MyCarTSB

2016 Kia Optima Airbags Problems

18 owner-reported airbags complaints from NHTSA data

18
Complaints
2
Recalls
11
Crashes
Jan 2020Nov 2023
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Airbags Recalls (2)

RECALLCampaign #17V007000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Kia Motors America (Kia) has recalled one 2016 Optima vehicle. In this vehicle, the end seal for the driver's frontal air bag inflator may not have been properly installed, possibly resulting in reduced inflation of the frontal air bag in the event of a crash.

Fix: The affected vehicle was remedied on January 10, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC143.

RECALLCampaign #16V231000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Optima vehicles manufactured November 10, 2015, to February 12, 2016. In these vehicles, a chemical enhancer required for the for the second stage deployment of the driver's frontal air bag was not loaded, resulting in the second stage not deploying in necessitating crashes.

Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on May 6, 2016. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC131.

Owner Complaints (18)

criticalAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Nov 2023

I got into a frontal car accident the other car hit the front of my vehicle and no airbags deployed. I’ve researched today and seen people are having many issues with airbags on this vehicle and that there were many recalls regarding airbags from years ago. I was never informed of any issues with any of that when I got this vehicle.

Parts you may need:

As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.

NHTSA #: 11555648
criticalAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Jan 2020

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.

Parts you may need:

As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.

NHTSA #: 11298501
criticalAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Feb 2019

I was involved un a rear end collision. I was struck from behind while stopped @ a traffic light. Severe damage to the rear end of the car.

Parts you may need:

As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.

NHTSA #: 11173769
criticalAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Jun 2018

A car accident took place early sunday morning of september 25, 2016 in which the air bag failed to deploy resulting in severe injuries.

Parts you may need:

As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.

NHTSA #: 11100768
criticalAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Apr 2018

One car head on crash. Passenger side curtain did not deploy. Passenger had many injuries right side.

Parts you may need:

As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.

NHTSA #: 11084464
criticalAIR BAGS,SEATS
CrashFiled: Feb 2018

Tl* the contact owned a 2016 kia optima. While driving approximately 49 MPH, the contact's vehicle was rear ended by another vehicle. The contact mentioned that the front passenger seat was detached from the hinge.

NHTSA #: 11066481
criticalAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Aug 2017

Tl* the contact rented a 2016 kia optima. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle hydroplaned over a pocket of water. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a pole.

Parts you may need:

As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.

NHTSA #: 11019598
criticalAIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
CrashFiled: Jan 2017

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.

NHTSA #: 10944457
criticalAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Feb 2016

I was involve in a bad accident with 10k in front end damage and my air bags did not deploy and half of the air bag sensor came apart in the damage

Parts you may need:

As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.

NHTSA #: 10837282
mediumAIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Mar 2025

There is a clean slit on my dashboard where the passenger airbags are it’s started to form a complete square around the air bag placement and I’m worried it might have a problem with the airbags and its not just cosmetic. When I googled the issue there are tons of kia drivers with the same clean sit appearing over the passenger air bag.

Parts you may need:

As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.

NHTSA #: 11650603
mediumAIR BAGS,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Aug 2023

Crack in dash along outline of airbag. Burns oil so it has to be refilled monthly Now mechanic says compression and combustion are problems Can’t get into Kia until February when warranty will probably be expired

Parts you may need:

As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.

NHTSA #: 11540503
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Aug 2023

A straight line crack about 4 inches long appeared suddenly on my dash. The crack is directly over the dash mounted airbag. The car has been parked in my garage since I bought it new in 2016. In addition, my work location has an employee garage so it is hardly parked out in direct sun. It is in mint condition. I took the vehicle to the local KIA dealer and they said it was not covered by the warranty. My concern is that the crack may impede the deployment of the airbag in a critical situation. I feel it should be investigated because there are a lot of exact same complains on the internet concerning a crack at the same location.

Parts you may need:

As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.

NHTSA #: 11536627
mediumAIR BAGS,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Filed: Jan 2022

Suddenly, the warning lights on my dashboard resembled that of a christmas tree. I was seeing warning lights for the passenger airbag, blind spot warning/assist, auto-hold, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, etc - were all suddenly offline.

NHTSA #: 11449418
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Sep 2021

A straight line crack about 4 inches long appeared suddenly on my dash. Upon doing some online research, I found that the crack is directly over the dash mounted airbag. I took the vehicle to the local KIA dealer and they said it was not covered by the warranty.

Parts you may need:

As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.

NHTSA #: 11432962
lowAIR BAGS,STRUCTURE
Filed: Aug 2025

Dashboard shows a crack right where the passenger airbag is and Kia Motors wont change it, also the paint is flaking and noticed other Kia models with that same paint scheme that’s peeling off.

NHTSA #: 11682167
lowAIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,ENGINE
CrashFiled: Aug 2025

I have pictures

NHTSA #: 11678323
lowAIR BAGS
Filed: Jun 2024

The dashboard has a crack around the edge of the passenger airbag. I am trying to find out if this is a safety issue for airbag deployment.

Parts you may need:

As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.

NHTSA #: 11597688
lowAIR BAGS,STRUCTURE
CrashFiled: Oct 2017

I got car accdinet and three airbag just pop out so that meant need replace?

NHTSA #: 11039683

Other 2016 Kia Optima Issues