KIA AMANTI · model year

2008 KIA AMANTI

36 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2008KIAAMANTI carries 36 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2008 AMANTI is unknown or other with 8 filings, followed by electrical system (7) and power train (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 38 investigation files overlapping the 2008 AMANTI, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

36
Complaints
4
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

36 filings

Crashes Reported

4 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
UNKNOWN OR OTHER8
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM7
POWER TRAIN3
SUSPENSION2
AIR BAGS2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
SUSPENSION:FRONT1
SUSPENSION:REAR1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR1
SEAT BELTS1
ENGINE1
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC1

Recalls (1)

13V11400001/04/2013

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 201

Recent Complaints

20220706AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE

The contact owns a 2008 Kia Amanti. The contact stated there were several failures with the clockspring assembly feature causing the horn and cruise control to become inoperable. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was also illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The mechanic confirmed the failure with the clockspring assembly. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.

Mileage: 68,000

20210630SUSPENSION

[XXX] This was a persistent problem since the car was new; yet, undiscovered by the dealer after their examination. Continued complaint produced no result. Engineer's analysis: Rear Sway Bar End Linkage is designed to rotate during a (leaning outward) pitched road cornering and the resulting torsional forces on the frame. Both rear shock absorbers interfere with the travel of the Sway Bar end linkage during their designed rotational dynamic range. This interference of rotation destroys the shock absorber by repetitive striking and inhibits full functional rotation of the sway bar and end linkage. A mechanic (Jig-Saw Auto; Carson City, Nevada 06/24/2021) replaced damaged shocks hoping to fix the problem; but, it did not. When another mechanic (Les Schwab North Carson City, NV 06/30/2021) put the KIA car on a lift, and discovered the problem a quote was given for a repair of the new shocks which were now damaged. When, by chance, a licensed engineer (yours truly) examined the ar

20200309CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA AMANTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE DOES NOT OPERATE EVERYDAY THE BATTERY WILL RUN DEAD. THE SUNROOF WILL INDEPENDENTLY OPEN. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC PANEL FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW ELECTRONIC PANEL WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTION THAT ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A DEER AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO INJURIES TO EITHER DRIVER OR PASSENGER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE DAMAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,500.

Mileage: 2,500

20200309CrashELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA AMANTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE DOES NOT OPERATE EVERYDAY THE BATTERY WILL RUN DEAD. THE SUNROOF WILL INDEPENDENTLY OPEN. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC PANEL FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW ELECTRONIC PANEL WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTION THAT ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A DEER AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO INJURIES TO EITHER DRIVER OR PASSENGER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE DAMAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,500.

Mileage: 2,500

20180904ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

POWER SIDE VIEW MIRRORS ARE MOVING WHILE DRIVING OR WHEN SHIFTING TRANSMISSION FROM PARK TO REVERSE/NEUTRAL/DRIVE. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS WHEN I GO TO LOOK OUT THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS THEY ARE CONSTANTLY IN A DIFFERENT POSITION THEN HOW THEY SHOULD BE SET. I'M CONSTANTLY ADJUSTING THE MIRRORS AND THEY CONTINUE TO MOVE ALL OVER THE PLACE ON THEIR OWN.

Mileage: 72,000

20150801ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WILL MOVE AT ANY TIME WITHOUT A COMMAND. TOO OFTEN WHEN I WANT TO CHANGE LANES, THE MIRROR IS NOT IN THE CORRECT POSITION. DANGEROUS

Mileage: 40,000

20150801UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WILL MOVE AT ANY TIME WITHOUT A COMMAND. TOO OFTEN WHEN I WANT TO CHANGE LANES, THE MIRROR IS NOT IN THE CORRECT POSITION. DANGEROUS

Mileage: 40,000

20150801VISIBILITY/WIPER

THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WILL MOVE AT ANY TIME WITHOUT A COMMAND. TOO OFTEN WHEN I WANT TO CHANGE LANES, THE MIRROR IS NOT IN THE CORRECT POSITION. DANGEROUS

Mileage: 40,000

20150717EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE LOW BEAM HALOGEN BULBS 4X IN THE LAST TWO YEASR. THESE BULBS ARE NOT AVAILABLE IN THE AFTERMARKET AUTO PARTS STORES....HAVE TO PURCHASE FROM LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THEY NEVER HAVE THESE BULBS IN STOCK, ALWAYS HAVE TO ORDER AND USUALLY TAKES 3-4 DAYS. JUST REPLACED BOTH THE LEFT & RIGHT ON 01/26/15 AND THE RIGHT BULB BURNED OUT AGAIN YESTERDAY 4/26/1/5.....EXACTLY 4 MONTHS.....NOT ACCEPTABLE KIA!!!! THE PARTS MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THEY'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS HAPPENING NOT ONLY IN THE AMANTI, BUT IN OTHER MODELS AS WELL. SO FAR BOTH BULBS THAT WERE REPLACED ON 4/26/15 ARE STILL WORKING.

