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
167 reports, newest first.
Other or unspecified, Oct 27, 2017
DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR BROKE.... PASSENGER SIDE PREVIOUSLY BROKEN I FILED A COMPLAINT YEARS AGO....NO CONTACT FROM KIA. THIS IS DANGEROUS!!!! IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM! KIA REDESIGNED THE SPRING....WHY ISN'T THIS BEING RECALLED?! I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT WHEN IT BROKE.
Other or unspecified, Oct 27, 2017
BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE VISORS FAILED AND ARE FLOPPING. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE VISOR IS OBSTRUCTING MY VIEW, AND HITTING MY HEAD. I CAN'T SEE. THE FAULTY PART HAS BEEN RE-DESIGNED....WHY NO RECALL??? I HAVE INSTRUCTED MY FAMILY THAT IF I AM INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT TO SUE KIA SINCE THEY HAVE KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS!!! PASSEGER SIDE 2010, DRIVER'S SIDE 10/2017. I AM HOLDING THE VISORS UP WITH BUNGEE CORDS!!!! THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM WITH THESE KIAS!!!!!
Exterior lighting, Sep 7, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS BECAME EXTREMELY DIM, FORCING THE CONTACT TO TURN ON THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS TO SEE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.
Exterior lighting, Sep 6, 2017
HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY TO DIM
Air bags, May 10, 2017
DESPITE THERE BEING A VOLUNTARY WARRANTY EXTENSION ON THE PART OF KIA FOR THE OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT, THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE MINE BECAUSE THE CODE IT IS DISPLAYING IS NOT THE SAME AS THE CODE SPECIFIED IN THEIR VOLUNTARY EXTENSION. THE OCS MAT IN MY CAR DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND WHEN ADULTS ARE SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM REMAINS OFF.
Engine and engine cooling, Air bags, Dec 16, 2016
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND MY DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG CAME ON. A FEW MONTHS PRIOR, WE HAD TO REPLACE THE O2 SENSOR BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. NOW ON THE SECOND DAY WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON! IS IT BAD WIRING, WILL MY AIRBAG NOT WORK? *TR
Air bags, Nov 30, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOOSE PIN FITTING AIR BAG CONNECTOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
Air bags, Nov 30, 2016
"TAKATA RECALL" I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND MY AIR BAG LIGHT JUST CAME ON. *TR
Air bags, Nov 22, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER RESET THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG INDICATOR ON APPROXIMATELY THREE OCCASIONS, BUT THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR LESS THAN THIRTY MILES LATER. AFTER A RECENT OIL CHANGE, A DIFFERENT AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000. UPDATED 01/05/17*LJ
Exterior lighting, Oct 8, 2016
UNLESS THE BRIGHTS ARE ON I CAN HARDLY SEE AT NIGHT. I AVOID DRIVING AT NIGHT BECAUSE OF THIS.
Exterior lighting, Oct 1, 2016
OEM HEADLIGHTS GO BAD. LIGHTS GOT PROGRESSIVELY DIM WITH TIME. GOT TO THE POINT I COULD BARELY DRIVE AT NIGHT. DANGEROUS! STARTED LEAVING LIGHTS ON HIGH BEAMS - NOBODY WOULD FLASH ME BECAUSE THEY WERE BARELY ADEQUATE. CHECKED VOLTAGE/GROUND WAS OK. REPLACED FACTORY HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES WITH AFTERMARKET UNITS - FIXED THE PROBLEM. CAN NOW DRIVE AROUND SAFELY AT NIGHT. KIA SHOULD RECALL THE DEFECTIVE HEAD LIGHT ASSEMBLIES.
Exterior lighting, Sep 7, 2016
FREQUENT LOW BEAM AND HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHT FAILURES OVER LAST 4 YEARS..LAST MONTH I HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY..MY LEFT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY IS CURRENTLY OUT ON THE LOW SETTINGS..
Air bags, Aug 5, 2016
I HAD A RECALL ON THE AIRBAG APPX 5 YRS AGO (COULD BE LESS). I TOOK CSR IN AND MONTHS LATER THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND HASN'T WENT OFF. I'VE CHECKED IN RECALLS AND NOTHING INDICATED. SHOULD I BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST TO REPAIR, BEING I TOOK IT IN ONCE ON A RECALL AND SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN.. I PUT IN DATE BELOW BUT I DON'T KNOW WHEN IT HAPPENED..
Air bags, Jul 1, 2016
I BOUGHT THIS KIA OPTIMA NEW. THE "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT WOULD FREQUENTLY ILLUMINATE, EVEN WHEN A PASSENGER WAS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I ASKED SEVERAL KIA DEALERSHIPS ABOUT THIS AT SEVERAL DIFFERENT TIMES, NOTHING WAS DONE ABOUT IT. NOW, AT ABOUT 73,000 MILES- THE RED "AIR BAG" LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON, AND STAYED ON PERMANENTLY. I TOOK IT IN TO THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP, THEY CHARGED ME OVER $100 TO DIAGNOSE, AND IF I HAD THE REPAIR DONE, THE DIAGNOSTIC WOULD BE WAIVED. THEY CALLED ME A FEW HOURS LATER AND INFORMED ME THAT THE OCS COMPUTER (NOT JUST THE OCS MAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, BUT THE ENTIRE COMPUTER) WAS NOT FUNCTIONING, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY SAID THIS WOULD COST IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF $2200. I DIDN'T HAVE THE DEALERSHIP DO THIS REPAIR FOR 2 REASONS... 1) BECAUSE THE CAR IS WORTH ONLY $2-3,000 IN THE FIRST PLACE. 2) BECAUSE EVEN IF I DID PAY THE DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR IT, WHO'S TO SAY THAT IT WOULD ACTUALLY BE FIXED? AFTER ALL, THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF AIR BAG LIGHTS IN KIA OPTIMAS, AND EVEN OF CRASHES WHERE THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. I'D EITHER LIKE THE AIRBAGS TO BE REPAIRED, OR GET RID OF THE CAR, BUT IT ONLY HAS 75,000 MILES ON IT, WHICH IS A SHAME. I CAN'T SELL IT TO ANYONE- WHO WANTS TO BUY A CAR WITHOUT AIRBAGS? OH, NOW THE TPMS SENSOR IS ON AS WELL. I DID TRY REPLACING THE FUSES TO THE AIRBAG SYSTEM AND THE TPMS SYSTEM, NEW FUSES DID NOT CHANGE ANYTHING. THE CAR ONLY HAS 75,000 MILES ON IT TODAY. IT IS STILL UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY, BUT NOT THE BUMPER TO BUMPER, WHICH WAS 5 YEARS AND 60,000 MILES. HOWEVER, I FEEL THAT AIRBAGS SHOULD BE COVERED.
