Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Air Bags (30.8% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Air Bags complaints here are 4.7× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
4 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 2 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 44 · 30.8% | Recalled | Recall 12V014000 |
| Engine | 18 · 12.6% | Investigation closed | DP22003 |
| Power Train | 16 · 11.2% | Recalled | Recall 11V153000 |
| Air Bags:frontal | 13 · 9.1% | Recalled | Recall 12V014000 |
| Electrical System | 13 · 9.1% | No official action | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 7 · 4.9% | Recalled | Recall 13V114000 |
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.
Percentages are the share of the 143 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.
NHTSA campaign 13V114000 · 2013 · reported 04/01/2013
Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
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
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.
“KIA RECALLED OPTIMAS UP UNTIL JANUARY 2008 FOR FAULTY CLOCK SPRING. I HAVE A KIA OPTIMA THAT WAS BUILT IN MARCH 2008. I JUST PAID…”NHTSA complaint 11267367 — filed 10/09/2019 · AIR BAGS
“"AIR BAG" LIGHT STAYS ON AFTER VEHICLE IS TURN ON. DEALER SAID THERE IS NO RECALL. CODE B1481.”NHTSA complaint 11019489 — filed 08/25/2017 · AIR BAGS
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR DID NOT REGISTER WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE…”NHTSA complaint 10895919 — filed 08/15/2016 · AIR BAGS
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Air bags issues are the most-reported category, cited in 44 of 143 NHTSA complaints (30.8%), followed by engine (18), power train (16), air bags:frontal (13). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
143 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 20 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, and 22 reported injuries. 8 deaths were reported.
Yes — 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 13V114000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
4 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
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.
