Engine complaints and recalls from NHTSA
Summary
The 2008 Kia optima has 14 NHTSA engine complaints and 0 engine-related recalls.
14
Complaints
0
Recalls
1
Injuries Reported
Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated April 9, 2026
| Date ↓ | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 31, 2020 | ENGINE | CAR HAS 29,061 MILES ON IT WHEN THE ENGINE CRACKED. THE CAR IS 12 YEARS OLD AND WELL MAINTAINED. MY ... |
| Oct 14, 2019 | ENGINE | WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE THE ENGINE BEGAN TO KNOCK. AS I PULLED OFF THE INTERSTATE THE ENG... |
| May 2, 2019 | ENGINE | I BOUGHT MY KIA OPTIMA IN 2009, IT WAS 1 YR OLD AT THAT TIME. I HAD TO REPLACE MY TIMING BELT IN MAR... |
| Apr 10, 2017 | ENGINE | MY 2008 KIA OPTIMA STALLS RANDOMLY. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF THE CAR IS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION. THERE ... |
| May 19, 2015 | ENGINE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S SPEED DECE... |
| Jul 14, 2014 | ENGINE | 2008 KIA OPTIMA. I HAD BEEN DRIVING AROUND TOWN FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. IT WAS 93 DEGREES OUTSIDE AIR ... |
| Oct 30, 2013 | ENGINE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, SMO... |
| Feb 13, 2013 | ENGINE | MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY 2008 KIA OPTIMA WHEN SHE NOTICED A LOUD CLATTERING NOISE COMI... |
| Aug 7, 2012 | ENGINE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND IDLING, ... |
| Dec 28, 2011 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | DECEMBER 28, 2011, I NOTICED THAT MY AIRBAG LIGHT LOCATED ON THE DASHBOARD CONTINUOUSLY STAYS ILLUMI... |
| Dec 21, 2011 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | MY 2008 KIA OPTIMA STALLED, WITHOUT WARNING, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH ON A BUSY HIGHWAY... |
| Aug 1, 2011 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2008 KIA OPTIMA 4CYL AUTOMATIC. I LIVE IN FLORIDA, HOT ALL THE TIME, USE AIR ALMOST ALL YEAR. CAR W... |
| Jun 14, 2010 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2008 KIA OPTIMA STALLS WHILE IN MOTION. VEHICLE WILL SHUT ITSELF OFF. IT IS AS IF SOMEONE REACHES ... |
| Nov 22, 2008 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2008 KIA OPTIMA EXV6, SINCE NEW, WHEN LIGHTLY BRAKING WHILE DECELERATING FROM 40 MPH, THE CAR DOWNSH... |