2002 Kia Optima Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 18%of 107 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 49,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the air bags of the 2002 Kia Optima, 18% of the 107 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 49,000 miles. 11 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“2002 Kia Optima airbag driver's side deployed going 35 miles perhour while in a right hand curve. When the air bag deployed it hit the left shouder causing my daughter to turn the wheel more and go off the road. There where no impacts on any part of the car .we are lucky no one was hurt other than a strained neck and a hole in the oil pan. Kia recalled some 2001 for the same problem .”
NHTSA complaint #10148761, filed 2006-01, 48,000 miles“While driving on a paved surface going approx. 40 MPH, my driver side seat airbag went off for no reason. I sustained severe bruising and burning scabs on my left shoulder and currently have a scar there.”
NHTSA complaint #10159356, filed 2006-06, 97,000 miles“Purchased car brand new on april 30, 2003 - incident #1: july 15, 2003, I was traveling about 30-35 miles per hour exiting the mass pike exit at route 30. All traffic was slowing to exit - I applied the brakes - went all the way down - realized that the breaks were not working - panicked - impacted the vehicle in front of me. The airbags did not work. Incident #2: august 8, 2003, when vehicle was repaired the owner of bucci's auto body took the car in the parking lot for a test drive. …”
NHTSA complaint #10070650, filed 2004-01, 6,000 miles“The air bag warning light came on 7 times while driving. Dealership replaced the driver's side seat that contained the side air bag because it was faulty, and installed a new air bag control module. Also, they reprogrammed the air bag sensor several times, but the light still came back on. Vehicle was involved in 2 frontal collisions in which the air bags did not deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #10079670, filed 2004-06, 3,600 miles“While at a complete stop because of road construction, the consumer's vehicle was rear ended by another vehicle at 40 MPH. Upon impact, none of the frontal air bags deployed, and the driver's side seat belt failed to retract. Also, driver's side seat back reclined backwards onto the rear seat. Driver sustained severe bruises to chest/breast bone/lungs/heart/lower abdominal, and left leg.”
NHTSA complaint #10075894, filed 2004-06, 8,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10022959Sep 1, 2007Supplement restraint system (srs) warning lamp illumination for b1378 and b1382.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 7 | 5% |
| 2019 | 12 | 6% |
| 2018 | 9 | 4% |
| 2017 | 5 | 2% |
| 2016 | 24 | 3% |
| 2015 | 26 | 3% |
| 2014 | 16 | 3% |
| 2013 | 62 | 4% |
| 2012 | 48 | 5% |
| 2011 | 31 | 5% |
| 2010 | 17 | 23% |
| 2009 | 28 | 24% |
| 2008 | 57 | 40% |
| 2007 | 65 | 39% |
| 2006 | 46 | 30% |
| 2005 | 22 | 15% |
| 2004 | 26 | 12% |
| 2003 | 17 | 12% |
| 2002 | 19 | 18% |
| 2001 | 27 | 19% |
Other parts of the 2002 Kia Optima
30 complaintsSuspension
21 complaintsElectrical system
14 complaintsBrakes
12 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
12 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsWheels
5 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsEquipment
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 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