2007 Kia Optima

Routine

Owners filed 167 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the airbags. It has been recalled 2 times.

Not among the Kia Optima years to avoid. Which Kia Optima years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
76,000 milesMedian miles at failure

130 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 75,000–90,000 miles.

Most common 2007 Kia Optima problems

61 of the 167 complaints (37%) are about the airbags.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags · airbags45
604
Exterior Lighting · headlights18
000
Visibility/Wiper · wipers17
000
Visibility12
000
Engine12
140
Air Bags › Frontal · airbags10
000
Electrical System6
000
Power Train · transmission4
100
Engine and Engine Cooling · engine4
000
Structure › Body · body and frame3
010

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal12V014000
Filed Jan 17, 2012145,755 vehiclesKia Motors Corporation

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column Shift11V153000
Filed Mar 9, 201170,115 vehiclesKia Motors Corporation

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Remedy. 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.

All 2 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed Aug 27, 202682,000 milesTX

The contact owns a 2007 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving, the airbag warning light remained illuminated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V014000 (Air Bags); however, the contact stated that the vehicle experienced failure described in the recall. The local dealer was not contacted. The cause of the failure was not determined. The failure mileage was 82,000.

EngineFire
Filed Aug 1, 2025NC

After adding oil..Car stopped while driving…Smoke and Fire occurred.. Now engine will not start.. 2 Mechanics Stated “Engine needs to Be Replaced”… A/C Front Blower Doesn’t Work Console Has a Short and Doesn’t Work

Exterior Lighting
Filed Oct 8, 2024DE

My headlights are preventing me from passing motor vehicle inspection low beam are on doesn't look like their on so I have to drive with high beams and with that no one flashes me. Because all four are on but u can't tell if the low ones on it looks like I just have my parking lights on.

Power TrainCrash
Filed Oct 12, 2023MI

My vehicle speed up and slow down all that itself. It will not maintain speed even with my foot steady on the gas. It will not accelerate, but the major problem is my seatbelt gets stuck all the time I’m afraid to get buckled. I am unable to remove my seatbelt multiple times so now I have buckled my seatbelt behind me so I can start getting tickets. I’ve gotten like four tickets because I’m scared to be buckled that it’s not gonna come on down when I need it to be I’ve got 40 bought tickets. I was going about 20 mph when I went to the brakes for my vehicle accelerated by itself crashing into a pillar at the mall. I did call the police.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Apr 30, 2023PA

Headlights very dim . replaced bulbs . replaced wiring harness. replaced alternater . still dim . cannot see more than a few feet at night. have heard this is a common problem . would like any info to correct problem .no longer safe to drive vehicle at night. please reply asap.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Jan 31, 2023VA

2007 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING COLLISION. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND TAKEN TO THE JUNKYARD DUE TO THE PROGRAMMING DEFECT.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Sep 26, 2022VA

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.

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 22, 202199,560 milesOH

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!

Air Bags
Filed Nov 3, 2020200,000 milesKY

MY LOW BEAM LIGHTS HAVE NO VISIBILITY AND I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING ONLINE USED HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY BECAUSE IT COSTS $400 FOR BOTH SIDES THAT I DONT HAVE I REPLACED MY LOW AND HIGH BEAM BULBS THE HIGH BEAMS WORK JUST FINE BUT AS I WAS DOING RESEARCH A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL HAVE THE SAME REOCCURRING PROBLEM I SEEN WHERE THEY HAVE RECALLED 2011 AND UP FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT I GUESS DECIDED TO NOT WORRY ABOUT THE OLDER MODELS I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT BUT THAT IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION FOR WORK AND MY DAUGHTERS NOW IT IS GETTING DARKER EARLIER AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO DRIVE AROUND WITH MY BRIGHT LIGHTS ON AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Sep 14, 2020102,000 milesTX

AFTER FUELING VEHICLE WILL NOT RUN. KEEPS DYING FOR UP TO TWO DAYS. DRIVES FOR A FEW SECOND THEN DIES WHILE DRIVING

Electrical System
Filed Feb 5, 2020NM

VEHICLE BURNS OUT BLINKER BULBS AND HEADLIGHTS AT AN EXTREMELY ACCELERATED RATE: ONE A MONTH. ADDITIONALLY, THE WIRING HARNESS IS HEATED TO THE POINT OF BEING MELTED. THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD. I BELIEVE THIS MAY BE A VOLTAGE REGULATION OR GROUND ISSUE.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 24, 2020167,000 milesKY

THE AIR BAG JUST CAME ON A COUPLE DAYS AGO . IT HASN'T BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR ANYTHING. THE SUSPENSION IS ROUGH WHEN DRIVING OVER THE SMALLEST THING IN THE ROAD. SOMETIMES IT JUST MAKES A LITTLE JUMP WHEN IT TASKED GAS.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Jan 15, 2020195,000 milesMA

