Recalls
| Campaign | Manufacturer | Manufacturing date | Type | # of units affected | Date Owner notified Mfg | Recall Initiated by | Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products | Report Recieved Date | Record Creation Date | Regulation Part Number | FMVSS Number | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIR BAGS - FRONTAL | ||||||||||||||||
| 12V014000 | KIA MOTORS CORPORATION | from 09/29/2005 to 01/29/2008 | V (Vehicle) | 145755 | 03/01/2012 | MFR | KIA MOTORS CORPORATION | 01/17/2012 | 01/17/2012 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | 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. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | 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. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the vehicle's air bag clock spring contact assembly as necessary, free of charge. the safety recall is expected to begin during march 2012. owners may contact kia customer assistance center at 1-800-333-4542. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Kia's recall campaign number is sc094.owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov . | |||||||||||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | |||
| 12/16/2012 | 69000 | 1 | |
| My car was hit in the side by another car going approx.40 mph. none of the airbags deployed. this model had a recall on the airbags 6 months previous. we took it in,they said a sensor needed to be replaced. they gave us a paper saying it was repaired and returned our car to us. *tr | |||
| 12/16/2012 | 69000 | ||
| My car was hit in the side by another car going approx.40 mph.none of the airbags deployed.this model had a recall on the airbags 6 months previous.we took it in,they said a sensor needed to be replaced.they gave us a paper saying it was repaired and returned our car to us. | |||
| 09/05/2012 | 59800 | 1 | |
| After 50,000+ miles on our 2008 kia optima the passenger air bag light would come on (meaning the air bag was automatically turned off by the car's computer system) while driving with a passenger in the front seat. it would intermittently happen...sometimes it would and sometimes it wouldn't. we had it checked by a dealer and even though they saw the problem (passenger sitting in front seat and air bag was off) it did not register a code in the car's computer system. this was reported to kia by the dealer but as of this date (09/11/12) kia has refused to repair the issue under warranty because it did not register a code. this poses a safety risk to passengers in the event of an accident. failure to repair this issue could result in serious injury and even death. kia has had this problem in other models and has even issued recalls but at this point has refused to fix our vehicle under the warrant contract we received when buying this car new in 2008. *tr | |||
| 09/05/2012 | 59800 | ||
| After 50,000+ miles on our 2008 kia optima the passenger air bag light would come on (meaning the air bag was automatically turned off by the car's computer system) while driving with a passenger in the front seat. it would intermittently happen...sometimes it would and sometimes it wouldn't. we had it checked by a dealer and even though they saw the problem (passenger sitting in front seat and air bag was off) it did not register a code in the car's computer system. this was reported to kia by the dealer but as of this date (09/11/12) kia has refused to repair the issue under warranty because it did not register a code. this poses a safety risk to passengers in the event of an accident. failure to repair this issue could result in serious injury and even death. kia has had this problem in other models and has even issued recalls but at this point has refused to fix our vehicle under the warrant contract we received when buying this car new in 2008. | |||
| 07/23/2012 | 43040 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 2008 kia optima. while driving approximately 25 mph, the air bag inadvertently deployed with substantial force and struck the contact in the face. the impact of the air bag deployment knocked the contact unconscious for several minutes, which resulted in the vehicle crashing into an unoccupied parked vehicle. the contact sustained injuries to the head, neck and shoulder. the vehicle was completely destroyed and towed to an authorized dealer. a police report was filed of the incident. the manufacturer was notified of the problem. the approximate failure mileage was 43,040. updated08-30-12 *bf | |||
| 07/23/2012 | 43040 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2008 kia optima. while driving approximately 25 mph, the air bag inadvertently deployed with substantial force and struck the contact in the face. the impact of the air bag deployment knocked the contact unconscious for several minutes, which resulted in the vehicle crashing into an unoccupied parked vehicle. the contact sustained injuries to the head, neck and shoulder. the vehicle was completely destroyed and towed to an authorized dealer. a police report was filed of the incident. the manufacturer was notified of the problem. the approximate failure mileage was 43,040. kmj updated08-30-12 *bf | |||
| 07/23/2012 | 43040 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2008 kia optima. while driving approximately 25 mph, the air bag inadvertently deployed with substantial force and struck the contact in the face. the impact of the air bag deployment knocked the contact unconscious for several minutes, which resulted in the vehicle crashing into an unoccupied parked vehicle. the contact sustained injuries to the head, neck and shoulder. the vehicle was completely destroyed and towed to an authorized dealer. a police report was filed of the incident. the manufacturer was notified of the problem. the approximate failure mileage was 43,040. kmj | |||
| 07/23/2012 | 43040 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2008 kia optima. while driving approximately 25 mph, the air bag inadvertently deployed with substantial force and struck the contact in the face. the impact of the air bag deployment caused the contact to pass out for a couple of minutes as a result to the vehicle crashing into an unoccupied parked vehicle. the contact sustained injuries to the head, neck and shoulder. the vehicle was completely destroyed and towed to an authorized dealer. a police report was filed of the incident. the manufacturer was notified of the problem. the approximate failure mileage was 43,040. js | |||
| 08/01/2008 | 2800 | 1 | |
