2018 Kia Optima PHEV Recalls, Complaints & Specs
2 safety recalls list the 2018 Kia Optima PHEV, and owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
2 safety recalls for the 2018 Kia Optima PHEV
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
-
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…
-
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…
8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2018 Kia Optima PHEV have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 18,350 miles. Complaints peaked in 2021 with 2 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima PHEV. The contact's daughter stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the high systems temperature switching to hybrid mode message was displayed. The cont”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 21, 2025 · Electrical system
“The plastic coupling for the steering is broken in my 2018 Kia optima the same Issue that the 2011-2014 issue optima’s have my car has this same issue.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 10, 2025 · Steering
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 PHEV model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Kia Optima PHEV model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 Kia Optima PHEV | 2 | 23 |
| 2018 Kia Optima PHEV | 2 | 8 |
| 2019 Kia Optima PHEV | 0 | 1 |
| 2020 Kia Optima PHEV | 0 | 1 |
Checking a specific 2018 Kia Optima PHEV
How do I know if my 2018 Kia Optima PHEV 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 PHEV; 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.