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2018 Kia Optima

Verified July 23, 2026Sources: NHTSA · EPA · vPIC

Compare
Safety
5
of 5 stars
Recalls
2
on record
MPG
31
combined

Open recalls on record

2 safety recalls. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer — check the VIN before you buy.

Recalls2
Complaints229
Safety
Fuel

Vehicle Summary

2018 Kia Optima

2 recalls
229 complaints
31 MPG combined
5/5 safety rating

Before You Buy

Check all recalls are completed
Review consumer complaints
Verify no crash-related complaints
Get a pre-purchase inspection
Check vehicle history report
Verify title is clean

Safety record at a glance

Recall campaigns
2
Owner complaints
229
Complaints citing a crash
10

These are raw counts from NHTSA records. They are not normalised by how many of these vehicles are on the road, so a model that sold in large numbers will tend to show more of everything. We do not publish a composite safety or reliability score.

2 Recalls on Record

These recalls have been issued by the manufacturer. Contact any authorized dealer to verify they have been completed — repairs are free.

Enter your VIN to check if specific recalls apply to your vehicle.

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns affecting this model year.

  • 18V161000high

    Hybrid propulsion system

    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), designed to protect the high voltage battery module, that may activate inadvertently.

  • 23V594000high

    Latches/locks/linkages · trunk lid · latch

    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 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."

Consumer complaints

229 owner reports filed with NHTSA.

229
Total
10
Crashes
10
Fires
9
Injuries

Most reported components

  • ENGINE145
  • OTHER17
  • BRAKES16
  • ELECTRICAL16
  • AIR BAGS9

Notable Issues

229 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA. 9 reports involve injuries. 10 reports involve a crash.

Most reported problems

engine problems (stalling, power loss, warning lights)145
miscellaneous issues17
brake problems (soft pedal, noise, failure)16

Specifications & ratings

Specifications

Body class
Large Cars
Drive type
Front-Wheel Drive
Engine
1.6L 4-cyl
Fuel type
Unknown
Transmission
Automatic (AM7)
Seats
0

Fuel economy

28

City

37

Hwy

31

Comb

Annual cost
$1,950
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

NHTSA crash ratings

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

Data sources

Explore related

Adjacent model years

All Kia Optima years

Common problems

Kia Optima problems

2,570 owner complaints analysed

Compare with

Systems recalled

Safety timeline

Full timeline
  1. Investigation closed

    NHTSA closed investigation EA19001

    Electrical overstress

  2. Investigation closed

    NHTSA closed investigation DP22003

    Loss of Motive Power

  3. Recall

    Recall 23V594000

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

  4. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation DP22003

    Loss of Motive Power

  5. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation EA19001

    Electrical overstress