Mileage: 99,000

20150717UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MIRRORS ADJUSTING RANDOMLY ON THEIR OWN.

Mileage: 22,915

20150717UNKNOWN OR OTHER

LEFT AND RIGHT REARVIEW MIRRORS ADJUSTING ON THEIR OWN. DEALER REMOVED AND REPLACED SEAT CONTROL SWITCH. DEALER COULDN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM ON PREVIOUS VISIT ON 9/03/10 AND TOLD US TO BRING IT BACK AS SOON AS IT HAPPENED AGAIN.

Mileage: 25,023

20150717POWER TRAIN

WHILE DRIVING AT 40MPH THE TRANSMISSION MADE A HARD SHIFT...THERE WAS A NOTICEABLE JUMP. DEALER SAID THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THEY WOULD ONLY DRIVE IT AROUND THE BLOCK.

Mileage: 43,118

20150717UNKNOWN OR OTHER

OUTSIDE LEFT AND RIGHT REARVIEW MIRRORS SELF ADJUSTING. DEALER INSTALLED ANOTHER NEW MEMORY SEAT SWITCH

Mileage: 43,118

20150717UNKNOWN OR OTHER

OUTSIDE LEFT AND RIGHT MIRRORS SELF ADJUSTING. DEALER REPLACED BOTH MIRRORS THIS TIME ON 9/07/12

Mileage: 51,900

20150717UNKNOWN OR OTHER

LEFT AND RIGHT OUTSIDE MIRRORS ADJUSTING ON THEIR OWN ALL THE TIME!! DEALER SPECIAL ORDERED PARTS TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. NEW PARTS WERE INSTALLED ON 1/24/13.

Mileage: 59,856

20150717UNKNOWN OR OTHER

OUTSIDE RIGHT AND LEFT REARVIEW MIRRORS SELF ADJUSTING. INSTALLED YET ANOTHER NEW MEMORY SWITCH #88995 3F200

Mileage: 60,125

20150717UNKNOWN OR OTHER

LEFT AND RIGHT OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRRORS SELF ADJUSTING AGAIN!! DEALER TOLD US WHEN THEY FIXED IT THE LAST TIME THAT THIS PART WAS RE-ENGINEERED AND WE WOULDN'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM AGAIN. THE FIX WORKED UP UNTIL NOW AND HERE WE ARE AGAIN!!!! HAVEN'T CONTACTED THE DEALER YET.

Mileage: 110,000

20140113SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

2008 KIA AMANTI. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BRAKE PADS ISSUE AND CONSUMER REQUESTS EXPLANATION OF WHO DETERMINES VEHICLE MODEL YEAR. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED ON OCTOBER 12, 2013, HE HAD THE BRAKE PADS REPLACED. THE MECHANIC ORDERED 2008 PADS AND FOUND THEY DID NOT FIT. HE CHECKED THE INFORMATION ON THE DECAL AFFIXED TO THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE, THE OWNER'S MANUAL, WARRANTY AND CONSUMER'S INFORMATION MANUALS AND ALL OF THEM SHOWED THE VEHICLE TO BE A 2007 MODEL BUILT IN KOREA IN MAY 2007. THE MECHANIC THEN EXCHANGED THE PADS FOR 2007 AND INSTALLED THEM WITHOUT A PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THAT MANY VEHICLES, WERE BUILD IN PREVIOUS YEARS. UPDATED 01/22/14

20140113STRUCTURE

2008 KIA AMANTI. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BRAKE PADS ISSUE AND CONSUMER REQUESTS EXPLANATION OF WHO DETERMINES VEHICLE MODEL YEAR. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED ON OCTOBER 12, 2013, HE HAD THE BRAKE PADS REPLACED. THE MECHANIC ORDERED 2008 PADS AND FOUND THEY DID NOT FIT. HE CHECKED THE INFORMATION ON THE DECAL AFFIXED TO THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE, THE OWNER'S MANUAL, WARRANTY AND CONSUMER'S INFORMATION MANUALS AND ALL OF THEM SHOWED THE VEHICLE TO BE A 2007 MODEL BUILT IN KOREA IN MAY 2007. THE MECHANIC THEN EXCHANGED THE PADS FOR 2007 AND INSTALLED THEM WITHOUT A PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THAT MANY VEHICLES, WERE BUILD IN PREVIOUS YEARS. UPDATED 01/22/14

20131013ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE MIRRORS WILL READJUST AT RANDOM. THIS NOT ONLY MASHED CHANGING LANES UNSAFE, BUT ADDS AN UNNEEDED DISTRACTION TO SET THEM BACK TO A USABLE POSITION. *TR

Mileage: 63,142

Compare 2008KIAAMANTI to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2008 KIA AMANTI have?
The 2008 KIA AMANTI has 36 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2008 KIA AMANTI?
Yes, the 2008 KIA AMANTI has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 KIA AMANTI?
The most-complained component for the 2008 KIA AMANTI is UNKNOWN OR OTHER with 8 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and POWER TRAIN.
Is the 2008 KIA AMANTI safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.