The manufacturer filed it. Here it is, by model.
Early Warning Reporting · Kia
Kia Optima: deaths and injuries the manufacturer reported to NHTSA
Kia reported 206 incidents alleging a death or injury in a Kia Optima, model years 2003–2020, in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21), through 2026 Q1. Each is a claim the manufacturer received, not a finding; NHTSA does not verify them.
206 incidents reported
27 deaths, as claimed
234 injuries, as claimed
2003–2020 model years named
By model year
Source: manufacturer EWR death and injury reports and production reports| Model year | Incidents | Killed | Injured | Built | Per 100,000 built |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 | 0 | 2 | — | — |
| 2004 | 3 | 1 | 4 | — | — |
| 2005 | 3 | 0 | 4 | — | — |
| 2006 | 5 | 1 | 5 | — | — |
| 2007 | 8 | 2 | 10 | — | — |
| 2008 | 14 | 4 | 14 | — | — |
| 2009 | 3 | 0 | 3 | — | — |
| 2010 | 5 | 0 | 5 | — | — |
| 2011 | 12 | 0 | 16 | — | — |
| 2012 | 17 | 1 | 21 | — | — |
| 2013 | 27 | 2 | 28 | — | — |
| 2014 | 13 | 3 | 16 | — | — |
| 2015 | 28 | 1 | 33 | — | — |
| 2016 | 25 | 7 | 27 | 133,906 | 19 |
| 2017 | 7 | 0 | 11 | 66,062 | 11 |
| 2018 | 11 | 1 | 10 | 98,046 | 11 |
| 2019 | 14 | 1 | 15 | 102,672 | 14 |
| 2020 | 10 | 3 | 10 | 72,020 | 14 |
The model year is the one the manufacturer named in the report. A model year with its own page links to it. “Built” is the manufacturer’s cumulative production for the model year from its latest Early Warning production report; the rate is incidents per 100,000 of them.
By the system the claimant named
Source: as the manufacturer reported it| System named | Incidents | Killed |
|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 107 | 10 |
| Seat Belts | 28 | 6 |
| Engine and Cooling System | 26 | 3 |
| Fire | 24 | 4 |
| Electrical System | 22 | 3 |
| Seats | 14 | 3 |
| Structure | 13 | 7 |
| Service Brake System | 11 | 0 |
| Steering System | 10 | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 10 | 4 |
| Rollover | 4 | 2 |
| Power Train | 3 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 1 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 |
| No System/Component Specified | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brake System, Air | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension System | 1 | 0 |
| Latch | 1 | 0 |
An incident naming several systems is counted under each. “Fire” and “Other” are categories in the rule, not systems.
Every one of these, dated and numbered
The defect dossier for the Kia Optima puts each report beside the recalls, investigations, bulletins and owner complaints on the same system, as a PDF and two CSVs: the Kia Optima, one system, every model year, numbered as exhibits.
