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: headlights failing or too dim
6 of the 144 complaints about the 2008 Kia Optima describe headlights failing or too dim.
- owner complaints
- 6
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- recalls
- 1
Headlights failing or too dim by model year
What owners say
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.
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.
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.
Consumer states that the vehicle headlights dim at low speeds and when applying the brakes or just slowing down. *nj the consumer was informed it was the design of the vehicle.
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
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 13V114000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2008 Kia Optima headlights
Is headlights failing or too dim a common problem on the 2008 Kia Optima?
6 of 144 owner complaints about the 2008 Kia Optima (4%) mention headlights failing or too dim. The model year with the most reports is 2011.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2008 Kia Optima?
There is 1 recall and 2 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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