2008 Kia Optima
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Decode a VIN3 recalls and 143 owner complaints on record for this model year.
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LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN DESJARLAIS RE THE WINCHESTER POLICE DEPARTMENT REQUESTING ASSISTANCE WITH AN ISSUE INVOLVING THE DOT. THE OPERATOR OF THE IMPACTING VEHICLE STATED HER 2008 KIA OPTIMA ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL. *SMD PLEASE MARK THIS DOCUMENT FOR DELETION. IT IS BEING REPLACED WITH DOCUMENT NUMBER 10838296. *CW THE CONSUMER REAR ENDED A MINIVAN AND WAS PUSHED ACROSS THE INTERSECTION, INTO A THIRD VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THE KIA OPTIMA, THE SPEEDOMETER WAS STUCK AT 93 MPH AND THE RMP'S WERE STUCK AT 4500. THE IGNITION WAS STUCK IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION AND THE GEAR SHIFT WAS IN NEUTRAL. *JB
POLICE REQUEST FOR VEHICLE INSPECTION OF 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE INFORMATION IS BEING PROVIDED BY THE DETECTIVE OF WINCHESTER POLICE DEPARTMENT IN WINCHESTER TN...UPDATED*BF LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE WITH AN ALLEGED SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION INCIDENT THAT RESULTED IN MULTIPLE FATALITIES. THE DRIVER OF THE 2008 KIA OPTIMA WAS TRAVELING AT A HIGH SPEED IN THE AREA OF 90 MPH. THE DRIVER TRAVELED DOWN THE TURNING LANE AND STRUCK A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR FROM THE REAR. THE FORD WINDSTAR WAS PUSHED ACROSS THE INTERSECTION INTO A THIRD VEHICLE WHICH WAS STOPPED IN THE TURNING LANE. THE KIA OPTIMA CAME TO REST IN THE LEFT HAND LANE. THE DRIVER STATED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND IT COULD NOT BE STOPPED. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE SPEEDOMETER WAS STUCK AT 93 MPH AND THE RPM'S WERE STUCK AT 4500. THE IGNITION WAS STUCK IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION AND THE GEAR SHIFT WAS IN NEUTRAL. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 85 MPH, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WENT INTO AN EMBANKMENT AND CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND THE FRONT PASSENGER WAS KILLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A POLICE IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.....UPDATED 12/30/15 *BF *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND A FATALITY WAS REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 06/12/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL CAME IN THE MAIL ON APRIL 12. 2012. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. UPDATED 06/13/12
WE WERE HIT IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE ENTIRE SIDE OF THE CAR WAS CRUSHED AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS EVER DEPLOYED AND THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK. I HAD REPORTED THE FACT THAT WHEN SOMEONE WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS NOT COMING ON TO THE CAR DEALERSHIP THAT I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM BUT THEY JUST MADE EXCUSES THAT THE PERSON SITTING IN THE SEAT WAS NOT HEAVY ENOUGH EVEN THOUGH THEY WEIGHED OVER 150LBS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED AND THE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO SEIZE AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER OF THE SECOND VEHICLE WAS INJURED. THE CONTACT ALSO SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT WRIST. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED (AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT CASE NUMBER: 1200904053). THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
EARLIER THIS YEAR WE PURCHASED A NEW 2008 KIA OPTIMA LX/EX 4D. YESTERDAY MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON FLORIDA'S TURNPIKE HE WAS SLOWING DOWN TO GET OFF ON AN EXIT WHEN THE CAR MADE A LOUD NOISE AND IT STARTED PULLING TO THE RIGHT. HE TRIED VERY HARD TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR BUT IT KEPT ON PULLING RIGHT. HE CRASHED INTO TWO PARKED VANS THAT WERE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD (COUNTY WORKERS). WHEN THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED HE NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WAS FACING FORWARD WHILE THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE WAS FACING COMPLETELY TO THE RIGHT. SINCE THE ACCIDENT I HAVE CONTACTED THE KIA HEADQUARTERS AND REPORTED THE DEFECT. THEY TOLD ME THAT IT FIRST HAD TO BE EVALUATED BY A KIA SERVICE CENTER BUT THEY ARE REFUSING TO PAY FOR THE TOWING. THEY DO NOT WANT TO PROVIDE A RENTAL CAR AND THEY TOLD ME IT WILL BE AT LEAST FOUR DAYS BEFORE THEY CAN EVALUATE THE CAR. *TR
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). *TR
OUR SON VEHICLE WAS DRIVING ON A 1 WAY STREET AND CROSSING THE 4 CORNER INTERSECTION ON A GREEN LIGHT WHEN HE WAS HIT BY A 2018 CHEVY TRAX RUNNING A RED LIGHT. THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WAS HIT HARD, WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO SPIN, 3 TIRES WERE BLOWN, THE REAR AXLE WAS BROKEN AND THE CAR WAS NOW FACING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. DURING THIS PROCESS HIS AIR BAGS (FRONT,SIDE) DID NOT DEPLOY, WHICH WAS ONE OF THE REASONS FOR PURCHASING THE VEHICLE FOR SAFETY. NOW THE OTHER VEHICLE WHICH HIT HIM HAD FRONT END DAMAGE, BUT ONLY HIS SIDE AIRS DEPLOYED. BASED ON THE IMPACT AND BODY DAMAGE THE VEHICLE WAS CONSIDERED TOTALED.
