2019 Kia Optima Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 6%of 212 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 14,084miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the air bags of the 2019 Kia Optima, 6% of the 212 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 14,084 miles. 9 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving one night on a residential street and a deer ran out in front of my car. I slammed on my brakes but still hit the deer which damaged my front drivers side fender and lights. I was traveling at 25 miles per hour. I didn't call the ambulance at the time because I had to go right back to work. At the time I also did not think that the accident affected me but I believe that due to the whiplash from slamming on the brakes that it did in fact damage my spine. …”
NHTSA complaint #11268064, filed 2019-10, 25,000 miles“I was rear ended on the freeway. Traffic came to a complete stop, but the car behind me was going 40-50mph and did not stop in time and rear ended me and pushed me into the vehicle in front of me. My airbags did not deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #11271129, filed 2019-10, 2,500 miles“Purchased 2019 Kia Optima ex on 4/27/2019 from a Kia dealership in hagerstown,md. After research on this website we find out that there is an investigation for airbags not deploying on this vehicle in crashes. This investigation was initiated before the purchase of this vehicle. How is a dealership allowed to sell a vehicle with a potential safety issue? A dealership/manufacturer should have to let the purchaser know before they buy the vehicle. We would have never purchased the vehicle if we would have known this!”
NHTSA complaint #11244735, filed 2019-08, 46 miles“I brought my Kia Optima into the dealership in October 0f 2024, because my airbag light came on. It has not been there over 6 months because my passenger airbag module is not operable and rending all my airbags useless; it is also on backorder with no ETA. The dealership wouldn't help with my escalation it has taken me 6 months to get to the escalations department and now they will not offer additional support with payments or a buy back due to warranty . …”
NHTSA complaint #11652179, filed 2025-04“On sept 1st I was in an accident. I hit a parked car. My car was totaled. I suffered a fractured sternum and possible concussion. All of airbags failed to deploy. PALO ALTO POLICE RECORD,22-02889”
NHTSA complaint #11485068, filed 2022-09Related service bulletins
- 11023108Sep 5, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: SIDE AIRBAG (SAB) INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT FOR DTC(S) B1380/B1384 (WTY036) - This bulletin has been revised to include…
- 10251973Mar 8, 2024TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION: SIDE AIRBAG (SAB) INSPECTION ANDREPLACEMENT FOR DTC(S) B1380/B1384 (WTY036) - This bulletin provides information associated with…
- 10251611Mar 8, 2024TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SIDE AIRBAG (SAB) INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT FOR DTC(S) B1380/B1384 (WTY036) - This bulletin provides information associated with the 'Warranty…
- 10250772Feb 28, 2024WARRANTY EXTENSION: REIMBURSEMENT FORM (WTY036) - This document is a Reimbursement Request form that was mailed with the customer letter advising them to submit the form if they…
- 10250770Feb 28, 2024WARRANTY EXTENSION: OWNER NOTIFICATION (WTY036) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners…
- 10250771Feb 26, 2024WARRANTY EXTENSION: QUESTION AND ANSWER (WTY036) - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Warranty Extension…
- 10250769Feb 26, 2024WARRANTY EXTENSION: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (WTY036) - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service Managers that Kia is extending the New…
- 10250768Feb 14, 2024WARRANTY EXTENSION: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (WTY036) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage…
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 2019 Kia Optima
92 complaintsOther or unknown
43 complaintsForward collision avoidance
36 complaintsElectrical system
23 complaintsBrakes
19 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
17 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsLane departure
7 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2019 Kia Optima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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