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.
Safety risk
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.
Manufacturer remedy
KIA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 11, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift
Manufacturer
KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
70,115
Reported to NHTSA
2011-03-09
Owners notified
2011-03-23
Defect description
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.
Safety risk
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.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SHIFT CABLE AND REINSTALL IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 23, 2011. OWNER MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
Component
Complaints
Median mileage
Air bags
32
74,600 mi
Latches/locks/linkages
24
74,000 mi
Electrical system
20
69,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module
10
450 mi
Exterior lighting
10
5,500 mi
Power train
10
58,000 mi
Unknown or other
9
103,083 mi
Visibility
9
45,000 mi
Engine
7
103,083 mi
Vehicle speed control
7
75,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights
6
1,500 mi
Structure: body
6
96,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
5
66,961 mi
Air bags: frontal
4
43,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling
4
15,263 mi
Suspension
4
100,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys
3
5,033 mi
Equipment
3
15,263 mi
Seats
3
64,200 mi
Structure: body: door
3
61,300 mi
Electrical system: wiring
2
5,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine
2
2,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline
2
292 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
2
59,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission
2
22,220 mi
Structure
2
2,000 mi
Suspension: front
2
10 mi
Tires
2
2,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt
2
13,380 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
1
—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
1
11,874 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
1
2,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch
1
130,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly
1
—
Power train: manual transmission
1
—
Seat belts
1
96,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: power adjust
1
55,000 mi
Steering
1
116,039 mi
Steering: rack and pinion
1
2,000 mi
Structure: body: trunk lid
1
2,791 mi
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems
1
64,200 mi
Visibility/wiper
1
—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior
1
55,000 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
1
2,791 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer
1
16,803 mi
Wheels
1
130,000 mi
The 2005 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2007 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.
Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.