2001 Kia Optima Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 4%of 143 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the seat belts of the 2001 Kia Optima, 4% of the 143 complaints for this model year. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My air bag light has been on and I've check everything and my seat belt don't lock when its on and the light to the seat belt goes off contented, I've tried to go to the dealer to have them fix my airbags and senses I don't have recall on it they won't fix it ,The air bag is very important and so is the seat belt”
NHTSA complaint #11568114, filed 2024-01“My son hit a truck from behind at 35mph. He was driving my 2001 Kia Optima. The seatbelts did not lock when hit the brakes and the air bags did not deploy. My son (driver) hit the steering wheel and windshield. The passenger in our car hit the windshield. The police report indicates this information and I have pictures of the inside and outside of the car. The car was totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #10051382, filed 2003-12“I was involved in a crash on nov 02. I was broadsided by a truck (f150 type veh.) in an intersection. As a result, my roof bowed and the entire drivers side from wheel well to wheel well was caved in like a half moon. The frame was pinned up against the drivers seat. The seat belt did not lock but released me and none of the air bags deployed. I suffered back and neck injury and was transported by amubulance to a nearby hospital. The vehicle was in storage. I contacted the manufacturer numerous times as did my attorney. All we received was the run-around for approx. Six months. …”
NHTSA complaint #10093710, filed 2004-10“Consumer state while traveling at 40 MPH in result of rear ending another vehicle driver side seat belt did not hold consumer in seat in result of consumer head hitting windshield. Please provide further information. Ts”
NHTSA complaint #8023180, filed 2002-11Seat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 4 | 3% |
| 2019 | 2 | 1% |
| 2018 | 5 | 2% |
| 2017 | 8 | 3% |
| 2016 | 3 | 0% |
| 2015 | 2 | 0% |
| 2014 | 1 | 0% |
| 2013 | 18 | 1% |
| 2012 | 5 | 1% |
| 2011 | 2 | 0% |
| 2010 | 2 | 3% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 3 | 2% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2005 | 3 | 2% |
| 2004 | 6 | 3% |
| 2003 | 1 | 1% |
| 2002 | 2 | 2% |
| 2001 | 5 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2001 Kia Optima
35 complaintsSuspension
28 complaintsAir bags
27 complaintsEngine cooling
24 complaintsElectrical system
17 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
15 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsEquipment
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsWheels
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Kia Optima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology