2008 Kia Optima problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (32) · Power Train (15) · Engine (12)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Kia Optima model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
108 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch 2013-04-01 · campaign 13V114000 · 980,377 vehicles
Defect: 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 20
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags:frontal 2012-01-17 · campaign 12V014000 · 145,755 vehicles
Defect: 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 C
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift 2011-03-09 · campaign 11V153000 · 70,115 vehicles
Defect: 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
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (30)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Power Train 2025-04-17 · TSB_TRA046_R5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: transmission fluid application guide - 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 bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid ty
Power Train 2024-05-16 · TSB_TRA046_R4 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 transmission is replaced.
Power Train 2022-11-18 · TSB_TRA046_R3 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 transmission is replaced, refer to applicable vehicles in the chart
Structure 2021-09-13 · TSB_BOD055_R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 bulletin provides information relating to some kia models tha
Power Train 2020-04-24 · TSB_TRA046_R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 requirement for each kia model. a flush is required only when a
Engine And Engine Cooling 2018-03-02 · PS539 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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.
Showing the 6 most recent of 30 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-16 · Engine“basically the engine secede up while driving from one place to another. causing me to suddenly just stop in traffic almost causing an accident . now the car won’t start with a new starter and battery. i have no light on the dash, it currently sits at 124,000 miles on it. it’s a grate car i just need the problem fixed…”
2026-02-06 · Power Train · 217,000 mi“odometer fraud. the contact owns a 2008 kia optima. the contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle's transmission failure. the contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after purchasing the vehicle. the vehicle was a dealer sale. at the time of purch…”
2025-07-03 · Air Bags“occupant airbag sensor doesn't recognize whether someone is sitting or not. the occupant airbag sensor light goes on and off whether there is a passenger sitting on the seat or not. kia has extended warranty on this issue however it doesn't let customer know about this part is defected. i was doing my research how to fix the issue and learn that ki…”
2025-03-02 · Power Train“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. power steering pump was replaced. the pulley seized. unrelated. lighting: third brake light constan…”
2023-06-08 · Air Bags“air bag line came on, dealer states is clock spring.…”
2023-01-11 · Structure:body“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 the cars subframe. …”
2022-10-21 · Other/I Am Not Sure“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. …”
2021-12-16 · Air Bags“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 to clock spring and that the driver seat needs to…”
2021-10-22 · Air Bags“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 and security of the driver and the other passenger…”
2021-09-11 · Unknown Or Other“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 …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.