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 2007 Kia Optima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 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 that the vehicle experienced failure described in the recall. The local dealer was not contacted. The cause of the failure was not determined. The failure mileage was 82,000.
Tl 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
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.
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. …
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. …
Tl 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
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
Tl 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
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
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal
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.
Remedy: 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.
Airbag complaints in other Optima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2007 Kia Optima?
NHTSA has 65 complaints about the air bags of the 2007 Kia Optima, 39% of the model year's 167 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Kia Optima airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 12V-014 (frontal, Jan 17, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2007 Kia Optima airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 24% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 4 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.