Worst 2007 Kia Optima Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
AIR BAGS
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
VISIBILITY/WIPER
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2007 Kia Optima.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 48 | 6 | — | 85,336 mi | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 25 | — | — | 115,949 mi | |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 20 | — | — | 83,100 mi | |
| ENGINE | 16 | 1 | 5 | 113,966 mi | |
| VISIBILITY | 13 | — | — | 60,035 mi | |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 12 | — | — | 32,081 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 11 | 1 | — | 85,200 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN | 10 | 3 | — | 70,651 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 5 | 2 | — | 86,867 mi | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 5 | 2 | — | 45,000 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 4 | — | — | 52,280 mi | |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 4 | — | — | 167,000 mi | |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE | 3 | — | — | 31,892 mi | |
| SEAT BELTS | 3 | 1 | — | 11,575 mi | |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 3 | — | 1 | 147,404 mi | |
| AIR BAGS:ON-OFF SWITCH ASSEMBLY | 2 | — | — | 50 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 2 | — | — | 6,448 mi | |
| EQUIPMENT | 2 | 1 | — | 24,500 mi | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 2 | — | — | 93,000 mi | |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 2 | — | — | 124,000 mi | |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | 2 | — | — | 57,000 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 2 | — | — | 25,796 mi | |
| STEERING | 2 | — | — | 102,000 mi | |
| SUSPENSION | 2 | — | — | 128,000 mi | |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE | 1 | 1 | — | 73,500 mi | |
| AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW | 1 | — | — | 14,000 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH | 1 | — | — | 11,000 mi | |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 1 | — | — | 122,000 mi | |
| EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. | 1 | — | — | 50 mi | |
| EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL | 1 | — | — | — |
Recalls for 2007 Kia Optima
2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~215,870 vehicles.
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 CIRCUIT WILL EXPERIENCE A HIGH RESISTANCE CONDITION POTENTIALLY CAUSING THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG TO NOT DEPLOY.
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 GEAR BEFORE DETACHMENT.
Other Kia Optima Years
Wider context: See the full Kia Optima reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2007 Kia Optima
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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