The 2018 Kia Optima has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 321,146 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 327 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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…
Consequence
A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy
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 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.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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…
Complaints by component
ENGINE
128
1crashes9fires
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
37
2fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
31
2fires
POWER TRAIN
18
1crashes1fires2injuries
SERVICE BRAKES
16
2crashes1injuries
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
13
1fires
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
13
STEERING
12
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
10
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
10
Total complaints327
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The car burns oil within a week of getting an oil change. It was only driven a 200 miles before all of the oil was burned out. This has been a consistent issue with this car that the oil burns at an extreme rate. This is a safety risk as it could lead to engine overheating, the engine could stall…”
“2018 kia optima dealer ed voyles kia smyrna began recall sc340. Vehicle drove in running. Dealer flashed ecm software, discovered non-original engine/ecu. Vehicle now won’t start. Dealer document states 'will not start after recall.' dealer refuses to restore to running condition citing prior…”
“The contact owns a 2018 kia optima. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a standing start the vehicle had experience sever jerking and hesitation. Also, the vehicle has experience oil consumption problems and the contact constantly added engine oil. The cause of the failures…”
“The contact owns a 2018 kia optima. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a standing start the vehicle had experience sever jerking and hesitation. Also, the vehicle has experience oil consumption problems and the contact constantly added engine oil. The cause of the failures…”
“2018 kia optima lx, 2.4l gdi theta ii engine. Approximately 128,000 miles. Reporting severe internal oil consumption that has progressed to engine misfire and shaking, consistent with late-stage theta ii connecting rod bearing failure. The vehicle is now unsafe to drive and has been parked.…”
“Consuming fuel to the amount of roughly 1/2 quart per 150 miles. Vehicle has been inspected by mechanic and the oil pan, oil filter, and pcv valve has been replaced and engine oil uv dye added and cycled with no leaks found. The risk is that if not rigorously checked often, the engine will…”
“I am submitting this complaint regarding ongoing and persistent mechanical issues with my vehicle since the time of purchase. The vehicle has repeatedly shut off unexpectedly, creating a serious safety concern. Initially, I suspected the issue might be related to the battery, and I have replaced…”
“I am submitting this complaint regarding ongoing and persistent mechanical issues with my vehicle since the time of purchase. The vehicle has repeatedly shut off unexpectedly, creating a serious safety concern. Initially, I suspected the issue might be related to the battery, and I have replaced…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationDP22003 Opened 2022-09-12 · closed 2023-12-12
Loss of Motive Power
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…
InvestigationEA19001 Opened 2019-04-19 · closed 2024-09-19
Electrical overstress
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. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2018 Kia Optima as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.