10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
23,786 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #7

Nov 172006

Optima 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,500 miles
: the contact stated the airbag light illuminated. There was a NHTSA recall, # 01V156000, regarding the airbags. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.

- Peoria, AZ, USA

problem #6

Mar 282006

Optima 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,000 miles
: the contact stated the vehicle was involved in a crash at 15 mph and the front air bags did not deploy. However, the contact suffered no injuries due to the fact the seat belt was worn. The contact struck another vehicle while making a turn. The point of impact was the front end of the contact's vehicle. The police arrived at the scene and provided a written report. The insurance company inspected the vehicle and deemed it totaled. Updated 05/04/06

- Fort Collins, CO, USA

problem #5

May 232002

Optima

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
About four years ago upon purchase of vehicle owner began having problems with the air bag light coming on. The dealership hooked up an instrument to the vehicle and the light would go off. Then it would come back on, and is on at this time. The dealer reports that the air bag light sensor needs to be replaced. The dealership will fix if it owner pays. Owner does not feel she should pay since this problem has been occurring ever since the purchase of vehicle. The vehicle has been in accident in a few years ago, but the air bags did not deploy. Owner does not remember the details of accident.

- Quincy, FL, USA

problem #4

Nov 102002

Optima 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
I was involved in a crash on Nov 02. I was broadsided by a truck (F150 type veh.) in an intersection. As a result, my roof bowed and the entire drivers side from wheel well to wheel well was caved in like a half moon. The frame was pinned up against the drivers seat. The seat belt did not lock but released me and none of the air bags deployed. I suffered back and neck injury and was transported by amubulance to a nearby hospital. The vehicle was in storage. I contacted the manufacturer numerous times as did my attorney. All we received was the run-around for approx. Six months. No return calls, excuses, unable to get a release to have a Kia auditor look at the car, etc. My insurance company and my attorney sent them the release twice and still no response. Consequently, I deployed overseas (military) and upon my return found that the car had been disposed of (destroyed). I still suffer from my injuries and my attorney is still handling my case.

- District Heights, MD, USA

problem #3

Mar 232003

Optima

  • miles
The vehicle was involved in a collision. And the air bags failed to deploy.

- Newark, DE, USA

problem #2

Nov 222002

(reported on)

Optima

  • miles
Consumer state while traveling at 40 mph in result of rear ending another vehicle consumer vehicle air bags did not deploy at any time.

- South Tello, MS, USA

problem #1

Jul 172002

Optima

  • miles
While driving another vehicle ran into consumer's vehicle at 300-40 mph head-on and none of the front air bags deployed.

- Manchester, NH, USA