Model Year Problem Record
The complete public record for the 2008 Kia Optima: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.
Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.
The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.
58 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 12V014000.
24 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
18 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 11V153000.
16 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
14 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
8 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 13V114000.
7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.
Power Train. Recall covering the power train system, reported to NHTSA on March 9, 2011. The campaign covers an estimated 70,115 vehicles across all affected models.
Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on January 17, 2012. The campaign covers an estimated 145,755 vehicles across all affected models.
Lighting. Recall covering the lighting system, reported to NHTSA on April 1, 2013. The campaign covers an estimated 980,377 vehicles across all affected models.
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.
Throttle control system vulnerabilities. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
Loss of Motive Power. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
Transmission Shift Cable Detachment. Resulted in recall campaign 11V153000.
Transmission Shift Cable Detachment. Resulted in recall campaign 11V153000.
Transmission Shift Cable Detachment. Resulted in recall campaign 11V153000.
When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.
Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.