2005 Kia Optima Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 22about this part
- Share
- 15%of 144 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 22 complaints about the body and structure of the 2005 Kia Optima, 15% of the 144 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. I drove the car home and after 2 hours it will not unlock.”
NHTSA complaint #10817234, filed 2015-12, 155,000 miles“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“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 complaints about this problem. I had my two year old grandson in the back seat and was very worried about getting stuck in the car. If this happens again, I will sell the car. There seem to be a lot of electrical problems on this car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10654169, filed 2014-11, 80,000 miles“I have a 2005 Kia Optima. I have not even had the car for three years and am having a major problem. Approximately six months ago my driver side door would not open. I could not afford to have the car repaired until last week. I picked the car up yesterday and did not drive it for half an hour when the door would not open again. I paid almost $400 and the door still will not open. It is back in the shop and my mechanic does not seem to be able to fix the problem. Can anyone tell me how to fix this before something tragic happens to me and my son because of this vehicle? …”
NHTSA complaint #10302461, filed 2010-01, 68,000 miles“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 often written up online, the part required to repair the vehicle is sold on ebay by multiple sellers always.”
NHTSA complaint #10694950, filed 2015-03, 56,650 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10201529Sep 13, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this…
- 10031006Jun 1, 2009Kia: during a service procedure that requires the subframe to be removed from a 2001-2005 optima (ms) (v-6 or I-4), an improved service procedure has been developed to enhance…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 14 | 7% |
| 2018 | 7 | 3% |
| 2017 | 5 | 2% |
| 2016 | 41 | 5% |
| 2015 | 76 | 8% |
| 2014 | 48 | 8% |
| 2013 | 127 | 9% |
| 2012 | 39 | 4% |
| 2011 | 21 | 4% |
| 2010 | 2 | 3% |
| 2009 | 4 | 3% |
| 2008 | 5 | 3% |
| 2007 | 4 | 2% |
| 2006 | 12 | 8% |
| 2005 | 22 | 15% |
| 2004 | 42 | 19% |
| 2003 | 25 | 18% |
| 2002 | 30 | 28% |
| 2001 | 35 | 24% |
Other parts of the 2005 Kia Optima
66 complaintsElectrical system
29 complaintsAir bags
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 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