Air bag light all of sudden,after just starting up
2002 Kia Optima airbags problems
19 complaints (18% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 48,000. 12 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 19
- of this car's complaints
- 18%
- typical mileage
- 48,000
- crashes
- 12
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Frontal3
- Side/window2
- Frontal: sensor/control module2
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Kia Optima airbags problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2002 Kia Optima airbags
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
What 2002 Kia Optima owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owned a 2002 kia optima. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle hydroplaned and crashed into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The dealer was not contacted and the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 219,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 kia optima. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.
After buying the vehicle from a auto dealer between july 2 and july 5 ...this vehicle began to have many problems like the audio receiver switch from radio to cd on its own,doors locks on its own,RPM runs to 4000 going 45mph after a hard jerk assuming that I was hit by a other car the air bag light came on after that 2 hard jerks while driving,,(they didn't even deployed) can not pump gas due to fuel keeps over flowing when its barely empty ....its been a living ?!@#$% and I'm still paying for the car....is it legal for a dealership to sell a vehicle like this.
I purchased a low mileage kia optima two years ago. Shortly after purchasing this car the airbag light deployed. I took it to my local dealer service dept @ gwinnett place kia in duuth ga who at no charge made the light go off. Driving out of the dealership the light came back on and they again corrected whatever it was that was making the light appear, assuring me just because the airbag light is on it will deploy and it is fine. Two more time in the next few months for no reason again the light would appear and again I returned to the dealership. The last time 9 months agto when they installed a new airbag as they advise they did not know what was causing the light to come on agaim reassuring me just because the light was on the airbag would still deploy. I was frustrated at that point and although the light was on a few days later again, I felt assured I was in no danger and planned to trade in the car in the near future. Now it is the same problem and when I took my car to a mechanic whom I trust and who is a teacher of auto mechanics at a local college, he informed me today they gave me the run around, assuring me this is regulated by the federal govenment and I am not safe; as long as the airbag light is on my airbag will not deploy at the time of an accident. I am now fearful kia hasl argued with me that despite the records of the mumerous times I have sought help from them for the same problem, the car is now over the 50k warranty and it is not their responsibility. They want to charge me $50.00 to just look at it and from there will charge me like anyone else. This is outrageous. I'm a single mom with kids and need to be safe. I will never purchase another kia products again and am considering hiring an attorney to intervene for me to resolve this. They never "fixed" the problem to begin with and now want me to pay?
Dt*: the contact stated that there were two accidents with the vehicle where the air bag did not deploy. In the first accident, in 2003, none of the airbags deployed. In the second of these accidents which was more severe, the vehicle was totaled, and none of the airbags deployed either. In the both accidents, the occupant were wearing their seatbelts however the contact expressed concern that there must be a problem air bag sensor of the vehicle.
Dt*: the contact stated the airbag light illuminated and the vehicle was taken to the dealership. The dealership determined the driver side seat needs to be replaced.
While driving on a paved surface going approx. 40 MPH, my driver side seat airbag went off for no reason. I sustained severe bruising and burning scabs on my left shoulder and currently have a scar there.
Dt*: the contact stated the driver side airbag deployed without warning while driving 35mph. The driver seat belt was in use at the time of the incident and the brakes were not being applied. The sudden deployment of the airbag startled the contact and the steering wheel was jerked in reaction to the airbag. The vehicle left the roadway and struck a curb, the vehicle sustained damage to the passenger side and the oil pan was ruptured. The vehicle was towed to a service dealer who determined the air bag sensor/actuator was set too high causing the air bag to deploy prematurely.
2002 kia optima airbag driver's side deployed going 35 miles perhour while in a right hand curve. When the air bag deployed it hit the left shouder causing my daughter to turn the wheel more and go off the road. There where no impacts on any part of the car .we are lucky no one was hurt other than a strained neck and a hole in the oil pan. Kia recalled some 2001 for the same problem .
Questions about the 2002 Kia Optima airbags
Does the 2002 Kia Optima have airbags problems?
Owners have filed 19 complaints about the airbags of the 2002 Kia Optima, 18% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2002 Kia Optima airbags problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 48,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2002 Kia Optima airbags?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
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 2002 Kia Optima problems
Body 30Suspension 21Electrical 14Brakes 12Locks 12Engine 11Steering 8Fuel system 6Transmission 6Wheels 5Acceleration 2Lights 2Seat belts 2Visibility 2Driver assistance 1Seats 1Tires 1
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