2008 Kia Optima Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 5%of 144 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,232miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2008 Kia Optima, 5% of the 144 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,232 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While backing into my parking space in the employee private parking lot the vehicle was stationary I stopped put my car in drive to pull forward a little the car would not move forward or backward I tried the shifter in all gears still no movement had the car towed to a dealer .”
NHTSA complaint #11011834, filed 2017-07, 170,025 miles“Engine started making a clicking sound when the car was accelerating. Took my car in to Kia and found out that one of the rods in the short engine block was failing. My engine only has 86464 miles on it and its an 2008. Bought the car with 69000 miles on it, only had the car for 7 months before the engine began to fail. I took this problem up with the dealership and Kia headquarters. Was told they would not honor the 100,000 mile warranty because the car was not certified. …”
NHTSA complaint #10562369, filed 2014-01, 86,464 miles“December 28, 2011, I noticed that my airbag light located on the dashboard continuously stays illuminated. I have taken it to the dealer to get it checked out. I was told that the airbag sensors are located in the driver/ passenger seats. The mechanic at Kia dealer tried to fix the problem, but was unsuccessful. The service representative informed me that they would have to replace the sensors. I've viewed the complaints of people that own Kia Optima 2008. It states that these cars were recalled because of significant amount of defects. …”
NHTSA complaint #10442112, filed 2012-01“The contact owns a 2008 Kia Optima. The contact stated that when they try to stop the vehicle the engine revs up and it feels like the vehicle does not wanted to stop. The contact stated that if they take their foot off of the brake, it feels like the vehicle is going to accelerate. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told nothing was found wrong with the vehicle. The failure mileage was 34,000 and the current mileage was 60,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10416529, filed 2011-08, 34,000 miles“The contact owns a 2008 Kia Optima. The contact turned the ignition off and activated the opening of the rear trunk when suddenly the radio unit began to function for approximately five seconds. The engine was restarted and the gear shifter was placed into the drive position, while pressure was applied to the brake pedal, there was uncontrollable acceleration. The driver turned the ignition off and pulled over to the side of the road. After restarting the vehicle he was able to resume normal operation. …”
NHTSA complaint #10318420, filed 2010-03, 6,835 milesVehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 6 | 4% |
| 2019 | 10 | 5% |
| 2018 | 10 | 4% |
| 2017 | 13 | 5% |
| 2016 | 29 | 4% |
| 2015 | 36 | 4% |
| 2014 | 21 | 4% |
| 2013 | 39 | 3% |
| 2012 | 40 | 4% |
| 2011 | 19 | 3% |
| 2010 | 6 | 8% |
| 2009 | 11 | 9% |
| 2008 | 7 | 5% |
| 2007 | 5 | 3% |
| 2006 | 7 | 5% |
| 2004 | 5 | 2% |
| 2003 | 2 | 1% |
| 2002 | 2 | 2% |
| 2001 | 7 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2008 Kia Optima
57 complaintsEngine
19 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
18 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
14 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsExterior lighting
8 complaintsBrakes
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 31, 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