2008 KIA Optima

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2011· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  WHEN I FILL MY 2008 KIA OPTIMA WITH GASOLINE, THE PUMP SHUTS OFF BUT GAS GUSHES OUT OF THE TANK. *KB

• 12/26/2012· AIR BAGSCrash

  MY CAR WAS HIT IN THE SIDE BY ANOTHER CAR GOING APPROX.40 MPH. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THIS MODEL HAD A RECALL ON THE AIRBAGS 6 MONTHS PREVIOUS. WE TOOK IT IN,THEY SAID A SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY GAVE US A PAPER SAYING IT WAS REPAIRED AND RETURNED OUR CAR TO US. *TR

• 12/18/2009· SUSPENSIONCrash

  EARLIER THIS YEAR WE PURCHASED A NEW 2008 KIA OPTIMA LX/EX 4D. YESTERDAY MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON FLORIDA'S TURNPIKE HE WAS SLOWING DOWN TO GET OFF ON AN EXIT WHEN THE CAR MADE A LOUD NOISE AND IT STARTED PULLING TO THE RIGHT. HE TRIED VERY HARD TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR BUT IT KEPT ON PULLING RIGHT. HE CRASHED INTO TWO PARKED VANS THAT WERE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD (COUNTY WORKERS). WHEN THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED HE NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WAS FACING FORWARD WHILE THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE WAS FACING COMPLETELY TO THE RIGHT. SINCE THE ACCIDENT I HAVE CONTACTED THE KIA HEADQUARTERS AND REPORTED THE DEFECT. THEY TOLD ME THAT IT FIRST HAD TO BE EVALUATED BY A KIA SERVICE CENTER BUT THEY ARE REFUSING TO PAY FOR THE TOWING. THEY DO NOT WANT TO PROVIDE A RENTAL CAR AND THEY TOLD ME IT WILL BE AT LEAST FOUR DAYS BEFORE THEY CAN EVALUATE THE CAR. *TR

• 12/17/2010· AIR BAGS

  THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG MALFUNCTIONS. IT MAY OR MAY NOT ENGAGE WHEN ONE SITS IN THE SEAT. AFTER MOVING AROUND; GETTING OUT OF CAR AND/OR REFASTENING SEAT BELT IT WILL MOST OF THE TIME ENGAGES. THE SIZE OF THE PERSON, THE MOVEMENT OF THE CAR (OR NOT), AND SITTING POSITION DO NOT APPEAR TO MATTER. ONE KNOWS THAT THE AIRBAG IS NOT EMPLOYED PROPERLY BECAUSE THE LIGHT INDICATING THE FUNCTIONING OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WILL READ "OFF."

• 12/16/2021· AIR 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.

• 12/14/2018· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  2008 KIA OPTIMA FUEL PUMP BODY FAILURE. THE PUMP BODY CRACKS AND THE COMPUTER SETS EVAPORATED. LEAKAGE CODE. WE LOOKED AT SEVERAL OF THESE FROM A SALVAGE YARD AND ALL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.THIS SHOWS A PATTERN OF DEFECTS AND IS HIGHLY DANGEROUS IF THIS CAR IS IN AN ACCIDENT AS THE FUEL WILL BURST OUT OF THE TANK AS A RESULT THIS FUEL SENDER CRACKING.

• 12/04/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS DIM AT LOW SPEEDS AND WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES OR JUST SLOWING DOWN. *NJ THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IT WAS THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE. *JB

• 12/02/2010· AIR BAGS

  I HAVE A 2008 KIA OPTIMA THAT I PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN 2007 I HAVE NOTICED THAT WHEN I HAVE A PASSENGER THE AIRBAG LIGHTS STATES THAT AIR BAG IS OFF THIS IS SCARY ARE MY PASSENGERS NOT BEING PROTECTED BY THE AIR BAG. *TR

• 12/01/2008· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH IN THE RAIN ON A HIGHWAY AND APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IT LOCKED UP. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. HE REAR-ENDED THE PROCEEDING VEHICLE AND CAUSED A MULTI-VEHICLE TRAFFIC COLLISION. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WITH THE IMPACT TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE "AIR BAG" WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND REMAINED ON UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF. IN ADDITION, THE SEAT BELT SHOULDER HARNESS STRAPS WERE NON-FUNCTIONAL ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE POLICE AND AMBULANCE ARRIVED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGES AND WAS DRIVEN TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 2,600.

• 11/27/2015· AIR BAGSCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 85 MPH, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WENT INTO AN EMBANKMENT AND CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND THE FRONT PASSENGER WAS KILLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A POLICE IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.....UPDATED 12/30/15 *BF *TR

• 11/25/2017· AIR BAGS

  CLOCK SPRING DONT WORK CAUSING AIR BAG LIGHT TO STAY ON

• 11/22/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  2008 KIA OPTIMA EXV6, SINCE NEW, WHEN LIGHTLY BRAKING WHILE DECELERATING FROM 40 MPH, THE CAR DOWNSHIFTS AND HAS AN ACCELERATION SURGE AT AROUND 25 MPH. WHEN COMPLAINING TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID THE KIA'S WERE MADE THAT WAY. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT CAN CAUSE A REAR END COLLISION. THE CAR SHOULD HAVE NORMAL ENGINE BRAKING THAT ALLOWS FOR CONTINUOUS DECELERATION AS LONG AS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS NOT TOUCHED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION OF THIS COMPLAINT. *TR

• 11/18/2013· AIR BAGS

  AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. FUSES ARE GOOD. KIA DEALER WANTS 95$ TO LOCATE PROBLEM AND MUCH MORE TO FIX WHATEVER MAY BE WRONG. *TR

• 11/12/2015· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY FOR THE AIR BAG WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000. UPDATED 02/05/16*LJ THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED, THE VEHICLE WAS ONE MONTH OUT OF THE COVERED DATE. UPDATED 03/01/16.*JB *CN

• 11/11/2017· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  MY TRANSMISSION WILL NOT DISENGAGE FROM DRIVE AND ROLLS AWAY.

• 11/03/2014· VISIBILITY/WIPER

  MESSAGE: I HAVE A 2008 KIA OPTIMA THAT AFTER A SEARCH OF THE INTERNET THAT KIA MOTOR COMPANY HAS AN ISSUE WITH THEIR SUN VISORS ON THE CAR THAT I HAVE. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALER BUT THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS TYPE OF SAFETY ISSUE. I SEND YOU THIS EMAIL SO YOU CAN BE MADE AWARE OF THE SAFETY ISSUES INVOLVED WITH THE BLOCKED VISION OF A DRIVER WHEN THIS INCIDENT OCCURS WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. IT IS VERY SCARY WHEN YOU GET THE VISOR BACK UP AND SEE YOU ARE HEADED INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ANY ASSISTANCE TO KIA OWNERS WHO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. IF THEY REPLACE THE VISOR AT THE DEALER THEY JUST PUT ANOTHER DEFECTIVE VISOR ON AND CHARGE YOU $180.00. WE NEED A FIX. THANKS. *TR

• 11/02/2014· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  I TOOK MY CAR IN ON 4 SEP 2014 I GOT THIS CAR IN GOOD FAITH FROM [XXX] I HAVE HAD MY CAR BACK AT LEAST 3 TIME ALREADY AND I WILL BE TAKING IT BACK ON NOVEMBER 3, 2014 WHERE MY LIGHT HAVE BEEN FLASHING AND MY LIGHT IS OUT AGAIN. MY GAS PEDAL WHEN I AM GOING ABOUT 40 OR 50 AND I HAVE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF OTHER CARS AND IT'S LIKE I HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING. I DON'T EVEN WANT TO DRIVE MY CAR I DON'T EVERY NO WHEN MY LIGHTS ARE GOING TO GO OUT. I HAVE HAD TO COME OUT ON MY JOB BECAUSE OF BREAST CANCER. AND THE MONEY THAT HAD WAS MY 2000 CADILLAC DEVILED WHICH THE ONLY GAVE ME 1500 WISH I FOUND OUT THEY SHOULD HAVE GIVEN ME MORE WISH MY WARRANTY RUN OUT IN LEST THEN 90 DAYS. I WAS UNABLE TO GET ANOTHER WARRANTY SO WHAT DO I DO I NEED A CAR TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO THE DOCTOR. I NEED SOME HELP. SO PLEASE DON'T LET ME DOWN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

• 11/01/2013· ENGINEFire

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, SMOKE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

• 11/01/2008· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash

  I WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING SPOT, AND WHILE BRAKING, THE VEHICLE SHUTTERED AND HIT A CONCRETE POLE. *TR

• 10/29/2008· AIR BAGS

  DEALER HAS PUT OFF FOR OVER A MONTH REPAIRING FUNCTIONALITY OF PASSENGER AIR BAG SYSTEM. SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK. ONE MONTH WITH RUN AROUND AND DEALER SEEMINGLY UNABLE TO EXPRESS CONCERN OVER THIS SAFETY ISSUE. KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE NOTIFIED. *TR

• 10/26/2014· STEERING

  THIS IS THE 3RD TO 4TH TIME THE CAR LOOSING POWER STEERING AFTER DRIVING THRU A PUDDLE AT A LOW SPEED. WE HAVE TAKEN THIS TO OUR LOCAL MECHANIC TWO TIMES WITH REALLY NO KNOWN CAUSE. MECHANIC REPLACED THE BELT BUT APPARENTLY THIS DID NOT RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. *TR

• 10/22/2021· AIR 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.