Air bags, Jun 27, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,419.
Engine, May 10, 2016
OIL WAS LOW CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON NEED NEW ENGINE SAID IT WAS FROM METAL SHAVINGS IN OIL
Engine, Apr 13, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, WITHOUT ANY WARNING INDICATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE AND WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Exterior lighting, Apr 8, 2016
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS EXTREMELY DIM, PROBLEM REVIEWED BY DEALER. NO RESOLUTION. SEEMS A ELECTRICAL SITUATION. SAME PROBLEM NOTED BY MANY OTHER 07 OWNERS. PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. ONLY LOW BEAM AFFECTED. REVIEWED BY MANY DEALERS WITH NO SOLUTIONS. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS VIRTUALLY NO LOW BEAM LIGHT EMITTED . BULBS HAVE BEEN CHANGED. CIRCUITS CHECKED BY DEALER.... NO CHANGES IN PROBLEM. NEED A SOLUTION... NO LIGHTS
Electrical system, Mar 8, 2016
2007 KIA OPTIMA,CUTS OFF WILL DRIVING STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP, UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE IN ANYWAY, THEN IT TURNS IT SELF BACK ON. THE IGNITION SWITCH JUST SHUTS OFF. VERY DANGERS.THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, AND HAVE READ SEVERAL REPORTS ON THIS SAME PROBLEM. I DONT WANT TO DIE!
Air bags, Feb 26, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSNGER SEAT SENSOR MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.
Air bags, Feb 18, 2016
I HAVE A 2006.5 KIA OPTIMA EX THAT HAD A SIX YEAR, SIXTY THOUSAND MILE FULL WARRANTY AND A TEN YEAR, ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. AT SOME POINT AFTER THE SIX YEAR WARRANTY EXPIRED, BUT PRIOR TO THE ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND MILE WARRANTY EXPIRATION, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I STARTED THE CAR. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO " DETERMINED INTERNAL FAILURE TO PASSENGER SEAT MAT $1875 TO REPAIR..." I DECLINED THE REPAIR DUE TO THE COST AND VALUE OF THE CAR AT THAT TIME. I AND SUGGESTED THAT THE COST OF REPAIR SHOULD BE ABSORBED BY KIA. I CALLED THE KIA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE NUMBER AND WAS TOLD THAT MY COMPLAINT WOULD BE REVIEWED BY MANAGEMENT AND THEY WOULD CONTACT ME REGARDING THEIR DECISION. I SUBSEQUENTLY HEARD BACK FROM KIA THAT THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THEY ADVISED ME THAT MY ONLY RECOURSE WAS TO CONTACT THE DEALER AND SEE IF THEY WOULD PROVIDE SOME SPECIAL DISCOUNT ON THE PURCHASE OF A NEW CAR. THIS WAS NOT A FEASIBLE ALTERNATIVE AT THE TIME. I AM NOW STUCK WITH A CAR THAT HAS A MAJOR SAFETY MALFUNCTION, AS INDICATED BY A BRIGHTLY ILLUMINATED WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH. THIS NOT ONLY AFFECTS THE SAFETY OF THE PASSENGER BUT DEPRECIATES THE VALUE OF THE CAR BY 50%. I REALIZE THAT MANY SYSTEMS ON AN AUTOMOBILE OVER THE YEARS, HOWEVER, THIS PARTICULAR MALFUNCTION IS UNACCEPTABLE. I THINK THE RECENT RECALL OF MILLIONS OF AUTOMOBILES FOR AIRBAG FAILURE, REGARDLESS OF AGE OR MILEAGE, DEMONSTRATES KIA'S CULPABILITY IN THIS CASE. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE YOU MAY PROVIDE.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 12, 2016
PASSENGER SUN VISOR STOPPED WORKING AND STAYS DOWN AFFECTING VISIBILITY ON RIGHT SIDE.
Air bags, Jan 20, 2016
I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON AIRBAG ISSUES PERTAINING TO THE 2007 KIA OPTIMA AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ON THIS SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE FILED NUMEROUS TIMES GOES ON DEAF EARS. I WILL BE SPEAKING TO SEN BILL NELSON ON HOW LONG IT TAKES FOR A RECALL TO BE ISSUES ESPECIALLY ON THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE SEEN COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUES PILING UP.
Air bags, Jan 14, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
Exterior lighting, Dec 9, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR HEADLIGHTS WERE EXTREMELY DIM. THE LIGHTS HAD TO BE ON THE HIGH BEAM SETTING IN ORDER TO SEE ANYTHING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE VISIBILITY WAS IMPAIRED WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,805. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.