2011 Kia Optima: airbag warning light

Filed Jul 13, 2026 · Acceleration, Airbags · OH

About six months ago, I lost the heated steering wheel functionality in my steering wheel, then from there, I slowly lost functionality like cruise control, and the most recent now my airbag and horn do not work. If you press on the horn, it is silent, and the airbag light has been illuminated consistently for the last couple of months. I had this issue diagnosed and it came up with the codes of B1346. And B1481. After some research, these issues are the result of a bad clock, spring and cause the airbag and horn not to work. Additionally, this issue is known to this model the 2011 Kia Optima, and has been recalled in most production cases of this vehicle, but my vehicle is not included. I received a quote for $876 from a dealership to get this corrected, but it should be included in the recall.

Filed Apr 24, 2025 · Airbags · TN

The airbag warning light on the dashboard stays on continuously and will not go off.

Filed Dec 20, 2021 · Engine · TX

I as driving on the highway and all of a sudden the car would not accelerate. The engine light, oil light, air bag lights etc. all turned on. The speed quickly dropped but I was able to to move into the safety lane. The card finally stalled and would would not start. I tried turning it back on, but the engine would not crank. The lights, radio, AC would still turn on, but the engine would not start. I have maintained it's scheduled maintenance and I was under miles until it's next oil change considering I had just changed it a month ago. I took it to get checked and was advised there was no oil and the engine was seized. I never received a warning the oil pressure was low. My car is over the 10 years and/or 100,000 k warranty as it was purchased 8/2011.

Filed Sep 9, 2021 · Airbags · TX

The safety of myself and other are put at risk being that my airbag light is on which means it is defective.

Filed Oct 22, 2020 · Airbags, Electrical · CA

The passenger airbag lights will flash, my lights won't turn off when on auto, my radio is turning on and off by itself and is doing some weird things

Filed Sep 8, 2020 · Airbags · PA · crash · 1 injury

The airbag indicator on my dashboard remains constantly illuminated. It has been this way since april 2018 when the front end (just right of center) was impacted. Have been to kia performance center in moosic pa and was told there is nothing that they can do regarding this matter. Also, my vehicle was repaired at ertley motorworld and they too stated that nothing can be done about this.

Filed Jan 6, 2020 · Airbags, Engine · 114,000 miles · OR

I have a theta ii turbocharged engine 6 speed manual and I was driving down the street taking my son to work. All of a sudden my car started making a loud knocking noise and wouldn't go past 2nd gear. We called a tow truck had it sent to mechanic they did a diagnostic test and 2 p codes came back from crankshaft and controls and seized engine. So I had it towed into weston kia dealership. Plus I had just bought this car in april. The dealership ship called me saying they were going to replace my engine and wiring and computer and sensor chip. Also my passenger air bag light has been blinking off 3 days after I bought it and still is. My emergency brake doesn't work and rolled while it was pulled up in neutral and hit my daughter as she was running around the front of the car to the passenger side right in her knee cap. I got my car back from weston and it didn't feel right. Someone put 380miles on my car it had a 1/2tank of gas and my clutch and clutch pedal and gear shift was way shorter and 1/4 inch off in shifter box. I was on the freeway driving 60 MPH with my kids and we were leaving my parents house from xmas. All of a sudden I almost list control of the car my clutch pedal fell to the floor. I got us to safety almost avoiding a huge wreck and had it towed to my house. Called dealership and told them and had noticed on invoice their technicians had tightened up by bolts and flywheel. Well I go outside and theirs fluid all over the pavement under the car but none on inside. They paid for a tow truck and by the way since replacing the new engine I went from 34 miles to the gallon to 20 and passenger air bag still illuminated off. My defrost isnt working now and my engine light blinked 3xs. They want me to pay 1500 for new clutch.their tech adjusted my flywheel bolts and clutch cable. 65.00 emergency brake and 125.00 for test. It already had one. Fuel leak?

Filed Dec 27, 2018 · Airbags, Brakes · 86,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia optima. The contact received an unknown recall notification regarding the engine. The vehicle was taken to sunset kia of bradenton (4770 14th st w, bradenton, fl 34207, (941) 752-1000) where the engine was tested and passed. The contact stated that the engine had been sputtering prior to the test. The dealer stated that the failure was due to lack of oil, although the vehicle recently had an oil change. The dealer also stated that they did not find metal shavings while conducting the test and the check oil indicator was not illuminated. Approximately one week later, while driving, the engine seized in the middle of the road. The vehicle was towed back to the same dealer who stated that a new engine was needed due to the recall. The check engine indicator illuminated and the vehicle was towed to another unknown dealer where additional recalls were discovered. The unknown dealer found a deteriorated clamp that caused the hose to become loose and the engine to jolt. The vehicle was repaired, but there was no mention of the deteriorated clamps on the invoice. When the contact retrieved the vehicle, the air bag indicator illuminated. The dealer stated that the indicator was illuminated when they received the vehicle. The contact also noticed a fuel odor and noticed that the fuel pump was gushing fuel. The contact researched the failure and found that it was caused by the initial engine replacement and the brake booster hose was not properly secured. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 86,000.

Filed Nov 2, 2018 · Airbags · 126,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia optima. The contact stated that the air bag indicator remained illuminated, which was a safety concern. The vehicle was taken to koons kia of woodbridge (703‑494‑3333, located at 14208 jefferson davis hwy, woodbridge, va 22191) and repaired per the federal safety agency campaign number: 18v363000 (air bags). However, the dealer stated that the recall did not cover the air bag indicator failure. The manufacturer also stated that the failure was not covered by the recall. The failure was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Aug 13, 2018 · Airbags · 185,000 miles · KS

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia optima. While driving various speeds, the air bag warning indicator illuminated and remained lit. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited the same symptoms as listed in the federal safety agency campaign number: 18v363000 (air bags). The vehicle was taken to lawrence kia (1225 e 23rd st, lawrence, ks 66046, 785‑856‑8700), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and was unable to assist. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.

Filed Jun 21, 2018 · Airbags, Engine · 103,000 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia optima. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact heard an abnormal knocking noise and the air bag warning indicator illuminated, which was a safety concern. The contact called cerame kia (11655 new halls ferry rd, saint louis, mo 63033) and was informed that the engine needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired, but the parts were not available for the air bag warning indicator. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 103,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed May 17, 2018 · Engine · 120,454 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia optima. While driving various speeds, the contact heard a knocking noise coming from the engine. In addiiton, the check engine, tire pressure, oil, and air bag warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to phil smith kia (4250 n federal hwy, lighthouse point, fl 33062, (954) 545-7200) where a gds test was done, but the engine was not repaired. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v224000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 120,454.