10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
210,222 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Kia Optima body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2008 Kia Optima Owner Comments

problem #4

Nov 252022

Optima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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 the cars subframe.

- Wellington, OH, USA

problem #3

Sep 062018

Optima 4-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
I was driving southbound on sepulveda blvd on Sep 6 at 0800am and I was over halfway through the green light when I was struck by a Toyota making a left turn on a green light who did not yield. The driver [xxx] struck my car on the front and left driver bumper and fender causing extensive damage. He failed to yield, lied about it and the front and side air bags did not deploy. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #2

Jun 202013

Optima 4-cyl

  • 51,887 miles
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.

- West Haven, CT, USA

problem #1

Jun 092013

Optima 4-cyl

  • 689,000 miles
While traveling at the posted speed limit of 55 mph a deer ran into the side of my 2008 Kia Optima which is equipped with side air bags in which the drivers side door was pushed in on the driver and the drivers side widow was destroyed inflicting cuts on the driver and with the entire drivers side of the vehicle received extensive damage including the hood of the vehicle. The side air bags never deployed to ensure the safety of the driver even with the severity of the impact of which Kia national headquarters was contacted and the explanation was that the vehicle was not moving sideways at impact and this is why the air bags did not deploy! this is not a valid excuse to me or I would think an consumer purchasing this vehicle with the assumption that they have side air bag protection!

- Kewaunee, WI, USA

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