Recalls, complaints, and safety data from NHTSA
The 2008 Kia Optima has 3 recalls, 143 complaints.
3
Recalls
143
Complaints
N/A
Safety Rating
Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated April 8, 2026
13V114000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 ...
12V014000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. (KIA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2008 KIA OPTIMA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 29, 2005, THROUGH JANUARY 29,...
11V153000
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2008 OPTIMA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 29, 2005, THROUGH JUNE 13, 2007. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THA...
Overall
Not Rated
Front Crash
Not Rated
Side Crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
Rating for: 2008 Kia Optima 4-DR w/SAB
| Date ↓ | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 6, 2026 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2008 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the check engine warning... |
| Feb 27, 2025 | POWER TRAIN,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGS | Power train: at low idle or while slowing down, the car will lose power for a minute until you get o... |
| Jul 3, 2023 | AIR BAGS | Occupant airbag sensor doesn't recognize whether someone is sitting or not. The occupant airbag sens... |
| Jun 5, 2023 | AIR BAGS | Air bag line came on, dealer states is clock spring. |
| Nov 25, 2022 | AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | have taken my kia to halleen kia sandusky dealership for safety recall driver air bags, and to asses... |
| Oct 20, 2022 | Other/I am not sure | Many times the base unit does not properly accept the car seat. Setting the car seat on the base wil... |
| Nov 18, 2021 | AIR BAGS | This car have a Warranty Extension for OCS Sensor Mat. Warranty extension dated June 2016 Airbag li... |
| Sep 11, 2021 | SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | 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... |
| Jul 8, 2021 | AIR BAGS | I had my airbag light turned on last year and the dealership fixed the issue. Within a year, the air... |
| Jun 26, 2021 | POWER TRAIN | I went to back out of my driveway and ended up in the middle of the road and not able to shift into ... |
| Jun 1, 2021 | POWER TRAIN | While driving, I tried to reverse my vehicle and it got stuck in drive , and wouldn't and my gear sh... |
| Jun 1, 2021 | POWER TRAIN | My vehicle locked up while turning around in a driveway so I could park at my daughter's house on th... |
| Jan 16, 2021 | POWER TRAIN | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS DAUGHTER WAS PARKING THE V... |
| Oct 19, 2020 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I HAD TO HAVE MY 2008 OPTIMA TAKEN TO THE ONLY DEALERSHIP IN TOWN FOR A BROKEN SHIFTING CABLE. I WEN... |
| Jul 8, 2020 | POWER TRAIN | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN REVERSE, THE GEAR SHIFTED W... |
| Jul 5, 2020 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES |
| Jan 31, 2020 | ENGINE | CAR HAS 29,061 MILES ON IT WHEN THE ENGINE CRACKED. THE CAR IS 12 YEARS OLD AND WELL MAINTAINED. MY ... |
| Oct 14, 2019 | ENGINE | WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE THE ENGINE BEGAN TO KNOCK. AS I PULLED OFF THE INTERSTATE THE ENG... |
| Oct 9, 2019 | AIR BAGS | KIA RECALLED OPTIMAS UP UNTIL JANUARY 2008 FOR FAULTY CLOCK SPRING. I HAVE A KIA OPTIMA THAT WAS BUI... |
| Sep 16, 2019 | POWER TRAIN | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS WAITING TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED IN THE... |