2013 Kia Optima: seat belt won't latch or retract

Filed Jun 18, 2026 · Seat belts · 130,000 miles · VA · crash · 1 injury

The contact owned a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed on the main road of a T-intersection, the contact blacked out before another vehicle crashed into the front passenger's side of the vehicle. The contact stated that the front of the vehicle sustained severe damages, and there was more damage on the front passenger's side of the vehicle. The air bags deployed. The contact stated that the seat belt retracted excessively, causing the contact to be pinned in the seat and to sustain severe injuries. The contact was assisted out of the seat and was partially unconscious. The contact was unsure if any warning lights were illuminated after the crash. A Police report was filed. The ambulance transported the contact to the hospital. The contact sustained a fractured L2 and back, ruptured bowel, and intestines and internal bleeding in the stomach. The contact underwent surgery and physical therapy. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a related recall. A complaint was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Filed Aug 23, 2023 · Seat belts · 187,000 miles · SC

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle and fastening his seat belt, the seat belt warning light remained illuminated. After unfastening the seat belt, the seat belt warning light turned off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the seat belt buckle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 187,000.

Filed Aug 4, 2021 · Seat belts · OH · crash

The contact's ex husband owned a 2013 Kia Optima .The contact stated while her ex-husband was driving at an undetermined speed a 2009 Jeep Liberty cross the center line and crashed into the vehicle. The driver succumbed to his injuries at the scene. There was a report of the driver being located leaning towards the front passenger seat. The air bags deployed. The seat belt was extended and locked but, was torn. The contact stated the driver of the Jeep was intoxicated however there were no reported injuries. The vehicle was towed to a police lot. A police report was filed. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Apr 27, 2020 · Seat belts · TN

Rear passenger side seat belt buckle will not latch/unlatch properly. When buckling, it won't latch without jiggling and reinserting several times. Latch won't always release when unbuckling. Vehicle is stationary when attempting to latch and unlatch. The fog lights do not function at all the antenna wiring is defective. Satalight radio will not pick up unless the brakes are used and then for just a moment the connection is made and the station can be heard although staticky and unclear. But only does it sometimes and when car is driving and the brakes are appiled

Filed Aug 17, 2019 · Airbags, Seat belts · 120,500 miles · GA · crash

My daughter rear ended another car. Her air bags did no deploy and her seat belt didn't lock. Fortunately no one was hurt.

Filed Feb 8, 2019 · Seat belts · 89,896 miles · TX · crash · 1 injury

I was t-boned in the passenger side. The car was spun a couple times before coming to a stop. The passenger in the car who was previously wearing the seatbelt immediately noticed that the seatbelt was no longer buckled. We believe the seatbelt came undone almost immediately because everyone else in the vehicle had bruising and burns from their seatbelts but the passenger did not.

Filed Oct 13, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 150,000 miles · NC

My 2013 kia optima displayed several electrical issues with radio panel, warning lights on dash, seat belt warning on while buckled and driving, and doors would lock on their own weeks prior to the car giving out on me after a quarter of a mile drive. It would not start at all. Mechanic thought it was a starter issue but turned out that the engine locked. I purchased the car in 2015 and had some fuel system issue a year after purchase , costing over $900 to repair. Now this...there was no smoke or other warnings right before it stopped. I had noticed the smell of wires or some type of electrical components burning after driving the car a few times over the last few years but wasn't sure of where it may have been coming from. Would be great if I didn't have to spend a lump sum to repair motor while still paying off the car!