The incidents
Source: VIN shown as NHTSA publishes it: the first eleven characters| Incident | Model year | State | Killed | Injured | Systems named | Reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-20 | 2016 | MO | 0 | 1 | Seat Belts · Air Bags | 2026 Q1 |
| 2025-11-24 | 2018 | WA | 0 | 1 | Fire · Engine and Cooling System | 2026 Q1 |
| 2025-08-27 | 2020 | FL | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2025 Q3 |
| 2025-05-27 | 2015 | MD | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2025 Q2 |
| 2025-05-12 | 2016 | CA | 0 | 1 | Steering System | 2025 Q2 |
| 2025-05-07 | 2015 | CO | 0 | 1 | Air Bags · Service Brake System · Steering System | 2025 Q2 |
| 2025-04-13 | 2018 | TX | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2025 Q2 |
| 2025-03-07 | 2016 | TX | 0 | 3 | Air Bags | 2025 Q1 |
| 2025-02-17 | 2015 | AR | 0 | 1 | Fire · Engine and Cooling System | 2025 Q1 |
| 2025-01-28 | 2016 | TN | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2025 Q1 |
| 2024-11-26 | 2019 | CA | 0 | 2 | Air Bags | 2025 Q1 |
| 2024-11-16 | 2018 | IN | 0 | 1 | Visibility · Electrical System | 2024 Q4 |
| 2024-11-13 | 2018 | TX | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2024 Q4 |
| 2024-09-19 | 2019 | KS | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 2025 Q2 |
| 2024-07-04 | 2015 | TX | 0 | 1 | Fire · Engine and Cooling System | 2024 Q3 |
| 2024-06-09 | 2015 | TX | 0 | 2 | Vehicle Speed Control · Air Bags | 2024 Q2 |
| 2024-04-07 | 2017 | TX | 0 | 2 | Fire · Seats · Engine and Cooling System | 2024 Q2 |
| 2024-02-12 | 2016 | AR | 0 | 1 | Vehicle Speed Control · Engine and Cooling System | 2024 Q2 |
| 2024-02-01 | 2018 | AR | 0 | 1 | Fire · Engine and Cooling System | 2024 Q1 |
| 2024-01-09 | 2016 | TX | 0 | 1 | Engine and Cooling System | 2025 Q1 |
| 2023-12-26 | 2019 | PA | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 2025 Q4 |
| 2023-12-07 | 2019 | MO | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 2024 Q3 |
| 2023-11-25 | 2018 | OH | 1 | 0 | Electrical System | 2024 Q1 |
| 2023-10-13 | 2015 | AR | 0 | 1 | Seat Belts · Air Bags | 2024 Q1 |
| 2023-10-12 | 2020 | WA | 0 | 1 | Engine and Cooling System | 2024 Q3 |
| 2023-09-22 | 2015 | GA | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2024 Q3 |
| 2023-07-03 | 2019 | OH | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 2025 Q3 |
| 2023-05-20 | 2020 | PA | 1 | 0 | Rollover · Fire · Structure | 2024 Q4 |
| 2023-05-11 | 2019 | MS | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2023 Q2 |
| 2023-05-10 | 2019 | CA | 0 | 1 | Engine and Cooling System | 2025 Q1 |
| 2023-05-08 | 2013 | TX | 1 | 0 | Seat Belts | 2023 Q3 |
| 2023-04-04 | 2017 | MO | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 2024 Q3 |
| 2023-02-01 | 2015 | MO | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 2023 Q4 |
| 2023-01-14 | 2020 | PA | 1 | 2 | Electrical System | 2025 Q1 |
| 2023-01-14 | 2015 | MO | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 2024 Q2 |
| 2023-01-03 | 2014 | TX | 0 | 1 | Engine and Cooling System | 2023 Q4 |
| 2022-12-29 | 2016 | WI | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 2026 Q1 |
| 2022-12-25 | 2020 | CA | 0 | 1 | No System/Component Specified | 2023 Q3 |
| 2022-11-18 | 2019 | MO | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 2023 Q4 |
| 2022-11-14 | 2016 | MO | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 2024 Q2 |
| 2022-11-03 | 2017 | MO | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 2024 Q2 |
| 2022-10-18 | 2018 | MO | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 2024 Q3 |
| 2022-10-15 | 2019 | MO | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 2023 Q4 |
| 2022-10-07 | 2016 | CA | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2023 Q2 |
| 2022-09-05 | 2016 | TX | 0 | 1 | Engine and Cooling System | 2023 Q2 |
| 2022-08-26 | 2016 | NY | 0 | 3 | Fire · Power Train · Engine and Cooling System | 2022 Q3 |
| 2022-08-08 | 2015 | CA | 0 | 1 | Engine and Cooling System | 2024 Q3 |
| 2022-07-31 | 2018 | KY | 0 | 1 | Fire · Engine and Cooling System · Service Brake System | 2022 Q3 |
| 2022-07-25 | 2020 | WA | 1 | 0 | Electrical System | 2024 Q3 |
| 2022-07-07 | 2016 | MO | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 2024 Q2 |
| 2022-06-16 | 2013 | TN | 0 | 1 | Fire · Engine and Cooling System | 2022 Q2 |
| 2022-06-11 | 2018 | FL | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2022 Q2 |
| 2022-06-06 | 2018 | MO | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 2023 Q2 |
| 2022-05-23 | 2020 | IN | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2022 Q2 |
| 2022-04-27 | 2019 | MO | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 2024 Q2 |
| 2022-04-27 | 2020 | GA | 0 | 1 | Structure | 2022 Q2 |
| 2022-04-24 | 2019 | CA | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2022 Q3 |
| 2022-04-09 | 2012 | GA | 0 | 1 | Structure | 2022 Q2 |
| 2022-03-04 | 2014 | TX | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2022 Q1 |
| 2021-11-07 | 2014 | AZ | 2 | 0 | Fire · Air Bags | 2022 Q3 |
| 2021-11-05 | 2015 | AL | 0 | 1 | Fire · Engine and Cooling System | 2022 Q3 |
| 2021-10-14 | 2015 | LA | 0 | 2 | Air Bags | 2022 Q2 |
| 2021-10-11 | 2013 | TN | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2021 Q4 |
| 2021-09-13 | 2013 | NC | 0 | 1 | Seat Belts · Air Bags | 2021 Q4 |
| 2021-09-13 | 2020 | IL | 0 | 2 | Service Brake System | 2021 Q3 |
| 2021-09-01 | 2013 | WI | 0 | 1 | Steering System | 2021 Q3 |
| 2021-08-05 | 2013 | CA | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2022 Q2 |
| 2021-06-25 | 2015 | TX | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2021 Q3 |
| 2021-06-10 | 2013 | LA | 0 | 1 | Fire · Engine and Cooling System | 2023 Q3 |
| 2021-06-07 | 2019 | GA | 0 | 1 | Seats | 2021 Q3 |
| 2021-05-12 | 2014 | NV | 0 | 2 | Service Brake System | 2021 Q2 |
| 2021-03-30 | 2016 | TX | 1 | 0 | Structure | 2022 Q3 |
| 2020-10-18 | 2017 | CA | 0 | 2 | Air Bags | 2020 Q4 |
| 2020-10-15 | 2015 | MT | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2020 Q4 |
| 2020-10-09 | 2018 | FL | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2020 Q4 |
| 2020-10-01 | 2020 | FL | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2021 Q1 |
| 2020-09-25 | 2015 | MO | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2021 Q2 |
| 2020-09-25 | 2015 | MO | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2021 Q2 |
| 2020-09-10 | 2013 | TX | 0 | 1 | Fire · Engine and Cooling System | 2022 Q3 |
| 2020-08-29 | 2015 | DE | 0 | 2 | Air Bags | 2020 Q3 |
| 2020-04-19 | 2019 | MN | 1 | 1 | Fire · Other | 2020 Q3 |
| 2020-03-15 | 2014 | LA | 0 | 1 | Fire · Engine and Cooling System | 2021 Q2 |
| 2019-11-11 | 2011 | AL | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2019 Q4 |
| 2019-09-25 | 2016 | CA | 0 | 1 | Seats · Seat Belts | 2020 Q3 |
| 2019-09-06 | 2015 | CA | 0 | 1 | Fire | 2019 Q3 |
| 2019-08-14 | 2014 | GA | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2019 Q4 |
| 2019-08-05 | 2015 | LA | 0 | 1 | Vehicle Speed Control | 2019 Q3 |
| 2019-06-15 | 2015 | NC | 0 | 3 | Seat Belts · Air Bags · Service Brake System, Air | 2023 Q3 |
| 2019-05-08 | 2019 | NY | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2022 Q1 |
| 2018-12-15 | 2012 | FL | 0 | 1 | Fire | 2019 Q2 |
| 2018-12-15 | 2012 | FL | 0 | 1 | Fire · Engine and Cooling System | 2019 Q2 |
| 2018-12-03 | 2017 | CA | 0 | 1 | Fire · Other | 2020 Q2 |
| 2018-11-01 | 2011 | VA | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2018 Q4 |
| 2018-08-31 | 2013 | TX | 0 | 1 | Seat Belts · Air Bags | 2019 Q4 |
| 2018-07-08 | 2014 | GA | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 2018 Q3 |
| 2018-07-04 | 2015 | NY | 0 | 1 | Seat Belts · Air Bags | 2018 Q3 |
| 2018-06-13 | 2017 | CA | 0 | 1 | Steering System | 2020 Q2 |
| 2018-06-06 | 2015 | IL | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2019 Q2 |
| 2018-05-31 | 2013 | GA | 0 | 1 | Seats | 2018 Q2 |
| 2018-03-31 | 2016 | NJ | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2018 Q2 |
| 2018-03-05 | 2016 | CA | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2018 Q1 |
| 2018-01-27 | 2016 | SA | 3 | 0 | Seat Belts · Air Bags | 2018 Q2 |
| 2018-01-25 | 2015 | TN | 1 | 0 | Seats · Structure | 2019 Q1 |
| 2017-12-22 | 2017 | GA | 0 | 3 | Seat Belts · Air Bags | 2018 Q4 |
| 2017-11-16 | 2012 | OH | 0 | 2 | Fire · Engine and Cooling System | 2019 Q4 |
| 2017-08-14 | 2016 | TN | 0 | 1 | Service Brake System | 2018 Q3 |
| 2017-08-14 | 2016 | TN | 0 | 1 | Service Brake System | 2017 Q3 |
| 2017-07-28 | 2013 | GA | 0 | 1 | Engine and Cooling System | 2017 Q3 |
| 2017-06-18 | 2013 | LA | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2018 Q2 |
| 2017-05-30 | 2015 | NY | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2020 Q3 |
| 2017-05-30 | 2007 | TX | 0 | 1 | Structure · Air Bags | 2017 Q3 |
| 2017-05-26 | 2016 | CA | 2 | 1 | Steering System | 2018 Q3 |
| 2017-05-23 | 2012 | AZ | 1 | 0 | Air Bags | 2018 Q2 |
| 2017-04-21 | 2013 | NJ | 0 | 1 | Rollover · Air Bags | 2017 Q2 |
| 2017-04-07 | 2016 | TN | 0 | 1 | Vehicle Speed Control · Service Brake System | 2017 Q2 |
| 2017-02-07 | 2015 | FL | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2017 Q1 |
| 2017-01-17 | 2013 | ME | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2017 Q1 |
| 2017-01-08 | 2016 | MT | 0 | 2 | Seat Belts · Air Bags | 2017 Q1 |
| 2016-11-21 | 2016 | CA | 0 | 1 | Steering System | 2016 Q4 |
| 2016-09-25 | 2016 | LA | 1 | 0 | Air Bags | 2017 Q3 |
| 2016-05-15 | 2011 | CA | 0 | 1 | Vehicle Speed Control · Service Brake System | 2016 Q2 |
| 2016-05-01 | 2007 | MA | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2017 Q1 |
| 2016-05-01 | 2007 | MA | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2016 Q3 |
| 2016-04-18 | 2015 | CA | 0 | 2 | Fire · Engine and Cooling System | 2019 Q2 |
| 2016-04-02 | 2013 | NJ | 0 | 1 | Service Brake System | 2016 Q2 |
| 2016-02-17 | 2011 | VA | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2016 Q2 |
| 2016-01-20 | 2016 | FL | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2016 Q1 |
| 2016-01-15 | 2013 | LA | 1 | 1 | Structure | 2017 Q1 |
| 2015-12-31 | 2013 | NY | 0 | 1 | Seat Belts | 2016 Q1 |
| 2015-12-31 | 2008 | TN | 3 | 1 | Vehicle Speed Control · Engine and Cooling System | 2016 Q1 |
| 2015-11-13 | 2014 | PR | 0 | 2 | Air Bags | 2017 Q3 |
| 2015-09-12 | 2013 | FL | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2015 Q3 |
| 2015-09-04 | 2015 | AR | 0 | 1 | Seat Belts | 2015 Q3 |
| 2015-09-02 | 2014 | CA | 0 | 3 | Suspension System | 2016 Q1 |
| 2015-07-01 | 2014 | LA | 0 | 2 | Fire · Engine and Cooling System | 2016 Q2 |
| 2015-06-29 | 2013 | CA | 0 | 1 | Rollover · Steering System | 2016 Q4 |
| 2015-06-12 | 2015 | CA | 0 | 1 | Seat Belts · Air Bags | 2015 Q4 |
| 2015-06-05 | 2010 | MO | 0 | 1 | Seats | 2016 Q4 |
| 2015-05-30 | 2014 | AZ | 0 | 1 | Seats | 2016 Q4 |
| 2015-05-26 | 2011 | TN | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2015 Q2 |
| 2015-05-21 | 2008 | TX | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2016 Q1 |
| 2015-05-21 | 2008 | TX | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2016 Q1 |
| 2015-03-22 | 2014 | TN | 1 | 0 | Vehicle Speed Control | 2015 Q3 |
| 2015-02-16 | 2012 | CA | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2015 Q1 |
| 2014-10-15 | 2014 | OH | 0 | 1 | Seat Belts · Air Bags | 2014 Q4 |
| 2014-08-10 | 2012 | TX | 0 | 1 | Seats · Air Bags | 2014 Q3 |
| 2014-08-07 | 2012 | RI | 0 | 1 | Fire · Engine and Cooling System | 2014 Q3 |
| 2014-07-16 | 2011 | VA | 0 | 2 | Air Bags | 2014 Q3 |
| 2014-07-07 | 2013 | GA | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2014 Q3 |
| 2014-06-20 | 2008 | CT | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2014 Q2 |
| 2014-06-16 | 2013 | AL | 0 | 2 | Air Bags | 2014 Q2 |
| 2014-04-30 | 2012 | AL | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2015 Q1 |
| 2014-03-06 | 2013 | MO | 0 | 1 | Structure | 2014 Q1 |
| 2014-02-27 | 2013 | ME | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2014 Q1 |
| 2014-02-12 | 2013 | AL | 0 | 1 | Seats | 2014 Q2 |
| 2014-02-01 | 2012 | FL | 0 | 1 | Service Brake System | 2014 Q1 |
| 2014-01-29 | 2010 | TX | 0 | 1 | Air Bags · Steering System | 2014 Q1 |
| 2014-01-14 | 2012 | MO | 0 | 2 | Latch | 2014 Q2 |
| 2013-12-07 | 2008 | IN | 0 | 2 | Air Bags | 2014 Q1 |
| 2013-11-13 | 2007 | TX | 0 | 3 | Air Bags | 2014 Q1 |
| 2013-10-12 | 2013 | NV | 0 | 2 | Vehicle Speed Control | 2013 Q4 |
| 2013-10-06 | 2005 | GA | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2013 Q4 |
| 2013-09-01 | 2013 | MO | 0 | 1 | Steering System | 2013 Q3 |
| 2013-08-15 | 2013 | FL | 0 | 1 | Fire · Electrical System | 2013 Q3 |
| 2013-08-02 | 2012 | MO | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2013 Q3 |
| 2013-07-31 | 2011 | NY | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2013 Q3 |
| 2013-06-15 | 2012 | PA | 0 | 3 | Seat Belts · Air Bags | 2013 Q2 |
