How to fix a broken door latch on a 2003 Kia Optima 

You are THE MAN! I've been fiddling with this for hours trying to figure what was binding and preventing the unlock arm from moving out of the way of the door handle arm on the latch. That little "square" is VERY hard to see when your door is stuck shut and youre looking down the window. But when I saw your video (only video of tons I've seen that was helpful) and saw that little square, I knew immediately what to do and got the door open instantly. Just needed the tiny amount of guidance. I'll make a full video at my shop later to help others with this. Thanks dude you're the man 👊

(2003 kia optima lx) seriously thank you for figuring this defect out for ALL of us... had to tear the inside of the door panel off to even get the door open. gonna work all this out and grind that piece.

I appreciate your good help many viewers !!

Just wanted to say thanks a million for posting this video. I fixed my fiancee's '05 Optima's door latch with your help. Your solution was pretty ingenious. Actually getting the latch mechanism out of the door wasn't particularly easy, though. You should totally do another video covering that if you get a chance.

it did help very much. fixed this all because of you. you the man.

Thanks for this video! I've been fighting my door for almost 3 years. It got so bad I made so I couldn't lock it with a couple of screws. What a simple fix. I can lock my car again YEAH!!!! Thanks again!

Just fixed the driver door on my 2006 Optima with your help. Thank you so much!

You are a rock star! Thanks for the post. My door now works like a champ. Live long and prosper.

Man you're great explaining, and believe me that I couldn't find how this thing works, but now it will be easy I think! Thank you!

I had the same problem with my 2005 Kia Optima...I did the exact mod and it worked like a charm. Kudos!!

If you're having trouble opening your door in order to remove the door panel, try turning the key in the lock (from the outside, obviously) and pulling the handle at the same time. If the key won't turn (as mine wouldn't), try inserting the key all the way, pulling it out just a tiny bit, and turning. It probably won't work right away, but if you keep trying to jiggle the key and pulling the handle, it should eventually work. It had been a couple of months since the last time I could open the driver's-side door and this technique worked for me, so don't give up! Also, fuck you, Kia. Sincerely, me.

Thanks, this works! The R&R process is one of the worst I've ever done, and I've had a lot of door panels off.

thanks for this video. it's really help me with a stuck door. now i can get the needed fix for the lock system!

Thanks for the info! I fixed a 2006 Kia Optima with this issue. I also think that it is important for others to know that they can open the locked door by pulling up on door handel (may take several tries) while it’s unlocking at same time catching it before it re-locks because some guys are having a hard time and really tearing the car door up just trying to get the door open.

WORKS GREAT!!! Don't need to disassemble latch assembly to Dremel. Thanks for the help man

"Don't know anything about cars"??? Maybe you should work at a Kia service shop. OUTSTANDING WORK! My mother-in-laws 07 Optima is doing the same thing on her drivers door. I knew it was something mechanical not electrical because it was audibly workin with the fob and key. But it was sticking and working intermittently. GREAT JOB BUD!!!!!!

Thank you for problem solving this problem. I removed the door panel and was able to remove the assembly and file down the latch. Now the door works great. It took 3hrs. from start to finish. If I had to do it again, I could complete the task in about half that time.

Im currently dealing with this in my 2004 Kia Optima. I had it fixed before but it started back up again , luckily I removed the door cover screws but forgot to pull the fuse to the auto locks and now its all locked up again on top of a few other basicas problems. Just had a cam sensor replaced and the battery wont charge on top of this door problem. If I could only get the door open it would save me so much. Ill probably be checking back on this a few times before this is all said and done. Wish me luck and tanks for the video . Now time to watch the other one on how to get the thing open

I tried it, it worked, Thanks a lot, this helped me make some money this weekend.

thanks a million mate you saved my ass from havin to go to the shop. i had the exact same problem on my 04 kia optima lx

Thanks! Worked great. BTW for the people who cant get the door open and have to take the panel off, you can do it without tearing anything up. I used an L shaped screw driver to remove the back two screws. Also remove the one in the inside handle. With the window down,pry back on the black part on top to get it out of the window track. Mine came off but thats fine you can put it back together later. With the window up, reach down to the back left part of the latch and push over to open the door

This just happened tonight to me on my '02 Rio. Now I know how to fix it thanks!!

Excellent advice, just used it to fix my 05 Optima.

Thanks for putting this up here, just fixed on my UK Kia Magentiis. You can actually get the whole lock assembly out of the door without having to unhook any of the rods btw, it all comes out as one through the hole left by the door handle. It's pretty easy really.

Thanks for sharing this video... thumbs up...

