2007 KIA OPTIMA Air Bags Problems

67 complaints about Air Bags

67
Complaints
7
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Deaths

High Severity Issue

This component has been associated with crashes, fires, or deaths.

This Problem Across All Years

All Air Bags Complaints (67)

Jan 31, 2023 Crash

2007 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING COLLISION. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND TAKEN TO THE JUNKYARD DUE TO THE PROGRAMMING DEFECT.

Sep 26, 2022 Crash

The contact owned a 2007 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at 5-10 MPH, the vehicle before her vehicle slowed down suddenly. The contact slammed the brakes and the air bags deployed and deflated. However, the brake pedal hesitated to respond and became soft, causing the contact to crash into the vehicle in front of her. The contact was unsure whether there were warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that it appeared that the air bag deployment overrode the brake system and caused the stopping distance delay. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was totaled. A police report was filed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The contact stated that what appeared to be a deflated airbag blocked her view of the road in the same moment that she slammed on the brakes. There was a delay in the brakes actually stopping the vehicle so as a result, her vehicle hit the vehicle in front of it. The vehicle is now a total loss. The contact was not aware that the dealer and manufacturer were supposed to be notified of this incident.

Nov 3, 2020

MY LOW BEAM LIGHTS HAVE NO VISIBILITY AND I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING ONLINE USED HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY BECAUSE IT COSTS $400 FOR BOTH SIDES THAT I DONT HAVE I REPLACED MY LOW AND HIGH BEAM BULBS THE HIGH BEAMS WORK JUST FINE BUT AS I WAS DOING RESEARCH A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL HAVE THE SAME REOCCURRING PROBLEM I SEEN WHERE THEY HAVE RECALLED 2011 AND UP FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT I GUESS DECIDED TO NOT WORRY ABOUT THE OLDER MODELS I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT BUT THAT IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION FOR WORK AND MY DAUGHTERS NOW IT IS GETTING DARKER EARLIER AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO DRIVE AROUND WITH MY BRIGHT LIGHTS ON AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF

Mileage: 200,000

Jan 24, 2020

THE AIR BAG JUST CAME ON A COUPLE DAYS AGO . IT HASN'T BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR ANYTHING. THE SUSPENSION IS ROUGH WHEN DRIVING OVER THE SMALLEST THING IN THE ROAD. SOMETIMES IT JUST MAKES A LITTLE JUMP WHEN IT TASKED GAS.

Mileage: 167,000

Apr 28, 2019

THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME 1 THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WILL SAY ON WITH AN ADULT SITTING IN THE SEAT!!1 VISORS DO NOT STAY UP! HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM . I'VE CHANGED THEM OUT TO A FEW DIFFERENT TYPES STILL DIM CANNOT SEE AT NIGHT

Mileage: 150

Mar 12, 2019

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. AT FIRST IT WOULD GO OFF AND ON WITH NO CODE. NOW IT STAYS ON WITH THE CODE P0420 FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. ALSO I HEARD ABOUT AN AIR BAG RECALL

Mileage: 187,000

Jun 22, 2018

AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND WON'T TURN OFF ... OTHER PROBLEM IS BOTH VISORS WON'T SPRING UP FLOPPED DOWN ... THE INTERNET IS BUZZING ABOUT KIA'S LACK OF CONCERN!!

Apr 17, 2018

TAKATA RECALL. MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON IN THE SUMMER OF 2017 AND HASN'T GONE OUT SINCE. I HAVE NEVER HIT ANYTHING TO MAKE THE AIR BAG LIGHT COME ON. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PLACES HOOK MY CAR TO THEIR TESTING MACHINES AND NOTHING COMES UP ON THEIR MACHINE.

Mileage: 138,000

May 10, 2017

DESPITE THERE BEING A VOLUNTARY WARRANTY EXTENSION ON THE PART OF KIA FOR THE OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT, THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE MINE BECAUSE THE CODE IT IS DISPLAYING IS NOT THE SAME AS THE CODE SPECIFIED IN THEIR VOLUNTARY EXTENSION. THE OCS MAT IN MY CAR DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND WHEN ADULTS ARE SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM REMAINS OFF.

Dec 16, 2016

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND MY DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG CAME ON. A FEW MONTHS PRIOR, WE HAD TO REPLACE THE O2 SENSOR BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. NOW ON THE SECOND DAY WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON! IS IT BAD WIRING, WILL MY AIRBAG NOT WORK? *TR

Mileage: 79,720

Nov 30, 2016

"TAKATA RECALL" I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND MY AIR BAG LIGHT JUST CAME ON. *TR

Mileage: 102,800

Nov 30, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOOSE PIN FITTING AIR BAG CONNECTOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

Mileage: 102,000

Nov 22, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER RESET THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG INDICATOR ON APPROXIMATELY THREE OCCASIONS, BUT THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR LESS THAN THIRTY MILES LATER. AFTER A RECENT OIL CHANGE, A DIFFERENT AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000. UPDATED 01/05/17*LJ

Mileage: 48,000

Aug 5, 2016

I HAD A RECALL ON THE AIRBAG APPX 5 YRS AGO (COULD BE LESS). I TOOK CSR IN AND MONTHS LATER THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND HASN'T WENT OFF. I'VE CHECKED IN RECALLS AND NOTHING INDICATED. SHOULD I BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST TO REPAIR, BEING I TOOK IT IN ONCE ON A RECALL AND SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN.. I PUT IN DATE BELOW BUT I DON'T KNOW WHEN IT HAPPENED..

