Owners filed 167 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 2 times.
When it fails
07600076,000 milesMedian miles at failure
130 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 75,000–90,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Air Bags
45
6
0
4
Exterior Lighting
18
0
0
0
Visibility/Wiper
17
0
0
0
Visibility
12
0
0
0
Engine
12
1
4
0
Air Bags › Frontal
10
0
0
0
Electrical System
6
0
0
0
Power Train
4
1
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling
4
0
0
0
Structure › Body
3
0
1
0
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.
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.
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.