Thank you so much for sharing this video, I too was able to fix this issue by dremeling the shit out of the part that was getting stuck. unfortunately before I watched the video I thought a lil lube would help this issue, but it made it worse and I had to pop open a piece of the door panel with the door stuck closed. when I finally got the door to open after popping a piece of the panel off everything went pretty smooth. thanks a lot, not sure what I would have done without the help of your video.

I have that problem, great vid

Thanks =) Glad it helped

thanks man that really helped even thou my car is a 2004

Great video Thanks.

thanks - going to try this Any tricks I need to know about to get the trim off?

This is all fine and good; but how do you get that latch out of the door ?????

Thanks squid for the help... however I'll add a bit that worked well for me.if the door is closed and cant be opened, try unlocking/locking the door and trying to open it simultaneously. I opened the door within a few minutes of playing with it using this method, I got lucky and the mechanism freed itself. now with the latch mechanism out of the door, instead of grinding the tab that releases the door latch, I made 2 bends on the arm that pushes said tab instead. The goal is to create a gap between the arm and the tab that squid ground down. This can be done with some pliers and negates the need for any grinding. hope this helps.

how do you get the unit out and on to work bench

Good job but my problem is that when I slide my side door shut it doesn't latch and the door won't stay closed. I've been watching RU-vid videos trying to find one that covers this issue but no luck yet. I live in Canada and these Kias seem to hate cold winters, as soon as the temp drops around zero none of the latches and locks work right. Nice going Kia

awesome! i have to slap my door a couple times to release that sucker.. :( I´ll try to disassembly the door latch to fix it! Thanks!

I NEED A STEP BY STEP TO GET THE ACTUATOR OUT OF THE DOOR! I am desperate right now!

I have a 2003 Kia Optima, having the exact same problem. Was getting the mechinism out of the door panel difficult? How did you get it out ???

Great video! But HOW DO I GET THE ACTUATOR OUT??? One rod to the yellow plastic will NOT disconnect. I've been trying for hours!

Really wish you remembered how you opened the door before you did the fix lol. My 04 optima is having the same problem, I was able to open the door the first time it did this with some finagling of the key and handle at the same time, and I just left it unlocked. Yesterday I accidentally locked it now I'm screwed for now lol. But once I am able to open the door I will definitely be doing this.

How did you take off the door panel with the door being closed?

This is a great video and I believe it will help The issue is that I can't get my door open to take the paneling off Can it be taken off without the door being open It cost 400 to get this done at the dealership when they shouldve recalled this a long time ago I've been stuck inside several times and I now I'm reduced to climbing over my seat Please let me know if I can do this with the door closed Thanks

This seems the closest to the issue I'm having. I already changed the lock actuator and it didn't work so I assume this is the culprit.

i ve tried to unscrew the latch but i ve not be able to. someone has a good advise to unscrew the latch?

How do you take off the door latch?

I got the same problem now but for the driver door haven’t got the time to fix it yet just bought the car not to long ago locked the door and boom

This is totally my issue... I've taken the label of and everything. Figured out the whole thing about the little lever thingy I just can't fix it 😒

To those who are asking: I honestly don't remember how i got the door opened after it jammed. I think i removed the trim on the inside of the car and managed to get a screwdriver into the latch to open it.

OMG different year 2005 different lock kia rio lx but the exact same issue the door lock stopped working. Power locks when trying to unlock with key, electric button or manually it would reengage the lock i could open all the doors save vs the drivers door (and hoppin the seat got old fast) once i got into panel not easy btw 1 screw is on the locks side at top almost impossible to undo. I could see the piece that was stuck and manually moved it back into place then i could open the door and remove the panel completely as one screw is under the covers while door is closed. this has fixed it temporarly as long as i unlock the door before moving the handle i am ok if i move the handle i have to reach in and push the piece back into place tomorrow i an removing lock for full fix ... (hunny wheres the power cord for the dremel) I will see if i remember to leave a comment tomorrow maybe a few pics Thanks for the video of how the lock works

Just try not to get frustrated lol. Also be careful not to break the plastic rod connectors inside the door while taking it apart. If you do its not the end of the world but it may result in driving to autozone with your door tied closed.

thanks.to dam.crooks.we.got.lock.the.door

I just ordered a replacement part for the drivers side door for a 2005 Kia Optima. The part number is 81310-3C001. The original part number is 81310-3C000. I'm hoping that the new part number indicates a change or improvement in the part? As best I can tell, this replacement part will work for the 2000-2006 Kia Optima. I ordered it for $26.00 to the door and I bought it here: www.koraps.com/shop/item.php?it_id=1265049 Thanks for making this video and I hope my part numbers can help someone else :)

Took my get fix kia dealer charge me 900$ get fix, 2004 kia optima 2 front doors don't Open