2019 Kia Optima air bags problems
12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the air bags on the 2019 Kia Optima — 6% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Car was affected by emergency theft system locked car down when moving and caused airbags to deploy in which fractured my spine vertebra causing spinal fusion”
filed Jan 3, 2026
“I brought my Kia Optima into the dealership in October 0f 2024, because my airbag light came on. It has not been there over 6 months because my passenger airbag module is not operable and rending all my airbags useless; it is also on backorder with no ETA. The dealership wouldn't help with my…”
filed Apr 1, 2025
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Air Bags problems in other Optima years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Optima | 7 | 5% |
| 2018 Optima | 9 | 4% |
| 2017 Optima | 5 | 2% |
| 2016 Optima | 23 | 3% |
| 2015 Optima | 26 | 3% |
| 2014 Optima | 15 | 3% |
| 2013 Optima | 60 | 4% |
| 2012 Optima | 48 | 5% |
| 2011 Optima | 31 | 5% |
| 2010 Optima | 17 | 23% |
| 2009 Optima | 28 | 24% |
| 2008 Optima | 57 | 40% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2019 Kia Optima
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.