2007 Kia Optima

167 complaints on file, page 1 of 9.

1. Filed Aug 27, 2026Failure Jun 1, 202682,000 milesDallas, TXAir bags

   The contact owns a 2007 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving, the airbag warning light remained illuminated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V014000 (Air Bags); however, the contact stated that the vehicle experienced failure described in the recall. The local dealer was not contacted. The cause of the failure was not determined. The failure mileage was 82,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11760054
2. Filed Aug 1, 2025Failure Oct 8, 2024Havelock, NCEngineFire

   After adding oil..Car stopped while driving…Smoke and Fire occurred.. Now engine will not start.. 2 Mechanics Stated “Engine needs to Be Replaced”… A/C Front Blower Doesn’t Work Console Has a Short and Doesn’t Work

   NHTSA complaint 11677745
3. Filed Oct 8, 2024Failure Jun 19, 2021Harbeson, DEExterior lighting

   My headlights are preventing me from passing motor vehicle inspection low beam are on doesn't look like their on so I have to drive with high beams and with that no one flashes me. Because all four are on but u can't tell if the low ones on it looks like I just have my parking lights on.

   NHTSA complaint 11618621
4. Filed Oct 12, 2023Failure Apr 2, 2023Coopersville, MIPower train, Seat belts, Vehicle speed controlCrash

   My vehicle speed up and slow down all that itself. It will not maintain speed even with my foot steady on the gas. It will not accelerate, but the major problem is my seatbelt gets stuck all the time I’m afraid to get buckled. I am unable to remove my seatbelt multiple times so now I have buckled my seatbelt behind me so I can start getting tickets. I’ve gotten like four tickets because I’m scared to be buckled that it’s not gonna come on down when I need it to be I’ve got 40 bought tickets. I was going about 20 mph when I went to the brakes for my vehicle accelerated by itself crashing into a pillar at the mall. I did call the police.

   NHTSA complaint 11549529
5. Filed Apr 30, 2023Failure Apr 30, 2022erie, PAHeadlights

   headlights very dim . replaced bulbs . replaced wiring harness. replaced alternater . still dim . cannot see more than a few feet at night. have heard this is a common problem . would like any info to correct problem .no longer safe to drive vehicle at night. please reply asap.

   NHTSA complaint 11519671
6. Filed Jan 31, 2023Failure Jan 31, 2023Richmond, VAAir bagsCrash

   2007 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING COLLISION. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND TAKEN TO THE JUNKYARD DUE TO THE PROGRAMMING DEFECT.

   NHTSA complaint 11504643
7. Filed Sep 26, 2022Failure Sep 13, 2022Richmond, VAAir bags, Service brakesCrash

   The contact owned a 2007 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at 5-10 MPH, the vehicle before her vehicle slowed down suddenly. The contact slammed the brakes and the air bags deployed and deflated. However, the brake pedal hesitated to respond and became soft, causing the contact to crash into the vehicle in front of her. The contact was unsure whether there were warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that it appeared that the air bag deployment overrode the brake system and caused the stopping distance delay. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was totaled. A police report was filed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The contact stated that what appeared to be a deflated airbag blocked her view of the road in the same moment that she slammed on the brakes. There was a delay in the brakes actually stopping the vehicle so as a result, her vehicle hit the vehicle in front of it. The vehicle is now a total loss. The contact was not aware that the dealer and manufacturer were supposed to be notified of this incident.

   NHTSA complaint 11486391
8. Filed Jan 22, 2021Failure Jun 15, 201999,560 milesAlliance, OHEngine, Power train, Service brakes

   I'VE SEEN IN OTHER FORUMS ABOUT ENGINE RECALLS. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED AND THE ENGINE IN MY CAR DISINTEGRATED. IT WAS REPLACED WITH AN ENGINE FROM A WRECKING YARD. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED BY MANUFACTURER. I HAD ISSUES WITH THE BRAKE LINES RUSTING OUT. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED EITHER. NOT BEING ABLE TO SERVICE THE TRANSMISSION AND ARGUING WITH THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS SHOULD BE REPLACED BY MANUFACTURER!

   NHTSA complaint 11389463
9. Filed Nov 3, 2020Failure Apr 20, 2020200,000 milesRichmond, KYAir bags, Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper

   MY LOW BEAM LIGHTS HAVE NO VISIBILITY AND I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING ONLINE USED HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY BECAUSE IT COSTS $400 FOR BOTH SIDES THAT I DONT HAVE I REPLACED MY LOW AND HIGH BEAM BULBS THE HIGH BEAMS WORK JUST FINE BUT AS I WAS DOING RESEARCH A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL HAVE THE SAME REOCCURRING PROBLEM I SEEN WHERE THEY HAVE RECALLED 2011 AND UP FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT I GUESS DECIDED TO NOT WORRY ABOUT THE OLDER MODELS I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT BUT THAT IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION FOR WORK AND MY DAUGHTERS NOW IT IS GETTING DARKER EARLIER AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO DRIVE AROUND WITH MY BRIGHT LIGHTS ON AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF

   NHTSA complaint 11372805
10. Filed Sep 14, 2020Failure May 18, 2020102,000 milesWhite OAK, TXFuel/propulsion system

    AFTER FUELING VEHICLE WILL NOT RUN. KEEPS DYING FOR UP TO TWO DAYS. DRIVES FOR A FEW SECOND THEN DIES WHILE DRIVING

    NHTSA complaint 11354850
11. Filed Feb 5, 2020Failure Feb 5, 2020Cedar Crest, NMElectrical system

    VEHICLE BURNS OUT BLINKER BULBS AND HEADLIGHTS AT AN EXTREMELY ACCELERATED RATE: ONE A MONTH. ADDITIONALLY, THE WIRING HARNESS IS HEATED TO THE POINT OF BEING MELTED. THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD. I BELIEVE THIS MAY BE A VOLTAGE REGULATION OR GROUND ISSUE.

    NHTSA complaint 11307308
12. Filed Jan 24, 2020Failure Jan 21, 2020167,000 milesRichmond, KYAir bags, Suspension, Unknown or other

    THE AIR BAG JUST CAME ON A COUPLE DAYS AGO . IT HASN'T BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR ANYTHING. THE SUSPENSION IS ROUGH WHEN DRIVING OVER THE SMALLEST THING IN THE ROAD. SOMETIMES IT JUST MAKES A LITTLE JUMP WHEN IT TASKED GAS.

    NHTSA complaint 11301600
13. Filed Jan 15, 2020Failure Jan 14, 2020195,000 milesAttleboro, MAExterior lighting, Visibility/wiper

    HEADLIGHTS VERY DIM NO MATTER WHAT BULB YOU PUT IT. CANNOT SEE MORE THAN 3FT IN FRONT OF YOU WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. VISITED DO NOT STAY UP FALL DOWN BLOCKING VIEW

    NHTSA complaint 11299444
14. Filed Sep 16, 2019Failure Sep 14, 2019150,000 milesSAN Antonio, TXEngine, BodyFire

    ON SATURDAY 9/14/19 MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN SHE HEARD A NOISE AND THE CHECK ENGINE/OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN A DRIVER PULLED UP NEXT TO HER AND TOLD HER THAT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE ENGINE ENDED UP IN FULL FLAMES.

    NHTSA complaint 11255935
15. Filed Jun 17, 2019Failure Apr 1, 2019Houston, TXExterior lighting

    HEAD LIGHT ARE DIM AND HAVE NO VISABILTY

    NHTSA complaint 11220771
16. Filed Apr 28, 2019Failure Dec 20, 2012150 milesAttleboro, MAAir bags, Seat belts, Visibility/wiper

    THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME 1 THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WILL SAY ON WITH AN ADULT SITTING IN THE SEAT!!1 VISORS DO NOT STAY UP! HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM . I'VE CHANGED THEM OUT TO A FEW DIFFERENT TYPES STILL DIM CANNOT SEE AT NIGHT

    NHTSA complaint 11204235
17. Filed Mar 12, 2019Failure Jan 16, 2019187,000 milesWashington, DCAir bags, Engine

    MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. AT FIRST IT WOULD GO OFF AND ON WITH NO CODE. NOW IT STAYS ON WITH THE CODE P0420 FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. ALSO I HEARD ABOUT AN AIR BAG RECALL

    NHTSA complaint 11186208
18. Filed Feb 28, 2019Failure Feb 23, 2019146,000 milesPrestonsburg, KYFuel/propulsion system

    THE CADILLAC CONVERTER IS GATHERING SOOT BUILD UP ACCORDING TO THE GARAGE. NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IS CAUSING THE ENGINE LIGHT TO STAY ON.

