2008 Kia Optima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 144 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 14th highest complaint count among 20 Optima model years with reports.
Of the 2008 reports, 20 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 22 people were injured and 8 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchApr 1, 2013
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
Campaign 13V114000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalJan 17, 2012
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 12V014000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, lever and linkage, column shiftMar 9, 2011
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 11V153000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
144 reports, newest first.
Engine, Sep 16, 2026
Basically the engine secede up while driving from one place to another. Causing Me to suddenly just stop in traffic almost causing an accident . Now the car won’t start with a new starter and battery. I have no light on the dash, it currently sits at 124,000 miles on it. It’s a grate car I just need the problem fixed
Power train, Engine, Electrical system, Feb 6, 2026
Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2008 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle's transmission failure. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after purchasing the vehicle. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 198,000. It was later discovered that the mileage on the Title was 217,000.
Air bags, Jul 3, 2025
Occupant airbag sensor doesn't recognize whether someone is sitting or not. The occupant airbag sensor light goes on and off whether there is a passenger sitting on the seat or not. Kia has extended warranty on this issue however it doesn't let customer know about this part is defected. I was doing my research how to fix the issue and learn that kia had extended warranty for 15 years from the first day of service. the warranty currently expired right now. if I knew there was a warranty, I would go to dealer to fix the issue the day that my wife bought the car.
Power train, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Mar 2, 2025
Power train: at low idle or while slowing down, the car will lose power for a minute until you get on the accelerator and it all comes back on. Alternator had been replaced. And is going to be replaced again soon. Not sure if it's just a bad part. Power steering pump was replaced. The pulley seized. Unrelated. Lighting: third brake light constantly flickers. All Lighting including head lights flicker on and off. Worse when slowing down. Lights on dash board, dome, rear light and head light Bulbs have been replaced. At night when the head lights flicker I cannot see the road. Airbags: the air bag light on dash is always on. Codes have been ran and there are so many. Tried resetting codes it comes back on soon after. Not sure how to go about trying to fix it. All of this has been happening since I purchased the car in November 2024.
Air bags, Jun 8, 2023
Air bag line came on, dealer states is clock spring.
Air bags, Structure, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 11, 2023
have taken my kia to halleen kia sandusky dealership for safety recall driver air bags, and to assess my subframe. was turned away because they said the subframe of my car was too rusty and they "didn't feel safe letting their technicians do repairs as per safety recalls" and would not investigate the cars subframe.
Other/i am not sure, Oct 21, 2022
Many times the base unit does not properly accept the car seat. Setting the car seat on the base will not click in and lock. After more than a dozen or so events the base refuses to accept the car seat and I have had to user other methods to fasten the car seat.
Air bags, Dec 16, 2021
This car have a Warranty Extension for OCS Sensor Mat. Warranty extension dated June 2016 Airbag light was first turned on in August 2020 Went to the dealer and said it was related to seat buckle and got it fixed Airbag light again turned on in August 2021 Went to the dealer and said it was related to clock spring and that the driver seat needs to be replaced, which would take time and did not get repaired In November 2021, the airbag light got turned off by itself I am very concerned whether the air bag for my car is really working.
Air bags, Oct 22, 2021
I had my airbag light turned on last year and the dealership fixed the issue. Within a year, the airbag light got turned on again and now they say that it is related to the clock spring and is not covered in the extended warranty.This is a part that should not fail and very important for the safety and security of the driver and the other passengers.
Suspension, Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 11, 2021
I bought my car in 2008 a Kia optima lx I stored it till 2021. But in 2013 i took my car to El Paso tx. And I felt that beer to the side and stored it again in a garage toil this it's only got 6000 miles can it still qualify for a recall
Power train, Jun 26, 2021
I went to back out of my driveway and ended up in the middle of the road and not able to shift into drive. The dash shows that I am currently stuck in neutral and am not able to change gears. I looked up recalls and I see that there is a Power Train: Automatic Transmission Lever and Linkage Column shift recall from March 2011. I bought this car in June 2011. When I and the Kia dealership here in town look up my VIN number, it is not showing any recalls currently. How do I go about getting this fixed if it is in fact the exact issue from the Recall no: 11V153000? The dealership would not even look at the recall information I have found. I have not had any issues related to this until yesterday afternoon. I ended up pushing my car up into my driveway for now.
Power train, Jun 2, 2021
My vehicle locked up while turning around in a driveway so I could park at my daughter's house on the street. It was working fine before that. It got stuck in the drive mode and then I couldn't get it to start or move. I'm referring to NHTSA Campaign ID # 11V15300. I am currently stuck at my daughter's home in Norfolk, Virginia
Power train, Jun 2, 2021, crash
While driving, I tried to reverse my vehicle and it got stuck in drive , and wouldn't and my gear shift no longer responded to the gear and my vehicle was locked in place in drive mode.
Power train, Jan 20, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS DAUGHTER WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE SHIFTER CABLE DETACHED AND THE VEHICLE KEPT ROLLING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS IN PARK BUT THE TRANSMISSION WAS STILL IN DRIVE POSITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS DAUGHTER HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE TEMPORARY FIX THE VEHICLE AND LATER THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TAYLOR KIA OF BOARDMAN, 7870 MARKET ST, YOUNGSTOWN, OH 44512, AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE SHIFT CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 134,000.
