2008 Kia Optima Complaint Log

WIFE WAS COMING BACK FROM WALKING THE DOGS IN THE PARK, AT THE PARK SHE WAS FEELING DIZZY, WHEN SHE SAT DOWN IN THE CAR SHE WAS FEELING BETTER. AS SHE WAS DRIVING HOME, SHE PASSED A SCHOOL AND SAW THE SIGN TO SLOW DOWN. AFTER THAT, SHE BLACKED OUT AND SHE WOKE UP AFTER THE ACCIDENT, IN A DITCH ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STREET. SHE HAD HIT A FENCE THEN HEAD-ON INTO A TREE. THE WHOLE TIME ALL THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING IS THE REASON FOR THIS COMPLAINT UPDATED 05-27-15 *BF.....UPDATED 06-12-15 *BF UPDATED 06/23/15*JB

I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS AND HAVE NEVER SEEN SUNVISORS SAG UNTIL I OWNED THIS CAR. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED AND WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED. *TR

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR SUDDENLY DROPPED DOWN FROM ITS STOWED POSITION, DIRECTLY IN THE DRIVER'S LINE OF SIGHT WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 55MPH. THIS BLOCKED THE DRIVER'S VIEW OF THE ROAD AND OTHER TRAFFIC. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO PUSH THE VISOR BACK UP TO THE ROOF, BUT IT WOULD NOT STAY AND AGAIN FELL, BLOCKING VISION. THE DRIVER ALSO TRIED TO PUSH THE VISOR UP TOWARD THE WINDSHIELD, BUT AGAIN, IT WOULD NOT STAY AND DROPPED BACK INTO THE LINE OF SIGHT. DURING THIS TIME, THE DRIVER WAS DANGEROUSLY DISTRACTED TRYING TO GET THE VISOR OUT OF THE LINE OF SIGHT, AND ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT. FINALLY, THE DRIVER HAD TO EXIT THE FREEWAY WHILE HOLDING THE VISOR WITH ONE HAND, AND THE OTHER HAND ON THE WHEEL, JUST TO BE ABLE TO SEE. THE CAR IS NOW UNSAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL THE VISOR IS REMOVED OR REPAIRED. A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH REVEALS THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH 2006-2008 KIAS AND HAS BEEN ENCOUNTERED BY NUMEROUS DRIVERS. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE FIXED BY KIA BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT OR KILLED AS A RESULT OF A DEFECTIVE VISOR BLOCKING THE VIEW OF THE ROAD AND CREATING A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CHANGE GEARS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V014000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY FAILED. THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE PART WAS ON BACKORDER AND THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

ON FEBRUARY 21 2015 I DROVE THE CAR TO THE STORE WHEN I TURNED THE CAR OFF THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. I CALLED KIA DEALER AND THEY HAD NO SOLUTION. THE KIA DEALER GAVE ME AN APPOINTMENT FOR TUESDAY FEBRUARY 24 2015. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME AND PUT IT IN THE GARAGE. ON SUNDAY FEBRUARY 22 2015 I WENT INTO THE GARAGE AND COULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. I DECIDED TO BACK THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE AND COULDN'T BECAUSE THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. ON TUESDAY FEBRUARY 24 2015 I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE KIA DEALER. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE SHIFTER RELEASE MECHANISM INOPERATIVE NOT ALLOWING THE KEY TO BE RELEASE IN SWITCH. THEY REPLACED SHIFTER ASSEMBLY AND THE BATTERY. THE COST FOR THE REPAIRS WHICH I PAID WAS $870. I PICKED UP THE CAR ON FEBRUARY 25 2015. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR LEVER WAS DIFFICULT TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS REQUIRED WHEN SHIFTING OUT OR INTO THE PARK POSITION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE KEY REMAINED STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

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 SEEMS 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. *TR

THIS IS THE 3RD TO 4TH TIME THE CAR LOOSING POWER STEERING AFTER DRIVING THRU A PUDDLE AT A LOW SPEED. WE HAVE TAKEN THIS TO OUR LOCAL MECHANIC TWO TIMES WITH REALLY NO KNOWN CAUSE. MECHANIC REPLACED THE BELT BUT APPARENTLY THIS DID NOT RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. *TR

I TOOK MY CAR IN ON 4 SEP 2014 I GOT THIS CAR IN GOOD FAITH FROM [XXX] I HAVE HAD MY CAR BACK AT LEAST 3 TIME ALREADY AND I WILL BE TAKING IT BACK ON NOVEMBER 3, 2014 WHERE MY LIGHT HAVE BEEN FLASHING AND MY LIGHT IS OUT AGAIN. MY GAS PEDAL WHEN I AM GOING ABOUT 40 OR 50 AND I HAVE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF OTHER CARS AND IT'S LIKE I HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING. I DON'T EVEN WANT TO DRIVE MY CAR I DON'T EVERY NO WHEN MY LIGHTS ARE GOING TO GO OUT. I HAVE HAD TO COME OUT ON MY JOB BECAUSE OF BREAST CANCER. AND THE MONEY THAT HAD WAS MY 2000 CADILLAC DEVILED WHICH THE ONLY GAVE ME 1500 WISH I FOUND OUT THEY SHOULD HAVE GIVEN ME MORE WISH MY WARRANTY RUN OUT IN LEST THEN 90 DAYS. I WAS UNABLE TO GET ANOTHER WARRANTY SO WHAT DO I DO I NEED A CAR TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO THE DOCTOR. I NEED SOME HELP. SO PLEASE DON'T LET ME DOWN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

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. *TR

TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V014000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,085.

2008 KIA OPTIMA. I HAD BEEN DRIVING AROUND TOWN FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. IT WAS 93 DEGREES OUTSIDE AIR WAS RUNNING. CAME TO A STOP AT RED LIGHT AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF THE RADIO STILL WORKED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. AND THE OTHER LIGHTS THAT COME ON WHEN YOU START THE CAR. THERE WAS NO WARNING TO THIS THE BEFORE IT HAPPENED. I PUT MY CAR BACK IN PARK AND TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND THEN TRIED TO START IT UP. IT STARTED AND DIDN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS FOR THE REST OF THE DAY. HAPPENED BEFORE NOON DROVE UNTIL 430 OFF AND ON AND IT WAS FINE. HAS 78000 MILES ON IT. WHEN I TURNED IT BACK ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT COME BACK ON SO WHEN I WENT TO AUTO ZONE TO CHECK IT NO ALERTS CAM UP BUT THEY SAID IT WAS STRANGE AND THE LIGHT SHOULD HAVE STAYED ON. HAVE READ MANY SIMILAR PROBLEMS. *TR

MESSAGE: I HAVE A 2008 KIA OPTIMA THAT AFTER A SEARCH OF THE INTERNET THAT KIA MOTOR COMPANY HAS AN ISSUE WITH THEIR SUN VISORS ON THE CAR THAT I HAVE. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALER BUT THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS TYPE OF SAFETY ISSUE. I SEND YOU THIS EMAIL SO YOU CAN BE MADE AWARE OF THE SAFETY ISSUES INVOLVED WITH THE BLOCKED VISION OF A DRIVER WHEN THIS INCIDENT OCCURS WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. IT IS VERY SCARY WHEN YOU GET THE VISOR BACK UP AND SEE YOU ARE HEADED INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ANY ASSISTANCE TO KIA OWNERS WHO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. IF THEY REPLACE THE VISOR AT THE DEALER THEY JUST PUT ANOTHER DEFECTIVE VISOR ON AND CHARGE YOU $180.00. WE NEED A FIX. THANKS. *TR

DRIVER ON OPPOSITE SIDE IF ROAD CROSSED CENTER LANE AND CRASHED INTO THE DRIVERS SIDE OF MY CAR, DAMAGING THE ENTIRE DRIVERS SIDE FROM THE HEADLIGHTS TO THE TAILLIGHTS. IT IS WITHIN $1000 OF BEING TOTALED, BUT THE LOW MILEAGE IS WHAT SAVED US BY BRINGING THE VALUE UP. THE DRIVER WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 25-30MPH WHEN HER CAR STRUCK MINE AND SHE DID NOT APPLY THE BRAKES AT ALL. SHE HIT MY CAR AND THE CAR BEHIND ME AS WELL. MY SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE IMPACT, AS I FEEL THEY SHOULD HAVE. THERE WERE NO OTHER PASSENGERS IN THE CAR, AND THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY ISSUES WITH THE AIR BAG SYSTEM THAT I AM AWARE OF. *TR

MY 2008 KIA OPTIMA WAS A GOOD CAR WIITH NO PROBLEMS AT ALL SO WHEN MY CAR CUT OFF ON I 95 DURING RUSH HR. I WAS SCARED TO DEATH. AS I WAS ENTERING THE RAMP FOR I-95 MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON . I HAD A CLICKIN NOISE IN ENGINE BUT WITHIN LESS THEN 2 MIN. AS I MERGED INTO TRAFFIC MY ENGINE SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON. AFTER GETTING IT TOWED TO DEALER ,EVERYONE INCLUDING DEALER THOUGHT IT WAS THE STARTER OR ALTERNATOR BECAUSE OIL WAS FINE AND NOTHIN WAS WRONG.. THE DEALER SAID HE COULDNT FIND ANYTHING THAT SHOULD HAVE CAUSED ENGINE TO LOCK . HE ALSO WAS CONFUSED.STILL TO THIS DAY NO BODY CAN TELL ME WHY THIS HAPPENED. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED ON THE HIGHWAY.NOW MY ONLY OPTION IS TO BUY A ENGINE WHEN MY OLD ONE SHOULD HAVE STILL HAD A LOT MORE MILES LEFT. *TR

THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON IN DASH. THE CAR DEALER SAID IT CAME FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT AND THAT THE AIR BAG IS DEFECTIVE AND WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A CRASH. HE SAID THAT IT WOULD BE $1600.00 TO $1700.00 TO FIX IF I WANTED IT FIXED. MY WIFE JUST PULLED INTO HER MOTHER'S DRIVEWAY WHEN THE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT WILL NOT GO OUT AND RIGHT NOW IS SCARED THAT THE BAG WILL GO OFF WITH HER MOTHER WHO IS 92 IN THE SEAT. I THINK THE PRICE IS STEEP AND IF ANYONE SHOULD PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED THAT IT SHOULD BE KIA TO FIX IT. *TR

FEBRUARY 2013 STARTED EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL ISSUES. EXAMPLE: REAR WINDOW BRAKE LIGHT STOPPED WORKING (HAD TO HAVE REPLACED), THEN TROUBLE WITH TURN SIGNAL LIGHT WOULD AT TIMES NOT WORK. THE AIR CONDITIONER STARTED BLOWING HOT AIR: ADDED COOLANT AND FR( JULY 2013) BUT STILL ISN'T WORKING RIGHT. THEN CD PLAYER HAD ISSUES WHERE IT WOULD NOT EJECT CD OR FAIL TO READ THE DISK AT ALL. THEN THE RADIO STOPPED WORKING TOO. JUNE 2014 CAR WOULDN'T START HAD TO REPLACE BATTERY BUT STILL WOULDN'T CHARGE. JANUARY 2015 INSTALLED NEW ALTERNATOR, STILL DIDN'T FIX THE ISSUE. HAD THE CHARGING SYSTEM INSPECTED FEBRUARY 2015. TURNED OUT TO BE A SHORT OR FAILURE DUE TO ELECTRICAL ISSUE HAS TO GET IT FIXED. FEBRUARY 2015 ELECTRICAL REPAIRS (SWITCH, PLUG, FUSE). MARCH 2015 CAR IS MAKING GRINDING NOISE WHEN PRESSING DOWN ON THE BREAK, IT IS VERY HARD TO BRING THE CAR TO A FULL STOP AND MAKES A GRINDING SOUND WHEN MAKING TURNS AS WELL. *TR

FIRST THING IN THE MORING WHEN I START MY CAR UP. YOU DON'T HEAR THE KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE BUT SOON AS THE CAR GET THE ENGINE WARMED UP YOU CAN HEAAR A VERY LOUD TICKING NOISE. EVEN AS YOU DRIVING THE CAR DOWN THE HIGHWAY YOU CAN STILL HEAR IT. ALSO THE STEERING IS VERY HARD TO OPERATE IT HAS BEEN LIKE THAT SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. I SAID SOMETHING TO KIA ABOUT IT THEY STATED THEY DIDN'T SEE A PROBLEM. IT'S VERY HARD TO BACKED UP AND TRY TURNING THE STEERING WHILE OPERATING THE CAR.

THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL ON THE SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL OF MY CAR, YET MY CAR IS NOT COVER. I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED BECAUSE IT WAS MANUFACTURED IN A DIFFERENT AREA. HOWEVER I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUE THAT IS CAUSED BY THE RECALL ON THE PART THAT IS CURRENTLY OUT. I WANTED TO FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT BECAUSE THE COST TO HAVE THIS PART FIXED NOT AFFORDABLE FOR ME AT THIS MOMENT AND I FEEL IT IS UNJUST THAT I HAVE TO PAY THE OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES SEEING THAT THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM REGARDING THIS PART AND THIS ISSUE WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL CAR. *TR

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. I WAS NOT OFFERED A WARRANTY/ DID NOT OBTAIN AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, WAS NOT DISCLOSED TO THAT THE 10 YEAR 100,000 MILE WARRANTY DID NOT EXTEND TO THE NEXT OWNER, NOR WAS I TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT CERTIFY IT. WAS NOT OFFERED A CAR FAX, BUYERS GUIDE OR TOLD ABOUT ANY TYPE OF WARRANTY INFORMATION. KIA DEALERSHIPS DO NOT CERTIFY CARS AFTER 60,000 MILES EVEN THOUGH THERE IS STILL 40,000 MILES ON THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY. THERE WAY OF GETTING AROUND HAVING TO HONOR THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY AND OFFER THIS TO THE NEXT OWNER(S). VERY ANGRY WITH KIA, THEY ARE DECEITFUL, LIARS, AND DO NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. THEY SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SELL ANY CARS WITH OUT THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY BEING OFFERED! WITH A HISTORY OF THERE ENGINES FAILING AND HAVING MAJOR MECHANICAL PROBLEMS I FIND IT VERY DISGRACEFUL HOW THEY OPERATE AND ENFORCE POLICY. IF MY ENGINE ACTUALLY FAILS WHILE I AM DRIVING, I COULD EASILY GET INTO A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND BE CRITICALLY INJURED. I DRIVE A MAJOR FREEWAY EVERY SINGLE DAY, AND TO ME THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. IF MY ENGINE FAILED AND STALLED GOING 70 MILES AN HOUR, I COULD EASILY BE KILLED OR GET INTO A MAJOR ACCIDENT. PLEASE RECALL 2008 OPTIMAS OR COMPLAIN TO KIA REGARDING THERE POLICY. THEY SHOULD HAVE TO OFFER AND STAND BEHIND THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY OR BE REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE THERE POLICY TO CUSTOMERS UP FRONT. COMMERCIALS AND PARKING LOT ADVERTISE PER OWNED CERTIFIED CARS AND 100000 WARRANTY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, SMOKE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN VISORS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE FAILED TO REMAIN CLOSED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT BOTH SUN VISORS WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DETECTED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 13V114000 HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

REFERENCE: DEFECTIVE DRIVER'S SEAT THIS LETTER IS IN REFERENCE TO A FAULTY SEAT IN THE 2008 KIA OPTIMA EX, ONE I CURRENTLY OWN. I AM BRINGING THIS MATTER TO YOUR ATTENTION BECAUSE OF THE DANGER THIS REPRESENTS TO DRIVERS OF KIA VEHICLES THAT HAVE ELECTRIC ADJUSTABLE SEATS. MY WIFE AND I WERE VERY FORTUNATE WE WERE NOT INVOLVED IN A TRAFFIC FATALITY DUE TO THIS. RECENTLY, WHILE TRAVELING, THE DRIVER'S SEAT RETRACTED TO ITS FULL-UPRIGHT, FULL-FORWARD POSITION. IN THIS POSITION, THE HEADREST FORCED MY WIFE'S HEAD DOWN INTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND UP AGAINST IT. SHE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR SAFELY. THE ONLY WAY TO DRIVE THE CAR WAS TO REMOVE THE HEADREST, WHICH ALLOWED ENOUGH ROOM BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE BODY TO STEER THE CAR. I CONTACTED CASEY KIA WHILE STOPPED TO ASK WHAT COULD BE DONE TO RELEASE THE SEAT. I WAS TOLD TO REMOVE THE SEAT'S FUSE FROM THE INSIDE CABIN FUSE PANEL, WHICH SHOULD DISENGAGE IT; THIS DID NOT WORK, AND WE WERE FORCED TO DRIVE THREE HOURS TO THE NEAREST REPAIR SHOP. THERE IS NO MANUAL OVERRIDE MECHANISM IN THE 2008 KIA OPTIMA EX TO UNLOCK A SEAT WHEN THE ELECTRIC SEAT ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM FAILS. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THERE HAVE BEEN PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVER-SIDE SEAT. THE FIRST DRIVER'S SEAT WAS REPLACED BECAUSE OF A FAULTY SEAT-HEATER WHILE UNDER THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY. THE REPLACEMENT SEAT WHEN INSTALLED IN THE CAR BECAUSE THE ADJUSTMENT KNOB WAS LOOSE AND NEVER SECURE. THREE ISSUES ARE PARAMOUNT, THE SAFETY FOR KIA DRIVERS, THE FACT THERE IS NO MANUAL OVERRIDE FOR ELECTRIC SEATS, AND NO WARRANTY FOR REPLACEMENT SEATS ON SUCH OCCASIONS, THE FIRST HERE BEING OF MOST IMPORTANCE. *TR

