 Total Complaints
4 Investigations
493 Reported Crashes
613 Reported Fires
28 Reported Deaths

KIA OPTIMA — Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
2020 0 184 View
2019 1 296 View
2018 5 320 View
2017 7 337 View
2016 9 1,031 View
2015 10 1,370 View
2014 14 767 View
2013 19 1,844 View
2012 10 1,243 View
2011 7 767 View
2010 1 99 View
2009 1 166 View
2008 3 188 View
2007 2 217 View
2006 2 214 View
2005 (current) 0 180
2004 1 306 View
2003 2 190 View
2002 3 168 View
2001 3 231 View

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SOUL EV 62 50 View
FORTE 56 3,494 View