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.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jan 31, 2014
ENGINE STARTED MAKING A CLICKING SOUND WHEN THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING. TOOK MY CAR IN TO KIA AND FOUND OUT THAT ONE OF THE RODS IN THE SHORT ENGINE BLOCK WAS FAILING. MY ENGINE ONLY HAS 86464 MILES ON IT AND ITS AN 2008. BOUGHT THE CAR WITH 69000 MILES ON IT, ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 7 MONTHS BEFORE THE ENGINE BEGAN TO FAIL. I TOOK THIS PROBLEM UP WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND KIA HEADQUARTERS. WAS TOLD THEY WOULD NOT HONOR THE 100,000 MILE WARRANTY BECAUSE THE CAR WAS NOT CERTIFIED. I WAS NOT OFFERED A WARRANTY/ DID NOT OBTAIN AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, WAS NOT DISCLOSED TO THAT THE 10 YEAR 100,000 MILE WARRANTY DID NOT EXTEND TO THE NEXT OWNER, NOR WAS I TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT CERTIFY IT. WAS NOT OFFERED A CAR FAX, BUYERS GUIDE OR TOLD ABOUT ANY TYPE OF WARRANTY INFORMATION. KIA DEALERSHIPS DO NOT CERTIFY CARS AFTER 60,000 MILES EVEN THOUGH THERE IS STILL 40,000 MILES ON THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY. THERE WAY OF GETTING AROUND HAVING TO HONOR THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY AND OFFER THIS TO THE NEXT OWNER(S). VERY ANGRY WITH KIA, THEY ARE DECEITFUL, LIARS, AND DO NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. THEY SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SELL ANY CARS WITH OUT THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY BEING OFFERED! WITH A HISTORY OF THERE ENGINES FAILING AND HAVING MAJOR MECHANICAL PROBLEMS I FIND IT VERY DISGRACEFUL HOW THEY OPERATE AND ENFORCE POLICY. IF MY ENGINE ACTUALLY FAILS WHILE I AM DRIVING, I COULD EASILY GET INTO A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND BE CRITICALLY INJURED. I DRIVE A MAJOR FREEWAY EVERY SINGLE DAY, AND TO ME THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. IF MY ENGINE FAILED AND STALLED GOING 70 MILES AN HOUR, I COULD EASILY BE KILLED OR GET INTO A MAJOR ACCIDENT. PLEASE RECALL 2008 OPTIMAS OR COMPLAIN TO KIA REGARDING THERE POLICY. THEY SHOULD HAVE TO OFFER AND STAND BEHIND THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY OR BE REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE THERE POLICY TO CUSTOMERS UP FRONT. COMMERCIALS AND PARKING LOT ADVERTISE PER OWNED CERTIFIED CARS AND 100000 WARRANTY. *TR
Other or unspecified, Jan 21, 2014
THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL ON THE SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL OF MY CAR, YET MY CAR IS NOT COVER. I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED BECAUSE IT WAS MANUFACTURED IN A DIFFERENT AREA. HOWEVER I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUE THAT IS CAUSED BY THE RECALL ON THE PART THAT IS CURRENTLY OUT. I WANTED TO FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT BECAUSE THE COST TO HAVE THIS PART FIXED NOT AFFORDABLE FOR ME AT THIS MOMENT AND I FEEL IT IS UNJUST THAT I HAVE TO PAY THE OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES SEEING THAT THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM REGARDING THIS PART AND THIS ISSUE WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL CAR. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Jan 15, 2014
MY DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR BEGAN FAILING IT WOULDN'T STAY UP ANY LONGER THEN THE INSIDES FINALLY SNAPPED BREAKING THE PLASTIC INSIDE. NOW THE PASSENGER SIDE IS DOING THE SAME. IT OBSTRUCTS FIELD OF VISION AND DOES NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE BLOCKAGE OF SUN WHEN NEEDED. KIA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AS THEY HAVE CREATED A FIXED VISOR WITH IMPROVED MECHANICAL PARTS INSIDE. THE NEW VISOR RANGES ANY WHERE FROM 140.00 TO 200.00 DOLLARS PLUS A FEE FOR INSTALLING IF NOT CAPABLE OF DOING THIS YOURSELF. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ON THE INTERNET AND SEE THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FOR THIS ISSUE. *TR
Air bags, Nov 18, 2013
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. FUSES ARE GOOD. KIA DEALER WANTS 95$ TO LOCATE PROBLEM AND MUCH MORE TO FIX WHATEVER MAY BE WRONG. *TR
Engine, Nov 1, 2013, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, SMOKE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
Engine, Aug 7, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND IDLING, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD PUFFING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED BUT DIAGNOSED AS A RESIGNATOR FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,800.
