Problems · NHTSA complaints

2008 Kia Optima problems

Owners filed 144 complaints about the 2008 Kia Optima with NHTSA between Apr 2008 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (57).

Complaints
144
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
20
Reported by owners
Fires
4
Reported by owners
Injuries
22
People reported injured
Deaths
8
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags57
  2. Engine19
  3. Power train18
  4. Electrical system15
  5. Exterior lighting8
  6. Vehicle speed control7
  7. Visibility7
  8. Visibility/wiper7
  9. Structure5
  10. Engine and engine cooling5
  11. Steering4
  12. Seats4
  13. Service brakes, hydraulic4
  14. Fuel/propulsion system3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
200811
20095
201012
201111
201217
201310
201418
201516
20165
20177
20187
20196
20204
20218
20221
20232
20240
20252
20262

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Air bags

57 reports11 crashes1 related recall
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 3, 2025Air bagsODI 11671023

Engine

19 reports1 crash3 fires
“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. I have no light on the dash, it currently sits at 124,000 miles on it. It’s a grate car I just need the problem fixed”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 16, 2026EngineODI 11764663

Power train

18 reports1 crash1 related recall
“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's transmission failure. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after purchasing the vehicle. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 198,000. It was later discovered that the mileage on the Title was 217,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 6, 2026Power train, Engine, Electrical systemODI 11716258

Electrical system

15 reports2 fires
“WHEN PLACING THE CAR IN PARK THE CAR ISN'T RECOGNIZING THAT THE CAR IS PARKED CAUSING IT TO CONTINUE TO ROLL. ONCE THE IGNITION HAS BEEN TURNED OFF THE CAR WILL NOT RESTART AND THE GEARS WILL NOT SHIFT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 17, 2019Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11232743

Exterior lighting

8 reports1 crash1 related recall
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 2, 2025Power train, Exterior lighting, Air bagsODI 11645823

Vehicle speed control

7 reports2 crashes
“WHILE BACKING INTO MY PARKING SPACE IN THE EMPLOYEE PRIVATE PARKING LOT THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY I STOPPED PUT MY CAR IN DRIVE TO PULL FORWARD A LITTLE THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARD I TRIED THE SHIFTER IN ALL GEARS STILL NO MOVEMENT HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A DEALER .”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 31, 2017Vehicle speed controlODI 11011834
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.