WIFE WAS COMING BACK FROM WALKING THE DOGS IN THE PARK, AT THE PARK SHE WAS FEELING DIZZY, WHEN SHE SAT DOWN IN THE CAR SHE WAS FEELING BETTER. AS SHE WAS DRIVING HOME, SHE PASSED A SCHOOL AND SAW THE SIGN TO SLOW DOWN. AFTER THAT, SHE BLACKED OUT AND SHE WOKE UP AFTER THE ACCIDENT, IN A DITCH ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STREET. SHE HAD HIT A FENCE THEN HEAD-ON INTO A TREE. THE WHOLE TIME ALL THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING IS THE REASON FOR THIS COMPLAINT UPDATED 05-27-15 *BF.....UPDATED 06-12-15 *BF UPDATED 06/23/15*JB
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. *TR
THE KIA 2008 OPTIMA'S HAD A RECALL ON THEIR AIR BAGS. WE TOOK THE CAR TO KIA TO HAVE THE CLOCK SPRING REPLACED. A SHORT TIME AFTER WE GOT THE CAR BACK I WAS DRIVING TO AN APPT. WHEN MY AIR BAG DEPLOYED ON IT'S OWN. THIS CAUSED ME TO CRASH INTO A PARKED VAN, TOTALING BOTH VEHICLES. I WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSP. BY AMBULANCE. THE POLICE OFFICER CAME TO GIVE BACK MY CARDS AND PAPERS HE NEEDED FOR THE REPORT. I WAS NOT CHARGED HE SAID BECAUSE OF THE RECALL ON OUR CAR, IT WAS NOT MY FAULT. WE INFORMED KIA OF WHAT HAPPENED. THEY SAID THEY NEEDED THE BLACKBOX INFO, BUT THEY NEVER CHECKED IT OUT. KIA KEPT IGNORING OUR CALLS AND EMAILS. THEY SAID THEY NEEDED A SPECIAL TEAM TO LOOK AT THE BLACK BOX, BUT THEY KEPT TELLING US THE TEAM WASN'T TOGETHER AND IT WOULD TAKE TIME FOR THEM TO GET TOGETHER. WHEN MY 2008 KIA OPTIMA GOT TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP GARAGE MY BROTHER WENT TO GET PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE AND TO RETRIEVE MY BELONGINGS. 3 MECHANICS STOOD BY MY BROTHER WATCHING AND ASKING WHAT HAPPENED. 2 OF THE WORKERS SAID THE CLOCK SPRING DIDN'T LOOK HOW IT SHOULD HAVE IF MY AIR BAG WENT OFF. THEY SAID EITHER THE CLOCK SPRING WAS A FAULTY ONE THAT KIA REPLACED OR THAT THE MECHANIC DID NOT REPLACE IT RIGHT. A GUY NAMED [XXX] AT KIA THAT WE TALKED TO WANTED ME TO MAKE A 63,000.00 SETTLEMENT. I SAID NO BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW HOW BAD MY INJURIES WOULD GET. TELLING [XXX] THIS, IS WHEN HE STARTED TO IGNORE ME AND MY INSURANCE COMP. CALLS. I WENT A YEAR BEFORE A DOCTOR (150 MILES AWAY) REMOVED A HERNIATED DISK IN MY BACK BECAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT (IT TOOK THAT LONG BECAUSE THEY TRIED EVERYTHING ELSE BEFORE THEY WOULD DO SURGERY). MY BACK IS BETTER BUT MY SHOULDER ISN'T. DOCTOR'S IN MY CITY WANT ME TO GO 150 MILES AWAY TO SEE A DOCTOR THERE AND THAT IS HARD TO SCHEDULE AND KEEP GOING THERE. TODAY 3/23/2014 KIA WILL NOT DO A SETTLEMENT OR TALK TO US. CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY STILL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WITH SUBSTANTIAL FORCE AND STRUCK THE CONTACT IN THE FACE. THE IMPACT OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT KNOCKED THE CONTACT UNCONSCIOUS FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, WHICH RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE CRASHING INTO AN UNOCCUPIED PARKED VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, NECK AND SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,040. UPDATED08-30-12 *BF UPDATED 09/07/2012 *JS
