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Air bagsPart report

2016 Kia Optima Air bags Problems

Complaints
24about this part
Share
3%of 760 total for the year
Median mileage
28,581miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the air bags of the 2016 Kia Optima, 3% of the 760 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 28,581 miles. 13 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I was going west on 210 in redlands, california approximately at 6:15 p.m. When I was rear ended by a 2015 toyota camry. His right front fender ran into my left back fender causing me to spend and settle on the left shoulder of the freeway. The side driver air bag deployed the steering wheel airbag did not. My car was totaled.”

NHTSA complaint #11298501, filed 2020-01, 50,800 miles

“As I began crossing the intersection (highway) I ended up getting t- boned halfway through the intersection by a pickup. He was speeding going roughly 60mph in a 45mph zone my Kia Optima sustained passenger side/ and frontal impact damage. The impact of the accident sent me skidding across the highway and none of my frontal airbags activated nor did the seatbelt lock up. This lead me to sustain heavy chest injuries from the impact of the steering wheel. Also the car could not be shut off after the accident. The vehicle stayed running until emt disconnected the power to it.”

NHTSA complaint #11184995, filed 2019-03, 60,000 miles

“Was hit head on by a sliding vehicle with bald tires. Air bags did not deploy and seat belts did not hold us in place.we were doing about 15 mi.per hour or less on a mt pass because of weather conditions the other vehicle was doing about 45 mi. Per hour or more when hit us. Highway patrol investigated accident.”

NHTSA complaint #10944457, filed 2017-01, 22,960 miles

“One car head on crash. Passenger side curtain did not deploy. Passenger had many injuries right side. Happened in construction zone on a highway, in missouri.”

NHTSA complaint #11084464, filed 2018-04, 8,000 miles

“A car accident took place early sunday morning of september 25, 2016 in which the air bag failed to deploy resulting in severe injuries. Kia was contacted and informed that a accident had taken place in a new vehicle that was purchased, and the airbag did not deploy, although it had passed the inspection at the dealership and should have been under warranty since the vehicle was purchased a few months prior. Kia failed to correct the issue, although indicating they would send an inspector out to check the vehicle. Later it was indicated the vehicle had 2 recalls associated with it (#1. …”

NHTSA complaint #11100768, filed 2018-06, 4,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202075%
2019126%
201894%
201752%
2016243%
2015263%
2014163%
2013624%
2012485%
2011315%
20101723%
20092824%
20085740%
20076539%
20064630%
20052215%
20042612%
20031712%
20021918%
20012719%

Other parts of the 2016 Kia Optima

Engine
426 complaints
Other or unknown
123 complaints
Electrical system
104 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
74 complaints
Fuel system
62 complaints
Exterior lighting
47 complaints
Body and structure
41 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
38 complaints
Vehicle speed control
29 complaints
Brakes
24 complaints
Engine cooling
24 complaints
Steering
24 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2016 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