2008 Kia Optima: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2008 Kia Optima: 3 recalls, 144 owner complaints and up to 25 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #11V153000 · 2011 · 70,115 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 preventing the transmission from being shifted. The shift lever can then be moved into the park (p) position while the vehicle's transmission is still in the last used gear before detachment.
Why it matters: 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 crash.
The fix: 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #12V014000 · 2012 · 145,755 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 supplemental restraint system (SRS) May become damaged through usage over time. If the…
Why it matters: 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, increasing the risk of injuries.
The fix: 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.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #13V114000 · 2013 · 980,377 vehicles
What's wrong: Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 rondo and sportage, model year 2007-2011 sorento, model year 2007 sedona, model year 2010-2011 soul, and model year 2011 optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp…
Why it matters: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'on' position, the transmission shifter May be able to be moved out of park without first applying the brake. This May lead…
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 4 mention a fire, 22 injuries and 8 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (57): the most common themes are warning light on (15), fails to deploy (11).
- Engine (19): the most common themes are noise or vibration (7), stalls / loses power (6), warning light on (4).
- Transmission & drivetrain (18): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (12), warning light on (4), stalls / loses power (3).
- Electrical (15): the most common themes are electrical failure (4), stalls / loses power (3).
The 2008 Kia Optima has 144 owner complaints, ranking #15 of 20 Optima model years for complaints (well below the 376 average). Complaints peaked in 2014 (18 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 61,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2007 (167 complaints, 2 recalls), 2009 (116 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 31 | 25 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 31 | 25 | Regular |
| 2.7 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 28 | 23 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2008 Kia Optima.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2008 Kia Optima have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2008 Kia Optima. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2008 Kia Optima problems?
Owners have filed 144 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (57), engine (19), transmission & drivetrain (18).
What gas mileage does the 2008 Kia Optima get?
EPA ratings run up to 25 mpg combined (2.4 L, Automatic 5-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2008 Kia Optima repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.