| As the driver's side air bag assembly is under a recall, the passenger side system should also be investigated. about 10-15% of the time the passenger side air bag will indicate that it is off after an adult sits in the seat. this requires that the person will need to get out then back in, or the car needs to be shut off and restarted and that doesn't guarantee that the system will operate properly. last week the passenger side air bag off light has now been coming on while the car is in motion. it will appear for a few seconds, then go off, reappear then go off. *tr | |||
| 08/01/2008 | 2800 | ||
| As the driver's side air bag assembly is under a recall, the passenger side system should also be investigated. about 10-15% of the time the passenger side air bag will indicate that it is off after an adult sits in the seat. this requires that the person will need to get out then back in, or the car needs to be shut off and restarted and that doesn't guarantee that the system will operate properly. last week the passenger side air bag off light has now been coming on while the car is in motion. it will appear for a few seconds, then go off, reappear then go off. | |||
| 06/22/2012 | 79333 | ||
| After clockspring recall/ and repair the cars air bag signal now come on with a code of b1378 in which kia has told me that there is s high resistance dsab. i have been informed that this code is for a bad or faulty airbag. the car has never been in an accident and the airbag has never been deployed. | |||
| 06/02/2012 | 80000 | ||
| We were hit in the passenger side and the entire side of the car was crushed and none of the air bags ever deployed and the passenger side seat belt did not lock. i had reported the fact that when someone was sitting in the passenger seat that the airbag light was not cominhg on to the car dealership that i purchased the car from but they just made excuses that the person sitting in the seat was not heavy enough even though they weiged over 150lbs. | |||
| 12/07/2011 | 65000 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 2008 kia optima. the contact stated the air bag warning light illuminated only when someone was sitting in the passenger seat. the vehicle was taken to a mechanic who stated when the light was on it indicated that the air bag may not deploy in a crash or it may deploy without a crash occurring. the vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. the vin was not available. the failure mileage was 69,000 and the current mileage was 75,000. | |||
| 12/07/2011 | 65000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2008 kia optima. the contact stated the air bag warning light illuminated only when someone was sitting in the passenger seat. the vehicle was taken to a mechanic who stated when the light was on it indicated that the air bag may not deploy in a crash or it may deploy without a crash occurring. the vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. the vin was not available. the failure mileage was 69,000 and the current mileage was 75,000. rvk | |||
| 06/04/2010 | |||
| Tl* the contact owns a 2008 kia optima. the contact stated while driving 70 mph the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree. the air bags did not deploy. a police report was filed and a fatality was reported. the vehicle was destroyed. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the vin was not available. the failure and current mileage was unknown. | |||
| 06/04/2010 | |||
| Tl - the contact owns a 2008 kia optima. the contact stated while driving 70 mph the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree. the air bags did not deploy. a police report was filed and a fatality was reported. the vehicle was destroyed. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the vin was not available. the failure and current mileage was unknown. rvk | |||
| 03/26/2009 | 30000 | ||
| Summary: the contact owns a 2008 kia optima. the contact stated that the passenger side airbag sensor would not identify that a passenger was sitting in the vehicle, causing the airbag to indicate that the air bags were off. complained to the dealer 4 times. the dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure, but denied any wrong.. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was first reported 30,000 now has 49,000. they should recall these kia. last time at the dealer was february, 2012 | |||
| 07/01/2011 | 10 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 2008 kia optima. the contact stated that the passenger side airbag sensor would not identify that a passenger was sitting in the vehicle, causing the airbag to indicate that the air bags were off. the dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure, but denied any assistance with repairs to the vehicle. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 10 and the current mileage was 36,000. | |||
| 07/01/2011 | 10 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2008 kia optima. the contact stated that the passenger side airbag sensor would not identify that a passenger was sitting in the vehicle, causing the airbag to indicate that the air bags were off. the dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure, but denied any assistance with repairs to the vehicle. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 10 and the current mileage was 36,000. kmj | |||
| 07/01/2011 | 0 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2008 kia optima. the contact stated that the passenger side airbag sensor would not identify that a passenger was sitting in the vehicle, causing the airbag to indicate that the air bags were off. the dealer and manufacturer were notified, but denied any assistance with repair to the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 0 and the current mileage was 36,000. nw | |||
| 12/28/2011 | |||
| December 28, 2011, i noticed that my airbag light located on the dashboard continuously stays illuminated. i have taken it to the dealer to get it checked out. i was told that the airbag sensors are located in the driver/ passenger seats. the mechanic at kia dealer tried to fix the problem, but was unsuccessful. the service representative informed me that they would have to replace the sensors. i've viewed the complaints of people that own kia optima 2008. it states that these cars were recalled because of significant amount of defects. (i only have 43,000 miles) in addition, a week ago i've started hearing a ticking noise coming from the engine area when i accelerate going up in a roller coaster climbing position. thank you for your expeditious response. | |||
| 01/30/2011 | |||
