TSB: WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP INLET FILTER REPLACEMENT - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO POSSIBLE FOREIGN DEBRIS ACCUMULATION ON THE WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP INLET FILTER. OVER TIME, SOME KIA VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A LIMITED APPLICATION OF WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID WHEN THE WASHER FUNCTION IS USED. LIMITED APPLICATION OF WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID CAN BE CAUSED BY FOREIGN DEBRIS ON THE WASHER PUMP INLET FILTER. TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION, REPLACE THE WASHER PUMP INLET FILTER AND PERFORM THE WINDSHIELD WASHER RESERVOIR FLUSHING PROCEDURE OUTLINED IN THIS TSB.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Kia Optima visibility problems
moderate 27 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $350 · see visibility across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
27
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
When does it fail?
Of the 27 visibility complaints filed for the 2007 Kia Optima, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 10 model years of Kia Optima we track for visibility problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 27.
Owners have filed 27 visibility complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering visibility on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The dominant complaint across these 27 cases is sun visor failure. Owners describe an internal cylinder, clip, or tension mechanism that shatters or loses tension, causing the visor to drop and hang downward, obstructing the driver's view of traffic lights, oncoming traffic, and the roadway. Both driver and passenger visors commonly fail on the same vehicle, sometimes one after the other. Failure occurs anywhere from 21,000 to 80,000 miles with no pattern of abuse—owners stress they use the visors normally, never hang items from them, and often find them stored in the up position.
The problem has persisted across model years (one owner's 2003 Sorrento experienced it in 2004). Owners report finding numerous complaints online and forum discussions about the same defect, yet Kia has never issued a recall. Dealer repairs run $100–$500 per visor; some owners who self-repaired found replacement parts for around $206 online and completed DIY installation using a butter knife to access the mounting screw. One owner reported the dealer initially covered a replacement under warranty, but the visor failed again shortly after, and the vehicle was not serviced a second time.
A smaller number of complaints cite passenger airbag sensor failures—the airbag light stays on even with an occupant seated and belted—and one case of simultaneous wiper motor and linkage failure at low mileage.
Same Kia Optima visibility reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Sun visor hinge/clip mechanism failure
The internal cylinder, clip, or tension mechanism that holds the sun visor in the upright (stowed) position breaks or loses tension, causing the visor to drop or hang downward and obstruct the driver's or passenger's line of sight. Owners report the defective component shatters or cracks, preventing the visor from locking up. Both driver and passenger visors commonly fail on the same vehicle, sometimes sequentially.
When: Typically occurs between 20,000 and 80,000 miles; one case at 21,000 miles, others at 33,000–76,000 miles. Many owners report failure after 5+ years of normal use with no abuse.
Symptoms owners cite: Visor will not stay in upright/stored position; Visor hangs or flops downward, obstructing forward vision and view of traffic lights; Cylinder, clip, or tension piece breaks, cracks, or loses tension; Visor may swivel to the side and hit driver's head on turns; Requires manual holding or makeshift securing (straps, Velcro, securing to roof) to keep clear of sightline
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer quoted repair costs of $100–$500+ per visor. Owners who self-repaired found replacement parts online for approximately $206.50 per pair. DIY repair involves popping off an oval-shaped piece with a butter knife or screwdriver, unscrewing and removing the old visor, and screwing in the replacement. Dealer replacement can take up to two weeks for parts availability.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner reported the manufacturer covered replacement under warranty after initial failure at 33,000 miles, but the problem recurred shortly after repair and the vehicle was not serviced a second time. Kia has not issued a recall despite widespread complaints. One dealer stated there were no recalls or warranties to cover repairs. Owners report Kia is aware of the issue but have offered no resolution.
Wiper motor and linkage failure
Windshield wiper motor, wiper links, and ball joint failed simultaneously in one reported case, causing wipers to stop working. The dealer replaced the motor under warranty but sought separate charges for the associated linkage components.
When: Occurred at 21,000 miles, January 2009, in snowy driving conditions at 10 MPH.
Symptoms owners cite: Windshield wipers suddenly stop working while driving
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced wiper motor under warranty but charged $100.83 separately to replace ball joint and wiper link. Owner contended all components should have been covered under warranty as part of the same defect.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner indicated intent to file a report with the manufacturer regarding warranty coverage of the linked components.
Passenger airbag occupancy sensor malfunction
Passenger-side airbag does not deploy or is disabled even when an occupant is seated and belted in the passenger seat. The airbag light illuminates to indicate the airbag is off, which should only occur when the seat is unoccupied. Dealers have been unable to duplicate or resolve the problem during warranty service.
When: One case reported from the time the vehicle was purchased used in 2008 (vehicle purchased used, so defect may have predated original manufacture). Another case reported under warranty with no resolution found.
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag light remains illuminated when occupant is seated; Airbag does not deploy when passenger is in seat; Occurs even with occupant wearing seatbelt and sitting normally
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have been unable to duplicate or repair the problem during warranty periods.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No successful resolution documented. One owner indicated the issue has been ongoing since vehicle purchase and remains unresolved.
Synthesized from 27 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Kia is fully aware of a problem with their sun visors. A quick google search will turn up thousands of cases. The visor components break causing them to hang loose, obstructing vision. This is a safety hazard. The defect has existed for a long time (my wife?s 2003 sorrento experienced the issue in 2004) and it continues today. My 2007 optima has both visors hanging presently. There is no…
Had visibility trouble with your 2007 Kia Optima?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the visibility problem on the 2007 Kia Optima?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 27 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $350 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the visibility typically fail?
Across the 25 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most visibility failures cluster between 40,000 and 77,000 miles, with the median around 62,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 40,000; a quarter make it past 77,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $350 for visibility repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to visibility?
No active recalls currently cover visibility issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Kia/Optima.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.