The passenger occupant classification system sensor mat failed while the vehicle was in motion, as indicated by a light illuminated on the dashboard. The failure occurred during normal operation of the vehicle. Failure of this sensor is a significant safety concern, as it may cause the airbag not to deploy in the event of an accident. This is a known issue in other Kia vehicles around the same model year, but there isn't a recall or service bulletin for this particular vehicle.

- Gobles, MI, USA

Clock spring problem. The airbag warning light is on. Took the car to the Kia dealership and was told if it was a sorento it would be covered, but since it is an Optima it is not covered and would cost $390 to replace the clock spring, as this is the diagnosed problem. Research online reveals a recall in 2012 of previous model year Optimas for the clock spring. The dealership says if the repair is not done possible injury or death could occur.

- Naples, FL, USA

Takata recall as soon as I turn the key the airbag light shows up, steady. It is on all the time, whether I am stationary or in motion. I have no idea if the airbags even work. There are also issues with the electrical system as the door often unlocks on its own, alarm goes off on it's own, lights flash inside every time I make a turn, left or right and the radio spazzes out

- Kennesaw, GA, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. While reversing the vehicle, it independently accelerated in reverse and crashed into a parked vehicle. The vehicle then accelerated forward and crashed into a house. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed and was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Fairburn, GA, USA

My family was on hwy 75 returning from thanksgiving vacay when we discovered that the airbag light was on. After placing a call to Kia, I discovered that apparently airbags aren't covered by the 130,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty. Now the ignition has an issue. Often times, I have to hit my key in the ignition in order to be able to turn the key. I am wondering if the ignition issue and the airbag issue are relateable and need to see if covered by warranty. There are 90,000 miles on this car and I have had it for less than a year. We purchased it used from drivetime. Thanks

- Kennesaw, GA, USA

The airbag warning light came on back in November. According to the Kia owners manual this means the airbags will not work. I contacted 2 Kia dealers in the tampa fl area (back in November) and have not heard back from them. I guess they must be too busy or don't like doing warranty work. Now the brake lights do not work, this car is a pos.

- Ruskin, FL, USA

I was sitting in a turn lane, to turn left. There were two lanes to my right for traffic. I was waiting for a car coming from the opposite direction. I happened to look in my rear view mirror and it was completely taken up by this red object, which happened to be a car. Immediately I felt a terrible shock and my car was lifted up in the rear and the front end pointed at the road. This car drove me approximately 40 yds. Up the road. The air bags did not deploy...none of them and there was $12,000 worth of damage done to my car. I still have lower back pain and severe cramps on the left side of neck and head. Of course the driver was dui, no license, no insurance and left the scene of the accident. On 10/22/12 my wife had driven home from Florida to tn. She turned on a street heading up a hill toward our home. She was going approximately 25 miles per hour, when an older grey truck coming down the hill crowded her off the road. She swerved to her right and hit a 700 lb. Mailbox(cement & bricks) this accident tore the ride side front end back by 4 feet, also buckling the hood and popping rivets in the motor. The air bags again failed to deploy. There has to be something wrong with the 2011 Kia Optima's air bags. She bloodied her nose and had a gash in her right wrist. There4 is absolutely no sense of having air bags when they don't do as they supposed to. This must be explored and the reason found! thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.

- Eastridge, TN, USA

I was stopped, 2nd in position, at a stop light. I was rear ended by a Nissan Sentra doing approximately 50 tp 55 mph. My car was hit in the rear, pushing the front into a dually. The airbags did not deploy. I struck my head on the steering wheel. I was wondering why the airbags did not deploy. The front left bumper was severely damaged as the left rear bumper. In all, the car was a total loss.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

I was traveling 55mph behind a vehicle who suddenly swerved out of the way into the right hand lane. There was a car stopped in the left hand lane, unable to stop in time I struck the black Jeep Liberty in the rear bumper more toward the driver side with the the passenger front bumper of my car. ( Kia Optima) my air bag did not deploy and I did strike my head, although I am not sure if I hit it on the windshield or on the glass top. My concern is my seatbelt did not engage properly allowing me to strike my head. And again that the airbags did not deploy.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA