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
50
82,000 mi
Exterior lighting
25
111,000 mi
Visibility/wiper
20
75,000 mi
Engine
17
99,560 mi
Visibility
13
60,000 mi
Air bags: frontal
12
40,000 mi
Electrical system
11
97,000 mi
Power train
10
97,000 mi
Service brakes
5
90,000 mi
Vehicle speed control
5
40,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling
4
74,027 mi
Unknown or other
4
167,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module
3
783 mi
Seat belts
3
150 mi
Structure: body
3
146,809 mi
Air bags: on-off switch assembly
2
50 mi
Electrical system: ignition
2
5,000 mi
Equipment
2
24,500 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights
2
93,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
2
102,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages
2
6,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission
2
25,000 mi
Steering
2
82,000 mi
Suspension
2
89,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
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
—
Fuel system, gasoline
1
—
Interior lighting
1
59,000 mi
Parking brake
1
59,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift
1
73,000 mi
Seats
1
31,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic
1
24,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
1
11,000 mi
Structure: frame and members
1
66,599 mi
Suspension: front
1
—
Tires
1
35,000 mi
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems
1
—
The 2006 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2008 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.