Recall 12V014 affects 145,755 2006-2008 Kia Optima and Rondo vehicles for an air bag clock spring defect. Repair is free at any franchised Kia dealer.
Kia is recalling 145,755 2006-2008 Optima and Rondo vehicles because the driver's air bag clock spring contact assembly can become damaged through use. If the clock spring develops high resistance, the driver's air bag will not deploy in a crash, increasing injury risk; the Kia dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The clock spring contact assembly sits inside the steering column on 2006-2008 Kia Optima and Rondo vehicles. It keeps the driver's air bag wiring connected while the steering wheel turns. That connection matters because the air bag control system must be able to send an electrical signal to the driver's frontal air bag during a crash.
On affected vehicles, the clock spring contact assembly becomes damaged through normal use over time. When that happens, the driver's air bag circuit develops high electrical resistance, which means the signal has too much resistance in the path. The air bag system then lacks the clean electrical connection it needs, and the driver's air bag can fail to deploy.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is inside the steering column electrical connection, so the vehicle can steer and drive normally while the driver's air bag circuit is no longer able to work as designed.
Who's affected?
Covers Optima and Rondo vehicles across the 2006, 2007, and 2008 model years, all tied to the front air bag component.
| 2006 Kia Optima | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2008 Kia Rondo | front air bag |
| 2008 Kia Optima | front air bag |
| 2007 Kia Rondo | front air bag |
| 2007 Kia Optima | front air bag |
| Units affected | 145,755 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
If high resistance develops in the air bag clock spring, the driver's air bag will not deploy in a crash. That leaves the driver without the protection the air bag is designed to provide and increases injury risk. Repair will be free at any franchised Kia dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2006-2008 Kia Optima or Rondo is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Kia dealer and ask whether the free air bag clock spring contact assembly replacement is open for your VIN.
- Reference recall number 12V014 when you call Kia or the dealer.
- Schedule the clock spring contact assembly replacement that fixes high resistance in the driver air bag circuit.
- Bring the recall notice if Kia mailed one, plus any service paperwork related to the driver air bag warning or SRS system.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Kia technician replaces the air bag clock spring contact assembly in the steering column. That part carries the electrical connection for the driver's air bag. The source remedy states the replacement is free of charge, with parts and labor covered by the recall once the repair is available for the included VIN. Ask the Kia service desk to confirm the current repair path for your vehicle.
Timeline
| January 17, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 11, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V014?
Recall 12V014 covers 145,755 2006-2008 Kia Optima and Rondo vehicles with a driver's air bag clock spring contact assembly that can develop high resistance over time. If that happens, the driver's air bag will not deploy in a crash. Kia dealers replace the clock spring contact assembly for free.
What should I do if my 2006-2008 Kia Optima or Rondo is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 12V014. If it is, contact a franchised Kia dealer to schedule replacement of the driver's air bag clock spring contact assembly. Reference recall 12V014 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the safety defect at no cost, and Kia's remedy says dealers replace the air bag clock spring contact assembly free of charge. The safety recall began on July 11, 2012.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is reduced crash protection for the driver. If the clock spring develops high resistance, the driver's air bag will not deploy in a crash and will not properly protect the driver, increasing the risk of injuries. A Kia dealer replaces the affected assembly for free.
What if I bought my Kia Optima or Rondo used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law ties the repair to the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your Optima or Rondo is included, then call a franchised Kia dealer and reference recall 12V014.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V014000 |
|---|---|
| Kia customer service | 1-800-333-4542 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V014 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V014000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →