Power train: at low idle or while slowing down, the car will lose power for a minute until you get on the accelerator and it all comes back on. Alternator had been replaced. And is going to be replaced again soon. Not sure if it's just a bad part. Power steering pump was replaced. The pulley seized. Unrelated. Lighting: third brake light constantly flickers. All Lighting including head lights flicker on and off. Worse when slowing down. Lights on dash board, dome, rear light and head light Bulbs have been replaced. At night when the head lights flicker I cannot see the road. Airbags: the air bag light on dash is always on. Codes have been ran and there are so many. Tried resetting codes it comes back on soon after. Not sure how to go about trying to fix it. All of this has been happening since I purchased the car in November 2024.
2008 Kia Optima: airbag warning light
26 of the 144 complaints about the 2008 Kia Optima describe airbag warning light.
- owner complaints
- 26
- of this car's complaints
- 18%
- typical mileage
- 71,233
- recalls
- 1
Airbag warning light by model year
What owners say
This car have a Warranty Extension for OCS Sensor Mat. Warranty extension dated June 2016 Airbag light was first turned on in August 2020 Went to the dealer and said it was related to seat buckle and got it fixed Airbag light again turned on in August 2021 Went to the dealer and said it was related to clock spring and that the driver seat needs to be replaced, which would take time and did not get repaired In November 2021, the airbag light got turned off by itself I am very concerned whether the air bag for my car is really working.
I had my airbag light turned on last year and the dealership fixed the issue. Within a year, the airbag light got turned on again and now they say that it is related to the clock spring and is not covered in the extended warranty.This is a part that should not fail and very important for the safety and security of the driver and the other passengers.
Kia recalled optimas up until january 2008 for faulty clock spring. I have a kia optima that was built in march 2008. I just paid almost 500.00 to replace the clock spring because my month and year was not included in the recall. Why did kia stop the recall after january 2008 when there were still 2008's with clock spring issues. I started my car and the airbag light would not go off. I took it to the dealership and was told I had a bad clock spring. I'm sure these things do not wear out being they are associated with the airbag system.
Clock spring dont work causing air bag light to stay on
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 kia optima. The contact stated that the air bag indicator did not register when the passenger seat was occupied. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure could not be replicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 kia optima. When the ignition was turned to the on position, the air bag warning indicator illuminated continuously. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the seat track failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.
Takata recall airbag light for front passenger was illuminated. Took it to dealer who put it on diagnostic unit for $95 & got light to go off for now but stated that the seat would need to be replaced to repair it at a cost of $1700.00. Apparently this particular vehicle was not listed on the recall. Owner has the bill for this dianostic service & estimate.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 kia optima. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The dealer stated that the clock spring assembly for the air bag was damaged and needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000. Updated 02/05/16*lj the consumer was informed, the vehicle was one month out of the covered date. Updated 03/01/16.*jb
Airbag light remains on. Took the vehicle to a repair shop which diagnosed passenger seat sensor is bad. Must replace complete seat bottom and track at a cost of about 1700.00 usd. The airbag light was reset, but I was informed that if anyone sits on the passenger seat the system will trip again and not be active. I investigated online and found this is a common problem, and this was confirmed by the kia dealer parts department counter person . This should be a safety recall and not a repair for the customer to finance.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 kia optima. When the vehicle was started, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated even with an occupant seated in the seat. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 12v014000 (air bags), but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 71,233.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 kia optima. Upon starting the vehicle, the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the occupancy sensor was defective and the front passenger seat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.
Service bulletins that may apply
- WTY002 (revision #1)
- Owner letter: WTY002 optima
- Front passenger ocs sensor mat diagnosis and replacement
- Dealer parts and service manager memo: WTY002
- Request for reimbursement form: WTY002 optima - if you have paid to have the front passenger ocs sensor...
- Q and a: WTY002 - certain 2008-2011 my kia rio vehicles and all 2006-2010 my kia optima vehicles front...
Related recalls
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 12V014000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2008 Kia Optima airbag light
Is airbag warning light a common problem on the 2008 Kia Optima?
26 of 144 owner complaints about the 2008 Kia Optima (18%) mention airbag warning light. The model year with the most reports is 2007.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2008 Kia Optima?
There is 1 recall and 6 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2008 Kia Optima
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