Representative model. Photo: Kevauto, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2018 Kia Optima recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2018 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 3
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 243
Latest campaign: Aug 24, 2023

Recall summary by component3

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Latches/locks/linkages	1	Aug 24, 2023	23V594000
Engine	1	Oct 29, 2021	21V844000
Hybrid propulsion system	1	Mar 8, 2018	18V161000

Safety recalls3

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Aug 24, 2023Latest campaign


Aug 24, 202323V594000	Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid latch A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury. DetailsHide details for campaign 23V594000 What's wrong 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." Risk 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. Filed under Optima, Optima Hybrid, Optima Phev Campaign NHTSA 23V594000 · Aug 24, 2023
Oct 29, 202121V844000	Engine A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 21V844000 What's wrong Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. 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. Remedy 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. Filed under Optima Hybrid, Optima Phev Campaign NHTSA 21V844000 · Oct 29, 2021
Mar 8, 201818V161000	Hybrid propulsion system 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. DetailsHide details for campaign 18V161000 What's wrong 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. 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. 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 this recall is SC162. Filed under Optima Campaign NHTSA 18V161000 · Mar 8, 2018

Aug 24, 202323V594000

Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid latch

A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.

DetailsHide details for campaign 23V594000

What's wrong: 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."
Risk: 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.
Filed under: Optima, Optima Hybrid, Optima Phev
Campaign: NHTSA 23V594000 · Aug 24, 2023

Oct 29, 202121V844000

Engine

A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

DetailsHide details for campaign 21V844000

What's wrong: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. 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.
Remedy: 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.
Filed under: Optima Hybrid, Optima Phev
Campaign: NHTSA 21V844000 · Oct 29, 2021

Mar 8, 201818V161000

Hybrid propulsion system

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.

DetailsHide details for campaign 18V161000

What's wrong: 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.
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.
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 this recall is SC162.
Filed under: Optima
Campaign: NHTSA 18V161000 · Mar 8, 2018

Merged from NHTSA model names: Optima, Optima Hybrid, Optima Phev. Not every vehicle of a model year is affected by every campaign.

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Kia recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2018 Kia Optima? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component243

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

243Complaints filed

10Involving a crash

10Involving a fire

9Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Engine	137	56	1	9	0
Unknown or other	40	16	0	2	0
Electrical system	37	15	0	2	0
Power train	20	8	1	1	2
Service brakes	17	7	2	0	1
Engine and engine cooling	15	6	0	0	0
Fuel/propulsion system	14	6	0	0	0
Exterior lighting	14	6	0	1	0
Steering	13	5	0	0	0
Vehicle speed control	10	4	0	0	0
Air bags	9	4	7	1	7
Structure	7	3	1	0	1
Seat belts	5	2	2	0	2
Lane departure	3	1	0	0	0
Electronic stability control (ESC)	3	1	0	0	0

7 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number, merged from NHTSA model names Optima, Optima Hybrid, Optima Plug-In Hybrid.

Latest reports

Engine
“The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle jerked abnormally. The failure persisted while driving, and the vehicle lost motive power.”
Filed 09/08/2026 · ODI 11762830
Engine
“The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate and failed to exceed 52 MPH. The vehicle shut off.”
Filed 08/20/2026 · ODI 11758363
Engine and engine cooling
“See attached document for complaint.”
Filed 07/22/2026 · ODI 11752131

Other Kia Optima model years

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2018 Kia Optima recall questions

How many recalls does the 2018 Kia Optima have?

NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns for the 2018 Kia Optima. The most recent, 23V594000 (reported August 24, 2023), concerns latches/locks/linkages. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What is the most common complaint about the 2018 Kia Optima?

Engine is the most-reported component, named in 137 complaints out of 243 filed with NHTSA (56%). Across all complaints, owners reported 10 crashs and 10 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2018 Kia Optima?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Kia recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Kia dealer.

Check a specific Kia by VIN

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