2008 Kia Amanti: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 25 owner complaints on record; most reports concern electrical system; the 2007 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2013
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 25 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2021
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2018
“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.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Feb 2015
“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”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2013
“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”Owner report · Visibility · Oct 2013
“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”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Aug 2013
“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.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 kia amanti. The contact stated that while driving 45 mph, the contact crashed into another vehicle. The driver's side air bag deployed however, the passenger's side air bag failed to deploy and the shoulder strap of the seat belt failed to restrain the passenger. As a result, the passenger struck her head on the windshield and sustained neck injuries. In addition, the passenger suffered from an echoing and roaring inside her head. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure and current mileage was 55,000.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Sep 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 kia amanti. The contact stated that while driving 45 mph the driver and passenger side view mirrors moved and would not stay in place. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that they were not able to assist her and advised the contact to continue rearranging the mirrors. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who stated that they would contact her at a later date. The failure mileage was 35,000 and the current mileage was 52,000. Updated 10/16/12*lj the consumer stated the vehicle was repaired. Updated 10/18/2012 *js”Owner report · Visibility · Jul 2012
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2008 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Amanti by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Kia Amanti reliable?
NHTSA has 25 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2008 Kia Amanti. The most complained-about area is electrical system.
Does the 2008 Kia Amanti have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:brake lights:switch. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.