NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 243 owner complaints for the 2018 Kia Optima (including the hybrid).
3Safety recalls
243Owner complaints
10Complaints citing a crash
10Complaints citing a fire
Data: NHTSA recall and complaint filesUpdated Sep 27, 2026
Recalled components: latches, locks and linkages, engine, and hybrid propulsion system. Most-reported area: engine (137 complaints, 56%; median mileage when it happened: 66,000). Includes the Optima Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid. Kia replaced the Optima with the K5 for 2021.
3 safety recalls for the 2018 Kia Optima
Newest first. Summaries are NHTSA's own wording. Open a recall for the fix and the full notice.
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."
Risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix and full notice
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.
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Rio, 2016-2018 Optima, 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-in Hybrid vehicles.
NHTSA listings: OPTIMA, OPTIMA HYBRID, OPTIMA PHEV. Kia campaign SC278.
The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which can result in engine damage.
Risk: A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix and full notice
Fix: Dealers will inspect the engine. If bearing damage is found, the engine will be replaced. Dealers will also install a software update containing a Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 29, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC218.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-In Hybrid vehicles.
NHTSA listings: OPTIMA HYBRID, OPTIMA PHEV. Kia campaign SC218.
These vehicles are equipped with a Voltage Protection Device (VPD), designed to protect the high voltage battery module, that may activate inadvertently.
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.
The fix and full notice
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.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Kia Optima hybrid vehicles.
NHTSA listing: OPTIMA. Kia campaign SC162.
Questions about any of these recalls: call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
The areas named in the 243 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Optima. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Engine137 · 56%
Median 66,000 miles at failure (38 reports)
Electrical system37 · 15%
Powertrain20 · 8%
Brakes17 · 7%
Engine and cooling15 · 6%
Exterior lighting14 · 6%
Fuel and propulsion system14 · 6%
Unknown or other40 · 16%
A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%. Mileage is shown where at least 15 owners reported it.
Kia Optima recalls and complaints by model year
The highlighted bars are the 2018 model year. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are lower. Counting complaints filed in each model year's first three years, the 2016 Optima drew the most (53) and the 2018 drew 46.
Owner complaints
2018: 243 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Kia Optima
Model year
Complaints
2016
758
2017
304
2018
243
2019
209
2020
148
Safety recalls
2018: 3 recallsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, Kia Optima
Model year
Recalls
2016
5
2017
4
2018
3
2019
1
2020
0
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for each version it tested. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimate of the chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
Tested version
Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Kia Optima 4 DR FWD
Rollover risk 9.8%
Kia Optima Hybrid 4 DR FWD
Rollover risk 9.8%
Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid 4 DR FWD
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
Questions
What are the most common 2018 Optima problems?
The areas owners name most often in NHTSA complaints: engine (137), electrical system (37), powertrain (20). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can name several areas.
Is the 2018 Kia Optima safe?
In NHTSA crash tests every tested version of the 2018 Kia Optima earns 5 stars overall. The table above lists each tested version.
How do I check if my Optima has an open recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard, door jamb or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup lists unrepaired recalls for that exact vehicle. Safety recall repairs are free at Kia dealers.
Sources and method
NHTSA recalls file (NHTSA datasets), dated Sep 27, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Sep 26, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP).
NHTSA model names covered: OPTIMA, OPTIMA HYBRID, OPTIMA PHEV.
Complaint counts are unverified owner reports. They rise with sales volume and time on the road, so compare model years with care. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.