2008 KIA OPTIMA

3 recalls, 188 complaints - 51 TSBs

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

Defect Description

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 201... Read more

Consequence

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... Read more

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 may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.

980,377 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: Kia Motors Corporation

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Defect Description

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 ASSEMBL... Read more

Consequence

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.

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 ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.

145,755 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

Defect Description

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 ... Read more

Consequence

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.

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.

70,115 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION

Complaint Statistics

188 total complaints 30 crashes 7 fires 31 injuries 12 deaths

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
AIR BAGS	40
ENGINE	18
POWER TRAIN	15
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL	13
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	13
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	9
VISIBILITY/WIPER	8
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	7
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	6
VISIBILITY	6

Incident date: Feb 6, 2026

While attempting a left-hand turn, the steering wheel suddenly became stiff and unresponsive, as if the mechanical gear had bound. This sudden resistance made it impossible to complete the turn, causing the vehicle to strike a curb at low speed. A post-accident inspection at Lee Johnson Mazda (RO# 6... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Feb 6, 2026

Crash

Incident date: Feb 6, 2026

In my Honda 2020 Pilot, the driver's side headrest in the 3rd row will no longer stay upright. It simply stays flat and will not lock into place. As the headrest will not stay upright, the seat is unusable. If someone used that seat or if the headrest would fail while a person is sitting in that ... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Jul 3, 2023

It’s not an incident. Looking out The windshield has a slight distortion, that looking through it, it seems like looking through a low grade prescription glasses. I have reported it to the dealership and they took note of it and mentioned that they will check it. In terms of safety, it puts som... Read more

Incident date: Feb 27, 2025

Put car in park. sUV rolled back & damaged my garage door. Also damaged my trunk of SUV.

Crash

Incident date: Feb 27, 2025

While driving during rainy conditions on January 19, the windshield wipers stopped working, resulting in obstructed view through front windshield while driving in the rain. Following, they worked intermittently for a week and then stopped working altogether. The exact failure has not been identified... Read more

Incident date: Feb 27, 2025

The FCW function does not engage if you put the vehicle in gear to soon. You must wait at least 5 seconds after starting the engine before shifting into gear or else the FCW will not turn on. The dealer said there is no fix. I believe this is a software issue. This has been functioning this way sinc... Read more

Incident date: Jun 5, 2023

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating and sometimes sputtered before accelerating. The contact stated that there was water inside the spare tire wheel well. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer t... Read more

Incident date: Nov 25, 2022

Service 4 wheel drive is on my 2016 Jeep Cherokee. Took it in to the dealership and they said it’s my PTU. My car should have been included in the 2020 recall on PTU. The jeep can seize up and it can stop working. It also can not go into park and can roll away. Not safe at all.

Incident date: Nov 25, 2022

Began with a misfire in cylinder 1 that would chug on startup, the smooth out. Had a check engine light come one, which showed the misfire in cylinder one. Brought it to the dealer, they noted low coolant levels and possible blown head gasket. Had only 108,000 miles. They could not get to further re... Read more

Incident date: Nov 25, 2022

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 t... Read more

Incident date: Oct 20, 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.

Incident date: Nov 18, 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... Read more

Incident date: Jul 8, 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 ... Read more

Incident date: 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

Incident date: Sep 11, 2021

Incident date: 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 Colum... Read more

Incident date: Jun 1, 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 daughte... Read more

Incident date: Jun 1, 2021

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.

Crash

Incident date: Jan 16, 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 DAUG... Read more

Incident date: Sep 6, 2018

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. H... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Sep 6, 2018

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Sep 6, 2018

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Oct 19, 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 OCTOBE... Read more

Incident date: Jul 8, 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... Read more

Incident date: Jul 5, 2020

WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES

Fire

Incident date: Jul 5, 2020

WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES

Fire

Incident date: Jul 5, 2020

WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES

Fire

Incident date: Jan 31, 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 IS... Read more

Incident date: Oct 14, 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... Read more

Incident date: 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 2... Read more

Incident date: Sep 16, 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 THA... Read more

Incident date: Jul 9, 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 TOWE... Read more

Incident date: Jul 9, 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.

