KiaOptima2008Overview/kia/optima/2008/base/

2008 Kia Optima

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 Optima.

Body PASSENGER CAR

Defined as a passenger car, the 2008 Kia Optima requires 4.2 quarts of 5W-20 or 5W-30 API engine oil. Reliability records show 143 total owner complaints for this model year, with air bags identified as the top complaint area among three issued recalls. When contextualized against the model's history from 2001 to 2020, the 2008 Optima presents a significantly lower complaint volume than the peak 2013 model year while exceeding the lowest recorded issues from 2010, positioning it as a relatively stable but not flawless entry in the vehicle's lineage.

Model year2020201920182017201620152008

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 124R · 600 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 124R · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnFUSEOEM · verified

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Optima of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.80 sec — 2008 EX
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2008EX 2.4L I-48.80 sec16.70 sec162 hpFWD
2007EX V6 2.7L V68.60 sec16.60 sec185 hpFWD
2007EX 2.4L I-48.90 sec16.90 sec162 hpFWD
2006EX 2.4L I-48.90 sec17.00 sec162 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.2 qt of 5W-20 / 5W-30 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.2
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity10
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-20 · 5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.2 qt
Engine Oil5W-20 · 5W-30 · API

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs6
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts122-130 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts123-130 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts94-101 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts53-56 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs13-17 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub148-203 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.61-.82 ohms
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.56-.68 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance5,950-8,050 ohms
Ignition Timing8, Not adjutstable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance5 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.04-1.16 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.72-5.40 oz
Standard BCI Group Number124R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Standard BCI Group Number124R

Service checks

Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-19 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature177 °F
Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-19 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature177 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)54.0-56.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)49.0-51.0 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket16-23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle58-72 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0002 in / 0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0016 in / 0.0012 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.024 in / 0.393 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.024 in / 0.393 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
113-16 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-9413–16 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
113-16 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-9413–16 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-9418 ft. lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
112 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60 degrees, Step 3: 6012 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBattery (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level)
At 30,000 miTiming Belt (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBody Fasteners (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (replace) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect)
Every 37,500 miFuel Filter (replace)
At 60,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Timing Belt (replace) · Timing Belt (inspect)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2008 Kia Optima sits in the middle of a relatively stable cohort spanning 2001–2010, where annual complaints oscillated between 75 and 225 and recalls ranged from 0 to 3. Against its immediate neighbors, 2008 posts 143 complaints (down from 166 in 2007, up from 116 in 2009) alongside 3 recalls, 3 investigations, and 30 TSBs, placing it at the high end of the cohort's recall and investigation activity—matched only by 2006 and 2007. The standout concern is the air bag category, which accounts for 44 of the 143 complaints (roughly 31%), and the model year also registers 20 crash-related and 4 fire-related complaints; the data does not specify a root cause, so a buyer should request recall-completion documentation and a targeted air bag system inspection. Context is important: every model year from 2011 onward shows a sharp escalation, with complaints climbing to 590, 916, and ultimately 1,371 by 2013, paired with 4–9 recalls and 7–8 investigations—making 2008 markedly better by comparison. The takeaway: 2008 is a defensible choice within the quieter pre-2011 era, but the concentrated air bag complaints and elevated regulatory activity are red flags that warrant verification before purchase.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
30
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
143
Owner complaints
20 involved a crash · 4 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 143 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags44
Power Train12
Engine9
Visibility/Wiper7
Unknown Or Other4
Vehicle Speed Control4
Visibility4
Exterior Lighting4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

13V114000Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:SwitchReported 01/04/2013

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… 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…

12V014000Air Bags:FrontalReported 17/01/2012

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 30 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB_TRA046_R52025-04-17Power TrainTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been…
TSB_TRA046_R42024-05-16Power TrainThis bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and…
TSB_TRA046_R32022-11-18Power TrainTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin provides…
TSB_BOD055_R12021-09-13StructureTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This…
TSB_TRA046_R12020-04-24Power TrainTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: - TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Optima. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2008 Optima take?

4.2 qt of 5W-20 OR 5W-30 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 2008 Optima have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.