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2001 Kia Optima airbags problems

27 complaints (19% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 81,000. 16 crashes reported.

owner complaints
27
of this car's complaints
19%
typical mileage
81,000
crashes
16
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Frontal
    7
  • Side/window
    3
  • Frontal: sensor/control module
    3
  • Frontal: driver side: inflator module
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Kia Optima airbags problems in other years

20012005201020152020

Specific symptoms reported on the 2001 Kia Optima airbags

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Airbag light 17No deployment 9

Related recalls

Air bags: side/windowReported May 1, 2001 · 16,231 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The side air bag wire harness for the driver position could be mis-routed, which could result in it being pinched or cut by the seat cushion tilt mechanism.
Risk
Damage to the wire harness could result in the side air bag not deploying in an accident.
Remedy
Dealers will check for proper routing of the side air bag wire harness and secure it in place with a plastic tie-wrap. If the wire harness is damaged, it will be replaced. Owner notification is expected to begin during may 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact kia at 1‑800‑333‑4542.

Recall number 01V156000 · Recall details

What 2001 Kia Optima owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jan 26, 2024 · Airbags, Seat belts · CA

My air bag light has been on and I've check everything and my seat belt don't lock when its on and the light to the seat belt goes off contented, I've tried to go to the dealer to have them fix my airbags and senses I don't have recall on it they won't fix it ,The air bag is very important and so is the seat belt

Filed Nov 28, 2023 · Airbags, Engine · CA

My airbag light on and I've check the fuses in it,Not it,,, My AC,. The drivers door lock , Oxagen senser Crank Shaft,

Filed Nov 12, 2013 · Airbags · 155,000 miles · CT

Tl* the contact owns 2001 kia optima. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 01v156000 (air bags) but as advised by the manufacturer that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 155,000.

Filed Aug 31, 2009 · Airbags · 151,000 miles · AZ

While driving the driver side airbag (in front driver seat) deployed. There was no accident or did I hit anything. There was no evident cause on why the airbag deployed. I took it to a dealership they just look at it did no diagnostic or anything and told me it was out of warranty so they can not do anything about it. I called the manufacturer they basically told me the same thing but did send in a airbag deployment case report.

Filed Nov 17, 2006 · Airbags · 77,500 miles · AZ

Dt*: the contact stated the airbag light illuminated. There was a the federal safety agency recall, # 01v156000, regarding the airbags. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.

Filed Aug 3, 2006 · Airbags, Brakes · 87,000 miles · CA

When I first brought the car and drove it, the lights became dim in the inside and the headlights. The radio turned off and on, took it to dealer 4-5 times for problem and they could find nothing wrong. The car doesn't pick up spend when going over hills not even little ones. The gas needle does not read full even when the tank is practically overflowing with gas. Reading a full tank of gas happens every once in a while. Check engine light comes on . Have taken to shop and was told that my spend sensor is going out and that is why the car is going from 1st to 3rd gear and skips 2nd altogether I've only had the car for one year the warrinty is gone and I was never offered the extended warrinty and really didn't think of it since the car was only 4 yr old. Back brakes have also gone out at least I think so they started grinding with no warning 2 days ago I'm going to have them checked this weekend. Air (never used befoe this summer)doesn't get cold like it should. Door lock making a crazy sound on drivers side, believe the motor is going out on power locks they also tend to not want to unlock sometimes. Atenna broke.air bag light came on and won't turn off. Also how can I find out if any recall items have been fixed on my car or not or if they still need to be replaced.

Filed Jun 28, 2006 · Airbags · CA · crash

Dt*: the contact stated the air bag light continuously illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealers agreed to replace the air bags but with a charge for labor. One month later the vehicle was in an accident traveling 15 MPH in residential area. The air bag failed to deploy. There were no injuries incurred and a police report was filed. Updated 7/7/2006 -

Filed Jun 22, 2006 · Airbags · 81,000 miles · OK

Air bag light came on while driving & would go out repeatedly. When I called the kia 800 number was told probably nothing. But you might want to schedule it in with your local dealer. I asked "do I need to be concerned that it might deploy unexpectedly". He said probably not, if you are concerned that it might deploy you are better off not driving it. I told him I don't know anything about airbags, he repeated,"if I believe there is reason to be concerned, you should probably just park it." I took it to a local repair center that is near my home & was told that the "clock spring" in the steering column had broken & the vehicle is not safe to drive, that the airbag could deploy at anytime without cause or in a collision it may not deploy at all. I called the 800 number back & asked if there was any recalls on the airbag for a 2001 kia optima le & was told they will not discuss recalls with me at all without the VIN #. I asked specifically about airbag problems for the optima 2001& told him I didn't have the VIN# because it was in the shop. He stated they would not discuss any recalls without my name, address and/or the VIN#, I said I would fix it then submit charges if recalled the 800# said that if it is recalled after I repair it I may not get reimbursed if it wasn't diagnosed by a dealership. I called the local dealership to schedule it, they said to bring it in. I told them I would be towing it in & they wanted to know why towed in. I told them the repair center said that the airbag could deploy without notice, they said it could but not necessarily. I believe that kia have no concern for the fact a person could die or be seriously injured if the driver's air bag deployed at highway speeds. This problem arose without any indication & I addressed the problem immediately. I believe this is a serious life threatening problem & needs to be investigated, I hope the federal safety agency will.

Filed Mar 31, 2006 · Airbags · 89,000 miles · CO · crash

Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle was involved in a crash at 15 MPH and the front air bags did not deploy. However, the contact suffered no injuries due to the fact the seat belt was worn. The contact struck another vehicle while making a turn. The point of impact was the front end of the contact's vehicle. The police arrived at the scene and provided a written report. The insurance company inspected the vehicle and deemed it totaled. Updated 05/04/06

Filed Dec 29, 2005 · Airbags · KY

The air bag light came on in the vehicle and I took it in for regular maintenance, I was told that it would cost me 500.00 dollars to repair the wiring harness. I did not have the repair done because I fell that this is a manufacturers defect that they should have to replace. The dealer also tried to have me replace the timing chain at 60,000 miles at the same cost and then later replaced the belt for free.

Questions about the 2001 Kia Optima airbags

Does the 2001 Kia Optima have airbags problems?

Owners have filed 27 complaints about the airbags of the 2001 Kia Optima, 19% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2001 Kia Optima airbags problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 81,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2001 Kia Optima airbags?

Yes, 1 recall: 01V156000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Kia Optima have bad airbags?

The Kia Optima model years with the most airbags complaints are 2007 (65 complaints), 2013 (62 complaints) and 2008 (57 complaints).

Other 2001 Kia Optima problems

Body 35Suspension 28Engine 26Electrical 17Locks 15Brakes 14Transmission 12Acceleration 7Seat belts 5Visibility 5Wheels 5Fuel system 3Lights 3Seats 1Steering 1Tires 1

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