2005 Kia Optima Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 4%of 144 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 30,920miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2005 Kia Optima, 4% of the 144 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,920 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10432365, filed 2011-10, 86,000 miles“I just bought my 05 Optima. It also turns itself off--when it wants to. At first-it just did it in reverse. Then it started doing it driving down the highway. I took it to the dealer-who also, could not duplicate it. This is scary driving this car. You have no warning--it just turns everything off--like you never started the car at all.”
NHTSA complaint #10218584, filed 2008-02“From the day I have pulled my car off the lot one year ago I have had nothing but problems. The first problem I encountered was everytime I crank my car my belts let off this squealing noise. At every oil change I have asked them to double check the belts. Upon picking up the car the dealer assured me they have tighten the belts only to have them continue squealing. The other issue I have is the fuel tank. I have always felt I do not get a complete fill up when going to the gas station. …”
NHTSA complaint #10170330, filed 2006-10“The contact owns a 2005 Kia Optima. While driving approximately 35 MPH on normal road conditions, the vehicle stalled without warning. The check engine warning indicator illuminated intermittently on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the authorized dealer, but they were unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer on three separate occasions for the same failure, but there was no resolution. Recently, the crankshaft sensor was replaced under the service warranty; however, the failure recurred a few days later. …”
NHTSA complaint #10264212, filed 2009-04, 24,500 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10168515, filed 2006-09, 36,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10133170Mar 2, 2018PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned…
- 10034246May 1, 2010Kia: intermittent mil on with no fault code stored; information about dtc p1330. Provides information relating to certain vehicles. In affected vehicles an intermittent short to…
- 10033464Nov 1, 2009Kia: ecm upgrade with tp sensor replacement-mil on with dtc p2135/p0638. Information related to ecm software and tp sensor upgrade on some vehicles with 2.7l engines which may…
- 10023626Nov 1, 2007This bulletin provides information relating to an engine hesitation or the illumination of the malfunction indicator lamp (mil) for p0123 (throttle position sensor / switch (a)…
- 10019639Apr 1, 2006Canister close valve inspection/replacement. Malfunction indicator light (mil) related to the canister close valve and/or evaporative system.
- 10017768Oct 1, 2005Hesitation for a short period of time after an initial cold start. Ecm reprogramming/upgrade.
- 10015272Jan 1, 2005Improved timing belts for the kia rio and optima.
- 10015749Jan 1, 2004New name & maintenance schedule for evap canister vent filter. Kia technician times.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 8 | 5% |
| 2019 | 3 | 1% |
| 2018 | 14 | 6% |
| 2017 | 8 | 3% |
| 2016 | 24 | 3% |
| 2015 | 31 | 3% |
| 2014 | 16 | 3% |
| 2013 | 42 | 3% |
| 2012 | 20 | 2% |
| 2011 | 8 | 1% |
| 2010 | 2 | 3% |
| 2009 | 2 | 2% |
| 2008 | 5 | 3% |
| 2007 | 4 | 2% |
| 2006 | 9 | 6% |
| 2005 | 6 | 4% |
| 2004 | 11 | 5% |
| 2003 | 7 | 5% |
| 2002 | 7 | 7% |
| 2001 | 24 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2005 Kia Optima
66 complaintsElectrical system
29 complaintsAir bags
22 complaintsBody and structure
22 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Kia Optima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology