Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Kia optima. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle lost power and stalled without warning. The vehicle was pulled over and towed to a local mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed that the engine seized. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 17v224000 (engine and engine…
2013 Kia Optima airbags problems
critical 49 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
49
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
16crashes
1fire
10injuries
1fatality
What stands out
Owners have filed 49 airbags 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.
Among the 15 model years of Kia Optima in our records for airbags problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: A 2013 Kia Optima with airbag complaints is a serious safety risk—owners report non-deployment in crashes, persistent warning lights tied to steering column failures, and Kia's track record of excluding vehicles from recalls or delaying repairs indefinitely. Check if any recall work was performed and get the airbag system scanned by an independent mechanic before buying; a warning light or history of clock spring replacement is a red flag.
Clock spring failures in the steering column consistently trigger airbag warning lights, disabling the horn and steering wheel controls (cruise, trip computer, ECO mode, electric windows). Dealers quote $300–$600+ for clock spring replacement and sometimes $854 for SRS module replacement. Kia denied warranty coverage on some vehicles despite acknowledging the clock spring as the cause, claiming it fell outside their recall scope even when identical symptoms appeared in recalled vehicles.
Airbag non-deployment during collisions is the most critical complaint. Owners report impacts ranging from 5 mph to 65 mph—head-on crashes, rear-end hits, and side-impact T-bones—where no airbags deployed. One fatality is reported; another owner was hit head-on after being t-boned and sustained injuries. Several vehicles were totaled or destroyed without repair diagnosis.
Recall campaign 18V363000 (airbags) is listed as incomplete with no repair available according to NHTSA records at time of some complaints. Owners report months-long delays waiting for parts, slow loaner vehicle provisioning, and dealers falsely claiming recall repairs were already completed. One owner's VIN was excluded from recall coverage despite having identical symptoms to recalled vehicles. Another owner had an engine fire while the vehicle exhibited airbag system electrical faults.
Same Kia Optima airbags reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag warning light illumination with clock spring failure
Airbag warning light comes on persistently. Dealers diagnose clock spring failure as the underlying cause. Clock spring is a component in the steering column that maintains electrical continuity to the airbag system during steering wheel rotation. When it fails, the airbag system loses continuity, triggering the warning light.
When: Occurs at various mileages: 42,000 to 139,372 miles. Owners report lights coming on while driving at normal speeds or while stationary.
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light remains illuminated; Horn stops working or becomes intermittent; Cruise control buttons fail; Trip computer and ECO controls fail; Steering wheel control buttons become inoperative; Windows operate erratically
Codes mentioned: SRS module fault, Clock spring circuit discontinuity
Repairs/costs cited: Clock spring replacement quoted at $300–$600+. SRS module replacement quoted at $854. Owners report Kia initially denied coverage or claimed the clock spring had no recall even though they acknowledged it was the cause. One owner was charged $400 by a Kia dealership for clock spring repair after Kia originally promised coverage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia initially denied coverage on some vehicles, claiming clock spring issues were not part of recalls. Campaign 18V363000 addresses airbag defects; however, owners report their VINs were excluded from coverage even when experiencing identical symptoms. Some dealers disabled the warning light without fixing the underlying clock spring failure, leading to the light recurring.
Airbag non-deployment in accidents
Multiple owners report that airbags failed to deploy during motor vehicle collisions, including head-on impacts, rear-end collisions, side impacts, and high-speed crashes. In several cases, owners sustained injuries that might have been prevented had the airbags functioned. One fatal accident is reported.
When: Occurs during collisions at various speeds: 5 mph to 65 mph. Failure mileages range from 56,500 to 140,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: No airbags deploy upon impact despite severe frontal crush; Passenger-side airbag fails to deploy in side-impact collision; Driver-side airbag fails to deploy; Seat belt pretensioner fails to activate; Both front airbags fail to deploy in severe head-on collision
Codes mentioned: SRS system non-functional, Airbag deployment circuit failure
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented. Vehicles were towed, impounded, or totaled by insurance companies. One owner with a fatality did not have the vehicle diagnosed for airbag failure cause.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall campaign 18V363000 addresses airbag defects; however, no repair is documented as available or effective for all affected vehicles. In one case, manufacturer acknowledged the vehicle included in the recall but vehicle was not repaired. In another, manufacturer was not notified.
