Powertrain complaints and recalls from NHTSA
Summary
The 2008 Kia Optima has 18 NHTSA powertrain complaints and 1 powertrain-related recall.
18
Complaints
1
Recalls
0
Injuries Reported
Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated April 9, 2026
11V153000
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2008 OPTIMA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 29, 2005, THROUGH JUNE 13, 2007. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THA...
| Date ↓ | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 6, 2026 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2008 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the check engine warning... |
| Feb 27, 2025 | POWER TRAIN,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGS | Power train: at low idle or while slowing down, the car will lose power for a minute until you get o... |
| Jun 26, 2021 | POWER TRAIN | I went to back out of my driveway and ended up in the middle of the road and not able to shift into ... |
| Jun 1, 2021 | POWER TRAIN | While driving, I tried to reverse my vehicle and it got stuck in drive , and wouldn't and my gear sh... |
| Jun 1, 2021 | POWER TRAIN | My vehicle locked up while turning around in a driveway so I could park at my daughter's house on th... |
| Jan 16, 2021 | POWER TRAIN | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS DAUGHTER WAS PARKING THE V... |
| Jul 8, 2020 | POWER TRAIN | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN REVERSE, THE GEAR SHIFTED W... |
| Sep 16, 2019 | POWER TRAIN | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS WAITING TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED IN THE... |
| Jul 9, 2019 | POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, IT CONTINUED TO MOVE W... |
| Jun 22, 2018 | POWER TRAIN | MY HUSBAND WENT TO WALMART TO DROP OFF A MOVIE. WHEN HE CAME OUT HE SAW ONE OF THE EMPLOYEES HOLDING... |
| Jun 3, 2018 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | THE GEAR SHIFTER IS FREELY ALLOWED TO MOVE, YET THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS REGISTERING THAT THE CAR HA... |
| Jun 27, 2017 | POWER TRAIN | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SHIFT LEVER AILED TO SHIFT GEARS... |
| Oct 19, 2015 | POWER TRAIN | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTAC... |
| Jun 19, 2015 | POWER TRAIN | MY CAR SUFFERED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SHIFT LEVER EXPLAINED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V1530... |
| Mar 19, 2015 | POWER TRAIN,AIR BAGS | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CHAN... |
| Jan 15, 2015 | POWER TRAIN | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR LEVER WAS DIFFICULT TO SHIF... |
| Apr 5, 2014 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | MY 2008 KIA OPTIMA WAS A GOOD CAR WIITH NO PROBLEMS AT ALL SO WHEN MY CAR CUT OFF ON I 95 DURING RUS... |
| Jul 28, 2008 | POWER TRAIN | MY NEW KIA HAS ABOUT 700 MILES ON IT, AND WHEN I PARK IT ON AN INCLINE SUCH AS THE ONE ENTERING MY G... |