Vehicle recall 01V156000 · May 1, 2001

2001 Kia Optima

Vehicle description: passenger vehicles.

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The side air bag wire harness for the driver position could be mis-routed, which could result in it being pinched or cut by the seat cushion tilt mechanism.
Consequence: Damage to the wire harness could result in the side air bag not deploying in an accident.
Remedy: Dealers will check for proper routing of the side air bag wire harness and secure it in place with a plastic tie-wrap. If the wire harness is damaged, it will be replaced. Owner notification is expected to begin during may 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542.
Notes: Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

Recall details

NHTSA campaign: 01V156000
Reported to NHTSA: May 1, 2001
Filed by: KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Manufacturer campaign: SC020
Owner notification: May 11, 2001
Vehicles potentially affected: 16,231
Initiated by: the manufacturer
Components: Air bags › Side/window

Recall 01V156000 on nhtsa.gov, with the manufacturer’s documents

Vehicles covered

As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.

Kia Optima (2001): 2001

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