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: service brakes
7 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Service brakes, Sep 26, 2022, crash
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 stated that what appeared to be a deflated airbag blocked her view of the road in the same moment that she slammed on the brakes. There was a delay in the brakes actually stopping the vehicle so as a result, her vehicle hit the vehicle in front of it. The vehicle is now a total loss. The contact was not aware that the dealer and manufacturer were supposed to be notified of this incident.
Power train, Service brakes, Engine, Jan 22, 2021
I'VE SEEN IN OTHER FORUMS ABOUT ENGINE RECALLS. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED AND THE ENGINE IN MY CAR DISINTEGRATED. IT WAS REPLACED WITH AN ENGINE FROM A WRECKING YARD. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED BY MANUFACTURER. I HAD ISSUES WITH THE BRAKE LINES RUSTING OUT. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED EITHER. NOT BEING ABLE TO SERVICE THE TRANSMISSION AND ARGUING WITH THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS SHOULD BE REPLACED BY MANUFACTURER!
Structure, Service brakes, Visibility/wiper, Oct 26, 2015
KNAGE123575112607 I TOOK MY CAR IN TODAY BECAUSE OF A LETTER I RECEIVED FOR A SERVICE CAMPAIGN. THERE ARE ALL SEVERAL PROBLEMS REGARDING MY BRAKES LOSS OF FLUIDS SEVERE CORROSION FLAKING OR SCALING OF METAL BRAKE PIPES AND I WAS TOLD THE WEATHER HAS CAUSED THAT WHEN I CALLED THE CONSUMER KIA PHONE NUMBER. I HAVE OIL LEAK FROM THE BACK OF THE ENGINE AND ROGERS VERY VERY RUSTY. BOTH FRONT STRUTS LEAKING. I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO KIA SUMMIT PLACE IN WATERFORD MICHIGAN. THIS IS WHERE I BOUGHT MY CAR. THEY TOLD ME THAT ALL OF THAT CORROSION WAS BECAUSE I LIVE IN MICHIGAN.
Service brakes, Sep 22, 2014
I WAS TRAVELING 25 MILES AN HOUR ON A ROAD AND MY BRAKES LOCKED UP AT A RED LIGHT. THIS HAPPEN ONCE BEFORE, I THOUGHT IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE RAIN. LUCKY THEY CAR IN FRONT OF US RAN THE RED LIGHT TO KEEP US FROM HITTING THEM. BUT ON THE 8TH OF THIS MONTH MY SISTER USED MY CAR FOR HER DRIVERS TEST, SHE TRIED TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FOR HER TEST. THE MAN TESTING HER SAID IT DOES NOT WORK. I DO NOT HAVE THE FUNDS TO FIX THIS. I FEEL THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT IT FROM SHOULD FIX IT OR REPLACE THE CAR. THIS COULD CAUSE A WRECK THAT COULD KILL OUR FAMILY. *TR
Service brakes, May 15, 2014, crash
WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, MY CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE IN REVERSE GEAR. I PUT THE BRAKES ON BUT TO NO AVAIL. I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE SPEED. THIS IS ALL HAPPENING GOING IN REVERSE. I CRASHED INTO THE BUILDING NEXT TO THE PARKING LOT. THE FLOOR MAT WAS SEATED PROPERLY AND YES MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Equipment, Nov 11, 2010
BOUGHT A 2007 KIA OPTIMA IN JULY 2010, AFTER 3 MONTHS HAD TO HAVE BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED. NOW ONLY A MONTH LATER THE BRAKES ARE BAD AGAIN. I HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE SHOP. THE BACK DRIVER SIDE BRAKES ARE GRINDING. THE CAR CONTINUES TO SQUEAL. I TALKED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THEY SAID THERE WAS MORE THAN 50% BRAKE PADS LEFT. WHEN I CHANGED THEM THE FIRST TIME THEY WERE COMPLETELY GONE IN THE BACK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. I DO NOT FEEL THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACING THE BRAKES AGAIN, JUST ONE MONTH LATER. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THAT. I AM NOT HAPPY WITH MY CAR OR THE DEALERSHIP AT THE MOMENT. *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