MYRModel Year Report

2008 Kia Optima

● Typical for this model
2008 Kia Optima
RENDERED 2026-08-02T12:41:19.695Z

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

Complaints per year, Kia Optima Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2008 highlighted. 2001: 143 complaints 2001 2002: 107 complaints 2003: 141 complaints 2004: 225 complaints 2004 2005: 144 complaints 2006: 155 complaints 2007: 166 complaints 2007 2008: 143 complaints 2008 2009: 116 complaints 2010: 75 complaints 2010 2011: 589 complaints 2012: 916 complaints 2013: 1371 complaints 2013 2014: 576 complaints 2015: 998 complaints 2016: 747 complaints 2016 2017: 252 complaints 2018: 227 complaints 2019: 200 complaints 2019 2020: 136 complaints 2020
2008: 143 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
2001143
2002107
2003141
2004225
2005144
2006155
2007166
2008143
2009116
201075
2011589
2012916
20131371
2014576
2015998
2016747
2017252
2018227
2019200
2020136

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 31%

31% of complaints: air bags — 44 distinct reports on file.

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

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20250302

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

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

POWER TRAIN 11%

11% of complaints: power train — 16 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20250302

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%

9% of complaints: electrical system — 13 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES

NHTSA ODI report, 20200706

AIR BAGS 9%

9% of complaints: air bags — 13 distinct reports on file.

CRASH DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

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

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

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2008 Kia Optima — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (44 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (18 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (16 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 11V153000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 12V014000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 13V114000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2010 ▲ 2002 ▲ 2009

WORST YEARS

■ 2013 ■ 2015 ■ 2012

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2008 Kia Optima reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Kia Optima is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Kia Optima?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 31% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2008 Kia Optima have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.