2005 Kia Optima Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2005 Kia Optima has 144 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 7, ranking 15th worst out of 16 model years. Its verdict is capped at Good rather than Best because complaint records for 2005-2009 are less complete.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 7/100
- #15 of 16 Optima years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 144
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 6
- Top issue
- Structure & Body
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21.5
- 18.5 city / 26.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
Top 2005 Kia Optima problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in some rear-end and head-on collisions despite significant impact force.
- Some drivers reported a steering mechanism issue that caused the vehicle to veer to the right and lose control.
- Owners described smoke coming from under the dashboard near the cigarette lighter area while driving.
- Automatic headlights on some cars blocked the driver from manually switching to high beams.
- The check engine light illuminated repeatedly even after the dealership found no diagnostic codes.
- Some vehicles stalled intermittently at low speed and lost transmission fluid along with acceleration lag.
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 reliable?
- NHTSA data shows 144 complaints and a complaint index of 7, ranking 15th worst out of 16 Optima model years, which is relatively low. The verdict is Good, though it is capped from a higher rating because complaint records for 2005-2009 are less complete.
- What is the top problem area for the 2005 Kia Optima?
- Structure & Body complaints make up 59 percent of reports (85 of 144 complaints), with a median mileage at failure of 80,000 miles.
- Does the 2005 Kia Optima have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2005 Kia Optima.
- How does the 2005 Optima compare to later years like 2013?
- The 2005 model has a complaint index of 7 versus 100 for the 2013 model, which carries an Avoid verdict and 9 recalls.
- What mileage do 2005 Optima problems typically show up at?
- The overall median mileage at failure is 76,000 miles, with Electrical System issues appearing later at a median of 97,009 miles.