2018 Model Year

Kia Optima

NHTSA Complaints & Reliability Data

Compare
Complaints
217
Recalls
2
Crashes
9
Severe
25

Active Recalls

Manufacturer safety recalls

23V594000 Aug 2023

Other

No consequence data available

18V161000 Mar 2018

Other

No consequence data available

Recent Complaints

Latest owner reports

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Sep 2026

It started with the oil. I constantly have to add oil. when it first started that’s what I was doing just adding oil. Then it got worse the engine lig...

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
Aug 2026

I turned the car off, it had difficulty turning back on and the brake pedal got really hard. I had to wait about 30-45 minutes and then I was able to...

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Jul 2026

I was sold an unsafe vehicle at J and J Auto house 6446 Wilshire Bl LA,CA 90022. Dealer withheld condition of car . Had car three months and was stra...

Steering
Dec 2025

Steering column coupler went bad. Unable to swap out the coupler alone ($12 part) and had to get a whole new column (over $1200). Some of the Kia's ar...

Engine
Dec 2025

My engine is under the Kia class action lawsuit for the KDS with the rod bearing clearance issues. I have done all my oil changes with paper work avai...

Engine
Dec 2025

Subject: Urgent Request for Engine Replacement – 2018 Kia Optima Dear Kia Consumer Affairs, I am writing to formally report a recurring and increas...

Engine
Dec 2025

I am the current legal owner of a 2018 Kia Optima Hybrid (VIN: [XXX] ), which has an open safety recall under campaign number SC218Y3 (DTC P1326 – Kno...

Structure
Nov 2025

Paint peeling from driver side door.

Engine
Nov 2025

Car keeps stalling while driving

Air Bags Crash
Nov 2025

I was rearended, all air bags deployed except steeringwheel

VS

Vehicle Safety Research Team

Automotive Data Analysts

Independent researchers analyzing NHTSA data to help consumers make informed vehicle decisions.

Data updated: March 4, 2026

Summary

The 2018 Kia Optima has 217 complaints and 2 recalls on record. The most commonly reported issue is Engine. 9 crash-related incidents have been reported.

Complaint Trend