HEADLIGHTS VERY DIM NO MATTER WHAT BULB YOU PUT IT. CANNOT SEE MORE THAN 3FT IN FRONT OF YOU WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. VISITED DO NOT STAY UP FALL DOWN BLOCKING VIEW

Structure › BodyFire
Filed Sep 16, 2019150,000 milesTX

ON SATURDAY 9/14/19 MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN SHE HEARD A NOISE AND THE CHECK ENGINE/OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN A DRIVER PULLED UP NEXT TO HER AND TOLD HER THAT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE ENGINE ENDED UP IN FULL FLAMES.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jun 17, 2019TX

HEAD LIGHT ARE DIM AND HAVE NO VISABILTY

Air Bags
Filed Apr 28, 2019150 milesMA

THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME 1 THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WILL SAY ON WITH AN ADULT SITTING IN THE SEAT!!1 VISORS DO NOT STAY UP! HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM . I'VE CHANGED THEM OUT TO A FEW DIFFERENT TYPES STILL DIM CANNOT SEE AT NIGHT

Air Bags
Filed Mar 12, 2019187,000 milesDC

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. AT FIRST IT WOULD GO OFF AND ON WITH NO CODE. NOW IT STAYS ON WITH THE CODE P0420 FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. ALSO I HEARD ABOUT AN AIR BAG RECALL

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Feb 28, 2019146,000 milesKY

THE CADILLAC CONVERTER IS GATHERING SOOT BUILD UP ACCORDING TO THE GARAGE. NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IS CAUSING THE ENGINE LIGHT TO STAY ON.

Engine
Filed Dec 11, 2018151,000 milesMA

MY KIA OPTIMA BEGAN CONSUMING LARGE AMOUNTS OF OIL BUT IT WASN'T LEAKING OUT OR BURNING OFF ANYWHERE. I BEGAN TO WATCH THE OIL LEVELS CLOSELY AND WAS DOWN 2 QTS EVERY WEEK. AT SOME POINT THE OIL PRESSURE GOT TOO LOW AND WE THINK SUCKED AIR INTO THE ENGINE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN OFF AGAIN AS IT HAS BEEN FOR THE PPAST YR BUT FOR AN EVAP PROBLEM - A VERY SMALL LEAK KEPT GETTING DETECTED. I SPENT $1800 AT FIRESTONE THE PREVIOUS UR THE COLDER KEPT COMING BACK ON AND OFF. BUT THIS DIDN'T EXPLAIN THE SIDDEN MASSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. SUDDENLY ON OCT. 21 MY CAR SUDDENLY IDLED VERY HIGH WITHOUT MOVING AND THE THE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND STAYED ON. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO KNOCK LOUDLY ESPECIALLY WHEN ACCELLERATING OR CLIMBING HILLS. MY MECHANIC FRIEND TOLD ME ONE OF THE ENGINE RODS WAS DAMAGED AND THE COMPUTER CODE CHECK VERIFIED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT TIMING OIL CONTROL VALVE WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THIS WOULD EXPLAIN THE LOW OIL PRESSURE AND DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. I WAS ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM ON KIA'S WEBSITE WITH MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE. KIA HAD A RECALL REGARDING THIS PROBLEM FOR MANY OF THEIR CARS BUT OF COURSE NOT MINE. I WAS VERY UPSET OVER IT. I HAD GOTTEN THE CAR ONLY 3 YEARS PRIOR AND IT ONLY HAD 150K MILES ON IT. I TOOK REALLY GOOD CARE OF IT. KIA SAID THEY COULD DO NOTHING. MY ONLY OPTION WAS TO JUNK THE CAR AND HAVE TO BUY A NEW WHEN I WASN'T IN A POSITION TO DO SO. KIA HAS DISAPPOINTED ME GREATLY. BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM I MAY NEVER BUT

Exterior Lighting
Filed Sep 28, 2018166,000 milesTX

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE TOO DIM. TRIED REPLACING THE BULBS, BUT NO CHANGE. CLEANED THE OUTER LENS TO IMPROVE CLARITY AND GET RID OF YELLOWING. BUT DID NOT HELP. THE OUTER LENS LOOKS JUST FINE. WHEN I REMOVED THE ASSEMBLY TO CHECK IF THERE'S ANYTHING WRONG INSIDE, I WAS SHOCKED. THE PROJECTOR BOWL HAD CAUGHT RUST ON BOTH SIDES, THUS CAUSING POOR REFLECTIVITY AND LOW LIGHT ON THE ROAD. TURNS OUT EVERY 2006/2007 OPTIMA OWNER HAS HAD THE SAME ISSUE. I FOUND THIS OUT WHEN I LOOKED ONLINE TO PURCHASE A NEW ASSEMBLY.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Aug 12, 2018GA

I WAS AT THE GAS STATION AND MY SON NOTICED THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE STILL ON, THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY CUT OFF. THEY WOULD NOT GO OFF. I HAD TO TAKE OUT THE FUSE TO CUT THEM OFF WHEN I GOT HOME LATER THAT NIGHT. I NOTICED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE BRAKE SWITCH, BUT, THE RECALL STARTED FOR 08. I HAVE AN 07. WHY WASN'T THE 07 INCLUDED IN THE RECALL?

