2018 Kia Optima Hybrid Recalls, Complaints & Specs
2 safety recalls list the 2018 Kia Optima Hybrid, and owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
2 safety recalls for the 2018 Kia Optima Hybrid
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Latch (latches/locks/linkages)
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,…
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…
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Engine
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.
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…
3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2018 Kia Optima Hybrid have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 100,000 miles. Complaints peaked in 2023 with 2 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the message "Turn Engine Off Immediately" was displayed, and the vehicle decelerated to 35 MPH and stall”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, April 5, 2023 · Engine
“While driving down the road the car said it had a major voltage failure and was shutting down. I was in the middle of the street and thankfully was able to coast to the turn lane before the car came t”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, February 21, 2023 · Power train
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2018 Kia Optima (Optima FE, Optima Hybrid, Optima Plug-in Hybrid, Optima S). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 25–42 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 22–39 / 31–46 |
| Fuel | Regular, Regular Gas and Electricity |
| EPA class | Large Cars, Midsize Cars |
| Engine | 4 cyl, 1.6/2/2.4 L |
| Transmission | Automatic (AM6); Automatic (AM7); Automatic (S6) |
Compare Kia Optima Hybrid model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Kia Optima Hybrid model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid | 3 | 34 |
| 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid | 3 | 109 |
| 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid | 2 | 55 |
| 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid | 0 | 31 |
| 2015 Kia Optima Hybrid | 0 | 12 |
| 2016 Kia Optima Hybrid | 0 | 4 |
| 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid | 2 | 26 |
| 2018 Kia Optima Hybrid | 2 | 3 |
| 2020 Kia Optima Hybrid | 0 | 1 |
Checking a specific 2018 Kia Optima Hybrid
How do I know if my 2018 Kia Optima Hybrid has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 2 campaigns currently list the 2018 Kia Optima Hybrid; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Kia dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 21V844000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Kia models
- Sorento10,183 complaints
- Optima7,512 complaints
- Soul5,553 complaints
- Sportage4,699 complaints
- Forte2,553 complaints
- Sedona2,410 complaints
- Telluride2,026 complaints
- Sephia1,705 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.