DRIVER SIDE VISOR WOULD NOT GO BACK UP FLUSH TO THE INTERIOR CEILING. I HIT MY HEAD ON IT CONSTANTLY GETTING IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WOULD COST $143 PLUS LABOR WHICH I CANNOT AFFORD. HE ADVISED MAYBE I COULD FIND A CHEAPER ONE ON THE INTERNET. GOING ON THE INTERNET IS WHEN I DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART THAT KIA WILL NOT FIX! NATURALLY MY WARRANTY EXPIRED 6-2-2013. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING WITH IT ALL THE WAY DOWN SO I ONLY HAVE HALF MY VISIBILITY AND NEED TO LEAN FORWARD AND SCRUNCH DOWN TO SEE SIGNS AND STREET SIGNAL LIGHTS. ALSO, IF I HAVE THE DEALER ORDER ONE WILL IT DO THE SAME THING AGAIN? *TR

MY HUSBAND AND DAUGHTER WERE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THEY STRUCK A TREE. THE CAR WAS TOTALED AND THEIR WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE IMPACT WAS MORE ON THE PASSENGER FRONT OF VEHICLE. MY DAUGHTER WAS THE PASSENGER AND SHE IS FULL GROWN SO SHE SHOULD OF BEEN DETECTED IN THE SEAT. THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID DEPLOY THE PASSENGER SIDE DID NOT. I AM VERY GRATEFUL THAT SHE DID NOT SUFFER SERIOUS INJURIES (JUST LACERATIONS FROM SEATBELT). I NOTIFIED KIA MOTORS AND WAS GIVEN A CASE NUMBER. SOMEBODY DID FOLLOW UP WITH ME AND ASKED THAT I SEND PHOTOS AND TOLD ME SOMEONE ELSE WOULD BE CALLING. I SENT THE PHOTOS. I DID RECEIVE THE SECOND CALL FROM KIA AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINEERS INCHARGE OF THE AIRBAGS WOULD BE ON VACATION FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND AS SOON AS THEY CAME BACK AND EXAMINED THE PHOTOS, I WOULD RECEIVE A CALL BACK. THAT WAS FIVE WEEKS AGO. NO FOLLOW-UP AS OF TODAY AUG. 6, 2014. I WAS ALSO TOLD THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS. I TOLD THEM THEY SHOULD GO ON SAFERCAR.GOV AND START READING. I DO HOPE THAT THIS CAR GETS RECALLED. MY HUSBAND AND DAUGHTER WERE VERY FORTUNATE WITH NO SERIOUS INJURIES, BUT SOMEONE MAY NOT BE AS LUCKY NEXT TIME. *TR

WHILE TRAVELING AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF 55 MPH A DEER RAN INTO THE SIDE OF MY 2008 KIA OPTIMA WHICH IS EQUIPPED WITH SIDE AIR BAGS IN WHICH THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WAS PUSHED IN ON THE DRIVER AND THE DRIVERS SIDE WIDOW WAS DESTROYED INFLICTING CUTS ON THE DRIVER AND WITH THE ENTIRE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE RECEIVED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE INCLUDING THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE SIDE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVER EVEN WITH THE SEVERITY OF THE IMPACT OF WHICH KIA NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS WAS CONTACTED AND THE EXPLANATION WAS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MOVING SIDEWAYS AT IMPACT AND THIS IS WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY! THIS IS NOT A VALID EXCUSE TO ME OR I WOULD THINK AN CONSUMER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE WITH THE ASSUMPTION THAT THEY HAVE SIDE AIR BAG PROTECTION! *TR

MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY 2008 KIA OPTIMA WHEN SHE NOTICED A LOUD CLATTERING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD. SHE PULLED OVER AT A GAS STATION. A GENTLEMAN THERE CHECKED THE OIL AND SAID THAT IT WAS LOW, HE ADDED 2 QUARTS, I CHANGE THE OIL IN THIS VEHICLE PERSONALLY AND KNOW THAT IT DOESN'T USE ANY OIL. SHE DROVE HOME 3 MILES WITH THE ENGINE STILL CLATTERING. I CHECKED THE OIL AND THE STICK SHOWED 1 QUART LOW. I IMMEDIATELY DRAINED THE OIL AND PUT ON A NEW FILTER AND POURED 4.5 QUARTS IN THE ENGINE. I STARTED UP THE CAR, IT CLATTERED AND RAN IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR 10 MINUTES AND THE ENGINE LOCKED UP. THE KIA ROADSIDE PICKED UP THE CAR AND TOWED IT TO THE DEALER. HE INFORMED ME THAT THE ENGINE WAS 2 QUARTS LOW ON OIL. THERE WAS NO OIL LEAKING FROM THE CAR, WHERE DID THE OIL GO??? THE DEALER SAYS THAT I NEED TO COME UP WITH RECEIPTS BEFORE THEY WILL HONOR THE WARRANTY. IF MY DAUGHTER WOULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE CAR WHEN THE MOTOR LOCKED UP, SHE WOULD HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CONTROL IT WITH ALL POWER GONE. I HAVE READ MANY CASES JUST LIKE THIS ONE. SOMEONE WILL GET SERIOUSLY HURT FROM THIS KIND OF ENGINE FAILURE. WILL KIA STEP UP AND RECOGNIZE THAT MAYBE THE OIL CONTROL VALVE IS THE WEAK LINK. MY DEALER SAID THAT WAS WHAT SENT THE CODE TO THE COMPUTER AND OVER-RETARDED THE TIMING. *TR

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. *TR

AFTER 50,000+ MILES ON OUR 2008 KIA OPTIMA THE PASSENGER "AIR BAG" LIGHT WOULD COME ON (MEANING THE AIR BAG WAS AUTOMATICALLY TURNED OFF BY THE CAR'S COMPUTER SYSTEM) WHILE DRIVING WITH A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT. IT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY HAPPEN...SOMETIMES IT WOULD AND SOMETIMES IT WOULDN'T. WE HAD IT CHECKED BY A DEALER AND EVEN THOUGH THEY SAW THE PROBLEM (PASSENGER SITTING IN FRONT SEAT AND AIR BAG WAS "OFF") IT DID NOT REGISTER A CODE IN THE CAR'S COMPUTER SYSTEM. THIS WAS REPORTED TO KIA BY THE DEALER BUT AS OF THIS DATE (09/11/12) KIA HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR THE ISSUE UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT DID NOT REGISTER A CODE. THIS POSES A SAFETY RISK TO PASSENGERS IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. FAILURE TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY AND EVEN DEATH. KIA HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM IN OTHER MODELS AND HAS EVEN ISSUED RECALLS BUT AT THIS POINT HAS REFUSED TO FIX OUR VEHICLE UNDER THE WARRANT CONTRACT WE RECEIVED WHEN BUYING THIS CAR NEW IN 2008. *TR

TL* 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 DRIVERS SIDE SUNVISOR BROKE THIS TIME, DROPS DOWN INTO LINE OF SIGHT. THE PASSENGER SIDE SUNVISOR BROKE OVER TWO YEARS AGO, WAS FINALLY REPLACED LAST CHRISTMAS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND IDLING, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD PUFFING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED BUT DIAGNOSED AS A RESIGNATOR FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,800.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA LS. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 35 MPH WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN-VISOR FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SUN-VISOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,520.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WITH SUBSTANTIAL FORCE AND STRUCK THE CONTACT IN THE FACE. THE IMPACT OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT KNOCKED THE CONTACT UNCONSCIOUS FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, WHICH RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE CRASHING INTO AN UNOCCUPIED PARKED VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, NECK AND SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,040. UPDATED08-30-12 *BF UPDATED 09/07/2012 *JS

