2008 Model Year

Kia Optima

NHTSA Complaints & Reliability Data

Compare
Complaints
143
Recalls
2
Crashes
20
Severe
43

Active Recalls

Manufacturer safety recalls

12V014000 Jan 2012

Other

No consequence data available

11V153000 Mar 2011

Other

No consequence data available

Recent Complaints

Latest owner reports

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jun 2026

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 a...

Air Bags
Mar 2025

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 passen...

POWER TRAIN,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGS
Feb 2025

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. Altern...

AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Nov 2023

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 t...

Air Bags
Aug 2023

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

Other/I am not sure
Oct 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 o...

Air Bags
Dec 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...

SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Nov 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 store...

Air Bags
Oct 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 tha...

Power Train
Jun 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 i...

VS

Vehicle Safety Research Team

Automotive Data Analysts

Independent researchers analyzing NHTSA data to help consumers make informed vehicle decisions.

Data updated: March 4, 2026

Summary

The 2008 Kia Optima has 143 complaints and 2 recalls on record. The most commonly reported issue is Air Bags. 20 crash-related incidents have been reported.

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