Airbag complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 7 | 5% | 21,000 miles |
| 2019 | 12 | 6% | 25,000 miles |
| 2018 | 9 | 4% | 46,000 miles |
| 2017 | 5 | 2% | 25,000 miles |
| 2016 | 23 | 3% | 34,000 miles |
| 2015 | 26 | 3% | 66,000 miles |
| 2014 | 16 | 3% | 48,000 miles |
| 2013 | 62 | 4% | 86,000 miles |
| 2012 | 48 | 5% | 84,000 miles |
| 2011 | 31 | 5% | 100,000 miles |
| 2010 | 17 | 23% | 63,000 miles |
| 2009 | 28 | 24% | 70,000 miles |
| 2008 | 57 | 40% | 52,000 miles |
| 2007 | 65 | 39% | 75,000 miles |
| 2006 | 46 | 30% | 50,000 miles |
| 2005 | 22 | 15% | 60,000 miles |
| 2004 | 26 | 12% | 58,000 miles |
| 2003 | 17 | 12% | 60,000 miles |
| 2002 | 19 | 18% | 50,000 miles |
| 2001 | 27 | 19% | 81,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owned a 2020 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle crashed into a guardrail, causing her to hit her head on the steering wheel and lose consciousness. The vehicle came to a complete stop in a ditch. No air bags were deployed upon impact. The contact later received medical attention at the hospital for a concussion and was later diagnosed with early signs of onset dementia. A police report was filed and the contact was taken to jail under the assumption that she was intoxicated at the time of the collision. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard, but the contact was not aware if it was deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the air bags should not have been deployed. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of New Vehicle Limited Warranty Extension (Illumination of Air Bag Warning Light); however, the part to do the repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The seat belt alarm chimed while the front driver seat belt was buckled. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 42,860.
The contact owned a 2019 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25-30 mph approaching an intersection, an unknown pickup T -boned the vehicle on the driver-side quarter panel. While depressing the brake pedal, the attention level high / collision warning message was displayed. The air bag did not deploy. The contact sustained injuries to her back and shoulder and she had several bruises. The contact was seen at the hospital where medical treatment was received. A police report was filed. There was no reported fire. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and than to a tow lot. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 93,228.
The contact owned a 2019 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 mph, several deers intercepted the lane, to prevent impact with them, she turned the steering wheel and crashed head-on into a telephone pole. No air bags deployed. The contact sustained a concussion when she hit her head on an unknown surface and was transported by an ambulance to an Emergency Room to seek medical attention. A police report was filed. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The contact towed the vehicle to an autobody center. The vehicle was not diagnosed. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 49,596.
The contact called on behalf of his son who owned a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the front of the vehicle crashed into the rear end of the vehicle that was in front of him whom made a sudden stop. The contact was concerned that the air bags were not deployed. No warning lights was illuminated. A police report was filed. No medical attention was sought, and no injuries were sustained. The vehicle was pronounced totaled at the scene. The contact attempted to contact the manufacturer however, received no response. The failure mileage was 96,145.
I was run off the road by a drunk driver I hit a tree at 35MPH MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY NOR DID MY SEAT BELT LOCK!!!! I NOW HAVE MULTIPLE INJURIES I HAVE BROKEN BONES ALL THROUGHOUT MY FACE!!!!! A SEVERE CONCUSSION!!!!! Any time I call the the customer care center and try and get information or call someone I either get hung up or gave the run around and then hung up on my mother in law has also tried calling and have received the same response this is so unacceptable and unprofessional.
The contact owned a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, another vehicle crashed on the front passenger side tire of the vehicle. Due to the impact, the vehicle was sent over four lanes of traffic and jumped over a curb. The contact stated that the front air bag was deployed only after the vehicle jumped the curb; no other air bags in the vehicle were deployed despite the contact's children in the vehicle's rear seat. The contact stated that metal shrapnel was released upon deployment of the air bag. The contact used her left arm to block the fragments from hitting her face. The contact and her children were all transported to the hospital by ambulance. The contact sustained multiple cuts to her jaw, lips and face. …
March 2022, (approximately 72,000 miles)while driving to work my car shut off. I was in drive at a red light. Noticeable decreased acceleration and vibration. Took it to the dealership for routine oil change and mentioned incident. Technician was not able to find cause. Ok so be it. Now May at a little over 73,000 miles multiple lights began to illuminate and flash. Still with decreased acceleration it was noticed on a Friday morning on my way to work: 1. Oil light flashed on and off for approximately 2 minutes. 2. Air bag light stays on 3. Electronic Stability Control light stays on I scheduled an appointment for the next day. Took it into nearest Kia dealership. I was informed that my engine had no oil in it. The electrical board that signals my airbags and power steering is "malfunctioning" and would need to be replaced. …
Related recalls (5)
Air bags › Air bag/restraint control module
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners. For model year 2011 Sedona vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to verify the ACU part number and, if necessary, install an extension wire harness kit between the ACU Connector and the Vehicle…
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Kia Motors America (Kia) has recalled one 2016 Optima vehicle. In this vehicle, the end seal for the driver's frontal air bag inflator may not have been properly installed, possibly resulting in reduced inflation of the frontal air bag in the event of a crash.
Remedy: The affected vehicle was remedied on January 10, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC143.
Air bags › Frontal
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Optima vehicles manufactured November 10, 2015, to February 12, 2016. In these vehicles, a chemical enhancer required for the for the second stage deployment of the driver's frontal air bag was not loaded, resulting in the second stage not deploying in…
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on May 6, 2016. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542.
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.
Air bags › Side/window
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The side air bag wire harness for the driver position could be mis-routed, which could result in it being pinched or cut by the seat cushion tilt mechanism.
Remedy: Dealers will check for proper routing of the side air bag wire harness and secure it in place with a plastic tie-wrap. If the wire harness is damaged, it will be replaced.
NHTSA investigations
Electrical overstress
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events.
Frequently asked questions
Which Kia Optima years have airbag problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2007 (65), 2013 (62), 2008 (57), 2012 (48) and 2006 (46) model years. Airbag complaints make up 39% of all complaints for the 2007.
Is there a recall for Kia Optima airbag problems?
Yes — 5 recalls, including 18V-363 (air bag/restraint control module, Jun 1, 2018); 17V-007 (inflator module, Jan 6, 2017); 16V-231 (frontal, Apr 21, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Kia Optima airbag problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles; 38% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the frontal (49 mentions), followed by the frontal › sensor/control module (23).
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.