TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: SIDE AIRBAG (SAB) INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT FOR DTC(S) B1380/B1384 (WTY036) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information associated with the ‘Warranty Extension Program’ (WTY036) to diagnose and repair certain airbag warning light 'ON' conditions on 2019-2020MY Optima (JFa) vehicles produced from May 21, 2018 through June 23, 2020. The affected vehicles may exhibit an airbag warning light 'ON' with DTC B1380 and/or B1384 due to the front seat Side Airbag (SAB) connector experiencing higher th
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2019 Kia Optima airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2019 Kia Optima have filed 12 NHTSA complaints about the airbags at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 Optima | 22 |
| 2016 Optima | 19 |
| 2018 Optima | 9 |
| 2019 Optima (this page) | 12 |
| 2020 Optima | 6 |
9crashes
11injuries
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags 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.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SIDE AIRBAG (SAB) INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT FOR DTC(S) B1380/B1384 (WTY036) - This bulletin provides information associated with the 'Warranty Extension Program' (WTY036) to diagnose and repair certain airbag warning light 'ON' conditions on 2019-2020MY Optima (JFa) vehicles produced from May 21, 2018 through June 23, 2020. The affected vehicles may exhibit an airbag warning light 'ON' with DTC B1380 and/or B1384 due to the front seat Side Airbag (SAB) connector experiencing higher than normal resistance. The warranty coverage for repairs related to the front seat SAB due to illumination of the airbag warning light has been extended to 15
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION: SIDE AIRBAG (SAB) INSPECTION ANDREPLACEMENT FOR DTC(S) B1380/B1384 (WTY036) - This bulletin provides information associated with the 'Warranty Extension Program' (WTY036) to diagnose and repair certain airbag warning light 'ON' conditions on 2019-2020MY Optima (JFa) vehicles produced from May 21, 2018 through June 23, 2020. The affected vehicles may exhibit an airbag warning light 'ON' with DTC B1380 and/or B1384 due to the front seat Side Airbag (SAB) connector experiencing higher than normal resistance. The warranty coverage for repairs related to the front seat SAB due to illumination of airbag warning light has been extended to 15 years/unl
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗WARRANTY EXTENSION: OWNER NOTIFICATION (WTY036) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for repairs related to the illumination of the Airbag Warning Light in 2019-2020 MY Optima vehicles from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 15 years / unlimited miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service. This warranty extension is to address the Airbag Warning Light ON condition.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗WARRANTY EXTENSION: REIMBURSEMENT FORM (WTY036) - This document is a Reimbursement Request form that was mailed with the customer letter advising them to submit the form if they had paid for repairs for this same matter prior to the warranty extension program launch.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2019 Optima has a documented pattern of airbag non-deployment in crash scenarios that should trigger them. Owners describe deer strikes at 25–50 mph, t-bone collisions, head-on impacts, and rear-end hits — all without airbag activation. Occupants sustained concussions, spinal stenosis, fractured sternums, and neck/back pain. One owner hit a parked car and fractured his sternum with all airbags silent. Another was t-boned at 25–30 mph and injured her back and shoulder while the system sat dormant.
A separate failure mode appeared: a passenger airbag module went inoperable, disabling the entire airbag system. That owner brought the car to a dealer in October 2024; the part was placed on backorder with no ETA. After six months, the dealer escalations team refused payment assistance or buyback, leaving the vehicle parked in Arizona heat with no resolution.
One owner also reported the emergency theft system locking the vehicle while moving and triggering unintended airbag deployment, which fractured a spinal vertebra and required fusion surgery.
Owners purchased these vehicles unaware of an ongoing NHTSA investigation into non-deployment — a fact dealerships did not disclose at point of sale.
Same Kia Optima airbags reports on nearby years: 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag Non-Deployment in Low-to-Moderate Speed Collisions
Owners report multiple crash scenarios where front and/or side airbags failed to deploy despite impact sufficient to total vehicles and cause occupant injuries. Crashes include deer strikes at 25–50 mph, t-bone collisions, head-on pole impact, and multi-vehicle rear-end situations. Owners sustained serious injuries (concussions, spinal damage, fractured sternum, back/neck pain) that might have been mitigated by proper airbag function.
When: 3,168 to 93,228 miles; crashes occurred at 25–50 mph impact speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags failed to deploy in front-impact collisions; Airbags failed to deploy in t-bone side impacts; Airbags failed to deploy in rear-end collisions; Occupant injuries sustained despite crash severity
Codes mentioned: B138400
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports passenger airbag module is not operable and on backorder with no ETA; vehicle remained out of service for 6+ months
Passenger-Side Airbag Module Failure
One owner brought vehicle to dealership with airbag warning light; diagnostics revealed passenger airbag module inoperable, rendering all airbags non-functional. Part placed on backorder indefinitely. Dealer and escalations department offered no resolution, buyback, or payment assistance.
When: Failure identified October 2024; part unavailable for 6+ months
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminated; Passenger airbag module non-operable; All airbags rendered useless
Repairs/costs cited: Passenger airbag module on backorder with no ETA; vehicle parked and not protected from elements
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer escalations department declined payment assistance or buyback, citing warranty limitations
Unintended Airbag Deployment from Emergency Theft System Malfunction
One owner reports emergency theft system locked down vehicle while moving and caused airbags to deploy inadvertently, resulting in spinal vertebra fracture requiring fusion surgery.
When: Mileage and timing not stated
Symptoms owners cite: Emergency theft system activation while vehicle in motion; Unintended airbag deployment; Occupant spinal injury
Repairs/costs cited: Spinal fusion surgery required
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Diagnostic scan of car's computer showed trouble code B138400 Side Airbag Front PAssenger-Resistance Circuit Short to Ground.
Had airbags trouble with your 2019 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 2019 Kia Optima?
It's a meaningful issue. 12 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Based on the 12 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 34,698 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2019/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.