RoadVitals

2008 Optima Opus

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
1
Latest Jan 8, 2015
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Sep 19, 2013
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2008 Optima Opus, most frequently naming the brakes, exterior lighting and other / unspecified categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes133.3%
  • Exterior lighting133.3%
  • Other / unspecified133.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
13V457000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Sep 19, 2013
4,061 units potentially affected
The defect: North American Bus Industries (NABI) is recalling certain model year 2000-2011 LFW, CLFW, BRT, 2007-2009 Blue Bird L4RE, and 2000-2009 Optima Opus transit buses equipped with Sure Power battery equalizers containing a particular epoxy sealing, aka 'potting', compound. The specific potting compound used in the subject products for insulation was found to be capable of conducting electricity after being exposed to heat.
The risk: Once electrically conductive, the material is capable of melting and burning, increasing the risk of a fire.
The remedy: NABI will notify owners, and dealers will replace the equalizers, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on January 27, 2014. Owners may contact NABI at 1-256-831-4296. NABI's recall number is 20136.
North American Bus Industries, Inc.Manufacturer number 20136View on NHTSA.gov
12V189000

STEERING:COLUMN

May 2, 2012
50 units potentially affected
The defect: NORTH AMERICAN BUS INDUSTRIES (NABI) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 OPTIMA OPUS29 AND OPUS34 MODEL TRANSIT BUSES, MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 8, 2007, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21, 2009. THE PINCH BOLTS IN THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT MAY LOOSEN TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY MAY FALL OUT ALLOWING THE STEERING SHAFT TO SEPARATE.
The risk: SEPARATION OF THE STEERING SHAFT WILL RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: NABI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 7, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NABI AT 1-256-831-4296.
NORTH AMERICAN BUS INDUSTRIES, INC.Manufacturer number 20122View on NHTSA.gov
09V495000

EQUIPMENT

Dec 29, 2009
2,370 units potentially affected
The defect: NORTH AMERICAN BUS INDUSTRIES, INC. (NABI) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2009 TRANSIT BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2002, AND SEPTEMBER 15, 2009, AND EQUIPPED WITH LUMINATOR HORIZON LED SIDE DESTINATION SIGNS. THE CONNECTOR BOARD CAN CORRODE DUE TO AN ACCUMULATION OF MOISTURE UNDER THE CONNECTOR.
The risk: THE CORROSION COULD CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT THAT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: NABI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND LUMINATOR WILL REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE SEE LUMINATOR'S DEFECT REPORT 09E-054. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LUMINATOR AT 1-972-516-3033 OR NABI AT 1-256-831-4296.
NORTH AMERICAN BUS INDUSTRIES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

BrakesExterior lightingOther / unspecified
Filed Jan 8, 2015

BRAKES REPLACED TWICE, ROTORS, CALIBERS, BRAKE HOSE, BREAK LINES,STARTER,WINDSHIELD PUMP,AND ALL AT DIFFERENT TIMES! THIS CAR WAS BRANDNEW WHEN I BOUGHT IT AND THIS IS NOT MY FIRST CAR NEW THAT I PURCHASED SINCE I HAVE BEEN DRIVING! I NORMALLY BUY EVERY TWO TO THREE YEARS A NEW CAR AND NEVER HAD MORE PROBLEMS THEN I HAD HAVE WITH THIS ONE AND WONDERED IF ANYONE ELSE HAD SAME ISSUES I AM HAVING WITH IN THIS SHORT TIME FROM REPLACING ONE PART AFTER ANOTHER? TODAY WHICH IS JANUARY 8TH 2015 I WAS COMING HOME AND WHEN I CAME TO A STOP SIGN I HAD NO BREAKS AND AFTER PUTTING EMERGENCY BREAK ON (WHICH BROKE) THE LIGHT CAME ON WHICH SAID BREAKS!! I HAVE NEVER FELT SO UNSAFE IN A CAR THEN I DO WITH THIS ONE. LAST SUMMER OUT FOR A DRIVE MY BACK DRIVER SIDE TIRE AREA WAS SMOKING SO I PULLED OVER AND THOUGHT MY CAR WAS ON FIRE! ONCE AGAIN HAD IT TOWED! IT WAS THE BREAK HOSE SO THEY THOUGHT AND REPLACED IT AND FOUND IT WAS THE CALIBER, I JUST SPENT 3HRS WAITING AT SHOP TO HAVE THAT FIXED AND COME TO THINK OF IT, I'VE SPENT ALOT MORE TIME AT SHOP ON THE OTHER FIXED PARTS, I KNOW CARS NEED THINGS REPLACED FROM WEAR&TEAR BUT GIVE ME A BREAK AND IM NOT LAUGHING ABOUT THIS EITHER! NOW IM OUT OF MY CAR AGAIN AND ASKING FOR RIDES TO WORK AGAIN BECAUSE I HAVE NO BRAKELINES. THANKS SO VERY MUCH FOR MAYBE READING THIS! [XXX] P.S. PLEASE SEND THROUGH MAIL ANY RECALLS BECAUSE I HAVE NEVER GOT ANY! THANK YOU INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10671047
Incident
May 8, 2012
Mileage
80,000 mi

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Optima Opus by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2009030—
2008Viewing130—
2007840—
2006010—
2005010—
2004010—
2003010—
2002010—
2001010—
2000010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.