I was involved in a high speed, rear end collision in which I was traveling at approx 55mph when another large vehicle changed lanes from right to left, right in front of me causing me to collide with them. The result was significant front end damage to my car and significant bodily injury to myself because of the failure of my brakes to adequately stop my car and the failure of the air bags to deploy resulting in my body and head rapidly flying forward into the steering wheel.

- Elk Grove, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18V363000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- East Northport, NY, USA

Takara recall, I had to replace the contact assembly clock after air bag sign would not turn off, certain cars were recalled due to this problem, I believe it should be looked into additional years as well since the problem is still on going

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

On 11/3, my wife was in accident in our optima, wherein she was T-boned. She was driving approximately 30mph, when another driver drove through a stop sign and, presumably, accelerated into the middle of the driver side of our car. None of the airbags deployed, and we're convinced that one should have. After speaking to the body shop, they tell me that "the sensors are designed to deploy only when the car is hit just the right way." Likewise, Kia responded that, "it's our opinion (based on a photograph I provided) that the location of the impact and its force wouldn't have triggered the deployment of airbags." In response to that, I asked, "clearly, you know what doesn't constitute the deployment, but what criteria would be necessary for the airbags to deploy." Every time I ask, they say there is no hard-and-fast answer. I've also asked if it makes sense for Kia to see the vehicle or ask the body shop for the results of their sensor-testing before making an opinion. To that, the Kia rep said, "no, we wouldn't do that. Our airbag-specialist's opinion is conclusive."

- Bradenton, FL, USA