2011 Kia Optima Airbag Problems

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  16%
• 25k–50k
  16%
• 50k–75k
  211%
• 75k–100k
  528%
• 100k–150k
  633%
• 150k+
  317%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Kia Optima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

There's something going on at the Kia dealership in Wake Forest (Westgate). Per the current recall notice, the lights came on that were highlighted in the notice ( "MIL" , ABS warning light) so I had my car towed into the dealership. They claimed my car had a bad battery and the problems were not due to the recall situation. I took my car out of there and straight to auto zone, about 200 feet from the dealership. My battery tested fine. Not only this, the lights (check engine, and others) were no longer illuminated and the radio was mysteriously working again. I'm not sure what they did to my car, but they charged me over $200 for a diagnosis. Not only this, they cited several other issues with the vehicle that I nor my master mechanic were aware of. They had my car for several days without so much as a phone call. …

About six months ago, I lost the heated steering wheel functionality in my steering wheel, then from there, I slowly lost functionality like cruise control, and the most recent now my airbag and horn do not work. If you press on the horn, it is silent, and the airbag light has been illuminated consistently for the last couple of months. I had this issue diagnosed and it came up with the codes of B1346. And B1481. After some research, these issues are the result of a bad clock, spring and cause the airbag and horn not to work. Additionally, this issue is known to this model the 2011 Kia Optima, and has been recalled in most production cases of this vehicle, but my vehicle is not included. I received a quote for $876 from a dealership to get this corrected, but it should be included in the recall.

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V363000 (Air Bags) and the vehicle was taken to the local dealer. The contact was then informed that the VIN was also included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). Upon inspecting the vehicle, the dealer informed the contact that there was bearing wear and the vehicle would remain at their location for two months for the repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. While the contact's vehicle was stationary, another vehicle reversed into the front of her vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The air bag and traction warning indicators were illuminated. The contact sustained a concussion, neck injury, and convergence insufficiency to the left eye. Medical attention was received. A police report was filed. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V363000 (air bags). The vehicle was taken to Kia of bedford (located at 18180 rockside rd, bedford, oh 44146, [phone]) where they replaced the bumper and stated that an alignment was needed. The vehicle was repaired for crash parts, but not for the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. While making a left turn, the contact's vehicle crashed into the driver's side of an oncoming vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The front bumper was severely damaged and had to be replaced. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was able to be driven to the contact's residence. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 18V363000 (air bags). The dealer (evergreen Kia, 9205 s western ave, chicago, il 60643, [phone]) was notified. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 50,000. Updated 11/19/18

I had a front end accident on 1 oct 2018. My airbags did not deploy. I received recall notice on 18 oct 2018. I have contacted Kia concerning this matter several times, they will not respond to me.

I was sitting in a turn lane, to turn left. There were two lanes to my right for traffic. I was waiting for a car coming from the opposite direction. I happened to look in my rear view mirror and it was completely taken up by this red object, which happened to be a car. Immediately I felt a terrible shock and my car was lifted up in the rear and the front end pointed at the road. This car drove me approximately 40 yds. Up the road. The air bags did not deploy...none of them and there was $12,000 worth of damage done to my car. I still have lower back pain and severe cramps on the left side of neck and head. Of course the driver was dui, no license, no insurance and left the scene of the accident. On 10/22/12 my wife had driven home from florida to tn. She turned on a street heading up a hill toward our home. …

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact received an unknown recall notification regarding the engine. The vehicle was taken to sunset Kia of bradenton (4770 14th st w, bradenton, fl 34207, [phone]) where the engine was tested and passed. The contact stated that the engine had been sputtering prior to the test. The dealer stated that the failure was due to lack of oil, although the vehicle recently had an oil change. The dealer also stated that they did not find metal shavings while conducting the test and the check oil indicator was not illuminated. Approximately one week later, while driving, the engine seized in the middle of the road. The vehicle was towed back to the same dealer who stated that a new engine was needed due to the recall. The check engine indicator illuminated and the vehicle was towed to another unknown dealer where additional recalls were discovered. …

My son was driving his 2011 Kia Optima when a spark and pop noise came from his steering wheel. All the functions of the secondary functions of the steering wheel, including the horn, air-bag, cruise control, etc. Quit working. I took the vehicle to Kia and they immediately diagnosed the issue as a clock spring without looking at it, which makes be believe this is a common problem. If my 16 year old son had been in an accident, he would have not had a frontal airbag. And without a horn, he would not have been able to warn another vehicle appropriately. This is a major safety issue and Kia has done nothing to rectify the problem.

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. While driving 80 MPH, the oil light illuminated and the contact heard a load clunking noise. The engine seized and the contact was able to pull the vehicle over to the side of the highway. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 18V363000 (air bags) and 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact was the original owner and did not receive either recall letter from the manufacturer. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 109,000.

Related recalls

Airbag complaints in other Optima years