Recalls, complaints, and safety data from NHTSA
The 2018 Kia Optima has 2 recalls, 223 complaints, and a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.
2
Recalls
223
Complaints
★★★★★
Safety Rating
Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated May 16, 2026
18V161000
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Kia Optima hybrid vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a Voltage Protection Device (VPD...
23V594000
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH
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 l...
Overall
★★★★★
Front Crash
★★★★★
Side Crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rating for: 2018 Kia Optima 4 DR FWD
| Date ↓ | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| May 6, 2026 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a st... |
| Apr 28, 2026 | ENGINE | 2018 Kia Optima LX, 2.4L GDI Theta II engine. Approximately 128,000 miles. Reporting severe internal... |
| Apr 15, 2026 | ENGINE | Consuming fuel to the amount of roughly 1/2 quart per 150 miles. Vehicle has been inspected by mecha... |
| Mar 17, 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | I am submitting this complaint regarding ongoing and persistent mechanical issues with my vehicle si... |
| Feb 8, 2026 | STRUCTURE | About a month ago my paint on my 2018 Kia Optima snow white pearl car started bubbling, then it turn... |
| Jan 6, 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | I was sold an unsafe vehicle at J and J Auto house 6446 Wilshire Bl LA,CA 90022. Dealer withheld co... |
| Dec 5, 2025 | ENGINE | While driving my 2018 Kia Optima S, the car suddenly jerked, lost power, and stalled in traffic. Mul... |
| Nov 26, 2025 | ENGINE | Car keeps stalling while driving |
| Nov 22, 2025 | STRUCTURE | Paint peeling from driver side door. |
| Nov 21, 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE | I turned the car off, it had difficulty turning back on and the brake pedal got really hard. I had t... |
| Nov 17, 2025 | ENGINE | My engine is under the Kia class action lawsuit for the KDS with the rod bearing clearance issues. I... |
| Nov 1, 2025 | STEERING | Steering column coupler went bad. Unable to swap out the coupler alone ($12 part) and had to get a w... |
| Nov 1, 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Paint on all four door handles are bubbling and chipping. I rarely use the backseat handles and pass... |
| Oct 6, 2025 | ENGINE | I’ve had my car for 6 months and it constantly burns oil I’ve had 4 oil changes because it Is comple... |
| Sep 27, 2025 | AIR BAGS | I was rearended, all air bags deployed except steeringwheel |
| Sep 22, 2025 | ENGINE | Engine seized and stopped working. While I could not find any recall information based on the VIN, i... |
| Sep 17, 2025 | ENGINE | Car would convulse and shake very wildly metal parts spread around engine. It has very rough idle. 4... |
| Aug 27, 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Trunk latch broke leaving it impossible for someone in the trunk to get out and very difficult for s... |
| Aug 26, 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | On August 26, 2025, I brought my 2018 Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid to an authorized dealer for recall S... |
| Aug 18, 2025 | ENGINE | My 2018 Kia Optima has a cracked oil pan, which caused an excessive oil leak —up to 5 quarts in a ma... |