2003 Kia Optima air bags problems
19 complaints about air bags have been filed for the 2003 Kia Optima, which is 10% of all its NHTSA complaints.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 19 10% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 58,000 miles 14 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 7 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 9 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When air bags problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 2 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 4 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 1 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 4 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 2 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 0 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 0 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 14 air bags complaints that report mileage, the median is about 58,000 miles, and 50% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 7 crashes, 9 injuries.
What owners wrote
Dt*: the contact stated, while traveling through an intersection at 25 MPH., the vehicle was struck on the driver's front door by a police vehicle running a red light, without the emergency lights on. Both frontal and side airbags failed to deploy. Injuries were incurred in the collision. A police report was filed and pictures were taken at the scene. The airbag sensor light was replaced by a service dealer, approximately one-year prior to the accident.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 kia optima. The contact stated that the front driver side door failed to unlock. The contact stated that in order to get inside the vehicle, he had to climb over to the driver side. The contact also stated that the "air bag" warning light was illuminated continuously. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnostic and the mechanic was unable to locate a solution to the problem. The vehicle was not repaired.
Other problems reported for the 2003 Kia Optima
- Latches & locks 53 complaints
- Body & structure 26 complaints
- Electrical system 25 complaints