2007 Kia OPTIMA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
167 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
75,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2007 model year. Data snapshot: . 130 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 49 of 167 complaints (29.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 15 | 9.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 4.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 4.2% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 3.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 0.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 49 |
| Exterior Lighting | 25 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 20 |
| Engine | 16 |
| Visibility | 13 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 12 |
| Electrical System | 11 |
| Power Train | 10 |
Air Bags: 49; Exterior Lighting: 25; Visibility/Wiper: 20; Engine: 16; Visibility: 13; Air Bags:Frontal: 12; Electrical System: 11; Power Train: 10
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 21 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 20 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 22 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 30 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 28 |
| 150,000 and above | 9 |
Under 25,000: 21; 25,000 to 49,999: 20; 50,000 to 74,999: 22; 75,000 to 99,999: 30; 100,000 to 149,999: 28; 150,000 and above: 9
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (30). 37 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 11 |
| 2010 | 21 |
| 2011 | 11 |
| 2012 | 13 |
| 2013 | 18 |
| 2014 | 19 |
| 2015 | 14 |
| 2016 | 19 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2007: 5; 2008: 6; 2009: 11; 2010: 21; 2011: 11; 2012: 13; 2013: 18; 2014: 19; 2015: 14; 2016: 19; 2017: 6; 2018: 6; 2019: 5; 2020: 5; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 3; 2024: 1; 2025: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 8 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10202954 · 2007-09-13 (September 13, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE SWITCHES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE LIGHT DIMS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE RADIO ANTENNA WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND THE RADIO STATIONS HAVE A LOT OF STATIC. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE ANTENNA WAS NOT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50. UPDATED 01/09/…
Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 10202954 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10205624 · 2007-10-14 (October 14, 2007)
THE KIA OPTIMA WAS PURCHASED IN AUGUST 2007. WITHIN A FEW WEEKS, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT SIGNALS THAT THE AIRBAG IS OFF AS IF THERE WERE NO PASSENGER WHEN A PASSENGER IS PRESENT. THIS OCCURS EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A PASSENGER WEIGHING BETWEEN 120 AND 150 POUNDS PROPERLY SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT ABOUT 25% OF THE TIME OVER THE LAST 2 MONTHS . OFTEN, BUT NOT ALWAYS, THE LIGHT GOES OUT IF THE CAR IS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR 5 TIMES. SEAT HARNESS CONNECTIONS WERE CHECKED, THE SEAT BO…
Owner-reported narrative. 783 miles reported. Look up ODI 10205624 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10208501 · 2007-11-09 (November 9, 2007)
THE KIA OPTIMA WAS PURCHASED IN SEPTEMBER 2007. WITHIN A FEW DAYS, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT SIGNALS THAT THE AIRBAG IS OFF AS IF THERE WERE NO PASSENGER WHEN A PASSENGER IS PRESENT. THIS OCCURS EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A PASSENGER WEIGHING OVER 120 POUNDS PROPERLY SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT ABOUT 75% OF THE TIME OVER THE LAST MONTH . SERVICE APPOINTMENT SCHEDULED FOR 11/13/07. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10208501 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10209690 · 2007-11-22 (November 22, 2007)
WE PURCHASED OUR 2007 KIA OPTIMA THIS YEAR IN APRIL AND EVER SINCE WE'VE HAD THE CAR WE'VE HAD ISSUES WITH AIR BAG SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT. I RIDE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND ABOUT 30% OF THE TIME THE AIR BAG IS OFF LIGHT DOESN'T TURN OFF WHEN I'M SITTING IN THE SEAT, ONCE I LIFT MY REAR END OFF THE SEAT AND PUT IT BACK DOWN THEN THAT LIGHT GOES OFF. I'VE TAKEN THIS IN TO THE DEALER ONCE ALREADY AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING APPARENTLY WRONG, WE BROUGHT THE CAR HOME AND WITHIN 2 DAYS THE PROBLEM WAS RECURRING. THE CAR WILL BE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10209690 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10212517 · 2007-12-21 (December 21, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT VEERED OFF THE ROAD, DROVE INTO THE EMBANKMENT, AND STRUCK A TREE. THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND AND A TREE CRASHED THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER AND LANDED UPRIGHT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS PRESUMED TO BE COMPLETELY DESTROYED. KIA STATED THAT THEY WOULD SEND OUT A REPRESENTATIVE TO DETERMINE WHY THE AIR BAGS AND ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED. THE WIFE SUSTAINED BRU…
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10212517 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10222652 · 2008-03-29 (March 29, 2008)
WARNING LIGHT FOR PASSENGER AIR BAGS IS DEFECTIVE TO THE EXTENT THAT PASSENGER MUST SIT IN SEAT AN EXACT, CERTAIN WAY UPON FIRST ENTERING VEHICLE. IF SAID PASSENGER DOES NOT POSITION THEMSELVES CORRECTLY, SENSORS IN SEAT WILL NOT ANALYZE PERSON CORRECTLY, AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF CRASH. KIA DEALERS HAVE RECEIVED A BULLETIN FROM KIA CORP., PERTAINING TO THIS MATTER, SO SEVERAL CONSUMERS HAVE APPARENTLY NOTICED THIS RATHER SERIOUS ISSUE AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM. MY VEHICLE RECENTLY WAS CHECKED BY A KIMECHAN…
Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 10222652 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10233969 · 2008-07-11 (July 11, 2008)
2007 KIA OPTIMA WITH SEVERAL SAFETY ISSUES. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED IN FEBRUARY 2008, 5 WEEKS AFTER THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. IN APRIL MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE #1 ENGINE BRACKET BOLT WAS MISSING. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE TPMS LIGHT ILLUMINATED OCCASIONALLY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10233969 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10236668 · 2008-08-01 (August 1, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SMALL FRAMED PASSENGERS OCCUPY THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THIS INDICATES THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS INOPERATIVE AND MAY NOT INFLATE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT MERITS AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE FAILURE MAY RESULT IN INJURY TO THE PASSENGER. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V161000 (AIR BAGS), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. CURRENTLY, THE D…
Owner-reported narrative. 23,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10236668 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
11V153000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift
Reported: 2011-03-09 (March 9, 2011)
KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2008 OPTIMA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 29, 2005, THROUGH JUNE 13, 2007. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SHIFT CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED INCORRECTLY, CAUSING TENSION IN THE CABLE. IF PRESENT, THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE CABLE TO DETACH FROM THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY'S DOWEL PIN PREVENTING THE TRANSMISSION FROM BEING SHIFTED. THE SHIFT LEVER CAN THEN BE MOVED INTO THE PARK (P) POSITION WHILE THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION IS STILL IN THE LAST USED GEAR BEFORE DETACHMENT.
Consequence: IF THE DRIVER LEAVES THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ENGAGING THE PARKING BRAKE, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE VEHICLE CAN ROLL INJURE A PERSON IN ITS PATH OR CAUSE A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SHIFT CABLE AND REINSTALL IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 23, 2011. OWNER MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
NHTSA campaign record ↗12V014000 · Air Bags:Frontal
Reported: 2012-01-17 (January 17, 2012)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