2005 Kia Optima Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
7/100
#15 most-complained of 16 Optima years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2005 Kia Optima has 144 owner complaints and 0 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 7 out of 100 — #15 highest of 16 Optima model years (verdict: Best). The most reported problem area is structure & body (85 complaints, 59% of the total). Complaints report 7 crashes, 1 fire, and 6 injuries.
- Complaints
- 144
- Recalls
- 0
- Crashes / fires
- 7 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21.5
- 18.5 city / 26.5 hwy
Top 2005 Kia Optima problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Structure & Body85 (59%)
- Electrical System31 (22%)
- Airbags22 (15%)
- Fuel System10 (7%)
- Other8 (6%)
- Engine6 (4%)
- Seat Belts3 (2%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (2%)
- Brakes2 (1%)
- Steering2 (1%)
2005 Kia Optima recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2005 Kia Optima fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18.5 MPG
- Highway
- 26.5 MPG
- Combined
- 21.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,025
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other Optima years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Kia Optima a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 Kia Optima ranks #15 of 16 among Optima model years (Complaint Index 7/100, verdict: Best). It has 144 complaints and 0 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Kia Optima?
- The most reported problem areas are structure & body (85 complaints), electrical system (31 complaints), and airbags (22 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 76,000 miles.
- Does the 2005 Kia Optima have any recalls?
- No safety recall campaigns list the 2005 Kia Optima in NHTSA’s recall database at the time of the last data update.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2005 Kia Optima?
- EPA rates the 2005 Kia Optima at 21.5 MPG combined (18.5 city / 26.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,025. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.