2008 Kia Optima Air Bags

Occupant airbag sensor doesn't recognize whether someone is sitting or not. The occupant airbag sensor light goes on and off whether there is a passenger sitting on the seat or not. Kia has extended warranty on this issue however it doesn't let customer know about this part is defected. I was doing my research how to fix the issue and learn that kia had extended warranty for 15 years from the first day of service. the warranty currently expired right now. if I knew there was a warranty, I would go to dealer to fix the issue the day that my wife bought the car.

Air bag line came on, dealer states is clock spring.

This car have a Warranty Extension for OCS Sensor Mat. Warranty extension dated June 2016 Airbag light was first turned on in August 2020 Went to the dealer and said it was related to seat buckle and got it fixed Airbag light again turned on in August 2021 Went to the dealer and said it was related to clock spring and that the driver seat needs to be replaced, which would take time and did not get repaired In November 2021, the airbag light got turned off by itself I am very concerned whether the air bag for my car is really working.

I had my airbag light turned on last year and the dealership fixed the issue. Within a year, the airbag light got turned on again and now they say that it is related to the clock spring and is not covered in the extended warranty.This is a part that should not fail and very important for the safety and security of the driver and the other passengers.

KIA RECALLED OPTIMAS UP UNTIL JANUARY 2008 FOR FAULTY CLOCK SPRING. I HAVE A KIA OPTIMA THAT WAS BUILT IN MARCH 2008. I JUST PAID ALMOST 500.00 TO REPLACE THE CLOCK SPRING BECAUSE MY MONTH AND YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. WHY DID KIA STOP THE RECALL AFTER JANUARY 2008 WHEN THERE WERE STILL 2008'S WITH CLOCK SPRING ISSUES. I STARTED MY CAR AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OFF. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD I HAD A BAD CLOCK SPRING. I'M SURE THESE THINGS DO NOT WEAR OUT BEING THEY ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM.

OUR SON VEHICLE WAS DRIVING ON A 1 WAY STREET AND CROSSING THE 4 CORNER INTERSECTION ON A GREEN LIGHT WHEN HE WAS HIT BY A 2018 CHEVY TRAX RUNNING A RED LIGHT. THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WAS HIT HARD, WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO SPIN, 3 TIRES WERE BLOWN, THE REAR AXLE WAS BROKEN AND THE CAR WAS NOW FACING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. DURING THIS PROCESS HIS AIR BAGS (FRONT,SIDE) DID NOT DEPLOY, WHICH WAS ONE OF THE REASONS FOR PURCHASING THE VEHICLE FOR SAFETY. NOW THE OTHER VEHICLE WHICH HIT HIM HAD FRONT END DAMAGE, BUT ONLY HIS SIDE AIRS DEPLOYED. BASED ON THE IMPACT AND BODY DAMAGE THE VEHICLE WAS CONSIDERED TOTALED.

CLOCK SPRING DONT WORK CAUSING AIR BAG LIGHT TO STAY ON

"AIR BAG" LIGHT STAYS ON AFTER VEHICLE IS TURN ON. DEALER SAID THERE IS NO RECALL. CODE B1481.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR DID NOT REGISTER WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000.

TAKATA RECALL AIRBAG LIGHT FOR FRONT PASSENGER WAS ILLUMINATED. TOOK IT TO DEALER WHO PUT IT ON DIAGNOSTIC UNIT FOR $95 & GOT LIGHT TO GO OFF FOR NOW BUT STATED THAT THE SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED TO REPAIR IT AT A COST OF $1700.00. APPARENTLY THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE WAS NOT LISTED ON THE RECALL. OWNER HAS THE BILL FOR THIS DIANOSTIC SERVICE & ESTIMATE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY FOR THE AIR BAG WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000. UPDATED 02/05/16*LJ THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED, THE VEHICLE WAS ONE MONTH OUT OF THE COVERED DATE. UPDATED 03/01/16.*JB *CN

AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINS ON. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP WHICH DIAGNOSED PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR IS BAD. MUST REPLACE COMPLETE SEAT BOTTOM AND TRACK AT A COST OF ABOUT 1700.00 USD. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS RESET, BUT I WAS INFORMED THAT IF ANYONE SITS ON THE PASSENGER SEAT THE SYSTEM WILL TRIP AGAIN AND NOT BE ACTIVE. I INVESTIGATED ONLINE AND FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, AND THIS WAS CONFIRMED BY THE KIA DEALER PARTS DEPARTMENT COUNTER PERSON . THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL AND NOT A REPAIR FOR THE CUSTOMER TO FINANCE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 85 MPH, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WENT INTO AN EMBANKMENT AND CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND THE FRONT PASSENGER WAS KILLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A POLICE IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.....UPDATED 12/30/15 *BF *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED EVEN WITH AN OCCUPANT SEATED IN THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V014000 (AIR BAGS), BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,233.

