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.
2008 Kia Optima airbags problems
57 complaints (40% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 59,800. 11 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 57
- of this car's complaints
- 40%
- typical mileage
- 59,800
- crashes
- 11
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Frontal13
- Frontal: sensor/control module1
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
Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Kia Optima airbags
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- Kia motors america, inc. (kia) is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 kia optima vehicles manufactured from september 29, 2005, through january 29, 2008, and model year 2007 and 2008 kia rondo vehicles manufactured from september 13, 2006, through march 21, 2008. The clock spring contact assembly for the driver's side air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) may become damaged through usage over time. If the clock spring contact assembly becomes damaged, the driver's air bag electrical circuit will experience a high resistance condition potentially causing the driver's air bag to not deploy.
- Risk
- If the clock spring develops high resistance, in the event of a crash, the drivers air bag will not deploy and will not be able to properly protect the driver, increasing the risk of injuries.
- Remedy
- Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the vehicle's air bag clock spring contact assembly, free of charge. The safety recall began on july 11, 2012. Owners may contact kia customer assistance center at 1‑800‑333‑4542.
Recall number 12V014000 · Recall details
What 2008 Kia Optima owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Power train: at low idle or while slowing down, the car will lose power for a minute until you get on the accelerator and it all comes back on. Alternator had been replaced. And is going to be replaced again soon. Not sure if it's just a bad part. Power steering pump was replaced. The pulley seized. Unrelated. Lighting: third brake light constantly flickers. All Lighting including head lights flicker on and off. Worse when slowing down. Lights on dash board, dome, rear light and head light Bulbs have been replaced. At night when the head lights flicker I cannot see the road. Airbags: the air bag light on dash is always on. Codes have been ran and there are so many. Tried resetting codes it comes back on soon after. Not sure how to go about trying to fix it. All of this has been happening since I purchased the car in November 2024.
Air bag line came on, dealer states is clock spring.
have taken my kia to halleen kia sandusky dealership for safety recall driver air bags, and to assess my subframe. was turned away because they said the subframe of my car was too rusty and they "didn't feel safe letting their technicians do repairs as per safety recalls" and would not investigate the cars subframe.
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.
I was driving southbound on sepulveda blvd on sep 6 at 0800am and I was over halfway through the green light when I was struck by a toyota making a left turn on a green light who did not yield. The driver [xxx] struck my car on the front and left driver bumper and fender causing extensive damage. He failed to yield, lied about it and the front and side air bags did not deploy. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
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
Questions about the 2008 Kia Optima airbags
Does the 2008 Kia Optima have airbags problems?
Owners have filed 57 complaints about the airbags of the 2008 Kia Optima, 40% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2008 Kia Optima airbags problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 59,800 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2008 Kia Optima airbags?
Yes, 1 recall: 12V014000. 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 2008 Kia Optima problems
Engine 24Transmission 18Electrical 15Visibility 14Lights 8Acceleration 7Brakes 7Body 5Fuel system 5Seats 4Steering 4Suspension 3Tires 3Seat belts 2Driver assistance 1Locks 1
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