Jul 1, 2016

I BOUGHT THIS KIA OPTIMA NEW. THE "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT WOULD FREQUENTLY ILLUMINATE, EVEN WHEN A PASSENGER WAS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I ASKED SEVERAL KIA DEALERSHIPS ABOUT THIS AT SEVERAL DIFFERENT TIMES, NOTHING WAS DONE ABOUT IT. NOW, AT ABOUT 73,000 MILES- THE RED "AIR BAG" LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON, AND STAYED ON PERMANENTLY. I TOOK IT IN TO THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP, THEY CHARGED ME OVER $100 TO DIAGNOSE, AND IF I HAD THE REPAIR DONE, THE DIAGNOSTIC WOULD BE WAIVED. THEY CALLED ME A FEW HOURS LATER AND INFORMED ME THAT THE OCS COMPUTER (NOT JUST THE OCS MAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, BUT THE ENTIRE COMPUTER) WAS NOT FUNCTIONING, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY SAID THIS WOULD COST IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF $2200. I DIDN'T HAVE THE DEALERSHIP DO THIS REPAIR FOR 2 REASONS... 1) BECAUSE THE CAR IS WORTH ONLY $2-3,000 IN THE FIRST PLACE. 2) BECAUSE EVEN IF I DID PAY THE DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR IT, WHO'S TO SAY THAT IT WOULD ACTUALLY BE FIXED? AFTER ALL, THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF AIR BAG LIGHTS IN KIA OPTIMAS, AND EVEN OF CRASHES WHERE THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. I'D EITHER LIKE THE AIRBAGS TO BE REPAIRED, OR GET RID OF THE CAR, BUT IT ONLY HAS 75,000 MILES ON IT, WHICH IS A SHAME. I CAN'T SELL IT TO ANYONE- WHO WANTS TO BUY A CAR WITHOUT AIRBAGS? OH, NOW THE TPMS SENSOR IS ON AS WELL. I DID TRY REPLACING THE FUSES TO THE AIRBAG SYSTEM AND THE TPMS SYSTEM, NEW FUSES DID NOT CHANGE ANYTHING. THE CAR ONLY HAS 75,000 MILES ON IT TODAY. IT IS STILL UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY, BUT NOT THE BUMPER TO BUMPER, WHICH WAS 5 YEARS AND 60,000 MILES. HOWEVER, I FEEL THAT AIRBAGS SHOULD BE COVERED.

Jun 27, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,419.

Mileage: 115,419

Feb 26, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSNGER SEAT SENSOR MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

Mileage: 104,000

Feb 18, 2016

I HAVE A 2006.5 KIA OPTIMA EX THAT HAD A SIX YEAR, SIXTY THOUSAND MILE FULL WARRANTY AND A TEN YEAR, ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. AT SOME POINT AFTER THE SIX YEAR WARRANTY EXPIRED, BUT PRIOR TO THE ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND MILE WARRANTY EXPIRATION, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I STARTED THE CAR. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO " DETERMINED INTERNAL FAILURE TO PASSENGER SEAT MAT $1875 TO REPAIR..." I DECLINED THE REPAIR DUE TO THE COST AND VALUE OF THE CAR AT THAT TIME. I AND SUGGESTED THAT THE COST OF REPAIR SHOULD BE ABSORBED BY KIA. I CALLED THE KIA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE NUMBER AND WAS TOLD THAT MY COMPLAINT WOULD BE REVIEWED BY MANAGEMENT AND THEY WOULD CONTACT ME REGARDING THEIR DECISION. I SUBSEQUENTLY HEARD BACK FROM KIA THAT THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THEY ADVISED ME THAT MY ONLY RECOURSE WAS TO CONTACT THE DEALER AND SEE IF THEY WOULD PROVIDE SOME SPECIAL DISCOUNT ON THE PURCHASE OF A NEW CAR. THIS WAS NOT A FEASIBLE ALTERNATIVE AT THE TIME. I AM NOW STUCK WITH A CAR THAT HAS A MAJOR SAFETY MALFUNCTION, AS INDICATED BY A BRIGHTLY ILLUMINATED WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH. THIS NOT ONLY AFFECTS THE SAFETY OF THE PASSENGER BUT DEPRECIATES THE VALUE OF THE CAR BY 50%. I REALIZE THAT MANY SYSTEMS ON AN AUTOMOBILE OVER THE YEARS, HOWEVER, THIS PARTICULAR MALFUNCTION IS UNACCEPTABLE. I THINK THE RECENT RECALL OF MILLIONS OF AUTOMOBILES FOR AIRBAG FAILURE, REGARDLESS OF AGE OR MILEAGE, DEMONSTRATES KIA'S CULPABILITY IN THIS CASE. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE YOU MAY PROVIDE.

Mileage: 90,000

Jan 20, 2016

I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON AIRBAG ISSUES PERTAINING TO THE 2007 KIA OPTIMA AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ON THIS SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE FILED NUMEROUS TIMES GOES ON DEAF EARS. I WILL BE SPEAKING TO SEN BILL NELSON ON HOW LONG IT TAKES FOR A RECALL TO BE ISSUES ESPECIALLY ON THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE SEEN COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUES PILING UP.

Mileage: 95,000

Jan 14, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

Mileage: 115,000

Sep 7, 2015

THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG DEACTIVATION LIGHT REMAINS LIT WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT. THIS PROBLEM HAS EXISTED FROM THE TIME WE PURCHASED THE CAR TO THE PRESENT. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT BUT FREQUENT, SO THERE IS NO TRUST THAT A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER IS PROTECTED AT ANY GIVEN TIME. WE WERE TOLD TO DRIVE THE CAR INTO THE DEALER WHEN THE LIGHT WAS ON, WHICH WE DID. DEALER QUESTIONED THE WEIGHT OF PASSENGER (NOT THE ISSUE), THEN REPLACED THE BLADDER IN THE SEAT AND SUGGESTED TO FRONT SEAT PASSENGER TO "SIT SQUARELY & PROPERLY" IN THE SEAT. THEN TOLD US WHEN THIS HAPPENS AGAIN, TO EXECUTE THE FOLLOWING SEQUENCE: STOP & TURN OFF CAR, UNDO SEAT BELT, GET OUT, GET BACK IN, CLOSE DOOR, BUCKLE UP AND RESTART CAR, "AND SEE IF THE LIGHT STAYS OFF". TOTALLY UNREALISTIC ON AN INTERSTATE OR IN TRAFFIC. SOMETIMES WE HAVE DONE THE RECOMMENDED SEQUENCE 4-5 TIMES BEFORE THE LIGHT STAYS OFF. INDICATOR MAY START OFF DARK AND THEN LIGHT UP AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, A HALF HOUR OR SEVERAL HOURS OF CONTINUOUS DRIVING. WE HAVE RETURNED TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE AND WERE TOLD THAT THE CAR WAS PERFORMING ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER SPECIFICATIONS. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE DRIVER AIR BAG BUT NOTHING FOR THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. THE INTERNET HAS PAGES AND PAGES OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. KIA TURNS A DEAF EAR OR THEY JUST DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX THIS. 8 YEARS OF THE SAME PROBLEM IS TOO LONG AND THERE IS NO WAY I CAN AFFORD A NEW CAR. SOMEBODY PLEASE PUSH THEM TO INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM AND FIND A SOLUTION BEFORE SOMEONE DIES.

Jun 20, 2015

I HAVE NOTIFIED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE TO NO AVAIL. I ALSO NOTIFIED NHTSA A WHILE BACK AND NO FOLLOW UP NOR ANY RECALLS. AFFECTED AREA IS FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT WHICH AFFECTED AND SHOWS AIR BAG IS OFF WHEN SOME IS SITTING ON THE SEAT. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL.

Mileage: 110,000

May 19, 2015 Crash

WHILE DRIVING ON HYWY 80 WEST, HIT BLACK ICE, LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE SPUN AND THEN FLIPPED END OVER END CAUSING EXTENSIVE IMPACT TO FRONT AND REAR OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH 6 AIR BAGS. NOT ONE OF THEM DEPLOYED!!!! BY THE GRACE OF GOD NO ONE WAS KILLED. THE TWO OCCUPANTS WERE INJURED AND HAD TO HAVE MEDICAL TREATMENT.

Mileage: 73,500

May 19, 2015 Crash

WHILE DRIVING ON HYWY 80 WEST, HIT BLACK ICE, LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE SPUN AND THEN FLIPPED END OVER END CAUSING EXTENSIVE IMPACT TO FRONT AND REAR OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH 6 AIR BAGS. NOT ONE OF THEM DEPLOYED!!!! BY THE GRACE OF GOD NO ONE WAS KILLED. THE TWO OCCUPANTS WERE INJURED AND HAD TO HAVE MEDICAL TREATMENT.

Mileage: 73,500

Apr 9, 2015

I JUST HAD THE CLOCK SPRING RECALL FIXED, AND I AM BEING TOLD THAT THE OCS SENSOR MAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THAT WILL COST ME $1600. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE OTHER OPTIMA OWNERS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS PART IN THE SAME YEAR RANGES ON THE RIO. I WOULD BET THEY USED THE SAME BRAND AND SENSOR IN PROBABLY ALL THE CARS IN THESE YEARS, SO WHY ONLY RECALL ONE MODEL ? THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THIS DUE TO THEM HAVING ONE RECALL OUT ALREADY. I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD PAY TO HAVE MY CAR REPAIRED WHEN RIO OWNERS DON'T FOR THE SAME SAFETY ISSUE. MY CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON. KIA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THIS SENSOR TO KEEP MY FAMILY SAFE WHILE DRIVING. THEY DESIGNED THIS FAULTY SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND DON'T HAVE AN AFFORDABLE WAY TO FIX IT. OTHER THAN THIS ISSUE MY CAR IN GREAT SHAPE. HOPING YOU WILL ADVOCATE FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR FAMILY. THANK YOU *TR

Mileage: 122,000

Mar 27, 2015 Crash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK , NECK AND LEFT ARM THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000. ....UPDATED 04/08/15 *BF

Mileage: 134,000

Nov 7, 2014

AIR BAG LIGHTS COM ON WITH NO ACCIDENTS INVOLVED. I CALLED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS MY ISSUE NOT THEIRS. I HAVE FILED PREVIOUS TIME AND YET NO ANSWER FROM ANYONE. KIA OWNER ARE BEING LEFT OUT ON THESE RECALLS ON AIR BAGS. THEY HAD IN THE PAST RECALLS ON THE SAME ISSUE. AIR BAGS. *TR

Aug 28, 2014

NUMEROUS TIMES I HAVE NOTIFIED KIA ON AIR ISSUES AND THEY FALL DEAF EARS. CAR WITH LESS THAN 100, 000 MILES AND AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. IT SEEMS THAT KIA HAS NO CONCERN ON AUTO SAFETY. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE ACTUALLY DIES FROM THIS DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. *TR

Mileage: 92,000

Jul 18, 2014

THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS HAVE NEVER WORKED PROPERLY. THE INDICATOR STAYS ON MOST OF THE TIME WHEN A PASSENGER IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. KIA DEALERS WERE TOLD ABOUT THIS OVER THE YEARS, BUT NOTHING WAS DONE ABOUT IT. THEY TRIED TO CONVINCE US THAT PASSENGER WAS NOT SITTING IN THE SEAT PROPERLY, AND NEEDED TO SIT A CERTAIN WAY FOR IT TO WORK.

