When front seat passenger sits in the passenger seat of the 2008 Kia Optima, the airbag "off" indicator doesn't switch to on. I was told by dealer that the steps is that the car needs to be off, passenger sits, then turn the car on. This automatic feature is going to get someone killed... not turning on the passenger restraint. Unless the car is off. True situation - my wife gets discharged from hospital from having a baby, I pull car around, get out, load items in the car. My wife gets in the car. Half way home, we realize the front passenger airbag is "off."

- Rock Hill, SC, USA

The passenger side airbag malfunctions. It may or may not engage when one sits in the seat. After moving around; getting out of car and/or refastening seat belt it will most of the time engages. The size of the person, the movement of the car (or not), and sitting position do not appear to matter. One knows that the airbag is not employed properly because the light indicating the functioning of the passenger side airbag will read "off."

- Salisbury, NC, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Kia Optima. While driving with an occupant in the passenger's seat, the contact noticed the passenger's air bag indicator light was not illuminated, indicating the air bag was not on. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. The contact was also informed that the vehicle must be started prior to having an occupant in the passenger's seat in order for the passenger air bag to function correctly. There were no repairs made to the vehicle. The failure and current mileages were 32,000.

- Rock Hill, SC, USA