• 10/22/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  TODAY, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN MY 2008 KIA, I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO MY HOME. THIS IS A RECURRING ISSUE AND BUT USUALLY I CAN TURN THE STEERING WHEEL OR MOVE AROUND THE GEARSHIFT TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. ALTHOUGH TODAY MY KEY WILL NOT TURN AND I CAN MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL AROUND AND PUSH THE GEARSHIFT OVER AND IT DOES NOTHING. I CALLED KIA AND THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO COME IN TO GET A DIAGNOSTIC TEST FOR $107 , ALTHOUGH I TOLD THEM IT SEEMS TO BE THE KEY IGNITION. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHICH I AM SHOCKED THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL FOR IT AND ALSO MY CAR WILL COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AT RANDOM TIMES WHEN I START TO DRIVE AND TURN A CORNER .I ALSO FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THE SAME ISSUES. *TR

• 10/21/2022· Other/I am not sure

  Many times the base unit does not properly accept the car seat. Setting the car seat on the base 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.

• 10/21/2020· UNKNOWN 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.

• 10/20/2015· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE GEAR FROM OUT OF PARK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

• 10/16/2019· ENGINE

  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.

• 10/09/2019· AIR BAGS

  KIA RECALLED OPTIMAS UP UNTIL JANUARY 2008 FOR FAULTY CLOCK SPRING. I HAVE A KIA OPTIMA THAT WAS BUILT IN MARCH 2008. I JUST PAID ALMOST 500.00 TO REPLACE THE CLOCK SPRING BECAUSE MY MONTH AND YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. WHY DID KIA STOP THE RECALL AFTER JANUARY 2008 WHEN THERE WERE STILL 2008'S WITH CLOCK SPRING ISSUES. I STARTED MY CAR AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OFF. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD I HAD A BAD CLOCK SPRING. I'M SURE THESE THINGS DO NOT WEAR OUT BEING THEY ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM.

• 09/30/2012· VISIBILITY/WIPER

  THE DRIVERS SIDE SUNVISOR BROKE THIS TIME, DROPS DOWN INTO LINE OF SIGHT. THE PASSENGER SIDE SUNVISOR BROKE OVER TWO YEARS AGO, WAS FINALLY REPLACED LAST CHRISTMAS. *TR

• 09/26/2014· VISIBILITY

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN VISORS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE FAILED TO REMAIN CLOSED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT BOTH SUN VISORS WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

• 09/24/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

• 09/18/2019· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS WAITING TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED IN THE VEHICLE, HE SHIFTED FROM PARK INTO NEUTRAL; HOWEVER, THE GEAR FAILED TO ENGAGE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY AAA TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFTER CABLE DISCONNECTED FROM THE SHIFTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. GREENWAY KIA OF RIVERGATE (1536 GALLATIN PIKE N, MADISON, TN 37115, (615) 860-9888) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 79,000.

• 09/15/2014· AIR BAGS

  I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR 05 THRU 08 ON THE CLOCK SPRING IN THE FRONT AIRBAG. MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND I GUESS MINE IS NOT COVERED. I TOOK IT IN AND THEY SAID MINE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL BUT IT WAS THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY IF THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM ISN'T IT COVERED. I GUESS THERE NEEDS TO BE AN INJURY OR DEATH BEFORE ITS COVERED. *TR

• 09/12/2015· AIR BAGS

  AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINS ON. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP WHICH DIAGNOSED PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR IS BAD. MUST REPLACE COMPLETE SEAT BOTTOM AND TRACK AT A COST OF ABOUT 1700.00 USD. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS RESET, BUT I WAS INFORMED THAT IF ANYONE SITS ON THE PASSENGER SEAT THE SYSTEM WILL TRIP AGAIN AND NOT BE ACTIVE. I INVESTIGATED ONLINE AND FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, AND THIS WAS CONFIRMED BY THE KIA DEALER PARTS DEPARTMENT COUNTER PERSON . THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL AND NOT A REPAIR FOR THE CUSTOMER TO FINANCE.

• 09/11/2021· 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 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

• 09/11/2012· AIR BAGS

  AFTER 50,000+ MILES ON OUR 2008 KIA OPTIMA THE PASSENGER "AIR BAG" LIGHT WOULD COME ON (MEANING THE AIR BAG WAS AUTOMATICALLY TURNED OFF BY THE CAR'S COMPUTER SYSTEM) WHILE DRIVING WITH A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT. IT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY HAPPEN...SOMETIMES IT WOULD AND SOMETIMES IT WOULDN'T. WE HAD IT CHECKED BY A DEALER AND EVEN THOUGH THEY SAW THE PROBLEM (PASSENGER SITTING IN FRONT SEAT AND AIR BAG WAS "OFF") IT DID NOT REGISTER A CODE IN THE CAR'S COMPUTER SYSTEM. THIS WAS REPORTED TO KIA BY THE DEALER BUT AS OF THIS DATE (09/11/12) KIA HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR THE ISSUE UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT DID NOT REGISTER A CODE. THIS POSES A SAFETY RISK TO PASSENGERS IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. FAILURE TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY AND EVEN DEATH. KIA HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM IN OTHER MODELS AND HAS EVEN ISSUED RECALLS BUT AT THIS POINT HAS REFUSED TO FIX OUR VEHICLE UNDER THE WARRANT CONTRACT WE RECEIVED WHEN BUYING THIS CAR NEW IN 2008. *TR

• 08/27/2012· AIR BAGSCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WITH SUBSTANTIAL FORCE AND STRUCK THE CONTACT IN THE FACE. THE IMPACT OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT KNOCKED THE CONTACT UNCONSCIOUS FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, WHICH RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE CRASHING INTO AN UNOCCUPIED PARKED VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, NECK AND SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,040. UPDATED08-30-12 *BF UPDATED 09/07/2012 *JS

• 08/25/2017· AIR BAGS

  "AIR BAG" LIGHT STAYS ON AFTER VEHICLE IS TURN ON. DEALER SAID THERE IS NO RECALL. CODE B1481.

• 08/25/2015· SUSPENSION

  RECEIVED THE VOLUNTARY RECALL NOTICE TO HAVE THE UNDERBODY COMPONENTS SPRAYED WITH WHAT MIGHT BE CALLED A RUST INHIBITOR OR PREVENTATIVE, SO I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AND TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE. CAR WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP 8/24/15 FOR THE APPLICATION WHEN THE SERVICE MANAGER CAME INTO THE WAITING ROOM AND SAID THAT THE LEFT REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH, SPLIT AND DEEMED THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE. TOOK A LOOK AND SURE ENOUGH, RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH AND SPLIT DOWN THE BACK SIDE. GLAD KIA DECIDED TO DO THE RUST INHIBITOR RECALL OR I WOULD HAVE NEVER KNOWN ABOUT THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE ARM ACTUALLY DISINTEGRATED AND BROKE. THIS VOLUNATRY "RECALL" IS LIKE CLOSING THE BARN DOOR AFTER THE HORSES HAVE ESCAPED, AND TO CONTINUE TO BUILD A CAR WITH INFERIOR PARTS, A COATING ISN'T GOING TO HELP THE RUST PROBLEM.

• 08/16/2010· STEERING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD INTERMITTENTLY LOCK AND THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND WHEN RESTARTING IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE CONTACT STATED SHE HAD EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE OVER A DOZEN TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT WITHOUT A PROPER DIAGNOSIS, THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 34,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000.

• 08/15/2016· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR DID NOT REGISTER WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000.

• 08/13/2015· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED EVEN WITH AN OCCUPANT SEATED IN THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V014000 (AIR BAGS), BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,233.

