KnownCarProblems2018 Kia Optima Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 232 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Kia Optima, most often about the engine (62% of complaints, typically around 71,500 miles). It is 8th of 20 Optima model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2018 Kia Optima problems
Engine
143 complaints · 62%Half of these problems showed up before 71,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle abruptly stalled. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The contact coasted the vehicle unto the road shoulder and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle operated as intended. The contact stated that the…
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was sputtering while being started. The contact stated that the vehicle also sputtered while driving at various speeds, and while reversing. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was…
Other or unspecified
37 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 25,000 miles.
The vehicle is stationary. There is no emergency trunk release from the inside of the vehicle except from inside of the trunk. My keys were stuck inside the trunk there is no way to open it. The trunk release button from the driver side did not respond. The trunk release button from the trunk itself does not respond.…
Randomly brake pedal on my Kia Optima freezes and im unable to apply and stop vehicle it happened twice once it happened on hwy and once on city street. Currently vehicle is in dealership since jan 2nd and dealer stating they are unable to duplicate issue
Electrical
33 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 39,500 miles. Parts named most often: ignition.
I have never had any issues with my car, I get maintenance as scheduled so it's odd that this is even happening. On december 6th I went to move my car. I crank the car with no problem. I noticed it kind of hesistated slightly, but continued on with no problem. When I went to put my car in reverse in order to park it…
I have 63,826 miles on my 2018 Kia Optima s and I drove it to the store and all my light on the dash came on when I would come to a stop and my power steering would go out and about cause me to wreck. I was told that it was my alternator but after getting a new alternator I then drove it to get dinner a few days later…
Transmission
18 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 26,500 miles.
While I was driving my vehicle on the streets; its an 2018 Kia Optima.on august 2,2019 my car engine caught on fire.people walking on the sidewalk and other drivers stop to alert me that they saw fire from the bottom of the car.then while driving I start to notice extreme smoke coming from the hood so much I couldnt…
This issue has happened multiple times to not only myself. It my wife as well. As we're driving anywhere above 45mph. A warning display comes on telling US to check the hev, to pull over, and turn off our vehicle. We comply to the warning and when restarting the vehicle, check engine light comes on and then same issue…
Brakes
17 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 30,000 miles.
Randomly brake pedal on my Kia Optima freezes and im unable to apply and stop vehicle it happened twice once it happened on hwy and once on city street. Currently vehicle is in dealership since jan 2nd and dealer stating they are unable to duplicate issue
I have 63,826 miles on my 2018 Kia Optima s and I drove it to the store and all my light on the dash came on when I would come to a stop and my power steering would go out and about cause me to wreck. I was told that it was my alternator but after getting a new alternator I then drove it to get dinner a few days later…
Lights
14 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: headlights.
Fuel system
13 complaints · 6%High injector fuel pump top engine mount went out at 68000 miles. It caused the vehicle to stall and lose power and basically cut the car off while driving.
Steering
12 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 42,000 miles.
I have never had any issues with my car, I get maintenance as scheduled so it's odd that this is even happening. On december 6th I went to move my car. I crank the car with no problem. I noticed it kind of hesistated slightly, but continued on with no problem. When I went to put my car in reverse in order to park it…
I have 63,826 miles on my 2018 Kia Optima s and I drove it to the store and all my light on the dash came on when I would come to a stop and my power steering would go out and about cause me to wreck. I was told that it was my alternator but after getting a new alternator I then drove it to get dinner a few days later…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2018 Kia Optima recalls
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base subassembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed october 19, 2023. Owners may contact kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is sc278.
Full defect summary
Kia america, inc. (kia) is recalling certain 2016-2017 rio, 2016-2018 optima, 2017-2018 optima hybrid and optima plug-in hybrid vehicles. The trunk latch base may crack, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 401, "internal trunk release."
Hybrid system: hybrid propulsion system
Risk: If the vpd activates while the vehicle is being operated in electric vehicle (EV) mode, there may be a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will remove the vpd switch and install two newly designed battery management systems (bms) that contain overvoltage protection devices (opds), free of charge. The recall is expected to begin may 2018. Owners may contact kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is sc162.
Full defect summary
Kia motors america (kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 kia optima hybrid vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a voltage protection device (vpd), designed to protect the high voltage battery module, that may activate inadvertently.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Loss of motive power
Summary
The national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated july 13, 2022, petitioning the agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain hyundai motor america, inc. And kia america, inc. Vehicles spanning model years (my) 2005-2021. The petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are
Electrical overstress
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.â during the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (acu) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) electronic control unit (ecu) manufactured by zf-trw. â the ecu receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with m
Questions about the 2018 Kia Optima
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Kia Optima?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (143 complaints, typically around 71,500 miles); other or unspecified (37 complaints, typically around 25,000 miles); electrical (33 complaints, typically around 39,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2018 Kia Optima have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from August 24, 2023 (doors and locks). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2018 a bad year for the Kia Optima?
- It is 8th of 20 Optima model years by number of complaints, with 232 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.