KnownCarProblems2005 Kia Optima Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 144 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Kia Optima, most often about the doors and locks (46% of complaints, typically around 74,000 miles). It is 14th of 20 Optima model years by number of complaints.
Most common 2005 Kia Optima problems
Doors and locks
66 complaints · 46%Half of these problems showed up before 74,000 miles. Parts named most often: doors.
Tl contact owns 2005 Kia Optima lx/ex. The drivers side door will not open with or without the key. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that there are no recalls or warranties and it would cost $400 to repair the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was…
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…
Electrical
29 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 99,000 miles.
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
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!
Air bags
22 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Kia Optima. The air bag indicator illuminates intermittently. It has been an ongoing issue for months. The vehicle has been taken to the dealer approximately eight times; however, the diagnostic fails to produce an error code each time. The failure always recurs after a few weeks. The contact…
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.
Body and structure
22 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Kia Optima lx. While the vehicle was in the idle position, the contact was unable to open the driver side door. He could not open it from the outside with the key or even using the handle inside the vehicle. The contact had to climb out the front passenger door. The vehicle had not been…
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…
Fuel system
10 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 71,500 miles. Parts named most often: storage.
In october of 2006 we bought a 2005 Kia Optima. Shortly after the check engine light came on, so we took it to the dealership and they told US it was air in the tank and just to open the tank and let the air out. They said the sensor would go off in about 60,000 miles. We then started having problems filling the tank…
Tl contact owns a 2005 Kia Optima. On two occasions, the contact noticed fuel leaking from the vehicle. The dealer replaced the fuel tank on both occasions; however, the failure persists. The contact paid $600 for the fuel tank. The service engine light was illuminated at the time of the failures, but the dealer…
Engine
6 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: cooling system.
: the contact stated without incident the check engine light illuminated. The dealership determined the fuel cap was not properly tightened, then checked for diagnostic codes. There were no codes found and the light was turned off. Fifteen minutes after the vehicle was taken from the lot, the light illuminated again.…
: the contact stated the vehicle intermittently stalled without warning. The vehicle restarted each time and was taken to the dealership. The dealership was unable to determine the problem.
Other or unspecified
6 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 122,000 miles.
Ii have a 2005 Kia Optima for about 3 years now, first problem was with the air bags . I had the light to come on will the car was being inspected last year for them to tell me it was the sensors. I made a appointment to get it fixed but when I went there the light went off then I was driving down the road a week…
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…
Lights
4 complaints · 3%Parts named most often: headlights.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Kia Optima. While driving 35 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming from under the dashboard while the air conditioner was running. The smoke was so thick that he could not see through the smoke. The dealer was notified and stated that the cigarette lighter could be the possible cause of the…
Tl contact owns a 2005 Kia Optima. Ever since the vehicle was purchased, the low beam bulbs constantly blow out. The dealer stated that the cluster connectors failed and they cleaned the connector and replaced the bulbs. This did not correct the failure and the dealer stated that they could not provide a remedy. A…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 Kia Optima recalls
NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Loss of motive power
Summary
The national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated july 13, 2022, petitioning the agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain hyundai motor america, inc. And kia america, inc. Vehicles spanning model years (my) 2005-2021. The petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) of the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated october 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (etc) system on certain kia vehicles resulting in the opening of dp21-003. Accordingly, model year (my) 2005-2016 kia optima/k5, my 2006-2015 kia sorento, my 2007-2016 hyundai elantra, my 2007-2016 hyundai santa fe, my 2006-2015 hyundai sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a vehicle owner questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (odi) number 11439675.on november 12, 2021, odi opened defec
Questions about the 2005 Kia Optima
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Kia Optima?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: doors and locks (66 complaints, typically around 74,000 miles); electrical (29 complaints, typically around 99,000 miles); air bags (22 complaints, typically around 55,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2005 Kia Optima have?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2005 Kia Optima. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
- Is the 2005 a bad year for the Kia Optima?
- It is 14th of 20 Optima model years by number of complaints, with 144 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.