2020 Kia Optima Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 5%of 153 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 21,148miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the air bags of the 2020 Kia Optima, 5% of the 153 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 21,148 miles. 4 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.
“My vehicle was moving when a ford 150 pulled out in front of me. Forward collision worked & slowed the vehicle to 35mph. I hit the truck doing severe front end damage to my car. The airbags did not deploy what so ever.”
NHTSA complaint #11378067, filed 2020-12, 4,297 miles“It is impossible to use the brake pedal if the shoe size is us10+. The distance between the floor and the knee airbag mechanism does not allow the use of the brake pedal.”
NHTSA complaint #11414072, filed 2021-04, 20 miles“I purchased in July 2020, from sept 2020 I've had it at the dealership with shuddering, stalling and loss of acceleration. I originally thought fuel pump or transmission but kia said no. then in 2022 I received a letter from kia corporate stating low pressure fuel pump failure. so i called the dealership and told them the letter states everything I had been in to see them about numerous times. made an appointment they said they found an error but had no fix. I complained heavily due to the fact I sat there for 4 hours, and they knew they had no fix as of yet. It was too dangerous like this. …”
NHTSA complaint #11708981, filed 2026-01“Stable track control failed to work, the driver seatbelt did not tighten & stayed loose, & air bags did not deploy upon hitting the ditch & small trees resulting after hitting ice/water upon coming to a stop sign at a “T” cross road.”
NHTSA complaint #11715952, filed 2026-02“The contact owns a 2020 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of New Vehicle Limited Warranty Extension (Illumination of Air Bag Warning Light); however, the part to do the repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The seat belt alarm chimed while the front driver seat belt was buckled. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. …”
NHTSA complaint #11622702, filed 2024-10, 42,860 milesRelated 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…
- 10172119Feb 3, 2020PITSTOP: SUN VISOR WITH FRENCH TEXT AIRBAG WARNING LABELS - This Pitstop provides information regarding the left and/or right side sun visors on some 2020MY Optima (JFa) vehicles…
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 2020 Kia Optima
104 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
27 complaintsOther or unknown
18 complaintsElectrical system
14 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaintsForward collision avoidance
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 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