Air Bag Light On problems of the 2001 Kia Motor Optima

: the contact stated the airbag light illuminated. There was a NHTSA recall, # 01v156000, regarding the airbags. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.

Air bag light came on while driving & would go out repeatedly. When I called the kia 800 number was told probably nothing. But you might want to schedule it in with your local dealer. I asked "do I need to be concerned that it might deploy unexpectedly". He said probably not, if you are concerned that it might deploy you are better off not driving it. I told him I don't know anything about airbags, he repeated,"if I believe there is reason to be concerned, you should probably just park it. " I took it to a local repair center that is near my home & was told that the "clock spring" in the steering column had broken & the vehicle is not safe to drive, that the airbag could deploy at anytime without cause or in a collision it may not deploy at all. I called the 800 number back & asked if there was any recalls on the airbag for a 2001 kia Optima le & was told they will not discuss recalls with me at all without the VIN #. I asked specifically about airbag problems for the Optima 2001& told him I didn't have the VIN# because it was in the shop. He stated they would not discuss any recalls without my name, address and/or the VIN#, I said I would fix it then submit charges if recalled the 800# said that if it is recalled after I repair it I may not get reimbursed if it wasn't diagnosed by a dealership. I called the local dealership to schedule it, they said to bring it in. I told them I would be towing it in & they wanted to know why towed in. I told them the repair center said that the airbag could deploy without notice, they said it could but not necessarily. I believe that kia have no concern for the fact a person could die or be seriously injured if the driver's air bag deployed at highway speeds. This problem arose without any indication & I addressed the problem immediately. I believe this is a serious life threatening problem & needs to be investigated, I hope the NHTSA will.

The air bag light came on in the vehicle and I took it in for regular maintenance, I was told that it would cost me 500. 00 dollars to repair the wiring harness. I did not have the repair done because I fell that this is a manufacturers defect that they should have to replace. The dealer also tried to have me replace the timing chain at 60,000 miles at the same cost and then later replaced the belt for free.

While turning left at 3 mph the vehicle was involved in a side impact collision. None of the four air bag deployed. The air bag light was not illuminated to provide any warning that there was a problem with the air bag. The driver was wearing the seat belt. There is a police report. Please provide any additional information.

I have took my car in numerous time for the squeking brakes. Also, the thermostat has been replaced for the 4th time. I have had my car since Nov of 2001. Since then I have had it in the dealer ship about 10 times. I have taken it to 2 different dealers. The brakes they just blow out and say it is mettalic dust. That I need to clear them out when the car is washed. The squeak still comes back. They have also told me it is the humidity doing this. The thermostat has been replaced for the 4th time today. Also, I have had problems with my locks and enigne light coming on all the time. I have had problems with the air bag light also. The car has been nothing but problems. I have notified the kia consumer customer services no help at all. My complaints go back about 1 yr. It all started in Jan of 2002.

03/06/02 purchased a Optima kia 2001, still under warranty until 2/6/06. Problems with airbag, engine, and locks from the date of the purchase of this car. Car brought in for airbag light problem 14 times since 2002 to present date 2005 and still not fixed as we speak. Engine brought in 6 times, and locks work when they want too. Last time service on airbag was 6/5/05 light back on. Kia knows this car can not be fixed and refuse to give me a safe car for me and my 11 year old son.