2005 Kia Optima Recalls, Complaints & Specs
No safety recalls list the 2005 Kia Optima, and owners have filed 144 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
No safety recalls on record
NHTSA's recall database lists no safety campaigns that include the 2005 Kia Optima. That is good news, with two caveats: recalls can be issued at any time (this page refreshes daily), and a recall filed under a related model name may not appear here. The VIN check above queries NHTSA directly for your exact vehicle.
144 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2005 Kia Optima have filed 144 complaints with NHTSA; 7 describe a crash and 1 describe a fire. Reports cite 6 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 81,078 miles. Complaints peaked in 2011 with 27 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 22, 2022 · Latches/locks/linkages
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, April 18, 2022 · Structure
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2005 Kia Optima. Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 21–23 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 18–20 / 25–28 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Midsize Cars |
| Engine | 4/6 cyl, 2.4/2.7 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd |
Compare Kia Optima model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Kia Optima model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 Kia Optima | 3 | 143 |
| 2002 Kia Optima | 3 | 107 |
| 2003 Kia Optima | 2 | 141 |
| 2004 Kia Optima | 1 | 225 |
| 2005 Kia Optima | 0 | 144 |
| 2006 Kia Optima | 2 | 155 |
| 2007 Kia Optima | 2 | 167 |
| 2008 Kia Optima | 3 | 144 |
| 2009 Kia Optima | 1 | 116 |
| 2010 Kia Optima | 1 | 75 |
| 2011 Kia Optima | 5 | 593 |
| 2012 Kia Optima | 5 | 919 |
| 2013 Kia Optima | 9 | 1,383 |
| 2014 Kia Optima | 7 | 589 |
| 2015 Kia Optima | 4 | 1,009 |
| 2016 Kia Optima | 5 | 756 |
| 2017 Kia Optima | 3 | 256 |
| 2018 Kia Optima | 2 | 232 |
| 2019 Kia Optima | 1 | 210 |
| 2020 Kia Optima | 0 | 148 |
Checking a specific 2005 Kia Optima
How do I know if my 2005 Kia Optima has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Kia dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number.
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Kia models
- Sorento10,183 complaints
- Soul5,553 complaints
- Sportage4,699 complaints
- Forte2,553 complaints
- Sedona2,410 complaints
- Telluride2,026 complaints
- Sephia1,705 complaints
- Rio1,291 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.