WIFE WAS COMING BACK FROM WALKING THE DOGS IN THE PARK, AT THE PARK SHE WAS FEELING DIZZY, WHEN SHE SAT DOWN IN THE CAR SHE WAS FEELING BETTER. AS SHE WAS DRIVING HOME, SHE PASSED A SCHOOL AND SAW THE SIGN TO SLOW DOWN. AFTER THAT, SHE BLACKED OUT AND SHE WOKE UP AFTER THE ACCIDENT, IN A DITCH ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STREET. SHE HAD HIT A FENCE THEN HEAD-ON INTO A TREE. THE WHOLE TIME ALL THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING IS THE REASON FOR THIS COMPLAINT UPDATED 05-27-15 *BF.....UPDATED 06-12-15 *BF UPDATED 06/23/15*JB

I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR 05 THRU 08 ON THE CLOCK SPRING IN THE FRONT AIRBAG. MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND I GUESS MINE IS NOT COVERED. I TOOK IT IN AND THEY SAID MINE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL BUT IT WAS THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY IF THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM ISN'T IT COVERED. I GUESS THERE NEEDS TO BE AN INJURY OR DEATH BEFORE ITS COVERED. *TR

TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V014000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,085.

PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND READS, AIR BAG OFF AND STAYS O WITH AN ADULT PASSENGER IN FRONT SEAT. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WHICH HAS BEEN IN DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS A NUMBER OF TIMES (TEN) AND HAS NEVER BEEN RESOLVED. KIA SAID THAT THEY ARE NOT INTERESTED IN MAKING REPAIRS BECAUSE OF THE AGE AND MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE. THE LIGHT WAS ON AT ONE TIME WHEN AT THE DEALERSHIP AND A DIAGNOSIS WAS PERFORMED. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM FOUND. THE PROBLEM WITH THIS STATEMENT IS THAT IF THE LIGHT IS ON AND THERE A PERSON IN THE SEAT, AND AN ACCIDENT WAS TO TAKE PLACE, THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY. I FEEL THAT THIS A REAL SAFETY PROBLEM, ONE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESS BY KIA AND REPAIRED OR REPLACE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE DANGER TO THE PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT. I KNOW I COULD JUST TRADE THE VEHICLE IN TO GET RID OF MY PROBLEM, BUT THAT WILL NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE AND THE NEXT OWNER WILL HAVE THE SAME SAFETY ISSUE. THIS CONDITION CAN HAPPEN AT ANY SPEED BOTH OR RESIDENTIAL AND EXPRESSWAYS, IT STAYS ON UNTIL I TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND STOP THE CAR. HOW DO I KNOW, IF THIS SYSTEM IS EVER WORKING PROPERLY? ..UPDATED 04-16-14 *BF

THE KIA 2008 OPTIMA'S HAD A RECALL ON THEIR AIR BAGS. WE TOOK THE CAR TO KIA TO HAVE THE CLOCK SPRING REPLACED. A SHORT TIME AFTER WE GOT THE CAR BACK I WAS DRIVING TO AN APPT. WHEN MY AIR BAG DEPLOYED ON IT'S OWN. THIS CAUSED ME TO CRASH INTO A PARKED VAN, TOTALING BOTH VEHICLES. I WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSP. BY AMBULANCE. THE POLICE OFFICER CAME TO GIVE BACK MY CARDS AND PAPERS HE NEEDED FOR THE REPORT. I WAS NOT CHARGED HE SAID BECAUSE OF THE RECALL ON OUR CAR, IT WAS NOT MY FAULT. WE INFORMED KIA OF WHAT HAPPENED. THEY SAID THEY NEEDED THE BLACKBOX INFO, BUT THEY NEVER CHECKED IT OUT. KIA KEPT IGNORING OUR CALLS AND EMAILS. THEY SAID THEY NEEDED A SPECIAL TEAM TO LOOK AT THE BLACK BOX, BUT THEY KEPT TELLING US THE TEAM WASN'T TOGETHER AND IT WOULD TAKE TIME FOR THEM TO GET TOGETHER. WHEN MY 2008 KIA OPTIMA GOT TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP GARAGE MY BROTHER WENT TO GET PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE AND TO RETRIEVE MY BELONGINGS. 3 MECHANICS STOOD BY MY BROTHER WATCHING AND ASKING WHAT HAPPENED. 2 OF THE WORKERS SAID THE CLOCK SPRING DIDN'T LOOK HOW IT SHOULD HAVE IF MY AIR BAG WENT OFF. THEY SAID EITHER THE CLOCK SPRING WAS A FAULTY ONE THAT KIA REPLACED OR THAT THE MECHANIC DID NOT REPLACE IT RIGHT. A GUY NAMED [XXX] AT KIA THAT WE TALKED TO WANTED ME TO MAKE A 63,000.00 SETTLEMENT. I SAID NO BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW HOW BAD MY INJURIES WOULD GET. TELLING [XXX] THIS, IS WHEN HE STARTED TO IGNORE ME AND MY INSURANCE COMP. CALLS. I WENT A YEAR BEFORE A DOCTOR (150 MILES AWAY) REMOVED A HERNIATED DISK IN MY BACK BECAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT (IT TOOK THAT LONG BECAUSE THEY TRIED EVERYTHING ELSE BEFORE THEY WOULD DO SURGERY). MY BACK IS BETTER BUT MY SHOULDER ISN'T. DOCTOR'S IN MY CITY WANT ME TO GO 150 MILES AWAY TO SEE A DOCTOR THERE AND THAT IS HARD TO SCHEDULE AND KEEP GOING THERE. TODAY 3/23/2014 KIA WILL NOT DO A SETTLEMENT OR TALK TO US. CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY STILL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

