2011 Kia Optima Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 31about this part
- Share
- 5%of 594 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 98,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 31 complaints about the air bags of the 2011 Kia Optima, 5% of the 594 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 98,000 miles. 10 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Takata recall as soon as I turn the key the airbag light shows up, steady. It is on all the time, whether I am stationary or in motion. I have no idea if the airbags even work. There are also issues with the electrical system as the door often unlocks on its own, alarm goes off on it's own, lights flash inside every time I make a turn, left or right and the radio spazzes out”
NHTSA complaint #10979742, filed 2017-04, 84,000 miles“The airbag warning light came on back in november . According to the Kia owners manual this means the airbags will not work. I contacted 2 Kia dealers in the tampa fl area (back in november) and have not heard back from them. I guess they must be too busy or don't like doing warranty work. Now the brake lights do not work, this car is a pos.”
NHTSA complaint #10507386, filed 2013-04, 28,000 miles“I had a front end accident on 1 oct 2018. My airbags did not deploy. I received recall notice on 18 oct 2018. I have contacted Kia concerning this matter several times, they will not respond to me.”
NHTSA complaint #11267907, filed 2019-10, 150,000 miles“I received a recall notice on my airbags on 8/15/2018 on 8/16 I was rear ended by a big work truck and pushed into another vehicle. 5 cars involved. My vehicle is totaled the airbags did not deploy”
NHTSA complaint #11123102, filed 2018-08, 96,000 miles“My son was driving his 2011 Kia Optima when a spark and pop noise came from his steering wheel. All the functions of the secondary functions of the steering wheel, including the horn, air-bag, cruise control, etc. Quit working. I took the vehicle to Kia and they immediately diagnosed the issue as a clock spring without looking at it, which makes be believe this is a common problem. If my 16 year old son had been in an accident, he would have not had a frontal airbag. And without a horn, he would not have been able to warn another vehicle appropriately. …”
NHTSA complaint #11241584, filed 2019-08, 78,000 milesRelated recalls
- 18V363000Jun 1, 2018Kia 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…Covers: Kia Optima 2011–2013, Forte 2010–2013, Forte Koup 2010–2013 +2 more
Related service bulletins
- 10094137Jun 8, 2016Dealer parts and service manager memo: wty002 - 2008~2011my rio passenger seat ocs sensor mat warranty extension (wty002) - kia motors america, inc. Is extending the warranty…
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 2011 Kia Optima
256 complaintsSteering
100 complaintsExterior lighting
88 complaintsElectrical system
63 complaintsBrakes
47 complaintsOther or unknown
41 complaintsFuel system
26 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
25 complaintsBody and structure
21 complaintsVehicle speed control
19 complaintsSuspension
18 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 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