2008 Kia Optima Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 57about this part
- Share
- 40%of 144 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 47,563miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 57 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Kia Optima, 40% of the 144 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 47,563 miles. 11 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I noticed that there was a recall for 05 thru 08 on the clock spring in the front airbag. My airbag light came on and I guess mine is not covered. I took it in and they said mine was not covered under the recall but it was the same problem. Why if this is the same problem isn't it covered. I guess there needs to be an injury or death before its covered.”
NHTSA complaint #10633437, filed 2014-09, 64,000 miles“After clockspring recall/ and repair the cars air bag signal now come on with a code of b1378 in which Kia has told me that there is s high resistance dsab. I have been informed that this code is for a bad or faulty airbag. The car has never been in an accident and the airbag has never been deployed.”
NHTSA complaint #10462688, filed 2012-06, 79,333 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10490148, filed 2012-12, 69,000 miles“Kia recalled optimas up until january 2008 for faulty clock spring. I have a Kia Optima that was built in march 2008. I just paid almost 500.00 to replace the clock spring because my month and year was not included in the recall. Why did Kia stop the recall after january 2008 when there were still 2008's with clock spring issues. I started my car and the airbag light would not go off. I took it to the dealership and was told I had a bad clock spring. I'm sure these things do not wear out being they are associated with the airbag system.”
NHTSA complaint #11267367, filed 2019-10, 121,919 miles“We were hit in the passenger side and the entire side of the car was crushed and none of the air bags ever deployed and the passenger side seat belt did not lock. I had reported the fact that when someone was sitting in the passenger seat that the airbag light was not coming on to the car dealership that I purchased the car from but they just made excuses that the person sitting in the seat was not heavy enough even though they weighed over 150lbs.”
NHTSA complaint #10460853, filed 2012-06, 80,000 milesRelated recalls
- 12V014000Jan 17, 2012Kia motors america, inc. (kia) is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 kia optima vehicles manufactured from september 29, 2005, through january 29, 2008…Covers: Kia Optima 2006–2008, Rondo 2007–2008
Related service bulletins
- 10090092Aug 10, 2016Warranty bulletin: wty002 (revision #1) - 2006~2010my optima passenger seat ocs sensor mat warranty extension (wty002) - this bulletin provides information related to the…
- 10094562Jun 17, 2016Owner letter: wty002 optima - dear kia optima owner: kia motors americas highest commitment is to your safety. To that end, kia is extending the warranty coverage for the front…
- 10094133Jun 14, 2016"warranty bulletin: wty002 - 2006~2008my optima passenger seat ocs sensor mat warranty extension (wty002) - this bulletin provides information related to the replacement of the…
- 10089309Jun 9, 2016Tsb: front passenger ocs sensor mat diagnosis and replacement - this bulletin provides information related to the replacement of the front passenger occupant classification…
- 10094564Jun 8, 2016"q and a: wty002 - certain 2008-2011 my kia rio vehicles and all 2006-2010 my kia optima vehicles front passenger ocs sensor mat kia new vehicle limited warranty extension"
- 10094167Jun 8, 2016Request for reimbursement form: wty002 optima - if you have paid to have the front passenger ocs sensor mat replaced, you may be eligible for reimbursement for some or all of…
- 10094137Jun 8, 2016Dealer parts and service manager memo: wty002 - 2008~2011my rio passenger seat ocs sensor mat warranty extension (wty002) - kia motors america, inc. Is extending the warranty…
- 10094136Jun 8, 2016Dealer principal memo: wty002 - 2008~2011my rio passenger seat ocs sensor mat warranty extension (wty002) - kia motors america, inc. Is extending the warranty coverage for the…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 7 | 5% |
| 2019 | 12 | 6% |
| 2018 | 9 | 4% |
| 2017 | 5 | 2% |
| 2016 | 24 | 3% |
| 2015 | 26 | 3% |
| 2014 | 16 | 3% |
| 2013 | 62 | 4% |
| 2012 | 48 | 5% |
| 2011 | 31 | 5% |
| 2010 | 17 | 23% |
| 2009 | 28 | 24% |
| 2008 | 57 | 40% |
| 2007 | 65 | 39% |
| 2006 | 46 | 30% |
| 2005 | 22 | 15% |
| 2004 | 26 | 12% |
| 2003 | 17 | 12% |
| 2002 | 19 | 18% |
| 2001 | 27 | 19% |
Other parts of the 2008 Kia Optima
19 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
18 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
14 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsExterior lighting
8 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsSeats
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Kia Optima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology