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: air bags
57 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Jan 9, 2010
WE HAVE A 2008 KIA OPTIMA, WITH 12,000 MILES.. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT MALFUNCTIONS. WHILE PEOPLE ARE SEATED, IT COMES ON, INDICATING THE AIR BAG IS OFF; WHICH MEANS, IN CASE OF ACCIDENT IT WILL NOT DEPLOY. IT HAS DONE THIS RECENTLY ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WITH THREE DIFFERENT MEDIUM TO LARGE ADULTS. WE HAVE TAKEN THIS TO THE LOCAL KIA SERVICE TWICE AND HAVE BEEN TOLD EACH TIME, "YOU ARE NOT SITTING CORRECTLY." THEY EVEN SUPPLIED US WITH A "SERVICE BULLETIN" INSTRUCTING EMPLOYEES HOW TO RESPOND WHEN PEOPLE REPORT THIS CONCERN... INSTRUCTING THE CONSUMER HOW TO "SIT CORRECTLY." AFTER, MUCH CONVERSATION WITH THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP EMPLOYEES, EVERYONE, THE SERVICE MANAGER, TECH, AND COMPANY MANAGER AGREED THAT WE HAD A PROBLEM BUT THEY COULDN'T FIX IT. THEIR REASON WAS KIA WOULD NOT RECOGNIZE IT AS A PROBLEM AND WOULD NOT COVER IT UNDER THE WARRANTY. AS A MATTER OF FACT, THE MANAGER REPORTED TO ME THAT THE KIA REP WAS NOT PLEASED THAT THE EMPLOYEES HAD USED THE WORD "PROBLEM" WHEN REFERRING TO MY SITUATION. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AND IT LEAVES ME WITH A CAR, THAT WHEN THE LIGHT COMES ON, I HAVE TO STOP AND MOVE THE PASSENGER TO THE BACK SEAT, AS THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. UPON CHECKING THE INTERNET, I HAVE DISCOVERED PAGES OF OTHERS REPORTING THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME INANE INSTRUCTIONS OF "NOT BEING SEATED PROPERLY." IF THE KIA'S SENSOR IS THAT SENSITIVE, IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED. WE FEEL THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND THAT KIA NEEDS TO ADMIT THE PROBLEM AND FIX IT! *TR
Air bags, Apr 20, 2009
BOUGHT A NEW OPTIMA 2008. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS ALMOST ALWAYS OFF WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATING NORMALLY ON THE FRONT SEAT. THE DEALER REFUSES TO FIX IT DESPITE THE CAR BEING BRAND NEW. *TR
Air bags, Jan 2, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, WHICH MEANT THAT THE AIR BAG WAS DEACTIVATED. THE INDICATOR NEVER ILLUMINATED TO INDICATE THAT IT WAS ACTIVATED. THE FAILURE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT FINDS THIS TO BE VERY UNSAFE BECAUSE THERE WAS NO GUARANTEE THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD ACTIVATE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT BECAUSE PASSENGERS WERE SEATED IMPROPERLY, THE AIR BAG MODULE WOULD NOT ACTIVATE. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT FIND ANY RECALLS; THEREFORE, NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,843.
Air bags, Oct 29, 2008
DEALER HAS PUT OFF FOR OVER A MONTH REPAIRING FUNCTIONALITY OF PASSENGER AIR BAG SYSTEM. SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK. ONE MONTH WITH RUN AROUND AND DEALER SEEMINGLY UNABLE TO EXPRESS CONCERN OVER THIS SAFETY ISSUE. KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE NOTIFIED. *TR
Air bags, Jul 22, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. TWO DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG OFF WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHILE A PASSENGER WAS PRESENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ADULT PASSENGER WOULD EITHER HAVE TO RIDE IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE VEHICLE OR CARRY A 10 LBS. WEIGHT WHILE RIDING IN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE AIR BAG SENSOR WOULD ONLY DETECT 110 LBS. AND UP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18.
Air bags, Jul 16, 2008
THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DOES NOT ACTIVATE WITH A 115LB WOMAN IN THE SEAT. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE WEB AND UNDERSTAND THAT THE AIR BAG MUST ACTIVATE IN THE EVENT THE OCCUPANT IS 100LB OR MORE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS INDICATED THAT THEIR SPEC. IS 115LB. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Jul 2, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING OR IN MOTION, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, WHICH INDICATED THAT IT WAS DEACTIVATED. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENOR DOES NOT OPERATE WHEN THE OCCUPANT SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WEIGHS LESS THAN 105 POUNDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE SENSOR WAS OPERATING PROPERLY. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AND THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED WITH THE AIR BAG. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 450.