Incident date: Jul 9, 2019

Incident date: May 2, 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.

Incident date: Dec 3, 2018

2008 KIA OPTIMA FUEL PUMP BODY FAILURE. THE PUMP BODY CRACKS AND THE COMPUTER SETS EVAPORATED. LEAKAGE CODE. WE LOOKED AT SEVERAL OF THESE FROM A SALVAGE YARD AND ALL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.THIS SHOWS A PATTERN OF DEFECTS AND IS HIGHLY DANGEROUS IF THIS CAR IS IN AN ACCIDENT AS THE FUEL WILL BURST OUT... Read more

Incident date: Dec 31, 2015

2008 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHICH RESULTED IN VEHICLE CRASH. *LD *JS

Incident date: Jun 22, 2018

MY HUSBAND WENT TO WALMART TO DROP OFF A MOVIE. WHEN HE CAME OUT HE SAW ONE OF THE EMPLOYEES HOLDING THE CAR FROM BEHIND BECAUSE IT WAS ROLLING BACK. MY HUSBAND PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED IT OFF AND THE CAR STILL ROLLED BACK. WHEN HE GOT IN THE CAR AND TURNED IT ON THE HEAD BOARD SHOWED IT WAS O... Read more

Incident date: Jun 3, 2018

THE GEAR SHIFTER IS FREELY ALLOWED TO MOVE, YET THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS REGISTERING THAT THE CAR HASN'T LEFT NEUTRAL. (EXAMPLE: WHEN I PLACE THE CAR IN P(ARK), THE DISPLAY ABOVE THE ODOMETER WILL REMAIN IN N(EUTRAL). THE SHIFTER IS FREELY ALLOWED TO MOVE WHEN THE CAR IS ON AND THE BRAKE IS PRESSED ... Read more

Incident date: Jun 3, 2018

Incident date: Feb 1, 2014

FIRST THING IN THE MORING WHEN I START MY CAR UP. YOU DON'T HEAR THE KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE BUT SOON AS THE CAR GET THE ENGINE WARMED UP YOU CAN HEAAR A VERY LOUD TICKING NOISE. EVEN AS YOU DRIVING THE CAR DOWN THE HIGHWAY YOU CAN STILL HEAR IT. ALSO THE STEERING IS VERY HARD TO OPERA... Read more

Incident date: Feb 1, 2014

Incident date: May 1, 2018

ENGINE NOISE

Incident date: Mar 14, 2018

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. THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WAS HIT HARD, WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO SPIN, 3 TIRES WERE BLOWN, THE REAR AXLE WAS BROKEN AND THE CAR WAS NOW FACING ... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Oct 2, 2017

CLOCK SPRING DONT WORK CAUSING AIR BAG LIGHT TO STAY ON

Incident date: Nov 10, 2017

MY TRANSMISSION WILL NOT DISENGAGE FROM DRIVE AND ROLLS AWAY.

Showing 50 of 188 complaints.

EPA Fuel Economy, 2008 KIA OPTIMA

Trim / Engine	City MPG	Highway MPG	Combined MPG	Fuel Type	Annual Fuel Cost
2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	21.0	31.0	25.0	Regular	$2,500
2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	21.0	31.0	25.0	Regular	$2,500
2.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	20.0	28.0	23.0	Regular	$2,700

CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Midsize Cars)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

Technical Service Bulletins, 2008 KIA OPTIMA

51 manufacturer communications from 27 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
350000 EQUIPMENT	14
143100 AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION	8
356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY	4
100000 POWER TRAIN	3
120000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING	2
355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL	2
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	2
118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE	2

100000 POWER TRAIN

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmis

160000 STRUCTURE

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This b

120000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING

100000 POWER TRAIN

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: - TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requ

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned and transferred to the new engine.

356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners, which are designed to lock into place once fully attached, are utilized in various Kia models and are strictly intended for ?one time use.? Some example

354000 EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL

356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners utilized in various Kia models are strictly intended for ?one time use?. Though not limited to the following, some examples are: axle shaft nuts with sta

170000 LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES