10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 2 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 55,014 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.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
Kia currently has a recall on 2006 Optimas for an air bag issue and warns consumers with this vehicle to contact Kia if the air bag light comes on. In my car, the light came on on 4/1/12 and is still on. I contacted Kia of columbus, ga where the car was purchased and they said to bring it in and we did to only be told the car was not covered because it was a few months old than the campaign. Kia needs to investigate and include all of 2006 Optimas, as they are having the air bag issue as well. Kia has never honored any repair on the car even when brand new and had issues with headlights which we still have to do this day.
- Opelika, AL, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Kia Optima. The contact stated that when the vehicle was turned on the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN failed to qualify for the recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 12V014000 (airbags:frontal). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 65,000.
- Everett, WA, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Kia Optima. While driving approximately 60 mph the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The light remained illuminated until the engine was turned off. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer five times for the similar failure. The air bag module was replaced during the previous repairs; however, the failure continued to occur. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 2,000.
- Shreveport, LA, USA
One day the door on the driver side of the car wouldn't open from the inside or outside. I called Kia and they informed me that there is nothing they could do because the car was out of warranty. I took the car to the dealership and they couldn't figure out what was wrong with it. After researching the problem on the internet, this seems to be a common occurrence with this particular car. I called and notified Kia consumer relations and again was given the speech of it's not covered under warranty and basically they didn't want to hear about it. I also in conjunction with the telephone call, filed a written complaint with Kia and have yet to hear anything from them about this. I have also included in this complaint the air bag light that the dealer cannot find out what's wrong with it. I did a very simple search and it was able to find many people having the same issue and maybe you can force Kia to do a recall and fix this faulty parts before someone gets killed in these vehicles. Thank you!
- Federalsburg, MD, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Kia Optima. The contact stated that since March 2011, she noticed the air bag warning light was illuminated on the instrumental panel. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who stated that the vehicle was outside the warranty. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 74,600. Updated 5/2/11 updated 05/11/11
- Monroe, NC, USA
I own a 2006 Kia Optima and the air bag light is on and does not go off even you are in the seats this is a hazard if you have a accident you do not know if the air bag will work or not could be deadly, also doors will not unlock if you lock them will not unlock with the key or from inside vehicle, have to crawl over to passenger side to get this can be deadly if you get in a accident.
- Abita Springs, LA, USA
2006 Kia Optima. Discovered "air bag" lighted icon on dash just past the warranty expiration. (driver-side bag). Paid $125 "diagnostic, " only to be told "air bag doesn't work, " --duh! dealer wants another some $500 to explore cause, and another some $500 to "maybe" fix it. [xxx] rip-off! (warranty expired at 60,000 miles because I am the 2nd owner---another rip-off by Kia). Can't afford the repairs, so my life is in Kia's hands!!!!. I will never buy nor recommend another Kia. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Petaluma, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the air bag light would continuously illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times where the air bag light was reset but failure continued to occur. On a later date while driving 10 mph, the air bag unexpectedly deployed in the contact's face. The contact sustained severe swelling to the face. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer would not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was 52,298. Updated 12/10/10. Updated 12/17/10
- Fulton, MS, USA
Air bag light on dash will not go off. Passenger air bag on/off light not always working. Dealer says $115 for test. If warranted they will pay. If not I will pay. Read of many reports like this. 87,000 miles.
- South Haven, KS, USA
Your NHTSA campaign id no. 08V161000, concerning the airbag system on 2006-08 Hyundai sonatas, should be expanded to include Kia Optimas. I just had the exact same problem with a 2006 Kia Optima, , which I purchased from enterprise car sales and then returned within the 7-day return period due to discovery of this problem. The software did not recognize a 120-pound adult as an adult on the passenger side, as a result of which we got the signal that the passenger side air bag was off.
- Pittsford, NY, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Kia Optima. On August 3, 2008, the contact was involved in a three vehicle crash. Her vehicle crashed into the preceding vehicle and the air bag failed to deploy. On two occasions, the contact took the vehicle to the dealer because the air bag light kept illuminating. During the first repair, the dealer replaced a wire shortage. During the second repair, the wiring harness was replaced. The vehicle is currently at the tow yard. The manufacturer will be notified. The contact was injured. The speed was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 46,000.
- Oxon Hill, MD, USA
- Lakewood, OH, USA