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Structure, Jan 6, 2021, crash
I WAS DRIVING SOUTHBOUND ON SEPULVEDA BLVD ON SEP 6 AT 0800AM AND I WAS OVER HALFWAY THROUGH THE GREEN LIGHT WHEN I WAS STRUCK BY A TOYOTA MAKING A LEFT TURN ON A GREEN LIGHT WHO DID NOT YIELD. THE DRIVER [XXX] STRUCK MY CAR ON THE FRONT AND LEFT DRIVER BUMPER AND FENDER CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. HE FAILED TO YIELD, LIED ABOUT IT AND THE FRONT AND SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Other or unspecified, Oct 21, 2020
I HAD TO HAVE MY 2008 OPTIMA TAKEN TO THE ONLY DEALERSHIP IN TOWN FOR A BROKEN SHIFTING CABLE. I WENT ON THE INTERNET FOR SOME INFORMATION AND I READ THAT OPTIMA HAS HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS OVER THE YEARS WITH THE SHIFTING CABLE ON THE CAR OVER DIFFERENT YEARS. INTERNET IS SAYING THAT AT THE END OCTOBER THAT KIA IS GOING TO ANNOUNCE THAT INSTALL SHIFTING CABLE INCORRECTLY.
Power train, Jul 17, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN REVERSE, THE GEAR SHIFTED WITHOUT WARNING INTO NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO CHANGE THE GEAR FROM NEUTRAL TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE SHIFTER CABLE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V153000 (POWER TRAIN) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 57,960.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 6, 2020, fire
WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES
Engine, Feb 6, 2020
CAR HAS 29,061 MILES ON IT WHEN THE ENGINE CRACKED. THE CAR IS 12 YEARS OLD AND WELL MAINTAINED. MY DAD DROVE THIS VEHICLE AND HAD NOTICED THE CAR MAKING GRINDING NOISE. PRIOR TO AND DURING THE DAY IT STOPPED ALONG A WINDY ROAD DRIVING 30 MILES PER HOUR. I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM THERE IS A NOTED ISSUE THAT THIS HAPPENS AT THIS MILEAGE. KIA DISTRICT MANAGER DECLINED TO HELP WITH THIS ISSUE. NO CAR AT 29000 MILES SHOULD HAVE ENGINE CRACK.
Engine, Oct 16, 2019
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE THE ENGINE BEGAN TO KNOCK. AS I PULLED OFF THE INTERSTATE THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE CAR ONLY HAS 96,000 MILES. THIS MOTOR HAS BEEN RECALLED BY HYUNDAI AND KIA BUT ONLY IN CERTAIN MODELS, WHILE THE ENGINE HAS YET TO BE RECALLED FOR ALL MODELS. I BELIEVE THE ISSUE IS THE CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS HAVE FAILED DUE TO INSUFFICIENT OIL FLOW. THE CAR'S OIL LEVEL WAS AT THE PROPER AMOUNT.
Air bags, Oct 9, 2019
KIA RECALLED OPTIMAS UP UNTIL JANUARY 2008 FOR FAULTY CLOCK SPRING. I HAVE A KIA OPTIMA THAT WAS BUILT IN MARCH 2008. I JUST PAID ALMOST 500.00 TO REPLACE THE CLOCK SPRING BECAUSE MY MONTH AND YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. WHY DID KIA STOP THE RECALL AFTER JANUARY 2008 WHEN THERE WERE STILL 2008'S WITH CLOCK SPRING ISSUES. I STARTED MY CAR AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OFF. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD I HAD A BAD CLOCK SPRING. I'M SURE THESE THINGS DO NOT WEAR OUT BEING THEY ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM.
Power train, Sep 18, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS WAITING TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED IN THE VEHICLE, HE SHIFTED FROM PARK INTO NEUTRAL; HOWEVER, THE GEAR FAILED TO ENGAGE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY AAA TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFTER CABLE DISCONNECTED FROM THE SHIFTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. GREENWAY KIA OF RIVERGATE (1536 GALLATIN PIKE N, MADISON, TN 37115, (615) 860-9888) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 79,000.
Power train, Service brakes, Engine, Jul 18, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, IT CONTINUED TO MOVE WITHOUT WARNING WHILE IN THE PARK POSITION. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. ONCE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS APPLIED, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SONS KIA (100 SONS DR, MCDONOUGH, GA 30253, (678) 619-1393) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V114000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, EXTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER CLAIMING THAT THE SHIFTER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 17, 2019
WHEN PLACING THE CAR IN PARK THE CAR ISN'T RECOGNIZING THAT THE CAR IS PARKED CAUSING IT TO CONTINUE TO ROLL. ONCE THE IGNITION HAS BEEN TURNED OFF THE CAR WILL NOT RESTART AND THE GEARS WILL NOT SHIFT.
Engine, May 9, 2019
I BOUGHT MY KIA OPTIMA IN 2009, IT WAS 1 YR OLD AT THAT TIME. I HAD TO REPLACE MY TIMING BELT IN MARCH OF 2017 AND I AM HAVING TO REPLACE IT AGAIN. IT IS MAY OF 2019. MY CAR ONLY HAS 70,000 MILES ON THE ORIGINAL ENGINE.