2005 Kia Optima Latches, locks and linkages Problems
- Complaints
- 66about this part
- Share
- 46%of 144 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 74,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 66 complaints about the latches, locks and linkages of the 2005 Kia Optima, 46% of the 144 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 74,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10560045, filed 2014-01, 66,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10595005, filed 2014-05, 97,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10618806, filed 2014-08, 111,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10494879, filed 2013-01, 160,000 miles“I recently bought a 2005 Kia Optima and about the fifth time I drove it I went to the store and was stuck inside the door will not lock or unlock from inside or out then finally it does but I never know when its goin to work or not ..this is crazy and lots of people are having problems with this why hasn't it been recalled.”
NHTSA complaint #10404530, filed 2011-06, 145,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10109777Nov 4, 2016TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners utilized in various Kia models are strictly intended for ?one time use?. Though not limited…
Latches, locks and linkages: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2 | 1% |
| 2018 | 1 | 0% |
| 2017 | 1 | 0% |
| 2016 | 3 | 0% |
| 2013 | 2 | 0% |
| 2012 | 2 | 0% |
| 2010 | 3 | 4% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 2 | 1% |
| 2006 | 27 | 17% |
| 2005 | 66 | 46% |
| 2004 | 81 | 36% |
| 2003 | 53 | 38% |
| 2002 | 12 | 11% |
| 2001 | 15 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2005 Kia Optima
29 complaintsAir bags
22 complaintsBody and structure
22 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsEngine cooling
6 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 30, 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