Eight problems related to electrical system have been reported for the 2008 Kia Motor Optima. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2008 Kia Motor Optima based on all problems reported for the 2008 Optima.
Was driving on the highway when the car burst into flames.
The gear shifter is freely allowed to move, yet the electrical system is registering that the car hasn't left neutral. (example: when I place the car in p(ark), the display above the odometer will remain in n(eutral). The shifter is freely allowed to move when the car is on and the brake is pressed down as usual.
My transmission will not disengage from drive and rolls away.
Today, the key would not turn in my 2008 kia, I had to have it towed to my home. This is a recurring issue and but usually I can turn the steering wheel or move around the gearshift to solve the problem. Although today my key will not turn and I can move the steering wheel around and push the gearshift over and it does nothing. I called kia and they said I would have to come in to get a diagnostic test for $107 , although I told them it sems to be the key ignition. I feel this is a safety issue which I am shocked there has not been a recall for it and also my car will completely shut off at random times when I start to drive and turn a corner . I also feel this is a safety issue. I have read many complaints online about the same issues.
The contact owns a 2008 kia Optima. While driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle immediately restarted and resumed normal operation. The failure occurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the cause of the failure could not be diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000.
The rear passenger seat belt was jammed. I pulled it a few times and it became unjammed and I fastened the safety belt around my 4 year old child. Approximately 3-5 minutes later as I was driving I smelled smoke. I started checking the control panel and turned off the a/c and radio and rolled down the windows. The smoke stopped so I continued to drive about a mile and stopped the car in a parking lot. I was there approximately 4 minutes when I smelled smoke and turned my head to the rear of the vehicle towards my child. My child screamed for me the same moment I was turning my head and there were flames melting the plastic casing around the seat belt cover. The flames almost reached her head. I frantically got in the back seat and removed the safety belt and pulled her from the car to safety. The entire interior of the car was burned from the fire. There were no burn injuries due to the fact that I was stopped and able to remove myself and my child before the flames engulfed my car.
The contact owns a 2008 kia Optima. While the vehicle was idling or in motion, the air bag warning light would illuminate on the instrument panel, which indicated that it was deactivated. The front passenger side air bag senor does not operate when the occupant seated in the passenger seat weighs less than 105 pounds. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and they stated that the sensor was operating properly. The failure continued and the contact was concerned of the safety risk involved with the air bag. The failure mileage was 50 and current mileage was 450.
Consumer states that the vehicle headlights dim at low speeds and when applying the brakes or just slowing down. The consumer was informed it was the design of the vehicle.