Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Kia Optima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The airbags did not deploy while the car was being driven at 65 mph on Interstate 275 S and crashed into a wall barrier. Since the airbags did not deploy, the driver's head was thrown around because the rest of his body was held firm by the seat belt. The driver was transported by ambulance to the hospital. After several tests, it was determined that the driver suffered a broken neck and spinal damage and must wear as an Aspen neck brace for 6 weeks and then be examined by a Neurosurgeon to determine if there is any further damage or additional medical care is required. The driver is unable to work until released by a Neurosurgeon. The car was declared a total loss.
While hitting several trees in my Kia Optima, going about 45mph, the air bags did not deploy. My insurance company said from their experience and from looking at the damage of the car, they also think the air bags should have deployed. However, nobody was seriously injured, no thanks to the air bags.
For a long time, the air bag warning light comes on and stays on. We have taken the Kia to two different dealerships. Each one said that there is nothing wrong with the air bag and turned off the warning light. Both dealerships said that, if you put a cell phone on a Kia car seat, that will set off the air bag warning light even though nothing is wrong with the car seat. The air bag warning light comes on whenever we start the car and stays on the entire time, until we take it to a dealership to have the light turned off during regular service department hours. This means that we don't have an air bag warning light, because, if it's on all the time, we will never know when we do have an air bag problem. Since our Ford and our Hyundai never had this problem when we put a cell phone on the car seat, this is clearly a design flaw in the Kia air bag warning system. …
Tl* the contact called on behalf of his deceased daughter who was driving a 2009 Kia Optima. The daughter was driving at an unknown speed and went into oncoming traffic, went down an embankment and crashed into a tree head on where the vehicle came to a stop. The exact events were uncertain. None of the air bags deployed. As a result, the daughter was transported to a hospital where she was pronounced deceased. The front passenger sustained a fractured femur and the rear passenger sustained unknown injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a collision center (riverside collision center located on 1441 south branch river rd, romney, wv 26757) where they were refusing to release the vehicle unless the manufacturer repurchased it. The vehicle was currently in possession of the collision center. A dealer was not contacted. …
Took 2009 Kia to dealership, Tuesday, August 2, 2016 because of air bag illumination. Was told it was two things. The ocs mat in the passenger seat was defective and the clock spring assembly located in the steering column. Kia issued a recall on the 2008 Optima for this very same issue (clock spring assembly). The recall should be extended to include the 2009 Kia Optima. We did, however, receive a letter from Kia regarding the ocs mat in the passenger seat. Unfortunately, Kia will not pay for the repair even though they know it is a defect on their part. Prices for repair? Over $1,500. These two items are clearly a safety issue and Kia needs to step up to the plate repair these safety issues. These issues did not occur because of misuse - they are occurring and have occurred because of known defects.
The airbag (SRS) warning light came on and stayed on at about 88,200 miles in October, 2018. I first noticed this while driving but the light stayed on ever since then. Took the vehicle to a Kia dealer who checked the vehicle's diagnostic code (b1346) and told me the airbag clock spring was faulty and needed to be replaced . This was done after they ordered the part for a total cost to me of $329.72. The clock spring problem was covered under a recall for 2008 optimas and some other Kia models. Since the SRS system May not function properly with a faulty air bag clock spring, this is a serious safety component problem and should be covered by Kia like it was for previous model years.
My complaint regards the air bag system. The air bag light came on in 2015 and has remained on. My car will not pass inspection with the light on and while Kia recalled the 2008 models, they have not recalled the 2009 models despite multiple reports of issues with both the air bags and the air bag light. Last year, the dealer found a loose sensor that they reconnected, in order for the car to pass inspection. However, the light came back on the next day. At this point, I don't know if my air bags are functioning properly and I'm stuck because the vehicle won't pass inspection. The date is estimated as it happened between June 2014 and June 2015 when I was up for my next inspection.
Tl* the driver owns a 2009 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the driver was traveling approximately 30 MPH when another vehicle crashed into her. The driver's vehicle crashed into a building as a result and the air bags did not deploy. The driver was taken to a hospital via ambulance to treat neck injuries. The vehicle was towed home. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was awaiting a response. The failure and current mileages were 38,076.
Air bag light is on and we've been told by the dealer that it's a faulty clock spring in the steering wheel. There was a recall up to 2008 Optima's for this issue but not the 2009. This should be investigated as a known issue as I've seen many complaints. It's a safety issue that Kia should pay since the airbag May not deploy an it's an expensive replacement and special order. The dealer will not cover this replacement.
The air bag warning light stays illuminated. Received letter from Kia in July 2016 that it would extend the warranty coverage for this issue. It stated to take the vehicle in and have it checked and that if any problems it would be taken care of. In reality, that is not true. Only if you purchased the extended warranty would these known air bag issues be handled by Kia. The cost to repair? $1,500.
Airbag complaints in other Optima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2009 Kia Optima?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the air bags of the 2009 Kia Optima, 24% of the model year's 116 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2009 Kia Optima airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2009 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 2009 Kia Optima airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries and 1 death 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.