Exterior lighting, Aug 5, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DETECTED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 13V114000 HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 27, 2013
THIS REPORT IS SIMILAR TO REPORTS 10523036 AND 10523357 IN THIS DATABASE. PASSENGER SIDE VISOR FAILED APPROXIMATELY 1.5 YEARS INTO THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE: IT WILL NOT RETRACT INTO THE FULL FLUSH POSITION WITH THE CAR ROOF, OBSCURING DRIVER VISIBILITY TO THE RIGHT. DRIVER SIDE VISOR FAILED A SHORT FOUR MONTHS LATER (1.8 YEARS), AND HANGS LOW DIRECTLY IN THE FORWARD VIEW OF THE DRIVER, AT AN ANGLE IN EXCESS OF 45 DEGREES, SEVERELY IMPEDING FORWARD VISIBILITY. THE DRIVER IS TALL, AND THE DRIVER'S HEAD COMES INTO CONTACT WITH THE VISOR WHILE ENTERING/EXITING THE VEHICLE. *TR
Seats, Jul 16, 2013
REFERENCE: DEFECTIVE DRIVER'S SEAT THIS LETTER IS IN REFERENCE TO A FAULTY SEAT IN THE 2008 KIA OPTIMA EX, ONE I CURRENTLY OWN. I AM BRINGING THIS MATTER TO YOUR ATTENTION BECAUSE OF THE DANGER THIS REPRESENTS TO DRIVERS OF KIA VEHICLES THAT HAVE ELECTRIC ADJUSTABLE SEATS. MY WIFE AND I WERE VERY FORTUNATE WE WERE NOT INVOLVED IN A TRAFFIC FATALITY DUE TO THIS. RECENTLY, WHILE TRAVELING, THE DRIVER'S SEAT RETRACTED TO ITS FULL-UPRIGHT, FULL-FORWARD POSITION. IN THIS POSITION, THE HEADREST FORCED MY WIFE'S HEAD DOWN INTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND UP AGAINST IT. SHE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR SAFELY. THE ONLY WAY TO DRIVE THE CAR WAS TO REMOVE THE HEADREST, WHICH ALLOWED ENOUGH ROOM BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE BODY TO STEER THE CAR. I CONTACTED CASEY KIA WHILE STOPPED TO ASK WHAT COULD BE DONE TO RELEASE THE SEAT. I WAS TOLD TO REMOVE THE SEAT'S FUSE FROM THE INSIDE CABIN FUSE PANEL, WHICH SHOULD DISENGAGE IT; THIS DID NOT WORK, AND WE WERE FORCED TO DRIVE THREE HOURS TO THE NEAREST REPAIR SHOP. THERE IS NO MANUAL OVERRIDE MECHANISM IN THE 2008 KIA OPTIMA EX TO UNLOCK A SEAT WHEN THE ELECTRIC SEAT ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM FAILS. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THERE HAVE BEEN PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVER-SIDE SEAT. THE FIRST DRIVER'S SEAT WAS REPLACED BECAUSE OF A FAULTY SEAT-HEATER WHILE UNDER THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY. THE REPLACEMENT SEAT WHEN INSTALLED IN THE CAR BECAUSE THE ADJUSTMENT KNOB WAS LOOSE AND NEVER SECURE. THREE ISSUES ARE PARAMOUNT, THE SAFETY FOR KIA DRIVERS, THE FACT THERE IS NO MANUAL OVERRIDE FOR ELECTRIC SEATS, AND NO WARRANTY FOR REPLACEMENT SEATS ON SUCH OCCASIONS, THE FIRST HERE BEING OF MOST IMPORTANCE. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Jul 5, 2013