Jul 13, 2014

BACK WHEN THE CLOCK SPRING HAD A RECALL WE HAD IT FIXED, SHORTLY AFTER THE REPAIR THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME BACK ON THEY TOLD US IT WAS UP TO US TO REPAIR WITH A COSTLY BILL. OUR STATE INSPECTION RAN OUT AND THE CAR WAS REJECTED DUE TO THE AIRBAG LIGHT BEING ON. THEY RAN DIAGNOSIS AND IT CAME BACK TO THE OCS SENSOR MAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THAT WILL COST ME $1800. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE OTHER OPTIMA OWNERS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS PART IN THE SAME YEAR RANGES ON THE RIO. I WOULD BET THEY USED THE SAME BRAND AND SENSOR IN PROBABLY ALL THE CARS IN THESE YEARS, SO WHY ONLY RECALL ONE MODEL ? THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THIS DUE TO THEM HAVING ONE RECALL OUT ALREADY. I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD PAY TO HAVE MY CAR REPAIRED WHEN RIO OWNERS DON'T FOR THE SAME SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

Jul 8, 2014

LIGHT TURNED ON FOR AIR BAG WHILE TURN VEHICLE ON. NO ACCIDENT. CALLED KIA ON THIS ISSUE. AND EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS BEFORE SC0094. AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WERE SORRY BUT THAT CAMPAIGN IS OVER. SO THEY SHOWED NO CONCERN ON AIRBAG SAFETY. UPDATED 3/18/2015 *JS.

Mileage: 89,000

Jul 12, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V014000 (AIR BAGS) BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000. *TR

Mileage: 79,000

Jun 24, 2013

AIR BAG SRS LIGHT STAYS ON.... TALKED TO DEALER.. THEY SAID KIA HAVEN'T RECALL THIS PART YET. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENOR IN THE SEAT NEED TO BE RESET. VEHICLE CAN'T PASS INSPECTION. *TR

Mileage: 89,933

May 31, 2013

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON/ WOULD NOT GO IN GEAR. *TR

Mileage: 80,100

Nov 5, 2012

I HAVE ALREADY TAKEN MY OPTIMA TO THE DEALER FOR THIS RECALL ALREADY AND THEY FIXED THE RECALL THE FIRST TIME, BUT I TOOK IT AGAIN LAST WEEK FOR THE SAME THING AND NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC FEE SO THEY CAN TELL ME WHAT THE PROBLEM IS ? THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE ME FOR SOMETHING THAT THEY KNOW WHAT IT IS AND IT IS A DEFECT AND THEY WANT ME TO PAY FOR IT. THIS A RECALL AND THEY NEED TO FIX IT AND NOT ME PAY FOR IT.... *TR

Mileage: 80,000

Oct 25, 2012

AIR BAG DASH BOARD LIGHT CAME ON. BEFORE THIS THE PASSENGER SENSOR WOULD BE HIT OR MISS. DEALERSHIP SAYS THERE IS A SHORT IN THE SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR $1400.00. IT COST ME $60 JUST FOR THEM TO TELL ME ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THERE ARE WAY TOO MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE FOR THIS TO BE OK. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

May 5, 2012

HOW MANY PEOPLE MUST LOSE THEIR LIVES IN ORDER FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO ISSUE A MANDATORY INSPECTION OF KIA MANUFACTURING PLANTS REGARDING AIR BAG FAILURES. I OWN TWO KIA VEHICLES AND BOTH OF THEM HAVE THE MAIN AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. A RECENT VISIT TO THE DEALER ADDED INSULT TO INJURY WHEN THEY INDICATED THAT IT WOULD COST $1500.00 TO REPLACE A PASSENGER SEAT DUE TO A INTERNAL SHORT OF THE OCS/MAT AIRBAG SYSTEM. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER ARE DRIVING VEHICLES WITH AIRBAG FAILURES FROM DAY ONE OF PURCHASE. KIA MUST BE STANDING IN LINE FOR FUTURE LAWSUITS. *TR

Dec 30, 2011

AT 63,000 MILES, THE RED AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ILLUMINATED. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AND THEY SAID THE ADULT/CHILD SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED OR NEITHER FRONT AIRBAG WOULD WORK. ESTIMATE WAS $1,600 PREPAID. PRIOR TO THIS, NO PROBLEM WITH AIRBAG SENSORS IN THIS VEHICLE. *KB

Mileage: 63,000

Dec 30, 2011

AT 63,000 MILES, THE RED AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ILLUMINATED. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AND THEY SAID THE ADULT/CHILD SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED OR NEITHER FRONT AIRBAG WOULD WORK. ESTIMATE WAS $1,600 PREPAID. PRIOR TO THIS, NO PROBLEM WITH AIRBAG SENSORS IN THIS VEHICLE. *KB

Mileage: 63,000

Oct 26, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,533 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,353.

Mileage: 40,533

Oct 7, 2011

2007 KIA OPTIMA AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAY ON AND WILL NOT GO OUT UNTIL THE ENGINE IS SHUTOFF. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS OF COMPLAINTS TO KIA CONCERNING THIS PROBLEMS.THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND KIA NEEDS TO FIX THE PROBLEMS. NHTSA PLEASE INVESTIGATED KIA AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT PROBLEMS. *TR

Jul 29, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING A FAULTY AIR BAG MODULE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS AND AIR BAG MODULE. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THEY COULD NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE FAULTY AIR BAG. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.

