2007 Kia Optima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 167 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 11th highest complaint count among 20 Optima model years with reports.
Of the 2007 reports, 11 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 6 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontalJan 17, 2012
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. THE CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) MAY BECOME DAMAGED THROUGH USAGE OVER TIME. IF THE CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY BECOMES DAMAGED, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT WILL EXPERIENCE A HIGH RESISTANCE CONDITION POTENTIALLY CAUSING THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG TO NOT DEPLOY.
IF THE CLOCK SPRING DEVELOPS HIGH RESISTANCE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVERS AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.
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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.
Campaign 12V014000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, lever and linkage, column shiftMar 9, 2011
KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2008 OPTIMA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 29, 2005, THROUGH JUNE 13, 2007. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SHIFT CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED INCORRECTLY, CAUSING TENSION IN THE CABLE. IF PRESENT, THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE CABLE TO DETACH FROM THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY'S DOWEL PIN PREVENTING THE TRANSMISSION FROM BEING SHIFTED. THE SHIFT LEVER CAN THEN BE MOVED INTO THE PARK (P) POSITION WHILE THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION IS STILL IN THE LAST USED GEAR BEFORE DETACHMENT.
IF THE DRIVER LEAVES THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ENGAGING THE PARKING BRAKE, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE VEHICLE CAN ROLL INJURE A PERSON IN ITS PATH OR CAUSE A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SHIFT CABLE AND REINSTALL IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 23, 2011. OWNER MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
Campaign 11V153000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
65 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Nov 27, 2009
FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED APPROXIMATELY 60% OF THE TIME WHEN SEAT IS OCCUPIED BY A PASSENGER. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN APRIL 2007. FROM ALL I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET, THIS IS THE MOST PREVAILING PROBLEM KIA OWNERS HAVE. KIA ACKNOWLEDGES THIS IS TRUE, BUT SAYS THIS IS SIMPLY HOW THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED. THEIR ONLY SOLUTION IS THAT PASSENGERS MUST SIT BOLT UPRIGHT AND WEIGH OVER 130 POUNDS. THEY ALSO ADVISE ME TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT TO "FIX" THE PROBLEM. NOT GOOD!!! *TR
Air bags, Nov 10, 2009
IN 2007 I PURCHASED A NEW KIA OPTIMA 4CYL AUTOMATIC FROM A LOCAL DEALER. SOON AFTER, I DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD SOMETIMES REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THERE WAS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT, MEANING THAT THE AIRBAG WAS OFF. KIA AUTHORIZED DEALER SAID THAT UNLESS PASSENGER IS SITTING IN UPRIGHT POSITION EXACTLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEAT, THE SENSOR WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY. WE ALSO NOTED THAT IF PASSENGER NOT SITTING CORRECTLY AT FIRST COUPLE OF MINUTES OF DRIVE, BUT THEN REPOSITION HIMSELF IN UPRIGHT POSITION, SENSOR WILL NOT REACT AND AIR BAG WILL BE OFF UNTIL CAR RESTARTED. DEALER SAID THAT SENSOR IS CHECKING FOR PASSENGER ONLY ONCE AT THE BEGINNING OF DRIVE AND DOES NOT RE-CHECK DURING THE DRIVE. IT SEEMS NOT LOGICAL - IF I AM PICKING UP THE PASSENGER AFTER HOUR OF DRIVE WITHOUT TURNING THE MOTOR OFF, THE SENSOR SHOULD SENSE THE PASSENGER AND TURN ON THE AIR BAG. THE DEALERS ANSWER ABOUT UPRIGHT POSITION OF PASSENGER IS NONSENSE - OUR NISSAN QUEST 2004 HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AND NISSAN COMPANY DID VOLUNTARY RECALL AND RE-DESIGN THE SEAT CUSHION SENSOR TO THE BIGGER AND MORE SENSITIVE ONE, SO POSITION OF THE PASSENGER ON THE SEAT DOES NOT MATTER ANYMORE. AS I SEE FROM SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH (JUST SEARCH FOR "KIA OPTIMA PASSENGER AIR BAG PROBLEM"), THERE IS A LOT OF CUSTOMER'S REPORTS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. IT LOOKS LIKE KIA COMPANY FOUND THAT DESIGN FLAW FOR SORRENTO MODEL, BUT I BELIEVE THEY WILL NEED TO CHECK OPTIMA 2007 AS WELL. I'VE BOUGHT KIA DUE TO ADVERTISEMENT OF KIA CAR'S 5-STAR SAFETY RATING, BUT NOW I AM REALLY CONCERN ABOUT SAFETY OF MY LOVED ONES IF THEY ARE ON THE PASSENGER SEAT IN MY CAR. IT IS A QUITE DANGEROUS CAR DEFECT AND I HOPE MY COMPLAINT WILL SPEED UP KIA RESPONSE TO THE POTENTIAL LIFE-THREATENING PROBLEM. *TR
Air bags, Aug 9, 2009
