2005 Kia Optima Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 22about this part
- Share
- 15%of 144 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 22 complaints about the air bags of the 2005 Kia Optima, 15% of the 144 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,000 miles. 6 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.
“The light for my air bag has been staying on and my horn quit working for over a year now. I finally took it to the shop for them to look at it, they told me it was a clock switch (I believe I said that right) which is something in the steering connected to the airbag and horn. I am concerned that the airbag might activate while I am driving which would not be good. Maybe even not work if I get in a wreck.”
NHTSA complaint #11000725, filed 2017-06, 220,000 miles“I was traveling at about 35-40 MPH when I noticed the person in front of me stop. I hit the brakes and could not stop in time and collided with the rear of this persons car. It smashed in my front bumper, fender, bent the hood about two feet in the air, and my airbags did not deploy. I drive a Kia Optima 2005. I think this crash definitely warranted a airbag deployment.”
NHTSA complaint #10293368, filed 2009-11, 40,000 miles“Right after my warranty expired my airbag light started flickering when I went over a minor bump. It is now constantly on. I have seen others post the same issue with my vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10273924, filed 2009-06, 37,000 miles“Eight (8) times since I bought the car the air bag warning light has come on; each time I've taken it to the dealership to have repaired as my families safety is of great concern to me. On two of those occasions the dealership replaced a seat back parts that worked temporarily. The other occasions I was mostly given a bunch of nonsense about computer codes and that they cleared the code (I assume I have air bag protection). All of this occurred while the car was still under it's 60,000 mile warranty. …”
NHTSA complaint #10232961, filed 2008-07, 28,476 miles“Airbag light came on for no reason and will not go off. The driver seat and sunroof have an electrical issue where they work then don't, found that the switches are bad and work sometimes.”
NHTSA complaint #10822983, filed 2016-01, 157,000 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 2005 Kia Optima
66 complaintsElectrical system
29 complaintsBody and structure
22 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 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