THE KIA 2008 OPTIMA'S HAD A RECALL ON THEIR AIR BAGS. WE TOOK THE CAR TO KIA TO HAVE THE CLOCK SPRING REPLACED. A SHORT TIME AFTER WE GOT THE CAR BACK I WAS DRIVING TO AN APPT. WHEN MY AIR BAG DEPLOYED ON IT'S OWN. THIS CAUSED ME TO CRASH INTO A PARKED VAN, TOTALING BOTH VEHICLES. I WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSP. BY AMBULANCE. THE POLICE OFFICER CAME TO GIVE BACK MY CARDS AND PAPERS HE NEEDED FOR THE REPORT. I WAS NOT CHARGED HE SAID BECAUSE OF THE RECALL ON OUR CAR, IT WAS NOT MY FAULT. WE INFORMED KIA OF WHAT HAPPENED. THEY SAID THEY NEEDED THE BLACKBOX INFO, BUT THEY NEVER CHECKED IT OUT. KIA KEPT IGNORING OUR CALLS AND EMAILS. THEY SAID THEY NEEDED A SPECIAL TEAM TO LOOK AT THE BLACK BOX, BUT THEY KEPT TELLING US THE TEAM WASN'T TOGETHER AND IT WOULD TAKE TIME FOR THEM TO GET TOGETHER. WHEN MY 2008 KIA OPTIMA GOT TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP GARAGE MY BROTHER WENT TO GET PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE AND TO RETRIEVE MY BELONGINGS. 3 MECHANICS STOOD BY MY BROTHER WATCHING AND ASKING WHAT HAPPENED. 2 OF THE WORKERS SAID THE CLOCK SPRING DIDN'T LOOK HOW IT SHOULD HAVE IF MY AIR BAG WENT OFF. THEY SAID EITHER THE CLOCK SPRING WAS A FAULTY ONE THAT KIA REPLACED OR THAT THE MECHANIC DID NOT REPLACE IT RIGHT. A GUY NAMED [XXX] AT KIA THAT WE TALKED TO WANTED ME TO MAKE A 63,000.00 SETTLEMENT. I SAID NO BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW HOW BAD MY INJURIES WOULD GET. TELLING [XXX] THIS, IS WHEN HE STARTED TO IGNORE ME AND MY INSURANCE COMP. CALLS. I WENT A YEAR BEFORE A DOCTOR (150 MILES AWAY) REMOVED A HERNIATED DISK IN MY BACK BECAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT (IT TOOK THAT LONG BECAUSE THEY TRIED EVERYTHING ELSE BEFORE THEY WOULD DO SURGERY). MY BACK IS BETTER BUT MY SHOULDER ISN'T. DOCTOR'S IN MY CITY WANT ME TO GO 150 MILES AWAY TO SEE A DOCTOR THERE AND THAT IS HARD TO SCHEDULE AND KEEP GOING THERE. TODAY 3/23/2014 KIA WILL NOT DO A SETTLEMENT OR TALK TO US. CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY STILL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

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. *TR

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. *TT

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. *TR

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. FUSES ARE GOOD. KIA DEALER WANTS 95$ TO LOCATE PROBLEM AND MUCH MORE TO FIX WHATEVER MAY BE WRONG. *TR

MY DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR BEGAN FAILING IT WOULDN'T STAY UP ANY LONGER THEN THE INSIDES FINALLY SNAPPED BREAKING THE PLASTIC INSIDE. NOW THE PASSENGER SIDE IS DOING THE SAME. IT OBSTRUCTS FIELD OF VISION AND DOES NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE BLOCKAGE OF SUN WHEN NEEDED. KIA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AS THEY HAVE CREATED A FIXED VISOR WITH IMPROVED MECHANICAL PARTS INSIDE. THE NEW VISOR RANGES ANY WHERE FROM 140.00 TO 200.00 DOLLARS PLUS A FEE FOR INSTALLING IF NOT CAPABLE OF DOING THIS YOURSELF. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ON THE INTERNET AND SEE THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FOR THIS ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED AND THE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO SEIZE AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER OF THE SECOND VEHICLE WAS INJURED. THE CONTACT ALSO SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT WRIST. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED (AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT CASE NUMBER: 1200904053). THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

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. (I ONLY HAVE 43,000 MILES) IN ADDITION, A WEEK AGO I'VE STARTED HEARING A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA WHEN I ACCELERATE GOING UP IN A ROLLER COASTER CLIMBING POSITION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR EXPEDITIOUS RESPONSE. *TR

MY 2008 KIA OPTIMA STALLED, WITHOUT WARNING, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH ON A BUSY HIGHWAY NEAR AN EXIT. THE CAR LOST ALL POWER, INCLUDING STEERING. THE CAR ENDED UP RIDING A GUARDRAIL AND LANDED ON TOP OF IT. THE END RESULT WAS, FOR ME, A BROKEN NECK! THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING. I WAS ON MY WAY TO PICK MY 3 YEAR OLD SON UP FROM SCHOOL. HAD HE BEEN IN THE CAR, THIS MAY HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC! MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY! THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. THE CAR IS UNDERGOING BODYWORK REPAIRS AND I AM SCARED TO DEATH TO STEP FOOT IN THIS DEATH TRAP EVER AGAIN. CALLS TO THE KIA DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR GO UNANSWERED, AS THEY USUALLY DO. THIS IS SERIOUS! IF YOUR OPTIMA HAS STALLED WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING PLEASE POST A COMPLAINT. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ONLY WHEN SOMEONE WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED WHEN THE LIGHT WAS ON IT INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IN A CRASH OR IT MAY DEPLOY WITHOUT A CRASH OCCURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 06/26/12 *BF A DIAGNOSTIC REVEALER THE OC PASSENGER SENSOR MAT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED. HOWEVER, THREE DAYS LATER WHEN A PASSENGER SAT IN THE SEAT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AGAIN. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE REPAIR SHOP AGAIN. THE MECHANIC STATED IT SEEMED THAT IF SOMEONE SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, DID A LOT OF MOVING AROUND, OR WAS SLIGHTLY HEAVY IN WEIGHT, IT TRIGGERED THE AIR BAG LIGHT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE LIGHT IS CURRENTLY ON. UPDATED 06/27/12. *JB

WHEN I FILL MY 2008 KIA OPTIMA WITH GASOLINE, THE PUMP SHUTS OFF BUT GAS GUSHES OUT OF THE TANK. *KB

THE SUN VISOR BROKE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. IT WILL NOT STAY UP. I HAVE TRIED MANY DO-IT-YOURSELF FIXES, BUT IT CONTINUES TO FALL DOWN, WHICH INTERFERES WITH VISIBILITY, ESPECIALLY IN THE DARK. IT IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I PUSH IT BACK INTO POSITION, IT JUST FALLS DOWN. IT BLOCKS THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AS WELL. *TR

SIDE WALL BLOW OUT REPLACED TIRE NO EXTERNAL CAUSE. *TR

2008 KIA OPTIMA 4CYL AUTOMATIC. I LIVE IN FLORIDA, HOT ALL THE TIME, USE AIR ALMOST ALL YEAR. CAR WILL STALL OUT WHILE IN MOTION WITHIN FIRST FEW MINUTES WHILE AC IS ON WHEN I AM SLOWING DOWN TO STOP SIGNS OR WHEN CROSSING INTERSECTIONS WHERE I HAVE TO GET ACROSS QUICKLY THEN LET OFF GAS TO MAKE TURN. CAR BECOMES HARD TO STEER WHEN ENGINE CUTS OFF, WORSE THAN A CAR WITHOUT POWER STEERING, SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE IT WONT MAKE IT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION TO THE MEDIAN SAFELY. CAN START THE CAR AGAIN, BUT IT TAKES A FEW SECONDS TO THROW CAR INTO NEUTRAL, TURN IGNITION, AND PUT BACK INTO DRIVE. AS I SAID THIS HAPPENS A LOT WHILE GOING THROUGH THE TURN OF INTERSECTION/ DIVIDED HIGHWAY AND THOSE FEW SECONDS MAKE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SAFELY TIMED TURN AND A POTENTIAL COLLISION. PROBLEM OCCURS FREQUENLTY FOR A WEEK OR TWO, THEN GOES AWAY FOR A WHILE AND COMES BACK. ONCE THE ENGINE HAS WARMED UP AND HAS BEEN MOVING FOR 5 MINUTES OR SO, IT DOESN'T HAPPEN. TOOK IT TO KIA DEALERSHIP SINCE THIS VEHICLE HAS 45000 MILES ON IT AND IS STILL UNDER MANUFACTURES BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY, DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THEY WERE AWARE OF THE ISSUE WITH THAT GENERATION OF OPTIMAS AND THAT IT WAS ONLY WITH THE 4CYL MOTORS, THE V6'S WERE FINE. SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID AT THIS TIME THERE IS NOT A FIX FOR IT AND WOULD NOT REPLACE ANY PARTS SINCE THEY DON'T KNOW WHICH PART(S) ARE CAUSING THE MALFUNCTION. WAS TOLD TO LET MY CAR WARM UP LONGER AND TO HOPE THAT KIA/HYUNDAI COMES UP WITH A RECALL ON IT SOON. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR WOULD NOT IDENTIFY THAT A PASSENGER WAS SITTING IN THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE AIRBAG TO INDICATE THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE OFF. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,000.