1.7

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
94,833 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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problem #6

Jan 012013

Optima

  • 126,000 miles
My air bag light comes on there's no wires disconnected under the seat and my seat belts do not retract well also my door locks are getting stuck in lock mode and my engine comes on and then goes off.after awhile.when in park

- Los Fresnos, TX, USA

problem #5

Jun 172012

Optima 6-cyl

  • 96,000 miles
A 5 year old child was sitting in the backseat behind the driver while driving 25 mph and a loud pop occurred. The seat belt mechanism broke. It was taken apart and found that the inner workings of the seat belt are plastic and a small plastic clip that holds the spring broke, thus a non working seat belt. Search to see if a recall was present. No recall but tons of threads posted of the same thing occurring on other Kia Optimas.

- Gaffney , SC, USA

problem #4

Aug 232013

Optima 6-cyl

  • 156,000 miles
A child was sitting in the rear center seat when a snapping sound occurred while at a stop sign. Upon investigation the seat belt mechanism broke, causing it to not retract or lock. Second seat belt to break on this vehicle, a year apart. Concerned this is a safety issue as seat belts are required by law.

- Gaffney , SC, USA

problem #3

Mar 092013

Optima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the rear driver's side seat belt would not retract properly. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic, who stated that the retractor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 78,000. Updated 03/27/13 updated 05/09/2013

- Willis, TX, USA

problem #2

Apr 012010

Optima 6-cyl

  • 12,000 miles
We have had the airbag light come on for the past 3 years always just before the state inspection is due every time we get it fixed they said its a switch or a connector. But this year was the worst, light came on in April, this time they said it's the airbag wire harness and would cost over $1500. We got Kia to pay for the part, and we would cover the labor. I'm just worried will this happen again. It should be investigated further.

- Easthampton, MA, USA

problem #1

Aug 152004

Optima 6-cyl

  • 101,000 miles
I own a 2004 Kia Optima. The driver's side seat belt buckle became detached from the seat under normal use. I was parked and leaned forward in the seat and the buckle came out of the seat housing with a bolt and 2 washers on it. There appears to be no damage to any of the components. I see this as a major safety issue and will have the car at the dealer tomorrow for a hopefully free repair since the seat belt buckle pretty much just fell apart.

- Newington, CT, USA