Problems · by component

2011 Kia Optima air bags problems

31 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2011 Kia Optima cite air bags, 5% of all 594 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
31
5% of all complaints
Crashes
10
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
8
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“About six months ago, I lost the heated steering wheel functionality in my steering wheel, then from there, I slowly lost functionality like cruise control, and the most recent now my airbag and horn do not work. If you press on the horn, it is silent, and the airbag light has been illuminated consistently for the last couple of months. I had this issue diagnosed and it came up with the codes of B1346. And B1481. After some research, these issues are the result of a bad clock, spring and cause the airbag and horn not to work. Additionally, this issue is known to this model the 2011 Kia Optima, and has been recalled in most production cases of this vehicle, but my vehicle is not included. I received a quote for $876 from a dealership to get this corrected, but it should be included in the recall.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 13, 2026Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Unknown or otherODI 11749934
“There's something going on at the Kia dealership in Wake Forest (Westgate). Per the current recall notice, the lights came on that were highlighted in the notice ( ”MIL” , ABS warning light) so I had my car towed into the dealership. They claimed my car had a bad battery and the problems were not due to the recall situation. I took my car out of there and straight to auto zone, about 200 feet from the dealership. My battery tested fine. Not only this, the lights (check engine, and others) were no longer illuminated and the radio was mysteriously working again. I'm not sure what they did to my car, but they charged me over $200 for a diagnosis. Not only this, they cited several other issues with the vehicle that I nor my master mechanic were aware of. They had my car for several days without so much as a phone call. In addition, while I was waiting for the keys to my car (which took 15 minutes to obtain), I overheard the other gentleman inform a kia owner via phone that her car was not covered under the warranty because she had over 150K miles on the car. I'm so disgusted. This is what happens every time we have to take a car into a dealership. They're full of baloney.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 13, 2024Electrical system, Air bags, Unknown or otherODI 11571620
“The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V363000 (Air Bags) and the vehicle was taken to the local dealer. The contact was then informed that the VIN was also included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). Upon inspecting the vehicle, the dealer informed the contact that there was bearing wear and the vehicle would remain at their location for two months for the repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 29, 2022Engine and engine cooling, Air bagsODI 11458875
“THE AIRBAG INDICATOR ON MY DASHBOARD REMAINS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. IT HAS BEEN THIS WAY SINCE APRIL 2018 WHEN THE FRONT END (JUST RIGHT OF CENTER) WAS IMPACTED. HAVE BEEN TO KIA PERFORMANCE CENTER IN MOOSIC PA AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO REGARDING THIS MATTER. ALSO, MY VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT ERTLEY MOTORWORLD AND THEY TOO STATED THAT NOTHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 8, 2020Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11353623
“HI MY CAR HAS LOT OF SAFETY ISSUES.. I TOOK MANY TIMES TO KIA DEALER IN JERSEY CITY MY CAR DOOR GETS UNLOCKED WHILE IT'S IN DRIVING MODE WHICH MAKES ME FEEL UNSAFE I TOLD SO MANY TIMES TO THE DEALERS TO FIX IT THEY DO SOME TEMPORARY THINGS IN MY CAR AND THEY LIVE ME BUT AGAIN AFTER SOME DAYS THAT PROBLEM IS ARISING AGAIN... I AM FED UP WITH THIS SITUATION AS I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THE CAR...”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 20, 2020Electrical system, Air bags, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11300423
“I HAVE A THETA II TURBOCHARGED ENGINE 6 SPEED MANUAL AND I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET TAKING MY SON TO WORK. ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR STARTED MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE AND WOULDN'T GO PAST 2ND GEAR. WE CALLED A TOW TRUCK HAD IT SENT TO MECHANIC THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND 2 P CODES CAME BACK FROM CRANKSHAFT AND CONTROLS AND SEIZED ENGINE. SO I HAD IT TOWED INTO WESTON KIA DEALERSHIP. PLUS I HAD JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR IN APRIL. THE DEALERSHIP SHIP CALLED ME SAYING THEY WERE GOING TO REPLACE MY ENGINE AND WIRING AND COMPUTER AND SENSOR CHIP. ALSO MY PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN BLINKING OFF 3 DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT IT AND STILL IS. MY EMERGENCY BRAKE DOESN'T WORK AND ROLLED WHILE IT WAS PULLED UP IN NEUTRAL AND HIT MY DAUGHTER AS SHE WAS RUNNING AROUND THE FRONT OF THE CAR TO THE PASSENGER SIDE RIGHT IN HER KNEE CAP. I GOT MY CAR BACK FROM WESTON AND IT DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT. SOMEONE PUT 380MILES ON MY CAR IT HAD A 1/2TANK OF GAS AND MY CLUTCH AND CLUTCH PEDAL AND GEAR SHIFT WAS WAY SHORTER AND 1/4 INCH OFF IN SHIFTER BOX. I WAS ON THE FREEWAY DRIVING 60 MPH WITH MY KIDS AND WE WERE LEAVING MY PARENTS HOUSE FROM XMAS. ALL OF A SUDDEN I ALMOST LIST CONTROL OF THE…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 6, 2020Air bags, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11297448

Showing 6 of 31 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 13, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Air bags: air bag

Free remedy

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.

Air bagsReported Jun 1, 2018NHTSA 18V363000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 13, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.