Air Bags
Filed Jun 22, 2018WA

AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND WON'T TURN OFF ... OTHER PROBLEM IS BOTH VISORS WON'T SPRING UP FLOPPED DOWN ... THE INTERNET IS BUZZING ABOUT KIA'S LACK OF CONCERN!!

Engine
Filed May 8, 2018DE

ENGINE TAPS EVEN AFTER AN OIL CHANGE. HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT SAID IT WAS MY ENGINE THE BACK END. SAID THAT THEIR WAS A RECALL ON MY ENGINE BECAUSE HE HAS HAD TO REPLACE SEVERAL OF THEM ALREADY. LOOKED IT UP AND THERE IS NO RECALL. THIS HAPPENS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, STATIONARY.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 17, 2018138,000 milesME

TAKATA RECALL. MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON IN THE SUMMER OF 2017 AND HASN'T GONE OUT SINCE. I HAVE NEVER HIT ANYTHING TO MAKE THE AIR BAG LIGHT COME ON. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PLACES HOOK MY CAR TO THEIR TESTING MACHINES AND NOTHING COMES UP ON THEIR MACHINE.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Nov 19, 2017122,000 milesPA

EVER SINCE WE GOT THIS CAR IT HAS BEEN IN 2 ACCIDENTS DUE TO THE RAIN, WHEN I STARTED TO LOOK INTO WHAT WAS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM I NOTICED THERE IS A HOLE IN THE PLASTIC RIGHT BELOW THE OIL FILTER. THIS ALLOWS WATER TO GET ON THE ENGINE CAUSING IT TO SHORT POWER FOR THE CAR. THIS IN RETURN CAUSES THE POWER STEERING TO CEASE UP MAKING IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL THE CAR, HENCE WHY IT HAS BEEN IN TWO ACCIDENTS; ONE THAT PUT MY MOTHER IN THE HOSPITAL A FEW YEARS BACK. THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS YESTERDAY BUT ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, THIS FLAW IS A DEADLY PROBLEM.

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 27, 2017FL

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!!!!!

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 27, 2017FL

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.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Sep 7, 2017139,000 milesMN

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
Filed Sep 6, 2017MN

HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY TO DIM

Air Bags
Filed May 10, 2017NC

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
Filed Dec 16, 201679,720 milesMA

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
Filed Nov 30, 2016102,800 milesMA

"TAKATA RECALL" I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND MY AIR BAG LIGHT JUST CAME ON. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Nov 30, 2016102,000 milesMA

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
Filed Nov 22, 201648,000 milesTN

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
Filed Oct 8, 2016110,000 milesIN

UNLESS THE BRIGHTS ARE ON I CAN HARDLY SEE AT NIGHT. I AVOID DRIVING AT NIGHT BECAUSE OF THIS.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Oct 1, 201650,000 milesOH

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
Filed Sep 7, 2016160,000 milesFL

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
Filed Aug 5, 2016TX

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
Filed Jul 1, 2016MI

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,

Air Bags
Filed Jun 27, 2016115,419 milesTN

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
Filed May 10, 2016142,000 milesWI

OIL WAS LOW CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON NEED NEW ENGINE SAID IT WAS FROM METAL SHAVINGS IN OIL

Engine
Filed Apr 13, 201694,000 milesWA

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
Filed Apr 8, 201645,000 milesND

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
Filed Mar 8, 2016134,000 milesTX

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
Filed Feb 26, 2016104,000 milesFL

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
Filed Feb 18, 201690,000 milesSC

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 APPRECIA

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Feb 12, 201689,000 milesOH

PASSENGER SUN VISOR STOPPED WORKING AND STAYS DOWN AFFECTING VISIBILITY ON RIGHT SIDE.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 20, 201695,000 milesFL

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
Filed Jan 14, 2016115,000 milesVA

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
Filed Dec 9, 2015126,805 milesSC

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.

Complaints 1-50 of 167, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2013
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
2020153030Routine
2019212170Above average
20182332100Above average
2017257390Above average
20167605201Fatalities reported
20151,0104741Fatalities reported
20145917432Fatalities reported
20131,38791144Fatalities reported
20129205770High concern
20115945331Fatalities reported
201075120Routine
2009116141Fatalities reported
2008144348Fatalities reported
2007 — this page167250Routine
2006155210Routine
2005144010Routine
2004225130Above average
2003141220Routine
2002107340Routine
2001143300Routine

Compare every Optima year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jan 17, 2012. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.