This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The contact owns a 2006 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag indicator light remains illuminated when there is an adult over 100 lbs in the passenger seat. The dealer stated that the air bag needed to be reset to correct the failure. This meant that when a passenger entered the vehicle, the air bag sensor needed to be shut off and then reactivated for the air bag to work properly. This did not correct the failure and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer, however, the service technician was unable to perform the repair. The failure mileage was 181 and current mileage was 8,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated no matter how much the passenger weighed. The dealer attempted to repair the failure on three occasions, but it continued to occur. The current and failure mileages were 2,791 starting 60 miles. The dealer stated hears a rattle from the sunroof and gasket on trunk. Updated 08/29/07
The contact owns a 2006 Kia Optima. The contact called regarding the air bag sensor light. The front passenger sensor light illuminated intermittently regardless if someone was in the passenger seat. The mechanic stated that the failure occurred in approximately 50% of these vehicles and may be prevented by sitting in a certain position. The current mileage is 9,000, and failure mileage was 500.
- the contact called regarding a 2006 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the contact's vehicle struck another vehicle at 5 mph, and the airbags did not deploy. The road conditions were icy. The contact stated the airbag light stayed on. He took the vehicle to a Kia dealer, and was told the airbag module would need to be replaced. The current and failure mileage were 7558. The consumer stated a ground wire was replaced. Updated 03/30/07.
Purchased brand new 2006.5 Kia Optima, ,,the passenger air bag does not turn on when a passenger is in the seat. My wife ways 170 so this is well above a 130 lb limit I have read about but not verified. This is an intermittent problem but quite frequent though. 9 times in last 2 days...took it to Kia and they could not get it to act up and no codes in computer. Though I have witnessed this malfunction at least 100 times now in the last month. I told them this is a safety issue and needs to be fixed. They said they cant just throw money at it hoping to replace the bad part by luck as the sensors are $1200 a piece and they told me there were 5 sensors in the seat. I then told them that the safety aspect of the car was one of the main reasons I bought it, and now it is not dependable, I cant trust it to protect any passenger in that seat.
- Arkansas City, KS, USA
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- the contact stated he purchase a 2006 Kia Optima on 11/30/06, with 377 miles on the vehicle at purchase. The contact states that after purchasing the vehicle he notice that passenger side airbag sensor light would not turn off. The contact states that while no one is in passenger seat the light stays on and the airbag is off. The contact stated that while someone is in passenger seat the airbag light continues to stay on. He said that the airbag is malfunctioning. The contact states that he has informed dealership of the problem and they ordered the part. The contact stated that the dealership contacted him and told him to bring vehicle in today even though the part will not be in until after christmas. The contact stated that dealership has ordered the padding for the cushion on the passenger seat. The contact stated this is a safety issue and NHTSA should know about this problem.
: the contact stated while a passenger weighing 125 pounds was properly restrained in the front passenger seat, the advanced airbag sensor light would not illuminate, which indicated a lack of airbag protection. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who performed a diagnostic test, which did not produce any failure codes. The dealer referred to the vehicle owner's manual which indicated in some instances with lighter passengers, the advanced airbag system may not be active. The dealer determined the advanced airbag system was functioning accordingly to the manufacturer's specifications and all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. The manufacturer was alerted.
We purchased a 2006.5 Kia Optima a few months back. This car is equipped with a feature, the de-activation of the front seat passenger airbag when the seat is vacant. My wife weighs about 104 lbs and does not always activate the switch as indicated by the fact the warning light does not go off, and therefore is unprotected if there was a frontal crash. The dealer checked and indicated that the switch is functioning as designed. This problem occurs about 50% of the time. Sometimes she can get the indicator to go off by moving around and/or bouncing on the seat. The other fun fact is that we can be riding along and the indicator will come on or if it is on it will sometime turn off. There does not appear to be any rhyme or reason for the activation or de-activation of the sensor switch. I was told by the dealer that the sensor switch can not be by-passed because of federal regulations.
I just purchased a 2006.5 Kia Optima. My concern is when my wife sits in the passenger seat; the air bag does not arm. Kia states that the new standard (NHTSA) states that one must be over 130 lbs. If true, I find that unacceptable. There is no statements within the owners manual or is there a placard on the dashboard warning one must be over 130 lbs. Should I have an accident, who is liable, you or Kia. Please let me know the rules, the law and if this is so, what individual, felt individual less than 130 lbs do not deserve that safety feature.
Our concern relates to the safety of our vehicle. A nice feature of this car is the de-activation of the passenger airbag when that seat is vacant; however, there appears to be a malfunction. The dashboard lights up as passenger air bag off even when a passenger is seated there. This is a huge safety concern of ours.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Columbus, OH, USA