Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Kia Optima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owned a 2004 Kia Optima. While driving 25 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the contact's vehicle from the front. The passenger side air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained stomach and chest injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 57,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2004 Kia Optima. While driving at an unknown speed, an abnormal clicking noise emitted from the vehicle. The power steering failed and the wheels shook violently. The brakes failed to stop the vehicle and it crashed into a wall. The air bags deployed and an unknown substance emitted into the contacts eyes. The contact sustained burns to the body and lacerations to both eyes that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN and failure mileage were unknown. Updated 09/23/16
Tl contact owns a 2004 Kia Optima. The contact was traveling at speeds of 15 MPH in rainy weather. The vehicle ahead of him stopped suddenly. The contact was unable to stop the vehicle and crashed into the rear of the preceding vehicle. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The contact was injured. A police report was filed. The contacts vehicle was destroyed. The failure and current mileages were 82,500.
My air bag light comes on there's no wires disconnected under the seat and my seat belts do not retract well also my door locks are getting stuck in lock mode and my engine comes on and then goes off.after awhile.when in park
Airbag light remains on showing a problem with the system. Was told could be a sensor and would cost $150 to diagnose and up to $2000 to fix. Not worth the cost considering the age but needs to be fixed for safety reasons
Hello I have a few issues with my 2004 Kia Optima that I have been unable to get resolved. The 1st is my air bag light is constantly on. I took the car into the shop for this while it was under warranty and was told that it was fixed. The light came back on and now the car is no longer under warranty. I was told that in order to have it fixed I have to spend a couple hundred dollars to have my passenger seat removed and some wires would have to be spliced to correct the issue. I'm not comfortable paying to have a problem fixed that should have already been fixed and the response I get as to the solution involves splicing of wires for my air bag. I have been on several websites and heard multiple complaints about the same issue with this year/model. Issue #2 involves my headlights. I have owned my car since I purchased it in 2005. …
I was commuting. I gave my car regular oil changes and tune ups. Then the engine coils went out. The car would not go over forty. Replaced that. Heard funny noises coming from the engine. The car was at 70K at this point. The manufacturers warranty said to replace the timing belt at 110K. So I decided to hold off as that probably wasn't the problem and a manufacturer wouldn't lie to me as they are regulated by the government. Then I am driving and the car dies in the middle of a busy intersection. I get the car towed. The timing belt is changed and there are half the teeth left on the timing belt. How is the car still running you May ask? It is a magical car and is like the little train that could. Then I am driving on a busy scary mountainous highway and the car dies again at a blind corner. No check engine light but there are plenty of cars that want to hit me. The car turns back on. …
Tl* the contact owns 2004 Kia Optima. The contact stated the passenger front door lock failed to unlock electronically or manually. The air bag warning light also remained illuminated. The drivers door lock also failed at 41,000 miles; however, the actuator was replaced. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for the passenger door or the air bag warning light. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 41,000. The current mileage was 64,000. ..updated 12-30-13 the consumer stated the vehicle was taken to be repaied. The techician advised there was a nickel in the door panel and that the was repaired. There door was not actually repaired. Updated 1/16/2014
The vehicle hasn't been in any accidents which I am very thankful for considering the air bags May or May not work. The air bag light is on and the dealership has reset it several times. The car won't pass inspection with the light on. I am a recent college graduate on a fixed income. I need the car for transportation to work and at this time don't have the funds to get it fixed if there is a problem with the air bags. I need the Kia dealership to consider calling a recall on these airbags due to a safety issue especially if there was an accident and the bags wouldn't deploy. I need to be able to get this car inspected with little cost to me.
I purchased my 2004 Kia Optima with 100K miles on it and after about 30 days the airbag light came on without being involved in any moving incident and remained on. I took it to the Kia dealer (rosen, milwaukee, wi) and they believed it was the contacts because I got code b1378, airbag resistance to high. They sprayed something on the contacts because the couldn't find anything wrong with the air bag system. They reset the airbag light free of charge, but after driving about one week the light came back on. This is a major safety issue that Kia needs to resolve because the air bags will not deploy if the car is involved in an accident.
Airbag complaints in other Optima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2004 Kia Optima?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the air bags of the 2004 Kia Optima, 12% of the model year's 225 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Kia Optima airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2004 Kia Optima, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Kia Optima airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.