2008 Kia Optima Recalls, Complaints & Specs
3 safety recalls list the 2008 Kia Optima, and owners have filed 144 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
3 safety recalls for the 2008 Kia Optima
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Switch (exterior lighting)
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…
Remedy: Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at…
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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…
Remedy: KIA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the vehicle's air bag clock spring contact assembly, free of charge. The safety recall began on july 11, 2012. Owners may contact KIA customer assistance center at…
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Column shift (power train)
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…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the shift cable and reinstall if necessary free of charge. The safety recall began on march 23, 2011. Owner may contact KIA at 1-800-333-4542.
144 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2008 Kia Optima have filed 144 complaints with NHTSA; 20 describe a crash and 4 describe a fire. Reports cite 22 injuries and 8 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 63,203 miles. Complaints peaked in 2014 with 18 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 16, 2026 · Engine
“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'”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, February 6, 2026 · Electrical system
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2008 Kia Optima. Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 23–25 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 20–21 / 28–31 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Midsize Cars |
| Engine | 4/6 cyl, 2.4/2.7 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 5-spd; Manual 5-spd |
Compare Kia Optima model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Kia Optima model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 Kia Optima | 3 | 143 |
| 2002 Kia Optima | 3 | 107 |
| 2003 Kia Optima | 2 | 141 |
| 2004 Kia Optima | 1 | 225 |
| 2005 Kia Optima | 0 | 144 |
| 2006 Kia Optima | 2 | 155 |
| 2007 Kia Optima | 2 | 167 |
| 2008 Kia Optima | 3 | 144 |
| 2009 Kia Optima | 1 | 116 |
| 2010 Kia Optima | 1 | 75 |
| 2011 Kia Optima | 5 | 593 |
| 2012 Kia Optima | 5 | 919 |
| 2013 Kia Optima | 9 | 1,383 |
| 2014 Kia Optima | 7 | 589 |
| 2015 Kia Optima | 4 | 1,009 |
| 2016 Kia Optima | 5 | 756 |
| 2017 Kia Optima | 3 | 256 |
| 2018 Kia Optima | 2 | 232 |
| 2019 Kia Optima | 1 | 210 |
| 2020 Kia Optima | 0 | 148 |
Checking a specific 2008 Kia Optima
How do I know if my 2008 Kia Optima has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 3 campaigns currently list the 2008 Kia Optima; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Kia dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 11V153000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Kia models
- Sorento10,183 complaints
- Soul5,553 complaints
- Sportage4,699 complaints
- Forte2,553 complaints
- Sedona2,410 complaints
- Telluride2,026 complaints
- Sephia1,705 complaints
- Rio1,291 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.