Kia Optima Open Hood Instructions
Reviewed/Verified by:
Need to find out how to open your Kia Optima hood? Learn the step-by-step procedure for opening the hood of your Kia Optima by following the methods below.
At a Glance
- Inside release: under the dashboard on the driver side
- Outside catch: slide the tab above the Kia emblem while lifting
- Hood support: gas struts hold the hood open
- Time: under a minute
- Stuck hood: press down on the hood while a helper pulls the release
Procedure
- Unlock your Kia vehicle and open the driver’s door.
- Pull the hood release located under the dashboard.
- Go to the front of the car.
- Unlock the hood latch by sliding your hand under the hood and sliding the tab above the emblem.
- Pull the hood up until the hydraulic hood struts are up.
If the hood doesn’t stay up, follow our tutorial on replacing the hood strut supports on a Kia Optima.
For more help with your Kia, check these troubleshooting and repair guides.
🔧 Find out what is actually wrong before you pay someone to guess
Dealer level diagnostics at home with the YOUCANIC UCAN-II Pro.
- ✔ Covers most makes and models, including many luxury brands. Send us your VIN and we will confirm your car before you order
- ✔ Reads every module, not just the engine, so you find the faults a basic reader says are not there
- ✔ Commands the car: test a fan or pump, bleed ABS, retract an electronic parking brake, register a battery
- ✔ No subscriptions. Free lifetime updates, so the price you pay is the whole price
- ✔ Backed by real mechanics in the USA you can email before and after you buy
Featured in The Wall Street Journal
Hood Will Not Open?
- Release pulls but the hood stays shut: have someone pull the release while you press down firmly on the hood above the latch.
- Release handle feels loose: the cable may have snapped or come off the handle; the latch can sometimes be reached through the grille.
- Hood pops but will not lift: slide the safety catch above the emblem sideways while lifting.
- Hood will not stay up: the gas struts are worn and need replacing.
Car locked with a dead key fob? See how to unlock a Kia Optima with a dead battery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the hood release on a Kia Optima?
Under the dashboard on the driver side, near the left kick panel. Pull it, then release the catch above the emblem.
Why will my Kia Optima hood not stay up?
The hood gas struts are worn out. Replace them in pairs.
What do I do if the hood release cable breaks?
The latch can sometimes be released through the grille or from underneath with a long tool. A shop can open it if you cannot reach it.