| 2008 kia optima. passenger air bag light stays off even when 175 pound person is sitting in seat. taken car in 4 times to be fixed. kia says we are probably sitting in the seat wrong. finally they replace seat. still didnt solve problem. doesent matter what speed. | |||
| 01/15/2010 | 0 | ||
| When front seat passenger sits in the passenger seat of the 2008 kia optima, the airbag off indicator doesn't switch to on. i was told by dealer that the steps is that the car needs to be off, passenger sits, then turn the car on. this automatic feature is going to get someone killed . . . not turning on the passenger restraint. unless the car is off. true situation - my wife gets discharged from hospital from having a baby, i pull car around, get out, load items in the car. my wife gets in the car. half way home, we realize the front passenger airbag is off. | |||
| 12/07/2010 | 11900 | ||
| The passenger side airbag malfunctions. it may or may not engage when one sits in the seat. after moving around; getting out of car and/or refastening seat belt it will most of the time engages. the size of the person, the movement of the car (or not), and sitting position do not appear to matter. one knows that the airbag is not employed properly because the light indicating the functioning of the passenger side airbag will read off. | |||
| 05/21/2010 | 32000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2008 kia optima. while driving with a passenger the contact noticed his air bag indicator light was not on so he took the vehicle to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. the contact was also informed that the vehicle must be started prior to having someone sit in the passenger side in order for the passenger air bag to function. the failure and current mileages were 32,000. sm. | |||
| AIR BAGS - FRONTAL | |||
| 03/18/2011 | 43239 | ||
| Passenger airbag says off when passenger is sitting in the front seat | |||
| 12/02/2010 | 30000 | ||
| I have a 2008 kia optima that i purchased brand new in 2007 i have noticed that when i have a passenger the airbag lights states that air bag is off this is scary are my passengers not being protected by the air bag | |||
| 05/07/2010 | 24000 | ||
| I own a kia 2008 optima. every 3-5 days the passenger airbag sensors do not detect a person sitting in the passenger seat. i can drive for miles and have the person adjust their position and it still doesn't register. it seems to occur with people between 120-160 pounds. they are all over 5'5. i have contacted kia corporate case #k1729837. because it happens every three to five days they won't do anything until the computer registers an error. the computer doesn't think anyone is there. it doesn't think there is an issue. they've basically told me when it happens to turn off the car and have the person get out of the car for 3 seconds and then try it again. this doesn't work well when you are picking hs kids up from school. you can't just stop your car in the middle of the street. i've done some reserach. it looks like kia has been aware of the problem since 2006. i believe it is a serious safety issue. if the system doesn't identify the person in the seat and there is a head on collision the airbag is not going to deploy. i have video and pictures of it reoccruing. kia will don't accept it as evidience. | |||
| 02/10/2010 | 8000 | 1 | |
| Front passenger side air bag does not always activate when an adult sits in the front passenger seat. the dashboard light indicates that the airbag is off. even with an adult weighing about 115 pounds occupies the seat. *tr | |||
| 02/08/2010 | 21 | ||
| Indicator light for passenger seat air bag has irregular performance. can't depend on operation of passenger side air bag. have made 4 or 5 complaints with dealer and no resolution. looking at internet it appears this is a problem with various model years on the kia optima and other models within the kia family. would like to have resolution prior to having an accident with someone in the passenger seat and the air bag does not function. | |||
| 01/03/2010 | 11700 | 1 | |
| We have a 2008 kia optima, with 12,000 miles.. the passenger side airbag indicator light malfunctions. while people are seated, it comes on, indicating the air bag is off; which means, in case of accident it will not deploy. it has done this recently on three separate occasions with three different medium to large adults. we have taken this to the local kia service twice and have been told each time, you are not sitting correctly. they even supplied us with a service bulletin instructing employees how to respond when people report this concern... instructing the consumer how to sit correctly. after, much conversation with the local kia dealership employees, everyone, the service manager, tech, and company manager agreed that we had a problem but they couldn't fix it. their reason was kia would not recognize it as a problem and would not cover it under the warranty. as a matter of fact, the manager reported to me that the kia rep was not pleased that the employees had used the word problem when referring to my situation. this is a major safety concern and it leaves me with a car, that when the light comes on, i have to stop and move the passenger to the back seat, as the airbag would not deploy in case of an accident. upon checking the internet, i have discovered pages of others reporting this same problem with the same inane instructions of not being seated properly. if the kia's sensor is that sensitive, it needs to be fixed. we feel this needs to be addressed and that kia needs to admit the problem and fix it! *tr | |||
| 04/13/2009 | 38 | 1 | |
| Bought a new optima 2008. the passenger airbag is almost always off when a passenger is seating normally on the front seat. the dealer refuses to fix it despite the car being brand new. *tr | |||
| 10/13/2008 | 5 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 2008 kia optima. the contact stated that the passenger side air bag indicator illuminated, which meant that the air bag was deactivated. the indicator never illuminated to indicate that it was activated. the failure occurs intermittently and without warning. the contact finds this to be very unsafe because there was no guarantee that the air bag would activate in the event of a crash. the vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that because passengers were seated improperly, the air bag module would not activate. no repairs have been made. the manufacturer could not find any recalls; therefore, no compensation would be made. the failure mileage was 5 and current mileage was 5,843. | |||