2013 Kia Optima Airbags Problems
NHTSA lists 60 airbag complaints for the 2013 Kia Optima, 4% of its 1,383 total complaints that year. These complaints involve 18 crashes, 11 injuries, and 1 fire, with a median failure mileage of 85,700. A related recall (18V363000) covers the airbag control unit.
- Airbags complaints
- 60
- 4% of 1,383
- Crashes reported
- 18
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 11
- Median mileage
- 85,700 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical airbag symptoms owners report
- Airbags fail to deploy in frontal collisions, including head-on impacts and animal strikes at highway speed.
- Airbags do not deploy in low-speed rear-end or corner impacts even when the vehicle sustains heavy front-end damage.
- Owners report loss of steering control just before a crash, followed by airbags failing to deploy on impact.
- After a rear-end collision, the airbag warning light stays on and the rear seat belt stops working even though no airbag deployed.
- Some owners note the airbags failed to deploy during a second or repeat collision after an earlier accident with the same vehicle.
When 2013 Kia Optima airbag complaints were filed
First complaint Jul 5, 2013, latest May 8, 2026.
Airbags recalls for the 2013 Kia Optima
- NHTSA 18V363000Jun 1, 2018Airbags507,587 vehicles
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.
Risk: If the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners. For model year 2011 Sedona vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to verify the ACU part number and, if necessary, install an extension wire harness kit between the ACU Connector and the Vehicle Harness Connector. For all other affected vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to install the extension wire harness kit. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC165.
Airbags complaints by Optima model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many airbag complaints does NHTSA have for the 2013 Kia Optima?
- NHTSA lists 60 airbag complaints for the 2013 Optima, which is 4% of the 1,383 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there an airbag recall for the 2013 Kia Optima?
- Yes. Recall 18V363000, reported June 1, 2018, covers the airbag control unit, which Kia says may short circuit in a crash and prevent deployment.
- At what mileage do airbag problems typically show up on the 2013 Optima?
- The median mileage at failure among the reported airbag complaints is 85,700 miles.
- Have the 2013 Optima's airbag failures caused injuries or crashes?
- NHTSA's data tied to these complaints includes 18 crashes, 11 injuries, and 1 fire.