2008 KIA OPTIMA Complaints and Recall Information
The 2008 KIA OPTIMA has 4 complaints and 3 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report power loss at low idle or slowing down, flickering lights, and persistent airbag warning lights. These issues often occur despite replacement of related parts like the alternator and light bulbs.
Common Issues- Power loss. Vehicle loses power for about a minute during low idle or when slowing down until the accelerator is pressed.
- Alternator problems. Alternator has been replaced once and reported as failing again soon after replacement.
- Power steering pump failure. The power steering pump pulley has seized, requiring replacement unrelated to other power train issues.
- Lighting flicker. Third brake light and other lighting including headlights flicker on and off, worsening during deceleration and impairing visibility at night.
- Repeated bulb replacements. Headlight, dashboard, dome, and rear light bulbs have been replaced but flickering continues.
- Airbag warning light. The airbag light remains on constantly with multiple diagnostic codes that reset temporarily but return soon after.
- Occupant airbag sensor malfunction. Sensor intermittently fails to detect occupant presence, causing warning lights regardless of passenger status. An extended warranty existed but was not communicated to the owner before expiration.
The vehicle has 3 recalls affecting power train, airbag systems, and exterior lighting. These recalls address issues that might compromise safety including transmission shifting, driver airbag deployment, and brake light functionality.
Recalls- Shift cable defect. NHTSA recall 11V153000 for 70,115 vehicles. The shift cable may have been installed incorrectly causing it to detach, allowing the lever to move to Park while transmission remains in gear. This can cause the vehicle to roll and increase crash risk. Dealers will inspect and reinstall the cable free of charge.
- Driver airbag clock spring. NHTSA recall 12V014000 affects 145,755 vehicles. The clock spring contact assembly may develop high resistance, preventing driver airbag deployment in a crash and increasing injury risk. Kia will replace the assembly free of charge.
- Stop lamp switch malfunction. NHTSA recall 13V114000 involves 980,377 vehicles including this model. A faulty stop lamp switch may cause brake lights to fail, cruise control not to deactivate, or transmission shifter to move out of Park without braking, raising crash risk. Dealers will replace the stop lamp switch at no charge when parts are available.
Owners dealing with repeated repairs related to power loss, persistent airbag warnings, or unresolved recall issues may want to review their state’s lemon law protections. These laws provide potential recourse for vehicles with ongoing safety defects or major mechanical problems.
2008 KIA OPTIMA Summary
2008
Model Year
4
Total Complaints
3
Total Recalls
1196247
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2008 KIA OPTIMA
980377 vehicles affected
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 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 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
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.
2008 KIA OPTIMA
145755 vehicles affected
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, 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 CIRCUIT WILL EXPERIENCE A HIGH RESISTANCE CONDITION POTENTIALLY CAUSING THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG TO NOT DEPLOY.
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.
2008 KIA OPTIMA
70115 vehicles affected
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 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 GEAR BEFORE DETACHMENT.
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.
Complaints
2008 KIA OPTIMA
ID: 2105926AIR 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.
2008 KIA OPTIMA
ID: 2069857EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
2008 KIA OPTIMA
ID: 2069856POWER 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.
2008 KIA OPTIMA
ID: 2069855AIR BAGS
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.