2007 KIA Optima problems
Owners have filed 217 complaints about the 2007 KIA Optima with NHTSA. Air bags account for 30.9% of them — the clear leader, ahead of exterior lighting at 12.4%.
Complaints217
Crashes20
Fires6
Injuries9
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Air bags 30.9% · 67
Exterior lighting 12.4% · 27
Visibility/wiper 9.2% · 20
Engine 7.4% · 16
Electrical system 6.5% · 14
Visibility 6.0% · 13
Power train 6.0% · 13
Service brakes 2.3% · 5
Severity
Of those complaints, 20 describe a crash, 6 describe a fire and 9 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 19 model years of the KIA Optima in this data, 2007 sits 12th by complaint volume. 2013 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 7 in the last three years against 15 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 79,000 miles.
In owners' own words
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. Air bags · reported at 3,000 miles
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. Air bags
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 · reported at 104,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…