Side/window Air Bag problems of the 2008 Kia Motor Optima

Our son vehicle was driving on a 1 way street and crossing the 4 corner intersection on a green light when he was hit by a 2018 chevy trax running a red light. The rear passenger door was hit hard, which caused the car to spin, 3 tires were blown, the rear axle was broken and the car was now facing the opposite direction. During this process his air bags (front,side) did not deploy, which was one of the reasons for purchasing the vehicle for safety. Now the other vehicle which hit him had front end damage, but only his side airs deployed. Based on the impact and body damage the vehicle was considered totaled.

My husband and daughter were involved in an accident where they struck a tree. The car was totaled and their was extensive damage to the front of the vehicle. The impact was more on the passenger front of vehicle. My daughter was the passenger and she is full grown so she should of been detected in the seat. The driver side airbag did deploy the passenger side did not. I am very grateful that she did not suffer serious injuries (just lacerations from seatbelt). I notified Kia Motors and was given a case number. Somebody did follow up with me and asked that I send photos and told me someone else would be calling. I sent the photos. I did receive the second call from kia and was told that the engineers incharge of the airbags would be on vacation for a couple of weeks and as soon as they came back and examined the photos, I would receive a call back. That was five weeks ago. No follow-up as of today Aug. 6, 2014. I was also told they do not have any other complaints. I told them they should go on safercar. Gov and start reading. I do hope that this car gets recalled. My husband and daughter were very fortunate with no serious injuries, but someone may not be as lucky next time.

The contact owns a 2008 kia Optima. The contact stated that the passenger side airbag sensor would not identify that a passenger was sitting in the vehicle, causing the airbag to indicate that the air bags were off. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure, but denied any assistance with repairs to the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 10 and the current mileage was 36,000.

The passenger side airbag malfunctions. It may or may not engage when one sits in the seat. After moving around; getting out of car and/or refastening seat belt it will most of the time engages. The size of the person, the movement of the car (or not), and sitting position do not appear to matter. One knows that the airbag is not employed properly because the light indicating the functioning of the passenger side airbag will read "off. ".

Front passenger side air bag does not always activate when an adult sits in the front passenger seat. The dashboard light indicates that the airbag is off. Even with an adult weighing about 115 pounds occupies the seat.

Summary: the contact owns a 2008 kia Optima. The contact stated that the passenger side airbag sensor would not identify that a passenger was sitting in the vehicle, causing the airbag to indicate that the air bags were off. Complained to the dealer 4 times. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure, but denied any wrong. . The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was first reported 30,000 now has 49,000. They should recall these kia. Last time at the dealer was February, 2012.

As the driver's side air bag assembly is under a recall, the passenger side system should also be investigated. About 10-15% of the time the passenger side air bag will indicate that it is off after an adult sits in the seat. This requires that the person will need to get out then back in, or the car needs to be shut off and restarted and that doesn't guarantee that the system will operate properly. Last week the passenger side air bag off light has now been coming on while the car is in motion. It will appear for a few seconds, then go off, reappear then go off.