2008 Kia Optima Airbags Problems
NHTSA has 57 owner complaints about airbag problems in the 2008 Kia Optima, 40% of all 144 complaints for this model year. That is #3 highest airbag complaint count among 16 Optima model years. These complaints report 11 crashes and 10 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 51,887 miles.
- Airbags complaints
- 57
- 40% of 144
- Crashes reported
- 11
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 10
- Median mileage
- 51,887 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
When 2008 Kia Optima airbag complaints were filed
First complaint Jul 2, 2008, latest Jul 3, 2025.
Airbags recalls for the 2008 Kia Optima
- NHTSA 12V014000Jan 17, 2012Airbags145,755 vehicles
Air bags:frontal
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 clock spring contact assembly becomes damaged, the driver's air bag electrical circuit will experience a high resistance condition potentially causing the driver's air bag to not deploy.
Risk: If the clock spring develops high resistance, in the event of a crash, the drivers air bag will not deploy and will not be able to properly protect the driver, increasing the risk of injuries.
Remedy: 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.
Airbags complaints by Optima model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the 2008 Kia Optima have airbag problems?
- NHTSA has 57 owner complaints about the airbag in the 2008 Kia Optima, 40% of all complaints for this model year, including 11 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 51,887 miles.
- Which Kia Optima year has the most airbag complaints?
- The 2007 Kia Optima has the most airbag complaints (65), compared with 57 for the 2008.
- Is there a airbag recall for the 2008 Kia Optima?
- Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for the 2008 Kia Optima concerns the airbag: 12V014000.