IN 2007 I PURCHASED A NEW KIA OPTIMA FROM COLEMAN KIA IN TRENTON, NJ. SOON AFTER, I DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT WOULD SOMETIMES REMAIN ILLUMINATED EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS AN ADULT PASSENGER IN THE SEAT, MEANING THAT THE AIRBAG WAS NOT ACTIVATED. THE DEALER PERFORMED A SYSTEM CHECK AND DETERMINED THAT THE SYSTEM WAS PERFORMING TO SPECIFICATIONS. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE DEALER THEN SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM UNLESS THE CONDITION OCCURRED IN THEIR PRESENCE.THIS TIME WHEN THE PROBLEM RECURRED I RETURNED TO THE DEALERWITH MY WIFE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS TIME, THE SEAT CUSHION ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THE NEXT TIME THE PROBLEM OCCURRED, THE DEALER PROVIDED ME WITH A BULLETIN FROM KIA OUTLINING PROPER SEATING POSITIONS. I WAS ALSO ADVISED THAT IF THE PROBLEM RECURRED (WHICH IT DID) THAT I SHOULD PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN THE IGNITION OFF, HAVE THE PASSENGER GET OUT AND THEN BACK IN AND THEN RESTART THE CAR. THIS SHOULD ALLOW THE ONBOARD COMPUTER TO RESET AND (HOPEFULLY) RECOGNIZE THE PRESENCE OF A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER. AT THIS POINT, I CONTACTED KIA'S REGIONAL OFFICE TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE REFERENCE # IS K1580673. AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED WITH KIA'S FIELD TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE. IN THE MEANTIME, I WAS TOLD TO PLACE A TOWEL ON THE SEAT TO MORE EVENLY DISTRIBUTE PASSENGER WEIGHT?? ON 07/30/09, KIA'S FIELD TECH INSPECTED THE CAR AND DETERMINED THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS OPERATING TO DESIGN INTENT. SINCE THEN, I HAVE DISCOVERED NUMEROUS OTHER CONSUMER COMPLAINTS DOCUMENTING THIS PROBLEM. IT IS NOW CLEAR THAT KIA IS WELL AWARE OF THIS CONDITION BUT HAS REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF THE SYSTEM. SO FAR, KIA'S ONLY RESPONSE IS TO CITE IMPROPER SEATING POSITIONS. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THE POSITION OF THE PASSENGERS TORSO, ARMS OR LEGS SHOULD NOT PREVENT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM FROM OPERATING PROPERLY. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM BEFORE A TRAGEDY OCCURS....MARK LUDWIG *TR
Air bags, Aug 5, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. WHENEVER AN OCCUPANT WAS POSITIONED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED 80% OF THE TIME WHEN AN OCCUPANT WAS DETECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON NINE SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURE, BUT THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,000.
Air bags, Mar 12, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED 75% OF THE TIME AND HE COULD NEVER DETERMINE WHEN IT WOULD ILLUMINATE OR DIM. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES WITHIN TWO YEARS, BUT THEY COULD NEVER DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD COLLECT SERVICE RECORDS AND GET BACK WITH HIM. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 11,800 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100.
Air bags, Dec 29, 2008
THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED WHEN MY WIFE SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. SINCE SHE ONLY WEIGHS ABOUT 100 POUNDS I CALLED KIA THEIR REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THAT IT TOOK 120M POUNDS TO TURN THE LIGHT OFF. THIS DOES NOT SOUND CORRECT TO ME. THE VEHICLE IS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. ANY HELP THAT YOU CAN GIVE ME WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED *TR
Air bags, Nov 5, 2008, crash
TL*THE 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 *BF
Air bags, Aug 13, 2008
WE OWN A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DASHBOARD INDICATOR LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY SHOWS THAT THE AIRBAGS ARE IN THE OFF POSITION WHICH MEANS THAT THEY MAY NOT DEPLOY DURING A COLLISION. WE TOOK OUR NEW CAR TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED TWICE AND WAS TOLD BOTH TIMES THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A MANUFACTURING "FLAW" AND THAT NO REPAIR WAS POSSIBLE. THEY REFUSED TO EVEN LOOK AT IT. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Aug 1, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SMALL FRAMED PASSENGERS OCCUPY THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THIS INDICATES THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS INOPERATIVE AND MAY NOT INFLATE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT MERITS AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE FAILURE MAY RESULT IN INJURY TO THE PASSENGER. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V161000 (AIR BAGS), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. CURRENTLY, THE DEALER IS REPLACING THE SEAT ASSEMBLY, WHICH CONTAINS THE AIR BAG SENSORS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 23,000. UPDATED 09/13/08.*LJ THE SEAT BELT WAS REPLACED.