DRIVER SIDE VISOR WOULD NOT GO BACK UP FLUSH TO THE INTERIOR CEILING. I HIT MY HEAD ON IT CONSTANTLY GETTING IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WOULD COST $143 PLUS LABOR WHICH I CANNOT AFFORD. HE ADVISED MAYBE I COULD FIND A CHEAPER ONE ON THE INTERNET. GOING ON THE INTERNET IS WHEN I DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART THAT KIA WILL NOT FIX! NATURALLY MY WARRANTY EXPIRED 6-2-2013. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING WITH IT ALL THE WAY DOWN SO I ONLY HAVE HALF MY VISIBILITY AND NEED TO LEAN FORWARD AND SCRUNCH DOWN TO SEE SIGNS AND STREET SIGNAL LIGHTS. ALSO, IF I HAVE THE DEALER ORDER ONE WILL IT DO THE SAME THING AGAIN? *TR
Visibility/wiper, Jul 3, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SUN VISORS FAILED AND COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED TO SHIELD UPWARD OR DOWNWARD. THE SUN VISOR FELL TOUCHING THE DRIVER'S HEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE SUN VISOR WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,000.
Air bags, Structure, Jun 25, 2013
WHILE TRAVELING AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF 55 MPH A DEER RAN INTO THE SIDE OF MY 2008 KIA OPTIMA WHICH IS EQUIPPED WITH SIDE AIR BAGS IN WHICH THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WAS PUSHED IN ON THE DRIVER AND THE DRIVERS SIDE WIDOW WAS DESTROYED INFLICTING CUTS ON THE DRIVER AND WITH THE ENTIRE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE RECEIVED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE INCLUDING THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE SIDE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVER EVEN WITH THE SEVERITY OF THE IMPACT OF WHICH KIA NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS WAS CONTACTED AND THE EXPLANATION WAS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MOVING SIDEWAYS AT IMPACT AND THIS IS WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY! THIS IS NOT A VALID EXCUSE TO ME OR I WOULD THINK AN CONSUMER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE WITH THE ASSUMPTION THAT THEY HAVE SIDE AIR BAG PROTECTION! *TR
Engine, Feb 24, 2013
MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY 2008 KIA OPTIMA WHEN SHE NOTICED A LOUD CLATTERING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD. SHE PULLED OVER AT A GAS STATION. A GENTLEMAN THERE CHECKED THE OIL AND SAID THAT IT WAS LOW, HE ADDED 2 QUARTS, I CHANGE THE OIL IN THIS VEHICLE PERSONALLY AND KNOW THAT IT DOESN'T USE ANY OIL. SHE DROVE HOME 3 MILES WITH THE ENGINE STILL CLATTERING. I CHECKED THE OIL AND THE STICK SHOWED 1 QUART LOW. I IMMEDIATELY DRAINED THE OIL AND PUT ON A NEW FILTER AND POURED 4.5 QUARTS IN THE ENGINE. I STARTED UP THE CAR, IT CLATTERED AND RAN IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR 10 MINUTES AND THE ENGINE LOCKED UP. THE KIA ROADSIDE PICKED UP THE CAR AND TOWED IT TO THE DEALER. HE INFORMED ME THAT THE ENGINE WAS 2 QUARTS LOW ON OIL. THERE WAS NO OIL LEAKING FROM THE CAR, WHERE DID THE OIL GO??? THE DEALER SAYS THAT I NEED TO COME UP WITH RECEIPTS BEFORE THEY WILL HONOR THE WARRANTY. IF MY DAUGHTER WOULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE CAR WHEN THE MOTOR LOCKED UP, SHE WOULD HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CONTROL IT WITH ALL POWER GONE. I HAVE READ MANY CASES JUST LIKE THIS ONE. SOMEONE WILL GET SERIOUSLY HURT FROM THIS KIND OF ENGINE FAILURE. WILL KIA STEP UP AND RECOGNIZE THAT MAYBE THE OIL CONTROL VALVE IS THE WEAK LINK. MY DEALER SAID THAT WAS WHAT SENT THE CODE TO THE COMPUTER AND OVER-RETARDED THE TIMING. *TR
