CarModelProblems.com

2007 Kia Optima Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Air Bags — runs 4.2× the fleet median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
166Complaints
2Recalls
11Crashes
5Fires
6Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Air Bags (28.9% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.

Air Bags complaints here are 4.2× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Air Bags48 · 28.9%RecalledRecall 12V014000
Exterior Lighting25 · 15.1%not available
Visibility/wiper20 · 12%not available
Engine16 · 9.6%not available
Visibility13 · 7.8%not available
Air Bags:frontal12 · 7.2%RecalledRecall 12V014000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS48 · 28.9%
ENGINE16 · 9.6%
VISIBILITY13 · 7.8%
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL12 · 7.2%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM11 · 6.6%
POWER TRAIN10 · 6%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5 · 3%
SERVICE BRAKES5 · 3%

Percentages are the share of the 166 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 2 campaigns

Air Bags:frontal

NHTSA campaign 12V014000 · 2012 · reported 01/17/2012

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift

NHTSA campaign 11V153000 · 2011 · reported 03/09/2011

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. AT FIRST IT WOULD GO OFF AND ON WITH NO CODE. NOW IT STAYS ON WITH THE CODE…”NHTSA complaint 11186208 — filed 03/12/2019 · AIR BAGS
“AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND WON'T TURN OFF ... OTHER PROBLEM IS BOTH VISORS WON'T SPRING UP FLOPPED DOWN ... THE INTERNET IS BUZZING…”NHTSA complaint 11103336 — filed 06/22/2018 · AIR BAGS
“DESPITE THERE BEING A VOLUNTARY WARRANTY EXTENSION ON THE PART OF KIA FOR THE OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT, THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE MINE BECAUSE THE CODE…”NHTSA complaint 10984746 — filed 05/10/2017 · AIR BAGS

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

122011132220132619201520820177920191032021252023112025

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2007 Kia Optima?

Air bags issues are the most-reported category, cited in 48 of 166 NHTSA complaints (28.9%), followed by exterior lighting (25), visibility/wiper (20), engine (16). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2007 Kia Optima have?

166 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 11 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, and 6 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2007 Kia Optima have any recalls?

Yes — 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 12V014000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2007 Kia Optima's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.