Air bags, Mar 29, 2008
WARNING LIGHT FOR PASSENGER AIR BAGS IS DEFECTIVE TO THE EXTENT THAT PASSENGER MUST SIT IN SEAT AN EXACT, CERTAIN WAY UPON FIRST ENTERING VEHICLE. IF SAID PASSENGER DOES NOT POSITION THEMSELVES CORRECTLY, SENSORS IN SEAT WILL NOT ANALYZE PERSON CORRECTLY, AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF CRASH. KIA DEALERS HAVE RECEIVED A BULLETIN FROM KIA CORP., PERTAINING TO THIS MATTER, SO SEVERAL CONSUMERS HAVE APPARENTLY NOTICED THIS RATHER SERIOUS ISSUE AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM. MY VEHICLE RECENTLY WAS CHECKED BY A KIMECHANIC FOR THE FORMENTIONED PROBLEM, AND FOUND NO HISTORY OF FAILURES IN THE SYSTEM OF MY VEHICLE. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Dec 21, 2007, crash
TL*THE 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 *TR
Air bags, Nov 22, 2007
WE PURCHASED OUR 2007 KIA OPTIMA THIS YEAR IN APRIL AND EVER SINCE WE'VE HAD THE CAR WE'VE HAD ISSUES WITH AIR BAG SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT. I RIDE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND ABOUT 30% OF THE TIME THE AIR BAG IS OFF LIGHT DOESN'T TURN OFF WHEN I'M SITTING IN THE SEAT, ONCE I LIFT MY REAR END OFF THE SEAT AND PUT IT BACK DOWN THEN THAT LIGHT GOES OFF. I'VE TAKEN THIS IN TO THE DEALER ONCE ALREADY AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING APPARENTLY WRONG, WE BROUGHT THE CAR HOME AND WITHIN 2 DAYS THE PROBLEM WAS RECURRING. THE CAR WILL BE RETURNED TO THE DEALER FOR A SECOND TIME WITH THIS ISSUE, I JUST WANT MY AIR BAG TO GO OFF IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, I BELIEVE THAT'S FAIR. THE LAST TIME WE TOOK IT IN THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH SENSOR ACCORDING THE COMPUTER, THEY RESET THE COMPUTER AND SENT US ON OUR WAY. HOPEFULLY THIS TIME WE'LL BE MORE SATISFIED WITH THE CONCLUSION OF THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM. *TR
Air bags, Nov 9, 2007
THE KIA OPTIMA WAS PURCHASED IN SEPTEMBER 2007. WITHIN A FEW DAYS, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT SIGNALS THAT THE AIRBAG IS OFF AS IF THERE WERE NO PASSENGER WHEN A PASSENGER IS PRESENT. THIS OCCURS EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A PASSENGER WEIGHING OVER 120 POUNDS PROPERLY SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT ABOUT 75% OF THE TIME OVER THE LAST MONTH . SERVICE APPOINTMENT SCHEDULED FOR 11/13/07. *TR
Air bags, Oct 14, 2007
THE KIA OPTIMA WAS PURCHASED IN AUGUST 2007. WITHIN A FEW WEEKS, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT SIGNALS THAT THE AIRBAG IS OFF AS IF THERE WERE NO PASSENGER WHEN A PASSENGER IS PRESENT. THIS OCCURS EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A PASSENGER WEIGHING BETWEEN 120 AND 150 POUNDS PROPERLY SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT ABOUT 25% OF THE TIME OVER THE LAST 2 MONTHS . OFTEN, BUT NOT ALWAYS, THE LIGHT GOES OUT IF THE CAR IS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR 5 TIMES. SEAT HARNESS CONNECTIONS WERE CHECKED, THE SEAT BOTTOM WAS REPLACED AND, MOST RECENTLY, THE SEAT MODULE WAS INCLUDING A "REPROGRAMMED". HOWEVER THE FAILURES CONTINUE. THERE IS ANOTHER REPAIR APPOINTMENT SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 15, 2007. PASSENGER SAFETY IS AT RISK BECAUSE THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IF THE INDICATOR LIGHT IS ON. *TR
Air bags, Equipment, Sep 13, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE SWITCHES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE LIGHT DIMS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE RADIO ANTENNA WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND THE RADIO STATIONS HAVE A LOT OF STATIC. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE ANTENNA WAS NOT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50. UPDATED 01/09/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR