2012 Kia Optima: airbags did not deploy in a crash

Filed Oct 17, 2025 · Airbags · 84,000 miles · NJ · crash · 1 injury

The contact owned a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that, while stopped and attempting to complete a left turn an SUV failed to yield and collided with the front driver side of her vehicle. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle, spun across the intersection, and careened off the roadway only coming to a complete stop after colliding head-on with a tree. The contact also stated that the seat belt Emergency Locking Retractor failed to deploy allowing her to jolt forward violently and hit her head on the steering wheel. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a storage facility but had yet to deemed a total lost by the contacts insurance provider. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The contact was later transported to an area hospital and treated for chest pain and neck pain. The contact also received an MRI due to possible concussion. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 84,000.

Filed Sep 19, 2024 · Airbags · 225,000 miles · VA · crash · 2 injuries

The contact owned a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V363000 (Air Bags) however, it failed to prevent the recall safety risk. The contact stated that while his mother was driving at approximately 45 MPH with the grandmother seated in the front passenger seat, another vehicle cut in front abruptly and switched back into their original lane, causing the contact's mother to crash into the rear of another vehicle ahead. The air bags did not deploy. No warning light had illuminated. The contact's grandmother was taken to a local hospital for injuries including a swollen face, both arms harmed, broken teeth, 3 broken ribs, and back pain. The contact's mother was later taken in a personal vehicle to a local hospital for injuries sustained for bruising on their chest, back and neck pain, and an injured toe on her left. A police report was filed. The insurance provider deemed the vehicle totaled and took it to a tow lot. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 225,000.

Filed Sep 27, 2019 · Airbags · 240,000 miles · CA · crash · 5 injuries

10-15 MPH t boned a car that ran a red light. Air bag didn't go off

Filed Sep 26, 2019 · Brakes · 65,000 miles · TX · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the brakes lost power and caused the vehicle to crash into the preceding vehicle. The ABS indicator illuminated prior to the failure and remained lit. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The contact's vehicle was damaged and towed to the contact's residence by aaa. The other vehicle was not damaged. The contact called texas motorcars houston texas at 832‑794‑0499 (located at 11031 bissonnet st, houston, tx 77099), but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000. The VIN was unknown.

Filed Sep 25, 2018 · Airbags · 60,000 miles · OH · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the contact's vehicle crashed into the rear of a second vehicle. The front end was severely damaged, but the air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained minor injuries to the head and right hand, which did not require medical treatment. A police report was filed. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.

Filed Jun 29, 2016 · Airbags · CA · crash

I am an officer (off. [xxx]) with the madera (california) police department. I investigated a traffic collision where the driver of a 2012 kia optima collided with a parked vehicle going approx. 35 MPH. The impact sent the parked vehicle forward approx. 3-4 feet into another parked vehicle causing damage to all 3 vehicle. The kia sustained significant damage to the right front bumper / fender area and sheared the right front tire off. The impact was enough for the kia to roll over and cause damage to the left front tire and rim from grinding into the roadway. The parked vehicle it collided with sustained moderate damage to the left rear and driver's side area. When it was shoved forward it sustained minor front end damage and caused minor damage to the back bumper of the second parked vehicle. There was centrifugal rim marks from the kia after impacting with the first parked vehicle. The right front tire was broken from the axle. The kia was heading n/b and came to rest in an almost total e/b position from the collision. My concern is that the airbags did not deploy with such an impact and damage sustained. The driver was wearing his seatbelt and did not sustain any injuries. This occurred on a city street. The report # is madera pd incident [xxx]. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).