2003 Kia Optima vs 2005 Kia Optima
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2003 Kia Optima | 2005 Kia Optima |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 141 | 144 |
| Recall campaigns | 2 | 0 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 22 | 22 |
| Investigations | 0 | 2 |
| Crash reports | 8 | 7 |
| Fire reports | 2 | 1 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 21–23 | 21–23 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 84,226 mi | 78,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Kia Optima | Kia Optima |
|---|---|---|
| Latches/locks/linkages | 53 | 66 |
| Electrical System | 25 | 29 |
| Structure | 25 | 22 |
| Air Bags | 17 | 22 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 7 | 9 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 7 | 6 |
| Power Train | 8 | 3 |
| Suspension | 9 | 1 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Rust / corrosion | 10 | 0 |
| Airbag warning light | 0 | 14 |
| Stalling | 0 | 5 |
| Check engine light | 0 | 5 |
2003 Kia Optima
2005 Kia Optima
Compare all Kia Optima vs Kia Optima years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.