MY 2008 KIA OPTIMA STALLED, WITHOUT WARNING, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH ON A BUSY HIGHWAY NEAR AN EXIT. THE CAR LOST ALL POWER, INCLUDING STEERING. THE CAR ENDED UP RIDING A GUARDRAIL AND LANDED ON TOP OF IT. THE END RESULT WAS, FOR ME, A BROKEN NECK! THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING. I WAS ON MY WAY TO PICK MY 3 YEAR OLD SON UP FROM SCHOOL. HAD HE BEEN IN THE CAR, THIS MAY HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC! MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY! THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. THE CAR IS UNDERGOING BODYWORK REPAIRS AND I AM SCARED TO DEATH TO STEP FOOT IN THIS DEATH TRAP EVER AGAIN. CALLS TO THE KIA DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR GO UNANSWERED, AS THEY USUALLY DO. THIS IS SERIOUS! IF YOUR OPTIMA HAS STALLED WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING PLEASE POST A COMPLAINT. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL! *TR
FORMAL COMPLAINT AGAINST ENTERPRISE AND BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE REGARDING IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED AND DEFECTIVE TIRE(S) ON A 2008 KIA OPTIMA RENTED FROM ENTERPRISE RENT-A-CAR, SEPTEMBER 2008 THAT RESULTED IN CATASTROPHIC TIRE FAILURE ACCIDENT. *KB THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED FROM THE ACCIDENT. CALLED CONSUMER TO SEE IF THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT AND THE NUMBER OF INJURIES. *JB LEFT CONSUMER A VOICE-MAIL STATING HER COMPLAINT HAS BEEN FORWARDED TO THE APPROPRIATE DEPARTMENT. 05/10/11
Filed by owners of this model year and unverified by NHTSA — one person’s account, not an established fact.
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 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 switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
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 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
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 CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY BECOMES DAMAGED, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT WILL EXPERIENCE A HIGH RESISTANCE CONDITION POTENTIALLY CAUSING THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG TO NOT DEPLOY.
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 1-800-333-4542.
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 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.
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.
Published by model year, not by VIN — may not apply to this vehicle, or may already have been done. Confirm with a dealer.
Due to an internal leak of brake fluid, a short circuit may occur in the electrical circuit for the ABS/ESC (anti-lock braking system / electronic stability control) system. This may lead to an increase in current and overheating in the fuse box, increasing the risk of the engine catching fire, irrespective of whether the vehicle is parked or being driven. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Due to an internal leak of brake fluid, a short circuit can occur in the electrical circuit for the ABS/ESC (Anti-lock Braking System / Electronic Stability Control) system. This can lead to an increase in current and overheating in the fuse box, increasing the risk of the engine catching fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Due to an internal leak of brake fluid, a short circuit can occur in the electrical circuit for the ABS/ESC (Anti-lock Braking System / Electronic Stability Control) system. This can lead to an increase in current and overheating in the fuse box, increasing the risk of the engine catching fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Matched on brand and model name — Safety Gate publishes no VIN. Check the production dates, and quote the recall code to a dealer.