Mileage: 61,000

Jan 28, 2011

I HAVE A KIA OPTIMA 2007, I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW IN 2007. THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND THEY HAVE NOT FIXED IT UNDER WARRANTY AT ALL. ALSO THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON AND THEY WILL NOT FIX THAT AS WELL. I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE ROTORS ON THE CAR ONLY A YEAR INTO DRIVING IT. THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT THERE IS A CRASH WHICH IS A DANGER TO ME AND MY KIDS. I HAVE TRIED TO REASON WITH KIA AND THEY WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH ME AT ALL. *TR

Mileage: 55,000

Oct 27, 2010

MY 2007 KIA OPTIMA HAS HAD BOTH SUN VISORS BREAK MAKING THEM UNABLE TO REMAIN IN THE UPWARD POSITION. INITIALLY THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR BROKE AND SEVERAL MONTHS LATER THE PASSENGER SIDE BROKE. IT MADE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE TRAFFIC LIGHTS WHEN STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION SO I HELD THEM UP WITH STRAPS. NOW I CANT USE THEM TO BLOCK THE SUN. I WOULD REPLACE THEM BUT THEY ARE EXPENSIVE AND I FEEL THAT THIS PROBLEM SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED BECAUSE THEY WERE USED NORMALLY, I DO NOT ATTACH ANYTHING TO THE VISORS AND THEY WERE USUALLY UP. ADDITIONALLY WHEN I SIT IN THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON INDICATING THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO ONLY HAPPEN WHEN THERE IS NO OCCUPANT IN THE SEAT. IM NOT SURE WHY BUT IT ONLY SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN I AM IN THE SEAT. I WEAR MY SEATBELT AND SIT NORMALLY IN THE CHAIR. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE THE CAR WAS BOUGHT USED IN 2008. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

Sep 16, 2010

HOW MANY CONSUMERS HAVE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE AIR BAGS IN 2007 KIA OPTIMA (MOSTLY PASSENGER) BEFORE A RECALL IS ISSUED. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I'VE ALREADY BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO DEALER DURING WARRANTY PERIOD AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. WHAT IS THE POINT OF AIRBAGS IF THEY DON'T DEPLOY WHEN NEEDED? SOMEONE, IF NOT ALREADY, WILL BE SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE AIRBAGS, AND THOSE ARE JUST THE ONES THAT CONSUMERS TOOK THE TIME TO REPORT. WHAT ABOUT THE VISORS WITH THE DEFECTIVE INTERNAL PIECE THAT SHATTERS AND LEAVES THE VISORS IN A HANGING POSITION. THIS IS DANGEROUS!! THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN GOING ON SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED AND NO RECALL WAS EVER ISSUED. AGAIN, THESE ARE SEVERE SAFETY ISSUES. WHAT DOES IT TAKE AND HOW MANY COMPLAINTS AND INJURIES DOES IT TAKE TO HAVE A MANUFACTURER CORRECT A SAFETY ISSUE? *TR

Mileage: 45,000

Sep 15, 2010

PASSENGER AIR BAG DOES NOT ACTIVATE WHEN PASSENGER IS IN SEAT. BROUGHT IN TO DEALER, WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY, COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. PASSENGER VISOR BROKE AND HANGS IN LINE OF VISION. RESEARCHED AND FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE ON BOTH VISORS. THERE IS A DEFECTIVE PIECE USED IN THE ARM OF VISOR THAT SHATTERS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM, AS THE VISOR WILL NOT STAY IN UPRIGHT POSITION AND DROPS DOWN INTO LINE OF VISION. BOTH OF THESE ISSUES ARE A COMMON COMPLAINT OF THIS VEHICLE. VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, THEREFORE, CAN'T AFFORD TO REPAIR DEFECTIVE VISOR THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REDESIGNED WITH STRONGER PARTS. *TR

Mileage: 67,000

Sep 9, 2010

MY 2007 KIA OPTIMA SEEMS TO BE HAVING ISSUES WITH THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG AND RANDOMLY WITH THE RADIO/CRUISE CONTROL SETTING ON THE STEERING WHEEL. MY PROBLEMS DID NOT APPEAR TO START UNTIL AFTER THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED BACK IN OCTOBER OF 2009 DUE TO THE NOISES THAT WAS COMING FROM IT. THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS RECENTLY COME ON AND STAYS ON. ONE DEALER SAID THAT THE CODE THAT THEY WERE GETTING IS THAT CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AND WOULD NOT BE COVERED. ANOTHER DEALER STATES THAT THEY ARE NOT GETTING ANY CODES AND THE AIR BAG WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT $1200.00. THE NOISE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN CAN STILL BE HEARD AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS THE BEARING IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO ABOUT THAT. THE ISSUES WITH THE CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL IS RANDOM AND THE DEALER STATES THAT IT NEVER DUPLICATES FOR THEM. NOW THAT THE WARRANTY PERIOD IS OVER I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET EVEN THOUGH SOME OF THE ISSUES STARTED BEFORE THE WARRANTY WAS OUT AND IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE NOTED IN THEIR SYSTEM. KIA HEADQUARTERS OPEN UP A CASE WITH NO RESOLUTION OTHER THAN NO OF THE DEALERS CALLED THEIR HELPDESK FOR HELP OR MADE ANY CLAIMS OF MY ISSUES. THEY SUGGESTED THEY I TAKE THE CAR BACK AND HAVE THE DEALER CALL THEM AND REFERENCE THE CASE NUMBER. I HAVE CHECK TO SEE IF THERE HAS BEEN IN RECALLS ON MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE AND IT APPEARS TO HAVE NOT BEEN ANY. ALTHOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER KIA OWNERS TO POST THIS SAME ISSUES ON THE INTERNET AND BASICALLY HAVE THE SAME RESULTS THERE ARE STILL NO RECALLS. JUST THE DEALERS TRY THIS AND THAT. THE OWNERS PAYING FOR WHAT SUPPOSED TO BE THE RESOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM AND IT REALLY IS NOT. THE PROBLEM MAY GO AWAY FOR A WHILE AND THEN SHORTLY RETURN. IT IS MORE LIKE GETTING THE RUN AROUND WITH WASTED TIME AND MONEY. *TR

