Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (door latches, locks, hood and tailgate latches).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Kia Optima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 to the failure, the contact was unable to take the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Kia Optima. While attempting to exit the vehicle, the door's failed to unlock. The contact had to exit through the sun roof. The contact also stated that he was able to unlock the front passenger side door from outside of the vehicle; however, the front driver's door was inoperable. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
Both low beam headlights blow out simultaneously. When this happened, high beams (separate bulbs and switch) would only work sporadically (switched 'on', nothing. Switched again, May come 'on', turned 'off' then 'on' May or May not come on). Dealer states 'it happens, they burn out', yet said the battery needed to be replaced.(?) non warranty, so you pay. Another complaint on the same car year/make/model, same issue, has already been filed with you. In addition, 'google' search shows many entries for this same problem on Kia and Hyundai vehicles (same manufacturer) over many models/years. Signs point to possible defective charging of battery by vehicle's electrical system (maybe why they replaced the battery at the same time). Battery was previously fine. …
Starting approx. July 28, the front passenger lock began acting up, giving a lot of resistance when trying to turn the key to lock or unlock the door. Then yesterday, about eight days later, the problem moved to the drivers side door where now I cannot open the door from the inside or the outside at all. When I open from the outside, it just re-locks the door without opening the door. On the inside, there is absolutely no response. I have read other people with the same problem and it seems to be a wide-spread problem for Kia cars. This can be a real safety hazard in that if for some reason I needed to exit the car quickly, I would be stuck inside. Right now my only way of entering or exiting the vehicle is climbing in from the passenger side or through the window. …
Much like the countless complaints I've read, my 2005 Kia Optima lx has a default in the driver side and now the passenger side doors. About a month ago my driver side door stopped opening. Sure I could hear the doors electronically unlocking.. But still could not open my driver side door from the inside or outside. Finding out this was going to run me about 300-400 dollars I waited to see if it was something I could fix... My friend and I removed both panels after having to slim jim and push and pull the door open. We looked at both door insides and saw no difference and nothing that seemed to be broken, bent or unattached. Of coarse as I drove a way my locks locked again.. So I was back to climbing out my passenger side. As of yesterday my passenger side is now doing the same thing.. They say im up to 500 now and nothing is covered by warranty. Im thinking, really!!?? …
I became entrapped in my 2005 Kia Optima when I accidentally hit the lock. Its been an issue before. While its dangerous to keep it unlocked, I chose that over being locked out or being locked in. Last night my elbow hit the lock as I parked. I had my coworker come pull the handle while I pushed the unlock button. While it has worked after several tries in the past, it just wouldn't give in. I then, had my coworker try the passenger side and it popped. I'm now reduced to climbing over from the passenger side door. While its painful and timely, its not as bad as climbing over the back. I've had to do that when I had no one to call for help. It's so dangerous not being able to get out of your car when you're ready. Its also horrible to think about your vehicle not being there when you come outside because you left your doors unlocked for a car thief. …
I was leaving for some time off of work to go back to wisconsin and all of a sudden the driver door locked on me and I could not get it open. I took it to a dealer and they had to take the door off to fix it. Then it only remains fixed for about 3-4 times and it locks on me again and then I have to climb over the console and go through the passenger side. I was told that it is over 60,000 miles and I would have to pay to have it fixed and then I was also told that it would probably happen again. Common sense tells me that if it will happen again don't you think that it is a defect of some sort and the company Kia should be looking at a recall. What is it going to take? A nice law suit. I took my car where I get my oil changed and they again opened the driver door so to unlock the door so it could be opened. …
I have been researching the problem I have with my 2005 Kia Optima and I found out that I am not the only person with this issue. Therefore I saw it necessary for me to bring this to your attention. The door latches are malfunctioning. This is a major safety hazard because if the car ever caught fire or if the car ever went into a river, got flooded, or in a wreck it would be very difficult for the driver to get out of the car. My driver side door will not open, from the inside or the outside. It stays locked and even when you unlock the car, the door will not open. I currently had a baby and had to have a c-section. It was horrible having to climb in and out the car through the passenger side.... From researching this issue I have come across so many people that have had the same issue. Kia should recall the 2005 Optima.
I drive a 2005 Kia Optima. Yesterday when I came out to my car the door would not unlock. Everytime I put the key in and attempt to unlock the door, it locks back immediately. I tried to unlock and open the door from the inside as well but the door will no longer open. In order to get into or out of the vehicle I have to use the passenger side door. This is a major hazard if I were to be involved in an accident or if for some reason I need to exit my car immediately. I have 3 kids that I transport also and am terrified that something should happen. I have read the blogs that this is a typical issue but has not been recalled yet. I am going to take any action possible to insure that this issue is resolved since it is a malfunction on the part of a Kia part.
The doors lock and unlock by themselves. The two front doors will not open everytime I try to open them the doors lock up. I can not safely enter and exit my car. I have to go out the back seat but it takes some time to do so. Research on this shows that this is a common problem with Kia. If I were to get in an accident or a fire started I would not be able to get out of my car. Also I have a bulging disc in my back and this is starting to cause pain and it can cause my back to fully seize up again. I have contacted Kia and they are not willing to help because there is no recall on the item. This should be recalled because this is going to result in someone getting hurt or worse even death..
Door Lock & Latch complaints in other Optima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are door lock & latch problems on the 2005 Kia Optima?
NHTSA has 66 complaints about the locks & latches of the 2005 Kia Optima, 46% of the model year's 144 complaints. The component named most often is doors › latch (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Kia Optima door lock & latch problems?
No. NHTSA lists no locks & latches recall for the 2005 Kia Optima. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Kia Optima door lock & latch problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to locks & latches problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.