no report yet
Brake lights: switch
Risk. Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash.
2008 Kia OptimaProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 144 owner complaints about the 2008 Kia Optima, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 16, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2008 Kia Optima has problems
144 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
57Air bags12 crash/fire/injury
19Engine4 crash/fire/injury
18Power train1 crash/fire/injury
15Electrical system2 crash/fire/injury
8Exterior lighting
7Visibility/wiper
7Vehicle speed control
7Visibility
5Engine and engine cooling
3614 other systems11 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 57 | 12 |
| Engine | 19 | 4 |
| Power train | 18 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 15 | 2 |
| Exterior lighting | 8 | 1 |
| Visibility/wiper | 7 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 2 |
| Visibility | 7 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 1 |
| 14 other systems | 36 | 11 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2008 Kia Optima recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Air bags: frontal
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,…
no report yet
Lever and linkage: column shift
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…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Kia.
Mileage at failure
When do air bags problems start?
52kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 42 air bags complaints. 90% were reported before 100,000 miles.
15under 30k miles38under 100k miles4100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2008 vs. every other Optima year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Optima median. How we score
'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2008 Kia Optima safety ratings
2008 Kia Optima 4-DR w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Stability control: Optional
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
3 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2008 Kia Optima, and the recalls they led to.
- Throttle control system vulnerabilitiesNo recall
- Loss of Motive PowerNo recall
- Transmission Shift Cable DetachmentLed to recall 11V-153
In owners' words
What Optima owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
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…
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…
Own a 2008 Optima?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.