Sep 3, 2010

PURCHASED MY KIA OPTIMA NEW IN 07.. FOR THE PAST 5 MONTHS THE DASHBOARD AIR BAG SENSOR HAS BEEN ON. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR IT AND THAT MORE THAN LIKELY ITS JUST THE SENSOR AND THE AIR BAGS SHOULD DEPLOY WHEN THEY ARE SUPPOSE TO.. I ALSO WAS TOLD THAT IF THE LIGHT IS ON THAT MEANS THE AIR BAGS ARE NOT GOING TO DEPLOY. SO BASICALLY THERE IS NOTHING ANYONE CAN DO AND WHO KNOWS IF IT IS GOING TO WORK! *TR

Mileage: 75,000

Jun 17, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH A PASSENGER OCCUPYING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND WHEN THE CONTACT WOULD SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, THE LIGHT WOULD SHUT OFF. THE FAILURE PERSISTED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER SEVEN TIMES. TWO NEW SEAT BOTTOMS WERE REPROGRAMMED FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,851 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 23,013. UPDATED 08/11/10. *LJ UPDATED 08/17/10

Mileage: 14,851

Jan 20, 2010

WHEN MY WIFE SITS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE OF OUR KIA OPTIMA APPROXIMATELY 20% OF THE TIME THE "AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT NEVER TURNS OFF. WE HAVE FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE DEALER ON HOW TO PROPERLY SIT IN THE SEAT ETC. WE HAVE HAD THE DEALER LOOK AT THE VEHICLE TWICE AND SO FAR THEY HAVE REFUSED TO FIX IT. MY WIFE'S WEIGHT VARIES FROM 130-140LBS. AT MY FIRST VISIT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME THE WEIGHT LIMIT WAS 110LBS. THIS PAST VISIT WE WERE TOLD THE LIMIT WAS 120LBS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY NHTSA THAT THEY TEST WITH A CRASH DUMMY WEIGHING 108LBS SO REGARDLESS MY WIFE IS WELL OUTSIDE OF THE WEIGHT THRESHOLDS. THIS IS A DUPLICATE OF ORIGINAL COMPLAINT 10299891. I WAS TOLD BY NHTSA THAT ADDING THE WEIGHTS OF OCCUPANTS WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO THEM. *TR

Mileage: 49,000

Jan 15, 2010

WHEN MY WIFE SITS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE OF OUR KIA OPTIMA APPROXIMATELY 20% OF THE TIME THE "AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT DOES NOT TURN OFF. WE HAVE FOLLOWED INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE DEALER ON HOW TO PROPERLY SIT IN THE SEAT ETC. WE HAVE HAD THE DEALER LOOK AT THE VEHICLE TWICE AND SO FAR THEY HAVE REFUSED TO FIX IT. *TR

Mileage: 49,000

Nov 27, 2009

FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED APPROXIMATELY 60% OF THE TIME WHEN SEAT IS OCCUPIED BY A PASSENGER. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN APRIL 2007. FROM ALL I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET, THIS IS THE MOST PREVAILING PROBLEM KIA OWNERS HAVE. KIA ACKNOWLEDGES THIS IS TRUE, BUT SAYS THIS IS SIMPLY HOW THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED. THEIR ONLY SOLUTION IS THAT PASSENGERS MUST SIT BOLT UPRIGHT AND WEIGH OVER 130 POUNDS. THEY ALSO ADVISE ME TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT TO "FIX" THE PROBLEM. NOT GOOD!!! *TR

Mileage: 7

Nov 10, 2009

IN 2007 I PURCHASED A NEW KIA OPTIMA 4CYL AUTOMATIC FROM A LOCAL DEALER. SOON AFTER, I DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD SOMETIMES REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THERE WAS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT, MEANING THAT THE AIRBAG WAS OFF. KIA AUTHORIZED DEALER SAID THAT UNLESS PASSENGER IS SITTING IN UPRIGHT POSITION EXACTLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEAT, THE SENSOR WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY. WE ALSO NOTED THAT IF PASSENGER NOT SITTING CORRECTLY AT FIRST COUPLE OF MINUTES OF DRIVE, BUT THEN REPOSITION HIMSELF IN UPRIGHT POSITION, SENSOR WILL NOT REACT AND AIR BAG WILL BE OFF UNTIL CAR RESTARTED. DEALER SAID THAT SENSOR IS CHECKING FOR PASSENGER ONLY ONCE AT THE BEGINNING OF DRIVE AND DOES NOT RE-CHECK DURING THE DRIVE. IT SEEMS NOT LOGICAL - IF I AM PICKING UP THE PASSENGER AFTER HOUR OF DRIVE WITHOUT TURNING THE MOTOR OFF, THE SENSOR SHOULD SENSE THE PASSENGER AND TURN ON THE AIR BAG. THE DEALERS ANSWER ABOUT UPRIGHT POSITION OF PASSENGER IS NONSENSE - OUR NISSAN QUEST 2004 HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AND NISSAN COMPANY DID VOLUNTARY RECALL AND RE-DESIGN THE SEAT CUSHION SENSOR TO THE BIGGER AND MORE SENSITIVE ONE, SO POSITION OF THE PASSENGER ON THE SEAT DOES NOT MATTER ANYMORE. AS I SEE FROM SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH (JUST SEARCH FOR "KIA OPTIMA PASSENGER AIR BAG PROBLEM"), THERE IS A LOT OF CUSTOMER'S REPORTS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. IT LOOKS LIKE KIA COMPANY FOUND THAT DESIGN FLAW FOR SORRENTO MODEL, BUT I BELIEVE THEY WILL NEED TO CHECK OPTIMA 2007 AS WELL. I'VE BOUGHT KIA DUE TO ADVERTISEMENT OF KIA CAR'S 5-STAR SAFETY RATING, BUT NOW I AM REALLY CONCERN ABOUT SAFETY OF MY LOVED ONES IF THEY ARE ON THE PASSENGER SEAT IN MY CAR. IT IS A QUITE DANGEROUS CAR DEFECT AND I HOPE MY COMPLAINT WILL SPEED UP KIA RESPONSE TO THE POTENTIAL LIFE-THREATENING PROBLEM. *TR

Aug 9, 2009

IN 2007 I PURCHASED A NEW KIA OPTIMA FROM COLEMAN KIA IN TRENTON, NJ. SOON AFTER, I DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT WOULD SOMETIMES REMAIN ILLUMINATED EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS AN ADULT PASSENGER IN THE SEAT, MEANING THAT THE AIRBAG WAS NOT ACTIVATED. THE DEALER PERFORMED A SYSTEM CHECK AND DETERMINED THAT THE SYSTEM WAS PERFORMING TO SPECIFICATIONS. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE DEALER THEN SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM UNLESS THE CONDITION OCCURRED IN THEIR PRESENCE.THIS TIME WHEN THE PROBLEM RECURRED I RETURNED TO THE DEALERWITH MY WIFE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS TIME, THE SEAT CUSHION ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THE NEXT TIME THE PROBLEM OCCURRED, THE DEALER PROVIDED ME WITH A BULLETIN FROM KIA OUTLINING PROPER SEATING POSITIONS. I WAS ALSO ADVISED THAT IF THE PROBLEM RECURRED (WHICH IT DID) THAT I SHOULD PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN THE IGNITION OFF, HAVE THE PASSENGER GET OUT AND THEN BACK IN AND THEN RESTART THE CAR. THIS SHOULD ALLOW THE ONBOARD COMPUTER TO RESET AND (HOPEFULLY) RECOGNIZE THE PRESENCE OF A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER. AT THIS POINT, I CONTACTED KIA'S REGIONAL OFFICE TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE REFERENCE # IS K1580673. AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED WITH KIA'S FIELD TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE. IN THE MEANTIME, I WAS TOLD TO PLACE A TOWEL ON THE SEAT TO MORE EVENLY DISTRIBUTE PASSENGER WEIGHT?? ON 07/30/09, KIA'S FIELD TECH INSPECTED THE CAR AND DETERMINED THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS OPERATING TO DESIGN INTENT. SINCE THEN, I HAVE DISCOVERED NUMEROUS OTHER CONSUMER COMPLAINTS DOCUMENTING THIS PROBLEM. IT IS NOW CLEAR THAT KIA IS WELL AWARE OF THIS CONDITION BUT HAS REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF THE SYSTEM. SO FAR, KIA'S ONLY RESPONSE IS TO CITE IMPROPER SEATING POSITIONS. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THE POSITION OF THE PASSENGERS TORSO, ARMS OR LEGS SHOULD NOT PREVENT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM FROM OPERATING PROPERLY. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM BEFORE A TRAGEDY OCCURS....MARK LUDWIG *TR

Mileage: 6,750

Aug 5, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. WHENEVER AN OCCUPANT WAS POSITIONED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED 80% OF THE TIME WHEN AN OCCUPANT WAS DETECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON NINE SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURE, BUT THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,000.

Mar 12, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED 75% OF THE TIME AND HE COULD NEVER DETERMINE WHEN IT WOULD ILLUMINATE OR DIM. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES WITHIN TWO YEARS, BUT THEY COULD NEVER DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD COLLECT SERVICE RECORDS AND GET BACK WITH HIM. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 11,800 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100.

Mileage: 100

Dec 29, 2008

THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED WHEN MY WIFE SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. SINCE SHE ONLY WEIGHS ABOUT 100 POUNDS I CALLED KIA THEIR REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THAT IT TOOK 120M POUNDS TO TURN THE LIGHT OFF. THIS DOES NOT SOUND CORRECT TO ME. THE VEHICLE IS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. ANY HELP THAT YOU CAN GIVE ME WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED *TR

Mileage: 14,000

Nov 5, 2008 Crash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLID AND STRUCK A GUARDRAIL WHILE AVOIDING ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE ROADS WERE WET DUE TO RAINY CONDITIONS. AFTER STRIKING THE RAIL, THE FRONT END SLID AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS DAMAGED. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A SHOP AND WAS CONSIDERED TO BE DESTROYED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE CRASH, THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED AND MAY HAVE FAILED DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 33,000. UPDATED 11-25-08 *BF

Mileage: 33,000

Aug 13, 2008

WE OWN A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DASHBOARD INDICATOR LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY SHOWS THAT THE AIRBAGS ARE IN THE OFF POSITION WHICH MEANS THAT THEY MAY NOT DEPLOY DURING A COLLISION. WE TOOK OUR NEW CAR TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED TWICE AND WAS TOLD BOTH TIMES THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A MANUFACTURING "FLAW" AND THAT NO REPAIR WAS POSSIBLE. THEY REFUSED TO EVEN LOOK AT IT. *TR

Mileage: 3,000

Aug 13, 2008

WE OWN A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DASHBOARD INDICATOR LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY SHOWS THAT THE AIRBAGS ARE IN THE OFF POSITION WHICH MEANS THAT THEY MAY NOT DEPLOY DURING A COLLISION. WE TOOK OUR NEW CAR TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED TWICE AND WAS TOLD BOTH TIMES THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A MANUFACTURING "FLAW" AND THAT NO REPAIR WAS POSSIBLE. THEY REFUSED TO EVEN LOOK AT IT. *TR

Mileage: 3,000

Aug 1, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SMALL FRAMED PASSENGERS OCCUPY THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THIS INDICATES THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS INOPERATIVE AND MAY NOT INFLATE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT MERITS AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE FAILURE MAY RESULT IN INJURY TO THE PASSENGER. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V161000 (AIR BAGS), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. CURRENTLY, THE DEALER IS REPLACING THE SEAT ASSEMBLY, WHICH CONTAINS THE AIR BAG SENSORS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 23,000. UPDATED 09/13/08.*LJ THE SEAT BELT WAS REPLACED.

Mileage: 23,000

Mar 29, 2008

WARNING LIGHT FOR PASSENGER AIR BAGS IS DEFECTIVE TO THE EXTENT THAT PASSENGER MUST SIT IN SEAT AN EXACT, CERTAIN WAY UPON FIRST ENTERING VEHICLE. IF SAID PASSENGER DOES NOT POSITION THEMSELVES CORRECTLY, SENSORS IN SEAT WILL NOT ANALYZE PERSON CORRECTLY, AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF CRASH. KIA DEALERS HAVE RECEIVED A BULLETIN FROM KIA CORP., PERTAINING TO THIS MATTER, SO SEVERAL CONSUMERS HAVE APPARENTLY NOTICED THIS RATHER SERIOUS ISSUE AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM. MY VEHICLE RECENTLY WAS CHECKED BY A KIMECHANIC FOR THE FORMENTIONED PROBLEM, AND FOUND NO HISTORY OF FAILURES IN THE SYSTEM OF MY VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 50

Dec 21, 2007 Crash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT VEERED OFF THE ROAD, DROVE INTO THE EMBANKMENT, AND STRUCK A TREE. THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND AND A TREE CRASHED THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER AND LANDED UPRIGHT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS PRESUMED TO BE COMPLETELY DESTROYED. KIA STATED THAT THEY WOULD SEND OUT A REPRESENTATIVE TO DETERMINE WHY THE AIR BAGS AND ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED. THE WIFE SUSTAINED BRUISES AND ALL THE OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING THEIR SEAT BELTS PROPERLY. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 11,000. UPDATED 02-12-08 BF * THE CONSUMER STATED DOES NOT FEEL FAIRLY COMPENSATED FOR THE LOSS OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE DEFECT. UPDATED 02/12/08 *TR

Mileage: 11,000

Nov 22, 2007

WE PURCHASED OUR 2007 KIA OPTIMA THIS YEAR IN APRIL AND EVER SINCE WE'VE HAD THE CAR WE'VE HAD ISSUES WITH AIR BAG SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT. I RIDE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND ABOUT 30% OF THE TIME THE AIR BAG IS OFF LIGHT DOESN'T TURN OFF WHEN I'M SITTING IN THE SEAT, ONCE I LIFT MY REAR END OFF THE SEAT AND PUT IT BACK DOWN THEN THAT LIGHT GOES OFF. I'VE TAKEN THIS IN TO THE DEALER ONCE ALREADY AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING APPARENTLY WRONG, WE BROUGHT THE CAR HOME AND WITHIN 2 DAYS THE PROBLEM WAS RECURRING. THE CAR WILL BE RETURNED TO THE DEALER FOR A SECOND TIME WITH THIS ISSUE, I JUST WANT MY AIR BAG TO GO OFF IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, I BELIEVE THAT'S FAIR. THE LAST TIME WE TOOK IT IN THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH SENSOR ACCORDING THE COMPUTER, THEY RESET THE COMPUTER AND SENT US ON OUR WAY. HOPEFULLY THIS TIME WE'LL BE MORE SATISFIED WITH THE CONCLUSION OF THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM. *TR

Nov 9, 2007

THE KIA OPTIMA WAS PURCHASED IN SEPTEMBER 2007. WITHIN A FEW DAYS, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT SIGNALS THAT THE AIRBAG IS OFF AS IF THERE WERE NO PASSENGER WHEN A PASSENGER IS PRESENT. THIS OCCURS EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A PASSENGER WEIGHING OVER 120 POUNDS PROPERLY SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT ABOUT 75% OF THE TIME OVER THE LAST MONTH . SERVICE APPOINTMENT SCHEDULED FOR 11/13/07. *TR

Oct 14, 2007

THE KIA OPTIMA WAS PURCHASED IN AUGUST 2007. WITHIN A FEW WEEKS, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT SIGNALS THAT THE AIRBAG IS OFF AS IF THERE WERE NO PASSENGER WHEN A PASSENGER IS PRESENT. THIS OCCURS EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A PASSENGER WEIGHING BETWEEN 120 AND 150 POUNDS PROPERLY SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT ABOUT 25% OF THE TIME OVER THE LAST 2 MONTHS . OFTEN, BUT NOT ALWAYS, THE LIGHT GOES OUT IF THE CAR IS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR 5 TIMES. SEAT HARNESS CONNECTIONS WERE CHECKED, THE SEAT BOTTOM WAS REPLACED AND, MOST RECENTLY, THE SEAT MODULE WAS INCLUDING A "REPROGRAMMED". HOWEVER THE FAILURES CONTINUE. THERE IS ANOTHER REPAIR APPOINTMENT SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 15, 2007. PASSENGER SAFETY IS AT RISK BECAUSE THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IF THE INDICATOR LIGHT IS ON. *TR

Mileage: 783

Sep 13, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE SWITCHES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE LIGHT DIMS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE RADIO ANTENNA WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND THE RADIO STATIONS HAVE A LOT OF STATIC. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE ANTENNA WAS NOT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50. UPDATED 01/09/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

Mileage: 50