2008 Kia Optima

144 complaints on file, page 1 of 8.

1. Filed Sep 16, 2026Failure Aug 8, 2026Rochester, NYEngine

   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

   NHTSA complaint 11764663
2. Filed Feb 6, 2026Failure Feb 6, 2026217,000 milesSeattle, WASpeedometer/odometer, Engine, Power train

   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 purchase, the mileage was 198,000. It was later discovered that the mileage on the Title was 217,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11716258
3. Filed Jul 3, 2025Failure Jul 3, 2023Portland, ORAir 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 kia had extended warranty for 15 years from the first day of service. the warranty currently expired right now. if I knew there was a warranty, I would go to dealer to fix the issue the day that my wife bought the car.

   NHTSA complaint 11671023
4. Filed Mar 2, 2025Failure Feb 27, 2025Haysville, KSAir bags, Exterior lighting, 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 constantly flickers. All Lighting including head lights flicker on and off. Worse when slowing down. Lights on dash board, dome, rear light and head light Bulbs have been replaced. At night when the head lights flicker I cannot see the road. Airbags: the air bag light on dash is always on. Codes have been ran and there are so many. Tried resetting codes it comes back on soon after. Not sure how to go about trying to fix it. All of this has been happening since I purchased the car in November 2024.

   NHTSA complaint 11645823
5. Filed Jun 8, 2023Failure Jun 5, 2023Boaz, ALAir bags

   Air bag line came on, dealer states is clock spring.

   NHTSA complaint 11526018
6. Filed Jan 11, 2023Failure Nov 25, 2022Wellington, OHAir bags, Fuel/propulsion system, 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.

   NHTSA complaint 11501217
7. Filed Oct 21, 2022Failure Oct 20, 2022Severn, MDOther/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.

   NHTSA complaint 11490271
8. Filed Dec 16, 2021Failure Nov 18, 2021Grimes, IAAir 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 be replaced, which would take time and did not get repaired In November 2021, the airbag light got turned off by itself I am very concerned whether the air bag for my car is really working.

   NHTSA complaint 11444039
9. Filed Oct 22, 2021Failure Jul 8, 2021Grimes, IAAir 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 passengers.

   NHTSA complaint 11437742
10. Filed Sep 11, 2021Failure Sep 11, 2021Horizon City, TXEngine, Suspension, 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

    NHTSA complaint 11432605
11. Filed Jun 26, 2021Failure Jun 26, 2021Wichita, KSFloor shift

    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 Column shift recall from March 2011. I bought this car in June 2011. When I and the Kia dealership here in town look up my VIN number, it is not showing any recalls currently. How do I go about getting this fixed if it is in fact the exact issue from the Recall no: 11V153000? The dealership would not even look at the recall information I have found. I have not had any issues related to this until yesterday afternoon. I ended up pushing my car up into my driveway for now.

    NHTSA complaint 11422440
12. Filed Jun 2, 2021Failure Jun 1, 2021Chesapeake, VAPower train

    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 daughter's home in Norfolk, Virginia

    NHTSA complaint 11419363
13. Filed Jun 2, 2021Failure Jun 1, 2021Chesapeake, VAPower trainCrash

    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.

    NHTSA complaint 11419355
14. Filed Jan 20, 2021Failure Jan 16, 2021134,000 milesStruthers, OHPower train

    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 DAUGHTER HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE TEMPORARY FIX THE VEHICLE AND LATER THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TAYLOR KIA OF BOARDMAN, 7870 MARKET ST, YOUNGSTOWN, OH 44512, AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE SHIFT CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 134,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11389007
15. Filed Jan 6, 2021Failure Sep 6, 2018100,000 milesLOS Angeles, CAAir bags, Exterior lighting, BodyCrash1 injured

    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. HE FAILED TO YIELD, LIED ABOUT IT AND THE FRONT AND SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

    NHTSA complaint 11386753
16. Filed Oct 21, 2020Failure Oct 19, 202088,000 milesRobstown, TXUnknown or other

    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 OCTOBER THAT KIA IS GOING TO ANNOUNCE THAT INSTALL SHIFTING CABLE INCORRECTLY.

    NHTSA complaint 11365615
17. Filed Jul 17, 2020Failure Jul 8, 202057,960 milesJacksonville, FLPower train

    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 AND DETERMINED THAT THE SHIFTER CABLE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V153000 (POWER TRAIN) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 57,960.

    NHTSA complaint 11339890
18. Filed Jul 6, 2020Failure Jul 5, 2020130,000 milesColumbus, OHElectrical system, Engine, Unknown or otherFire

    WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES

    NHTSA complaint 11337790
19. Filed Feb 6, 2020Failure Jan 31, 202029,061 milesHarrisburg, PAEngine

    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 ISSUE THAT THIS HAPPENS AT THIS MILEAGE. KIA DISTRICT MANAGER DECLINED TO HELP WITH THIS ISSUE. NO CAR AT 29000 MILES SHOULD HAVE ENGINE CRACK.

    NHTSA complaint 11307579
20. Filed Oct 16, 2019Failure Oct 14, 201996,000 milesCarbondlae, ILEngine

    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. I BELIEVE THE ISSUE IS THE CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS HAVE FAILED DUE TO INSUFFICIENT OIL FLOW. THE CAR'S OIL LEVEL WAS AT THE PROPER AMOUNT.

    NHTSA complaint 11269069