Airbag light with faulty wiring or SRS module defects
Airbag warning light illuminates due to faulty wiring harnesses or SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) module failures. One owner reports dealer diagnosed faulty air bag wirings that would prevent deployment in a crash. Another owner had SRS module failure requiring replacement at high cost.
When: Occurs at various mileages: 95,000 to 139,372 miles. One case at approximately 86,400 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminates; Faulty wiring in airbag circuit; Passenger seat occupancy sensor malfunction; SRS module electrical fault
Codes mentioned: SRS module fault code, Airbag circuit open or short, Passenger occupancy sensor code
Repairs/costs cited: SRS module replacement cost $854. One owner reported a dealer attempted repair but was unsuccessful and informed the owner the vehicle did not need airbags. Another dealer correctly diagnosed faulty wiring but referred the owner back to the original dealer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: In one case, manufacturer agreed with dealer that SRS module issue had nothing to do with the airbag recall. Kia recalled some vehicles under Campaign 18V363000 (airbags) but excluded other vehicles with identical symptoms based on VIN.
Unexpected airbag deployment
Airbag deploys without collision or impact, posing a safety hazard to occupants. One owner reported airbag deployment while driving at low speed (5 mph) during a routine right turn.
When: Occurs while driving at low speed (5 mph). Failure mileage approximately 107,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag deploys spontaneously during normal driving; No collision or accident preceding deployment
Codes mentioned: Unintended airbag deployment circuit fault, Clock spring or sensor malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosed clock spring and airbag replacement needed. Vehicle was not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified and stated the issue would be escalated to the proper department. No resolution documented.
Airbag light with associated steering wheel control failures and recalled status without available repair
Airbag warning light activates, disabling horn and steering wheel controls (cruise control, trip computer, ECO mode). Vehicle is confirmed to be included in NHTSA recall Campaign 18V363000 but no repair is available, and owners report excessive delays in receiving recall notification or waiting for parts.
When: Occurs at various mileages: 65,000 to 124,000 miles. Recall notification delays reported of several months to over one year.
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminates; Horn failure; Cruise control buttons inoperative; Trip computer and ECO controls fail; Steering wheel button controls become non-responsive; Electric windows operate erratically or fail
Codes mentioned: Clock spring circuit fault, SRS module communication fault
Repairs/costs cited: No repair available at time of complaint. Owners report being told by dealers that repairs were incomplete or delayed indefinitely. One dealer claimed the recall repair was already completed on the vehicle when it had not been.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia issued recall Campaign 18V363000 (airbags); however, NHTSA website shows repair status as 'incomplete' and 'no repair available' at time of some complaints. Kia delayed providing loaner vehicles and reimbursement policies for rental cars while repair parts were unavailable. One owner received notification that repair became available only after pressing for a written reimbursement policy, raising concerns about legitimacy.
Engine fire or severe electrical failure concurrent with airbag system issues
One owner reports catastrophic engine fire involving smoke and flames originating from under the hood, occurring while electrical systems were failing (push-button start not responding). This occurred in a vehicle with documented airbag system issues. Another owner reports engine seizure in a vehicle with airbag defects.
When: Fire occurred during normal driving at undisclosed speed. Engine seizure occurred at unknown mileage. Both vehicles included in airbag recall campaign.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine fire with smoke and rapid flame escalation from engine compartment; Push-button start failure; Engine seizure without warning during 35 mph driving
Codes mentioned: Electrical system short or fault, Engine control module failure
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle with fire was totaled by fire department and towed away. Vehicle with engine seizure was towed to local mechanic; no repair documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Vehicles were included in NHTSA campaigns for both engine (17V224000) and airbag (18V363000) defects. No documented manufacturer response to the fire or seizure incidents.
Synthesized from 49 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had airbags trouble with your 2013 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 airbags problem on the 2013 Kia Optima?
It's a serious issue. 49 complaints have been filed, including 16 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 28 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 60,000 and 107,000 miles, with the median around 85,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 60,000; a quarter make it past 107,000. 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 $1,100 for airbags 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 airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags 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/2013/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.