2008 Kia Optima

● Typical for this model

2008 Kia Optima
RENDERED 2026-09-16T17:40:01.706Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2008: 143 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2001	143
2002	107
2003	141
2004	225
2005	144
2006	155
2007	166
2008	143
2009	116
2010	75
2011	593
2012	919
2013	1380
2014	583
2015	1006
2016	754
2017	255
2018	231
2019	206
2020	143

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

AIR BAGS 41%

41% of complaints: air bags — 58 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASH INJURY DEATH

Show complaint excerpts

OUR SON VEHICLE WAS DRIVING ON A 1 WAY STREET AND CROSSING THE 4 CORNER INTERSECTION ON A GREEN LIGHT WHEN HE WAS HIT BY A 2018 CHEVY TRAX RUNNING A RED LIGHT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180419

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120606

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120514

Also filed under ENGINE

ENGINE 13%

13% of complaints: engine — 18 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE DEATH

Show complaint excerpts

WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES

NHTSA ODI report, 20200706

Also filed under ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

POWER TRAIN 13%

13% of complaints: power train — 18 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing manual transmission and floor shift.

CRASH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11%

11% of complaints: electrical system — 16 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing speedometer/odometer and ignition.

FIRE

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 6%

6% of complaints: exterior lighting — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing headlights.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 20101122 — PE (closed 20110405)

Transmission Shift Cable Detachment

R 20110323 — power train

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 INCORREC

Remedy: 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 — check if this car was fixed

R 20120711 — air bags

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 VEHI

Remedy: 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 ASSIST

Campaign 12V014000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20130419 — exterior lighting

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

Remedy: 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

Campaign 13V114000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20211112 — DP (closed 20230620)

Throttle control system vulnerabilities

I 20220912 — DP (closed 20231212)

Loss of Motive Power