Air bags, Dec 26, 2012, crash
MY CAR WAS HIT IN THE SIDE BY ANOTHER CAR GOING APPROX.40 MPH. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THIS MODEL HAD A RECALL ON THE AIRBAGS 6 MONTHS PREVIOUS. WE TOOK IT IN,THEY SAID A SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY GAVE US A PAPER SAYING IT WAS REPAIRED AND RETURNED OUR CAR TO US. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Sep 30, 2012
THE DRIVERS SIDE SUNVISOR BROKE THIS TIME, DROPS DOWN INTO LINE OF SIGHT. THE PASSENGER SIDE SUNVISOR BROKE OVER TWO YEARS AGO, WAS FINALLY REPLACED LAST CHRISTMAS. *TR
Air bags, Sep 11, 2012
AFTER 50,000+ MILES ON OUR 2008 KIA OPTIMA THE PASSENGER "AIR BAG" LIGHT WOULD COME ON (MEANING THE AIR BAG WAS AUTOMATICALLY TURNED OFF BY THE CAR'S COMPUTER SYSTEM) WHILE DRIVING WITH A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT. IT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY HAPPEN...SOMETIMES IT WOULD AND SOMETIMES IT WOULDN'T. WE HAD IT CHECKED BY A DEALER AND EVEN THOUGH THEY SAW THE PROBLEM (PASSENGER SITTING IN FRONT SEAT AND AIR BAG WAS "OFF") IT DID NOT REGISTER A CODE IN THE CAR'S COMPUTER SYSTEM. THIS WAS REPORTED TO KIA BY THE DEALER BUT AS OF THIS DATE (09/11/12) KIA HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR THE ISSUE UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT DID NOT REGISTER A CODE. THIS POSES A SAFETY RISK TO PASSENGERS IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. FAILURE TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY AND EVEN DEATH. KIA HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM IN OTHER MODELS AND HAS EVEN ISSUED RECALLS BUT AT THIS POINT HAS REFUSED TO FIX OUR VEHICLE UNDER THE WARRANT CONTRACT WE RECEIVED WHEN BUYING THIS CAR NEW IN 2008. *TR
Air bags, Aug 27, 2012, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WITH SUBSTANTIAL FORCE AND STRUCK THE CONTACT IN THE FACE. THE IMPACT OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT KNOCKED THE CONTACT UNCONSCIOUS FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, WHICH RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE CRASHING INTO AN UNOCCUPIED PARKED VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, NECK AND SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,040. UPDATED08-30-12 *BF UPDATED 09/07/2012 *JS
Visibility/wiper, Aug 1, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA LS. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 35 MPH WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN-VISOR FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SUN-VISOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,520.
