2008 Kia Optima Lights Problems
6 owner-reported lights complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Lights Recalls (1)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
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, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
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.
Owner Complaints (6)
You were hit by another vehicle while driving through a green light, and the other driver failed to yield. Your car sustained extensive damage to the front bumper and fender on the driver's side. Most concerning, your front and side airbags did not deploy during the collision. The airbag system should be inspected by a technician to determine why it failed to activate.
Parts you may need:
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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
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.
HEAD LIGHTS ARE NOT ADJUSTED CORRECTLY,LEFT LIGHT IS LOW CAUSING A DARK SPOT ON THAT SIDE. THIS HAPPENS WHEN LOW BEAM IS USED. RIGHT SIDE SHINES OUT FURTHER,BUT IT TAKES EFFECT AT THE SOLID WHITE LINE AT THE RIGHT SIDE OF ROAD. I HAVE HAD ONE CLOSE CALL I DID NOT SEE THE PERSON TILL HE GOT INTO THE LIGHT OF THE RIGHT HEAD LIGHT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT PROVIDING THE APPROPRIATE LIGHTING DISTANCE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $100 TO REPLACE EACH BULB. THE BUMPER WOULD HAVE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO INSTALL THE BULB. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST SINCE THERE WAS NO DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,878.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. WHENEVER THE CONTACT WOULD DRIVE DOWN A HILL OR SLOPE WITH THE LOW BEAMS ACTIVATED, A BLIND SPOT WOULD APPEAR THREE CAR LENGTHS AHEAD OF HIS VIEW. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 2,000. UPDATED 07/31/08. *LJ UPDATED 08/05/08