2012 Kia Optima Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 48about this part
- Share
- 5%of 920 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 84,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 48 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 Kia Optima, 5% of the 920 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 84,000 miles. 8 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.
“Last year I was told by Kia if my steering wheel clicked to bring it in asap, at the time it wasn't doing that. A month ago it did, I brought it to my dealership and was told it wasn't covered. The clock spring assy failed. Plus it had to do with the airbag not deploying. Some are covered others are not, explain to me please that if they all are doing the same thing why aren't they all covered? Please help! Thank you.”
NHTSA complaint #11343230, filed 2020-08, 65,000 miles“Kia Optima 2012 with 43000 miles horn doesn't work while steering wheel turned to the right. It works fine while steering straight/left but the moment turned right horn will only click/ no sound. I do have the airbag light on don't know if it is related. Worst case is, I have my state inspection due and with the srs light and no horn, it will definitely fail. I guess that's what I get for owning a Kia .”
NHTSA complaint #11205983, filed 2019-05, 43,000 miles“Takata recall while driving this car on the highway I notice noise coming from the front. I've had problem with this same thing since 2012, first the string it would pull left and right on its own while drive straight. Kia said they would fix it. There was a recall on this problem,now my rack and pinion is broken,and that's because Kia refuse to fix that problem back in 2012 with the string. …”
NHTSA complaint #11162273, filed 2018-12, 500 miles“I bought my car 3 months ago. Never had any issues, make sure I do my oil and all,no lights have come on on my dash board except the airbag light as of recently. I was driving it to pick up my son and my car started to slow down and I noticed my check engine light was on so I pulled over to the gas station and checked my oil. No issue I just got an oil change the week before. My engine is knocking now. With no warning or anything.”
NHTSA complaint #11372384, filed 2020-10, 103,535 miles“My car slowed down in wouldn't reach over 2000 RPM and the engine light kept blinking and when I put it on a computer engine code p1326 popped on. It's called the ignition control module combustion quality input signal after Kia dealership of skibo road supposedly already fixed the problem back in june 2019 now it's september 30, 2020 n it came on again n yes last year had to replace my engine. I was driving on a street in the morning on september 30, 2020 when it happened and it was raining.”
NHTSA complaint #11362019, filed 2020-09, 20,000 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
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 2012 Kia Optima
398 complaintsSteering
188 complaintsElectrical system
122 complaintsBrakes
88 complaintsOther or unknown
88 complaintsFuel system
54 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
54 complaintsVehicle speed control
40 complaintsBody and structure
39 complaintsExterior lighting
31 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
28 complaintsEngine cooling
20 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Kia Optima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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