The Lemon Index2005 Kia Optima.
The 2005 Kia Optima is better than average by owner complaints: 20 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 64, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about airbags, it has 0 recalls, and it gets 21 to 23 mpg combined. The best Kia Optima year is 2017.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 144 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Kia Optima year. 2005 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 59K to 99K miles on the car (112 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- doors, locks & latches complaints mostly came at 65K–98K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 80K–138K miles
Recalls 0
No safety recalls on record.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Kia told dealers about
Kia sent dealers 22 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- This bulletin provides information relating to an engine hesitation or the illumination of the…
- Intermittent mil on with no fault code stored; information about dtc p1330
- Improved timing belts for the kia rio and optima
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedLoss of motive power2022–2023
- ClosedThrottle control system vulnerabilities2021–2023
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover ★★★★★
Fuel cost and engines
About $2800–3050 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Continuing problem with air bag light on vehicle. Reported to dealer 9-25-06, 1-4-07, 8-7-07, 3-25-08. Air bag light remains on.
2005 Kia Optima owner · NHTSA complaint 10239911
More owner reports
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle intermittently stalled without warning. The vehicle restarted each time and was taken to the dealership. The dealership was unable to determine the problem.
NHTSA complaint 10168515
Quick answers
Is the 2005 Kia Optima reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.6× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 64; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Kia Optima year by this measure is 2017.
What are the most common 2005 Kia Optima problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (40%), engine (20%) and fuel system, gasoline (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Kia Optima have?
None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Kia Optima get?
21 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Kia Optima problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 59,000 and 99,800 miles. The middle report was at 76,000 miles, from 112 complaints.
Does the 2005 Kia Optima have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2005 Kia Optima cost in fuel a year?
About $2800 to $3050 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Kia Optima have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl.
What Kia Optima year is better than the 2005?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2017, 2019 and 2020.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works