KIA Optima Air Bags Problems
Owners have filed 563 complaints with NHTSA about air bags problems on the KIA Optima across 20 model years. The 2007 model year has the most (65). The words owners use most often: “air bag” (45% of reports).
- 563air bags complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 153mention a crash
- 107mention an injury
- 5related recalls
- $1,750typical repair cost reported by owners
- 30%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Air bag: mentioned in 255 of 563 complaints (45%)
- Passenger seat: mentioned in 51 of 563 complaints (9%)
- Clock spring: mentioned in 46 of 563 complaints (8%)
- Bags deploy: mentioned in 46 of 563 complaints (8%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical air bags repair on the KIA Optima at $1,750, and half of them between $650 and $2,400.
Based on 31 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2007–2022), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do air bags problems happen?
Based on 369 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 563 complaints, 153 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 107 an injury.
KIA Optima air bags complaints by model year
| Model year | Air Bags complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Optima | 7 | 5% | 21,148 |
| 2019 Optima | 12 | 6% | 14,084 |
| 2018 Optima | 9 | 4% | 46,000 |
| 2017 Optima | 5 | 2% | 24,989 |
| 2016 Optima | 23 | 3% | 28,581 |
| 2015 Optima | 26 | 3% | 66,000 |
| 2014 Optima | 16 | 3% | 48,000 |
| 2013 Optima | 62 | 4% | 85,700 |
| 2012 Optima | 48 | 5% | 84,000 |
| 2011 Optima | 31 | 5% | 98,000 |
| 2010 Optima | 17 | 23% | 63,125 |
| 2009 Optima | 28 | 24% | 70,100 |
| 2008 Optima | 57 | 40% | 51,887 |
| 2007 Optima | 65 | 39% | 75,000 |
| 2006 Optima | 46 | 30% | 50,000 |
| 2005 Optima | 22 | 15% | 55,000 |
| 2004 Optima | 26 | 12% | 57,500 |
| 2003 Optima | 17 | 12% | 60,000 |
| 2002 Optima | 19 | 18% | 49,000 |
| 2001 Optima | 27 | 19% | 81,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (5)
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module
Model years: 2011, 2012, 2013
Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.
Risk: If the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Fix: Kia will notify owners. For model year 2011 Sedona vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to verify the ACU part number and, if necessary, install an extension wire harness kit between the ACU Connector and the Vehicle Harness Connector. For all other affected vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to install the extension wire harness kit. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC165.
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Model years: 2016
Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) has recalled one 2016 Optima vehicle. In this vehicle, the end seal for the driver's frontal air bag inflator may not have been properly installed, possibly resulting in reduced inflation of the frontal air bag in the event of a crash.
Risk: In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate fully increases the risk of injury.
Fix: The affected vehicle was remedied on January 10, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC143.
Air bags:frontal
Model years: 2016
Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Optima vehicles manufactured November 10, 2015, to February 12, 2016. In these vehicles, a chemical enhancer required for the for the second stage deployment of the driver's frontal air bag was not loaded, resulting in the second stage not deploying in necessitating crashes.
Risk: If the second stage air bag does not deploy it increases the risk of injury or death.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on May 6, 2016. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC131.
Air bags:frontal
Model years: 2006, 2007, 2008
Problem: Kia motors america, inc. (kia) is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 kia optima vehicles manufactured from september 29, 2005, through january 29, 2008, and model year 2007 and 2008 kia rondo vehicles manufactured from september 13, 2006, through march 21, 2008. The clock spring contact assembly for the driver's side air bag supplemental restraint system (srs) may become damaged through usage over time. If the clock spring contact assembly becomes damaged, the driver's air bag electrical circuit will experience a high resistance condition potentially causing the driver's air bag to not deploy.
Risk: If the clock spring develops high resistance, in the event of a crash, the drivers air bag will not deploy and will not be able to properly protect the driver, increasing the risk of injuries.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the vehicle's air bag clock spring contact assembly, free of charge. The safety recall began on july 11, 2012. Owners may contact kia customer assistance center at 1-800-333-4542.
Air bags:side/window
Model years: 2001
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The side air bag wire harness for the driver position could be mis-routed, which could result in it being pinched or cut by the seat cushion tilt mechanism.
Risk: Damage to the wire harness could result in the side air bag not deploying in an accident.
Fix: Dealers will check for proper routing of the side air bag wire harness and secure it in place with a plastic tie-wrap. If the wire harness is damaged, it will be replaced. Owner notification is expected to begin during may 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact kia at 1-800-333-4542.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Air bag light is on the panel & is not enabled & buttons on steering wheel that adjust the volume and stations have stopped working unless the steering wheel is turned all the way to the left. Believe it is a faulty spring in the steering wheel.
I own a 2013 Kia Optima SXL. While the vehicle was parked and there was no collision, crash, impact, or other event that should have caused the airbags to deploy, the airbags unexpectedly deployed on their own. The deployment caused damage to the vehicle, including damage to the windshield. The…
I owe a lady made a complete stop in front of me and I hit her. I wasnât traveling close behind her. Her car was not damaged at all, but my Kia was totaled from the front. They had to cut the car off because it was smoking like it was gonna catch a fire. Iâve been had this sign on my car the…
The contact owns a 2007 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving, the airbag warning light remained illuminated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V014000 (Air Bags); however, the contact stated…
I was run off the road by a drunk driver I hit a tree at 35MPH MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY NOR DID MY SEAT BELT LOCK!!!! I NOW HAVE MULTIPLE INJURIES I HAVE BROKEN BONES ALL THROUGHOUT MY FACE!!!!! A SEVERE CONCUSSION!!!!! Any time I call the the customer care center and try and get information or…
Frequently asked questions
Do all KIA Optimas have air bags problems?
No. NHTSA has 563 owner complaints about air bags for the KIA Optima. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the KIA Optima air bags?
Yes: 5 safety recalls list air bags. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix air bags problems on the KIA Optima?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,750 (half paid between $650 and $2,400), from 31 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about air bags problems on the KIA Optima?
The most frequent phrase is “air bag”, in 255 of 563 complaints, followed by “passenger seat” (51).
Other KIA Optima problems
- Engine problems (3,164)
- Electrical System problems (936)
- Steering problems (758)
- Structure problems (559)
- Power Train problems (508)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (381)
- Exterior Lighting problems (359)
- Service Brakes problems (314)
See all KIA Optima problems.