Model year guide

2008 Kia Optima

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2008 Kia Optima is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 74 on record.

2008 Kia Optima — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2008 Kia Optima at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints143
Combined24 mpg
Typical price$3,945

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2008 Kia Optima recalls 3

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch NHTSA Campaign #13V114000 · 01/04/2013

Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, …

Fix: Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.

Air Bags:frontal NHTSA Campaign #12V014000 · 17/01/2012

KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. (KIA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2008 KIA OPTIMA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 29, 2005, THROUGH JANUARY 29, 2008, AND MODEL YEAR 2007 AND 2008 KIA RONDO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 13, 2006, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2008. THE CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) MAY BECOME DAMAGED THROUGH USAGE OVER TIME. IF THE…

Fix: KIA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 11, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift NHTSA Campaign #11V153000 · 09/03/2011

KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2008 OPTIMA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 29, 2005, THROUGH JUNE 13, 2007. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SHIFT CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED INCORRECTLY, CAUSING TENSION IN THE CABLE. IF PRESENT, THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE CABLE TO DETACH FROM THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY'S DOWEL PIN PREVENTING THE TRANSMISSION FROM BEING SHIFTED. THE SHIFT LEVER CAN THEN BE MOVED INTO…

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SHIFT CABLE AND REINSTALL IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 23, 2011. OWNER MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2008 Kia Optima common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 143 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

2008 Kia Optima MPG & running costs

Combined24 mpg
City21 mpg
Highway30 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,517

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2008 Kia Optima worth?

Low
$2,000
Typical price
$3,945
High
$5,600

From 74 comparable 2008 Kia Optima listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2008 Kia Optima costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$12,585
Depreciation (5 yrs)$2,600
Total$15,185
Per mile$0.20

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($3,945) with the same model 5 model-years older ($1,337), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2008 Kia Optima trims & engines on record

Trims
LX · EX · MG
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl 162 hp · 2.7L 6-cyl 185 hp

2008 Kia Optima vehicles on record

Other Kia Optima model years

2008 Kia Optima — frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Kia Optima have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2008 Kia Optima. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Kia Optima?

Based on 143 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, power train, engine.

What gas mileage does the 2008 Kia Optima get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2008 Kia Optima at about 24 mpg combined (21 city / 30 highway).

How much is a 2008 Kia Optima worth?

Comparable 2008 Kia Optima listings run roughly $2,000–$5,600, typically around $3,945 (from 74 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.