Air Bag On-off Switch problems of the 2012 Kia Motor Optima

My airbag light turned on and stays on while driving. My interior 3way switch light randomly turns on and stays on while driving and won't shut off until the car is off.

Tl the contact owns a 2012 kia Optima. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated while driving. The contact also stated that the buttons on the steering wheel failed to function. The vehicle was taken to kia of cerritos (located at 18201 studebaker rd, cerritos, CA 90703, (562) 860-2424) where it was diagnosed that the air bag switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 18v363000 (air bags). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.

Clockspring failure causes on-steering wheel controls to fail. Kia service did not find any service codes produced when the steering wheel volume control switches, cruise control switches and cellphone switches displayed intermittent functionality. Failure of the switches generally displayed upon initial start of the car after sitting overnight or at the end of a work day. Temperatures were consistently over 100 degrees f. During an approximate 1 hr 15 min surface street and freeway commute (each way),switches would function after a few minutes driving, but then fail again. Correct functionality was inconsistent. And did not persist. Car was taken in several times for these issues but no codes were produced. Service rep suggested that the clockspring may be involved, but recommended only the replacement of the faulty switches. Volume and cruise control switches replaced, but again showed intermittent failures that would not produce codes. Finally, the replacement volume switches and the cellphone switches completely failed; again, no codes were produced. Kia service noted that the clockspring is integral to the correct functioning of the steering wheel airbag system along with all the steering wheel switches. Kia service now confirms that a faulty clockspring shorted out the steering wheel switches; a new clockspring, volume controls and cellphone controls are being installed. Again, prior to the repair, no codes were generated for kia service to observe. Prior to releasing the car, the switches were checked for correct function, but failed. At that point, the clockspring replacement was initiated. Note: kia service also performed the recall work on the acu wiring harness during this service incident.