• 08/10/2011· TIRES

  SIDE WALL BLOW OUT REPLACED TIRE NO EXTERNAL CAUSE. *TR

• 08/10/2011· TIRES

  FIRST OF 2 SIDEWALL BLOW OUTS NO EXTERNAL CAUSE. *TR

• 08/07/2014· AIR BAGS,STRUCTURECrash

  MY HUSBAND AND DAUGHTER WERE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THEY STRUCK A TREE. THE CAR WAS TOTALED AND THEIR WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE IMPACT WAS MORE ON THE PASSENGER FRONT OF VEHICLE. MY DAUGHTER WAS THE PASSENGER AND SHE IS FULL GROWN SO SHE SHOULD OF BEEN DETECTED IN THE SEAT. THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID DEPLOY THE PASSENGER SIDE DID NOT. I AM VERY GRATEFUL THAT SHE DID NOT SUFFER SERIOUS INJURIES (JUST LACERATIONS FROM SEATBELT). I NOTIFIED KIA MOTORS AND WAS GIVEN A CASE NUMBER. SOMEBODY DID FOLLOW UP WITH ME AND ASKED THAT I SEND PHOTOS AND TOLD ME SOMEONE ELSE WOULD BE CALLING. I SENT THE PHOTOS. I DID RECEIVE THE SECOND CALL FROM KIA AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINEERS INCHARGE OF THE AIRBAGS WOULD BE ON VACATION FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND AS SOON AS THEY CAME BACK AND EXAMINED THE PHOTOS, I WOULD RECEIVE A CALL BACK. THAT WAS FIVE WEEKS AGO. NO FOLLOW-UP AS OF TODAY AUG. 6, 2014. I WAS ALSO TOLD THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS. I TOLD THEM THEY SHOULD GO ON SAFERCAR.GOV AND START READING. I DO HOPE THAT THIS CAR GETS RECALLED. MY HUSBAND AND DAUGHTER WERE VERY FORTUNATE WITH NO SERIOUS INJURIES, BUT SOMEONE MAY NOT BE AS LUCKY NEXT TIME. *TR

• 08/07/2013· ENGINE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND IDLING, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD PUFFING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED BUT DIAGNOSED AS A RESIGNATOR FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,800.

• 08/05/2013· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DETECTED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 13V114000 HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

• 08/02/2011· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  2008 KIA OPTIMA 4CYL AUTOMATIC. I LIVE IN FLORIDA, HOT ALL THE TIME, USE AIR ALMOST ALL YEAR. CAR WILL STALL OUT WHILE IN MOTION WITHIN FIRST FEW MINUTES WHILE AC IS ON WHEN I AM SLOWING DOWN TO STOP SIGNS OR WHEN CROSSING INTERSECTIONS WHERE I HAVE TO GET ACROSS QUICKLY THEN LET OFF GAS TO MAKE TURN. CAR BECOMES HARD TO STEER WHEN ENGINE CUTS OFF, WORSE THAN A CAR WITHOUT POWER STEERING, SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE IT WONT MAKE IT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION TO THE MEDIAN SAFELY. CAN START THE CAR AGAIN, BUT IT TAKES A FEW SECONDS TO THROW CAR INTO NEUTRAL, TURN IGNITION, AND PUT BACK INTO DRIVE. AS I SAID THIS HAPPENS A LOT WHILE GOING THROUGH THE TURN OF INTERSECTION/ DIVIDED HIGHWAY AND THOSE FEW SECONDS MAKE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SAFELY TIMED TURN AND A POTENTIAL COLLISION. PROBLEM OCCURS FREQUENLTY FOR A WEEK OR TWO, THEN GOES AWAY FOR A WHILE AND COMES BACK. ONCE THE ENGINE HAS WARMED UP AND HAS BEEN MOVING FOR 5 MINUTES OR SO, IT DOESN'T HAPPEN. TOOK IT TO KIA DEALERSHIP SINCE THIS VEHICLE HAS 45000 MILES ON IT AND IS STILL UNDER MANUFACTURES BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY, DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THEY WERE AWARE OF THE ISSUE WITH THAT GENERATION OF OPTIMAS AND THAT IT WAS ONLY WITH THE 4CYL MOTORS, THE V6'S WERE FINE. SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID AT THIS TIME THERE IS NOT A FIX FOR IT AND WOULD NOT REPLACE ANY PARTS SINCE THEY DON'T KNOW WHICH PART(S) ARE CAUSING THE MALFUNCTION. WAS TOLD TO LET MY CAR WARM UP LONGER AND TO HOPE THAT KIA/HYUNDAI COMES UP WITH A RECALL ON IT SOON. *KB

• 08/01/2012· VISIBILITY/WIPER

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA LS. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 35 MPH WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN-VISOR FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SUN-VISOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,520.

• 08/01/2011· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THEY TRY TO STOP THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE REVS UP AND IT FEELS LIKE THE VEHICLE DOES NOT WANTED TO STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IF THEY TAKE THEIR FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKE, IT FEELS LIKE THE VEHICLE IS GOING TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS FOUND WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.