3.5

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
37,125 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 steering problems

steering problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2008 Kia Optima:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2008 Kia Optima Owner Comments

problem #4

Feb 012014

Optima

  • miles

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

First thing in the moring when I start my car up. You don't hear the knocking sound coming from the engine but soon as the car get the engine warmed up you can heaar a very loud ticking noise. Even as you driving the car down the highway you can still hear it. Also the steering is very hard to operate it has been like that since I bought the car. I said something to Kia about it they stated they didn't see a problem. It's very hard to backed up and try turning the steering while operating the car.

- Tarboro, NC, USA

problem #3

Oct 142014

Optima 4-cyl

  • 114,000 miles
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.

- Tiffin, OH, USA

problem #2

Jul 172010

Optima

  • 34,500 miles
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.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

problem #1

Apr 142008

Optima 4-cyl

  • 1 miles
Had in possession for 2 days a 2007 Kia Optima, pulled to the right. Couldn't be financed. Received a 2008 Kia Optima right off of delivery truck, it pulls to the right even worse. Told dealership of problem. Told it was most likely low tire pressure and sent it for an alignment. Still pulls to right. I was told as a joke to turn on blinker if I was to let go of wheel! the front end of both new cars, from 2 different years, looking down on the hood, are tweaked. The drivers side is flush and passenger side is off and sits funny. No accidents yet!

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

Not what you are looking for?