2008 Kia Optima owner complaints

My car was hit in the side by another car going approx.40 MPH. None of the airbags deployed. This model had a recall on the airbags 6 months previous. We took it in,they said a sensor needed to be replaced. They gave us a paper saying it was repaired and returned our car to us. *tr

The passenger side airbag malfunctions. It may or may not engage when one sits in the seat. After moving around; getting out of car and/or refastening seat belt it will most of the time engages. The size of the person, the movement of the car (or not), and sitting position do not appear to matter. One knows that the airbag is not employed properly because the light indicating the functioning of the passenger side airbag will read "off."

This car have a Warranty Extension for OCS Sensor Mat. Warranty extension dated June 2016 Airbag light was first turned on in August 2020 Went to the dealer and said it was related to seat buckle and got it fixed Airbag light again turned on in August 2021 Went to the dealer and said it was related to clock spring and that the driver seat needs to be replaced, which would take time and did not get repaired In November 2021, the airbag light got turned off by itself I am very concerned whether the air bag for my car is really working.

I have a 2008 Kia optima that I purchased brand new in 2007 I have noticed that when I have a passenger the airbag lights states that air bag is off this is scary are my passengers not being protected by the air bag. *tr

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

Clock spring dont work causing air bag light to stay on

Air bag warning light came on and stayed on. Fuses are good. Kia dealer wants 95$ to locate problem and much more to fix whatever may be wrong. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Kia optima. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The dealer stated that the clock spring assembly for the air bag was damaged and needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000. Updated 02/05/16*lj the consumer was informed, the vehicle was one month out of the covered date. Updated 03/01/16.*jb *cn

Dealer has put off for over a month repairing functionality of passenger air bag system. System does not work. One month with run around and dealer seemingly unable to express concern over this safety issue. Kia customer service notified. *tr

Consumer states that the vehicle headlights dim at low speeds and when applying the brakes or just slowing down. *nj the consumer was informed it was the design of the vehicle. *jb

My transmission will not disengage from drive and rolls away.

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 Kia optima. While driving approximately 25 MPH in the rain on a highway and applying pressure to the brake pedal it locked up. The contact attempted to drive the vehicle to the emergency lane and was unsuccessful. He rear-ended the proceeding vehicle and caused a multi-vehicle traffic collision. The air bags did not deploy with the impact to the front of the vehicle. The "air bag" warning light indicator illuminated on the instrument panel and remained on until the engine was shut off. In addition, the seat belt shoulder harness straps were non-functional on the front passenger side. The police and ambulance arrived and a police report was filed. There was no personal injury. The vehicle sustained damages and was driven to his residence. The failure and cur

I was turning into a parking spot, and while braking, the vehicle shuttered and hit a concrete pole. *tr

2008 Kia optima exv6, since new, when lightly braking while decelerating from 40 MPH, the car downshifts and has an acceleration surge at around 25 MPH. When complaining to the dealer, they said the Kia's were made that way. This is an unsafe condition that can cause a rear end collision. The car should have normal engine braking that allows for continuous deceleration as long as the accelerator pedal is not touched. Thank you for your consideration of this complaint. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Kia optima. The contact stated while traveling approximately 35 MPH, smoke emitted from under the hood and the vehicle stalled. The contact also mentioned that the vehicle failed to restart. The failure was not diagnosed nor was the vehicle repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 96,000.

When I fill my 2008 Kia optima with gasoline, the pump shuts off but gas gushes out of the tank. *kb

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 the

2008 Kia optima fuel pump body failure. The pump body cracks and the computer sets evaporated. Leakage code. We looked at several of these from a salvage yard and all had the same problem.this shows a pattern of defects and is highly dangerous if this car is in an accident as the fuel will burst out of the tank as a result this fuel sender cracking.

Message: I have a 2008 Kia optima that after a search of the internet that Kia motor company has an issue with their sun visors on the car that I have. I have taken it back to the dealer but they said there is no recall for this type of safety issue. I send you this email so you can be made aware of the safety issues involved with the blocked vision of a driver when this incident occurs while driving down the road. It is very scary when you get the visor back up and see you are headed into on coming traffic. I would like to thank you for your time and any assistance to Kia owners who have this problem. If they replace the visor at the dealer they just put another defective visor on and charge you $180.00. We need a fix. Thanks. *tr

I took my car in on 4 sep 2014 I got this car in good faith from [xxx] I have had my car back at least 3 time already and I will be taking it back on november 3, 2014 where my light have been flashing and my light is out again. My gas pedal when I am going about 40 or 50 and I have to get out of the way of other cars and it's like I haven't done anything. I don't even want to drive my car I don't every no when my lights are going to go out. I have had to come out on my job because of breast cancer. And the money that had was my 2000 Cadillac deviled which the only gave me 1500 wish I found out they should have given me more wish my warranty run out in lest then 90 days. I was unable to get another warranty so what do I do I need a car to get back and forth to the doctor. I need some hel