Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia optima. While the contact's vehicle was stationary, another vehicle reversed into the front of her vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The air bag and traction warning indicators were illuminated. The contact sustained a concussion, neck injury, and convergence insufficiency to the left eye. Medical attention was received. A police report was filed. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 18v363000 (air bags). The vehicle was taken to kia of bedford (located at 18180 rockside rd, bedford, oh 44146, (440) 735-4000) where they replaced the bumper and stated that an alignment was needed. The vehicle was repaired for crash parts, but not for the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
2011 Kia Optima: airbags did not deploy in a crash
9 of the 594 complaints about the 2011 Kia Optima describe airbags did not deploy in a crash.
- owner complaints
- 9
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- typical mileage
- 96,000
- recalls
- 1
Airbags did not deploy in a crash by model year
What owners say
I had a front end accident on 1 oct 2018. My airbags did not deploy. I received recall notice on 18 oct 2018. I have contacted kia concerning this matter several times, they will not respond to me.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia optima. While making a left turn, the contact's vehicle crashed into the driver's side of an oncoming vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The front bumper was severely damaged and had to be replaced. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was able to be driven to the contact's residence. The contact received a recall notice for the federal safety agency campaign number: 18v363000 (air bags). The dealer (evergreen kia, 9205 s western ave, chicago, il 60643, (800) 556-5223) was notified. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 50,000. *tt updated 11/19/18
I received a recall notice on my airbags on 8/15/2018 on 8/16 I was rear ended by a big work truck and pushed into another vehicle. 5 cars involved. My vehicle is totaled the airbags did not deploy
Tl* the contact owned a 2011 kia optima. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, a deer crossed in front of the vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver sustained neck and back injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and repaired. The repairs were unknown. The dealer (blackwell chrysler dodge jeep ram fiat kia 4874 riverside dr, danville, va 24541(434) 792-8853) was contacted. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia optima. While reversing the vehicle, it independently accelerated in reverse and crashed into a parked vehicle. The vehicle then accelerated forward and crashed into a house. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed and was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
I was sitting in a turn lane, to turn left. There were two lanes to my right for traffic. I was waiting for a car coming from the opposite direction. I happened to look in my rear view mirror and it was completely taken up by this red object, which happened to be a car. Immediately I felt a terrible shock and my car was lifted up in the rear and the front end pointed at the road. This car drove me approximately 40 yds. Up the road. The air bags did not deploy...none of them and there was $12,000 worth of damage done to my car. I still have lower back pain and severe cramps on the left side of neck and head. Of course the driver was dui, no license, no insurance and left the scene of the accident. On 10/22/12 my wife had driven home from florida to tn. She turned on a street heading up a hill toward our home. She was going approximately 25 miles per hour, when an older grey truck coming down the hill crowded her off the road. She swerved to her right and hit a 700 lb. Mailbox(cement & bricks) this accident tore the ride side front end back by 4 feet, also buckling the hood and popping rivets in the motor. The air bags again failed to deploy. There has to be something wrong with the 2011 kia optima's air bags. She bloodied her nose and had a gash in her right wrist. There4 is absolutely no sense of having air bags when they don't do as they supposed to. This must be explored and the reason found! Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.
I was stopped, 2nd in position, at a stop light. I was rear ended by a nissan sentra doing approximately 50 tp 55 MPH. My car was hit in the rear, pushing the front into a dually. The airbags did not deploy. I struck my head on the steering wheel. I was wondering why the airbags did not deploy. The front left bumper was severely damaged as the left rear bumper. In all, the car was a total loss.
I was traveling 55mph behind a vehicle who suddenly swerved out of the way into the right hand lane. There was a car stopped in the left hand lane, unable to stop in time I struck the black jeep liberty in the rear bumper more toward the driver side with the the passenger front bumper of my car. ( kia optima) my air bag did not deploy and I did strike my head, although I am not sure if I hit it on the windshield or on the glass top. My concern is my seatbelt did not engage properly allowing me to strike my head. And again that the airbags did not deploy.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module
- What is wrong
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.
- Risk
- If the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
- Remedy
- Kia will notify owners. For model year 2011 Sedona vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to verify the ACU part number and, if necessary, install an extension wire harness kit between the ACU Connector and the Vehicle Harness Connector. For all other affected vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to install the extension wire harness kit. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC165.
Recall number 18V363000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2011 Kia Optima no deployment
Is airbags did not deploy in a crash a common problem on the 2011 Kia Optima?
9 of 594 owner complaints about the 2011 Kia Optima (2%) mention airbags did not deploy in a crash. The model year with the most reports is 2013.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2011 Kia Optima?
There is 1 recall and 2 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2011 Kia Optima
Engine failure 107Headlights 71Knocking 69Stalling 67Check engine light 61Fire or smoke 40Loss of power 30Won't start 30Steering noise 27Pulling 23Airbag light 18Jerking 16Oil consumption 12Harsh shifting 9Power steering loss 9Warning lights 9Sudden acceleration 7Hesitation 6Won't shift 6Sunroof shattered 6Grinding brakes 5Key fob 5Steering lock-up 5
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