Visibility, Jul 24, 2012
THE SUN VISOR BROKE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. IT WILL NOT STAY UP. I HAVE TRIED MANY DO-IT-YOURSELF FIXES, BUT IT CONTINUES TO FALL DOWN, WHICH INTERFERES WITH VISIBILITY, ESPECIALLY IN THE DARK. IT IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I PUSH IT BACK INTO POSITION, IT JUST FALLS DOWN. IT BLOCKS THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AS WELL. *TR
Electrical system, Seat belts, Jul 23, 2012, fire
THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT WAS JAMMED. I PULLED IT A FEW TIMES AND IT BECAME UNJAMMED AND I FASTENED THE SAFETY BELT AROUND MY 4 YEAR OLD CHILD. APPROXIMATELY 3-5 MINUTES LATER AS I WAS DRIVING I SMELLED SMOKE. I STARTED CHECKING THE CONTROL PANEL AND TURNED OFF THE A/C AND RADIO AND ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOWS. THE SMOKE STOPPED SO I CONTINUED TO DRIVE ABOUT A MILE AND STOPPED THE CAR IN A PARKING LOT. I WAS THERE APPROXIMATELY 4 MINUTES WHEN I SMELLED SMOKE AND TURNED MY HEAD TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE TOWARDS MY CHILD. MY CHILD SCREAMED FOR ME THE SAME MOMENT I WAS TURNING MY HEAD AND THERE WERE FLAMES MELTING THE PLASTIC CASING AROUND THE SEAT BELT COVER. THE FLAMES ALMOST REACHED HER HEAD. I FRANTICALLY GOT IN THE BACK SEAT AND REMOVED THE SAFETY BELT AND PULLED HER FROM THE CAR TO SAFETY. THE ENTIRE INTERIOR OF THE CAR WAS BURNED FROM THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO BURN INJURIES DUE TO THE FACT THAT I WAS STOPPED AND ABLE TO REMOVE MYSELF AND MY CHILD BEFORE THE FLAMES ENGULFED MY CAR. *TR
Air bags, Jul 1, 2012
AS THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY IS UNDER A RECALL, THE PASSENGER SIDE SYSTEM SHOULD ALSO BE INVESTIGATED. ABOUT 10-15% OF THE TIME THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WILL INDICATE THAT IT IS OFF AFTER AN ADULT SITS IN THE SEAT. THIS REQUIRES THAT THE PERSON WILL NEED TO GET OUT THEN BACK IN, OR THE CAR NEEDS TO BE SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED AND THAT DOESN'T GUARANTEE THAT THE SYSTEM WILL OPERATE PROPERLY. LAST WEEK THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OFF LIGHT HAS NOW BEEN COMING ON WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION. IT WILL APPEAR FOR A FEW SECONDS, THEN GO OFF, REAPPEAR THEN GO OFF. *TR
Air bags, Jun 22, 2012
AFTER CLOCKSPRING RECALL/ AND REPAIR THE CARS AIR BAG SIGNAL NOW COME ON WITH A CODE OF B1378 IN WHICH KIA HAS TOLD ME THAT THERE IS S HIGH RESISTANCE DSAB. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THIS CODE IS FOR A BAD OR FAULTY AIRBAG. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAG HAS NEVER BEEN DEPLOYED. *TT
Air bags, Seat belts, Jun 6, 2012, crash
WE WERE HIT IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE ENTIRE SIDE OF THE CAR WAS CRUSHED AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS EVER DEPLOYED AND THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK. I HAD REPORTED THE FACT THAT WHEN SOMEONE WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS NOT COMING ON TO THE CAR DEALERSHIP THAT I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM BUT THEY JUST MADE EXCUSES THAT THE PERSON SITTING IN THE SEAT WAS NOT HEAVY ENOUGH EVEN THOUGH THEY WEIGHED OVER 150LBS. *TR
Air bags, May 18, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ONLY WHEN SOMEONE WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED WHEN THE LIGHT WAS ON IT INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IN A CRASH OR IT MAY DEPLOY WITHOUT A CRASH OCCURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 06/26/12 *BF A DIAGNOSTIC REVEALER THE OC PASSENGER SENSOR MAT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED. HOWEVER, THREE DAYS LATER WHEN A PASSENGER SAT IN THE SEAT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AGAIN. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE REPAIR SHOP AGAIN. THE MECHANIC STATED IT SEEMED THAT IF SOMEONE SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, DID A LOT OF MOVING AROUND, OR WAS SLIGHTLY HEAVY IN WEIGHT, IT TRIGGERED THE AIR BAG LIGHT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE LIGHT IS CURRENTLY ON. UPDATED 06/27/12. *JB
Air bags, Engine, May 14, 2012, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND A FATALITY WAS REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 06/12/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL CAME IN THE MAIL ON APRIL 12. 2012. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. UPDATED 06/13/12