    NHTSA complaint 11183310
19. Filed Dec 11, 2018Failure Oct 21, 2018151,000 milesFeeding Hills, MAEngine

    MY KIA OPTIMA BEGAN CONSUMING LARGE AMOUNTS OF OIL BUT IT WASN'T LEAKING OUT OR BURNING OFF ANYWHERE. I BEGAN TO WATCH THE OIL LEVELS CLOSELY AND WAS DOWN 2 QTS EVERY WEEK. AT SOME POINT THE OIL PRESSURE GOT TOO LOW AND WE THINK SUCKED AIR INTO THE ENGINE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN OFF AGAIN AS IT HAS BEEN FOR THE PPAST YR BUT FOR AN EVAP PROBLEM - A VERY SMALL LEAK KEPT GETTING DETECTED. I SPENT $1800 AT FIRESTONE THE PREVIOUS UR THE COLDER KEPT COMING BACK ON AND OFF. BUT THIS DIDN'T EXPLAIN THE SIDDEN MASSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. SUDDENLY ON OCT. 21 MY CAR SUDDENLY IDLED VERY HIGH WITHOUT MOVING AND THE THE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND STAYED ON. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO KNOCK LOUDLY ESPECIALLY WHEN ACCELLERATING OR CLIMBING HILLS. MY MECHANIC FRIEND TOLD ME ONE OF THE ENGINE RODS WAS DAMAGED AND THE COMPUTER CODE CHECK VERIFIED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT TIMING OIL CONTROL VALVE WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THIS WOULD EXPLAIN THE LOW OIL PRESSURE AND DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. I WAS ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM ON KIA'S WEBSITE WITH MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE. KIA HAD A RECALL REGARDING THIS PROBLEM FOR MANY OF THEIR CARS BUT OF COURSE NOT MINE. I WAS VERY UPSET OVER IT. I HAD GOTTEN THE CAR ONLY 3 YEARS PRIOR AND IT ONLY HAD 150K MILES ON IT. I TOOK REALLY GOOD CARE OF IT. KIA SAID THEY COULD DO NOTHING. MY ONLY OPTION WAS TO JUNK THE CAR AND HAVE TO BUY A NEW WHEN I WASN'T IN A POSITION TO DO SO. KIA HAS DISAPPOINTED ME GREATLY. BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM I MAY NEVER BUT ANOTHER KIA. I WAS SO EXCITED ABOUT GETTING MY KIA AS IT HAD ALL THE FEATURES I WANTED IN A CAR AND AT A VERY GOOD PRICE BUT IT IIS ONLY GOOD IF IT RUNS. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THW RECALL FOR MY CAR AS IT IS A HUGE PROBLEM AS I READ COMPLAINT AFTER COMPLAINT ONLINE FROM OTHER KIA OPTIMA OWNERS. THE ENGINE COMPUTER CODE THAT CAME UP WAS PO600011

    NHTSA complaint 11160635
20. Filed Sep 28, 2018Failure Sep 27, 2018166,000 milesArlington, TXExterior lighting

    LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE TOO DIM. TRIED REPLACING THE BULBS, BUT NO CHANGE. CLEANED THE OUTER LENS TO IMPROVE CLARITY AND GET RID OF YELLOWING. BUT DID NOT HELP. THE OUTER LENS LOOKS JUST FINE. WHEN I REMOVED THE ASSEMBLY TO CHECK IF THERE'S ANYTHING WRONG INSIDE, I WAS SHOCKED. THE PROJECTOR BOWL HAD CAUGHT RUST ON BOTH SIDES, THUS CAUSING POOR REFLECTIVITY AND LOW LIGHT ON THE ROAD. TURNS OUT EVERY 2006/2007 OPTIMA OWNER HAS HAD THE SAME ISSUE. I FOUND THIS OUT WHEN I LOOKED ONLINE TO PURCHASE A NEW ASSEMBLY.

    NHTSA complaint 11132052