| 2013-05-17 | 2005 | WI | 0 | 2 | Seat Belts · Air Bags | 2013 Q4 |
| 2013-04-24 | 2006 | VA | 0 | 1 | Power Train | 2013 Q2 |
| 2013-03-21 | 2008 | NC | 1 | 0 | Rollover · Air Bags | 2013 Q3 |
| 2013-03-11 | 2012 | CA | 0 | 1 | Power Train | 2015 Q2 |
| 2013-03-04 | 2007 | TN | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2013 Q1 |
| 2012-10-09 | 2009 | CA | 0 | 1 | Vehicle Speed Control · Seat Belts · Air Bags | 2012 Q4 |
| 2012-09-05 | 2012 | CA | 0 | 2 | Seat Belts · Air Bags | 2012 Q3 |
| 2012-08-24 | 2009 | CA | 0 | 1 | Seat Belts · Air Bags | 2013 Q3 |
| 2012-08-24 | 2009 | CA | 0 | 1 | Structure · Seat Belts · Air Bags | 2013 Q2 |
| 2012-08-24 | 2011 | NY | 0 | 4 | Vehicle Speed Control · Service Brake System | 2012 Q3 |
| 2012-08-22 | 2012 | CA | 0 | 1 | Seat Belts · Air Bags | 2013 Q4 |
| 2012-06-27 | 2011 | MI | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2012 Q3 |
| 2012-06-26 | 2011 | CA | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2014 Q2 |
| 2012-04-12 | 2012 | MI | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2012 Q2 |
| 2012-03-29 | 2004 | GA | 0 | 2 | Seats · Air Bags | 2012 Q2 |
| 2012-03-04 | 2006 | LA | 0 | 1 | Seat Belts · Air Bags | 2013 Q1 |
| 2012-02-17 | 2011 | TX | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2012 Q1 |
| 2012-01-07 | 2010 | CA | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2012 Q1 |
| 2011-12-11 | 2008 | SC | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2011 Q4 |
| 2011-11-18 | 2006 | NC | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2011 Q4 |
| 2011-10-12 | 2010 | IA | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2011 Q4 |
| 2011-09-25 | 2008 | FL | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2012 Q2 |
| 2011-09-25 | 2011 | PA | 0 | 1 | Structure | 2011 Q3 |
| 2011-08-19 | 2010 | CA | 0 | 1 | Seat Belts | 2011 Q3 |
| 2011-05-02 | 2008 | TX | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2011 Q2 |
| 2010-12-27 | 2008 | IN | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2011 Q3 |
| 2010-11-29 | 2008 | WV | 0 | 1 | Seat Belts · Air Bags | 2010 Q4 |
| 2010-11-24 | 2004 | PA | 0 | 2 | Seats | 2010 Q4 |
| 2010-07-18 | 2007 | FL | 1 | 2 | Structure · Air Bags | 2012 Q3 |
| 2010-06-28 | 2008 | OH | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2010 Q3 |
| 2010-05-19 | 2006 | MS | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2010 Q2 |
| 2010-05-12 | 2003 | MA | 0 | 2 | Steering System | 2010 Q4 |
| 2010-03-20 | 2006 | IL | 1 | 1 | Seats · Structure | 2012 Q1 |
| 2010-03-15 | 2008 | VA | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2010 Q1 |
| 2010-02-27 | 2004 | KY | 1 | 0 | Structure · Seat Belts · Air Bags | 2011 Q1 |
| 2009-07-23 | 2008 | TX | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2011 Q3 |
| 2009-05-18 | 2007 | FL | 1 | 0 | Seats · Seat Belts | 2011 Q1 |
| 2008-11-18 | 2005 | CA | 0 | 1 | Seats · Seat Belts | 2011 Q1 |
| 2008-07-21 | 2007 | CA | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2012 Q2 |
Each row above is a claim or notice Kia received alleging a death or injury in a Kia Optima and reported to NHTSA as 49 CFR 579.21 requires; NHTSA does not verify it, and a Optima that sold more will have more rows. All Kia models · What these reports are, and are not.