2001 Kia Optima airbags problems

The 2001 Kia Optima has 31 airbags complaints filed with NHTSA — 13% of the year's total, and the first year with meaningful reports in this category.

Airbags complaints

13%

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Airbags complaints by year

Optima airbags complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

01V156000AirbagsMay 1, 2001 · 16,231 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SIDE AIR BAG WIRE HARNESS FOR THE DRIVER POSITION COULD BE MIS-ROUTED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN IT BEING PINCHED OR CUT BY THE SEAT CUSHION TILT MECHANISM.

Consequence

DAMAGE TO THE WIRE HARNESS COULD RESULT IN THE SIDE AIR BAG NOT DEPLOYING IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL CHECK FOR PROPER ROUTING OF THE SIDE AIR BAG WIRE HARNESS AND SECURE IT IN PLACE WITH A PLASTIC TIE-WRAP. IF THE WIRE HARNESS IS DAMAGED, IT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

What owners report

“WHILE TURNING LEFT AT 3 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION. NONE OF THE FOUR AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED TO PROVIDE ANY WARNING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG. THE DRIVER WAS WEARING THE SEAT BELT. THERE IS A POLICE REPORT. PLEASE PROVIDE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 30, 2003 · crash

Common questions

How many airbags complaints does the 2001 Kia Optima have?

NHTSA has 31 complaints about the 2001 Kia Optima airbags — 13% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2001 Kia Optima airbags?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the airbags: 01V156000.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.