2007 Kia Optima problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (36) · Visibility/Wiper (20) · Exterior Lighting (20)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Kia Optima model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
130 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Air Bags:frontal 2012-01-17 · campaign 12V014000 · 145,755 vehicles
Defect: KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. (KIA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2008 KIA OPTIMA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 29, 2005, THROUGH JANUARY 29, 2008, AND MODEL YEAR 2007 AND 2008 KIA RONDO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 13, 2006, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2008. THE CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) MAY BECOME DAMAGED THROUGH USAGE OVER TIME. IF THE CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY BECOMES DAMAGED, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG ELECTRICAL C
Risk: IF THE CLOCK SPRING DEVELOPS HIGH RESISTANCE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVERS AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.
Fix: KIA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 11, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift 2011-03-09 · campaign 11V153000 · 70,115 vehicles
Defect: KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2008 OPTIMA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 29, 2005, THROUGH JUNE 13, 2007. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SHIFT CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED INCORRECTLY, CAUSING TENSION IN THE CABLE. IF PRESENT, THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE CABLE TO DETACH FROM THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY'S DOWEL PIN PREVENTING THE TRANSMISSION FROM BEING SHIFTED. THE SHIFT LEVER CAN THEN BE MOVED INTO THE PARK (P) POSITION WHILE THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION IS STILL IN THE LAST USED
Risk: IF THE DRIVER LEAVES THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ENGAGING THE PARKING BRAKE, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE VEHICLE CAN ROLL INJURE A PERSON IN ITS PATH OR CAUSE A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SHIFT CABLE AND REINSTALL IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 23, 2011. OWNER MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
Service bulletins (31)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Power Train 2025-04-17 · TSB_TRA046_R5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: transmission fluid application guide - 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 relating to the correct transmission fluid ty
Power Train 2024-05-16 · TSB_TRA046_R4 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each kia model. a flush is required only when a transmission is replaced.
Power Train 2022-11-18 · TSB_TRA046_R3 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: transmission fluid application guide - this bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each kia model. a flush is required only when a transmission is replaced, refer to applicable vehicles in the chart
Structure 2021-09-13 · TSB_BOD055_R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: information for headlamp condensation and moisture - 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 relating to some kia models tha
Power Train 2020-04-24 · TSB_TRA046_R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: - transmission fluid application guide - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. this bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each kia model. a flush is required only when a
Engine And Engine Cooling 2018-03-02 · PS539 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pitstop - engine component re-use guidelines - in general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned and transferred to the new engine.
Showing the 6 most recent of 31 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-08-27 · Air Bags · 82,000 mi“the contact owns a 2007 kia optima. the contact stated that while driving, the airbag warning light remained illuminated. the manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 12v014000 (air bags); however, the contact stated that the vehicle experienced failure described in t…”
2025-08-01 · Engine · 🔥 fire“after adding oil..car stopped while driving…smoke and fire occurred.. now engine will not start.. 2 mechanics stated “engine needs to be replaced”… a/c front blower doesn’t work console has a short and doesn’t work …”
2024-10-08 · Exterior Lighting“my headlights are preventing me from passing motor vehicle inspection low beam are on doesn't look like their on so i have to drive with high beams and with that no one flashes me. because all four are on but u can't tell if the low ones on it looks like i just have my parking lights on.…”
2023-10-12 · Vehicle Speed Control · 💥 crash“my vehicle speed up and slow down all that itself. it will not maintain speed even with my foot steady on the gas. it will not accelerate, but the major problem is my seatbelt gets stuck all the time i’m afraid to get buckled. i am unable to remove my seatbelt multiple times so now i have buckled my seatbelt behind me so i can start getting tickets…”
2023-04-30 · Exterior Lighting:headlights“headlights very dim . replaced bulbs . replaced wiring harness. replaced alternater . still dim . cannot see more than a few feet at night. have heard this is a common problem . would like any info to correct problem .no longer safe to drive vehicle at night. please reply asap.…”
2023-01-31 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“2007 kia optima. consumer stated that the airbag did not deploy during collision. the consumer stated the vehicle was totaled and taken to the junkyard due to the programming defect.…”
2022-09-26 · Service Brakes · 💥 crash“the contact owned a 2007 kia optima. the contact stated while driving at 5-10 mph, the vehicle before her vehicle slowed down suddenly. the contact slammed the brakes and the air bags deployed and deflated. however, the brake pedal hesitated to respond and became soft, causing the contact to crash into the vehicle in front of her. the contact was u…”
2021-01-22 · Service Brakes · 99,560 mi“i've seen in other forums about engine recalls. i was never notified and the engine in my car disintegrated. it was replaced with an engine from a wrecking yard. this should be covered by manufacturer. i had issues with the brake lines rusting out. this should not have happened either. not being able to service the transmission and arguing with the…”
2020-11-03 · Visibility/Wiper · 200,000 mi“my low beam lights have no visibility and i have been researching online used headlight assembly because it costs $400 for both sides that i dont have i replaced my low and high beam bulbs the high beams work just fine but as i was doing research a high percentage of this make and model have the same reoccurring problem i seen where they have recal…”
2020-09-14 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 102,000 mi“after fueling vehicle will not run. keeps dying for up to two days. drives for a few second then dies while driving…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.