DRIVER ON OPPOSITE SIDE IF ROAD CROSSED CENTER LANE AND CRASHED INTO THE DRIVERS SIDE OF MY CAR, DAMAGING THE ENTIRE DRIVERS SIDE FROM THE HEADLIGHTS TO THE TAILLIGHTS. IT IS WITHIN $1000 OF BEING TOTALED, BUT THE LOW MILEAGE IS WHAT SAVED US BY BRINGING THE VALUE UP. THE DRIVER WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 25-30MPH WHEN HER CAR STRUCK MINE AND SHE DID NOT APPLY THE BRAKES AT ALL. SHE HIT MY CAR AND THE CAR BEHIND ME AS WELL. MY SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE IMPACT, AS I FEEL THEY SHOULD HAVE. THERE WERE NO OTHER PASSENGERS IN THE CAR, AND THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY ISSUES WITH THE AIR BAG SYSTEM THAT I AM AWARE OF. *TR

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. FUSES ARE GOOD. KIA DEALER WANTS 95$ TO LOCATE PROBLEM AND MUCH MORE TO FIX WHATEVER MAY BE WRONG. *TR

MY CAR WAS HIT IN THE SIDE BY ANOTHER CAR GOING APPROX.40 MPH. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THIS MODEL HAD A RECALL ON THE AIRBAGS 6 MONTHS PREVIOUS. WE TOOK IT IN,THEY SAID A SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY GAVE US A PAPER SAYING IT WAS REPAIRED AND RETURNED OUR CAR TO US. *TR

AFTER 50,000+ MILES ON OUR 2008 KIA OPTIMA THE PASSENGER "AIR BAG" LIGHT WOULD COME ON (MEANING THE AIR BAG WAS AUTOMATICALLY TURNED OFF BY THE CAR'S COMPUTER SYSTEM) WHILE DRIVING WITH A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT. IT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY HAPPEN...SOMETIMES IT WOULD AND SOMETIMES IT WOULDN'T. WE HAD IT CHECKED BY A DEALER AND EVEN THOUGH THEY SAW THE PROBLEM (PASSENGER SITTING IN FRONT SEAT AND AIR BAG WAS "OFF") IT DID NOT REGISTER A CODE IN THE CAR'S COMPUTER SYSTEM. THIS WAS REPORTED TO KIA BY THE DEALER BUT AS OF THIS DATE (09/11/12) KIA HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR THE ISSUE UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT DID NOT REGISTER A CODE. THIS POSES A SAFETY RISK TO PASSENGERS IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. FAILURE TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY AND EVEN DEATH. KIA HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM IN OTHER MODELS AND HAS EVEN ISSUED RECALLS BUT AT THIS POINT HAS REFUSED TO FIX OUR VEHICLE UNDER THE WARRANT CONTRACT WE RECEIVED WHEN BUYING THIS CAR NEW IN 2008. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WITH SUBSTANTIAL FORCE AND STRUCK THE CONTACT IN THE FACE. THE IMPACT OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT KNOCKED THE CONTACT UNCONSCIOUS FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, WHICH RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE CRASHING INTO AN UNOCCUPIED PARKED VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, NECK AND SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,040. UPDATED08-30-12 *BF UPDATED 09/07/2012 *JS

AFTER CLOCKSPRING RECALL/ AND REPAIR THE CARS AIR BAG SIGNAL NOW COME ON WITH A CODE OF B1378 IN WHICH KIA HAS TOLD ME THAT THERE IS S HIGH RESISTANCE DSAB. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THIS CODE IS FOR A BAD OR FAULTY AIRBAG. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAG HAS NEVER BEEN DEPLOYED. *TT