Worst 2018 Kia Optima Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
ENGINE
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2018 Kia Optima.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 125 | 1 | 9 | 63,843 mi | |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 36 | — | 2 | 31,288 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 31 | — | 2 | 32,415 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN | 18 | 1 | 1 | 35,367 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 16 | 2 | — | 34,393 mi | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 13 | — | 1 | 32,662 mi | |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 13 | — | — | 68,000 mi | |
| STEERING | 12 | — | — | 44,489 mi | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 10 | — | — | 49,161 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 9 | — | — | 72,000 mi | |
| AIR BAGS | 8 | 6 | 1 | 48,627 mi | |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 7 | 1 | — | 15,860 mi | |
| SEAT BELTS | 4 | 1 | — | 32,500 mi | |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 3 | — | — | 57,033 mi | |
| LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION | 3 | — | — | — | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:COIL:SPARK PLUGS | 2 | — | — | 70,000 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION | 2 | — | — | — | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 1 | — | — | — | |
| FIRERELATED | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING | 1 | — | — | 300 mi | |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS | 1 | — | — | 300 mi | |
| SUSPENSION | 1 | — | — | — | |
| TIRES | 1 | — | — | 13,151 mi | |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 1 | — | — | — | |
| WHEELS | 1 | — | — | 15,000 mi |
Recalls for 2018 Kia Optima
5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~1,279,454 vehicles.
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."
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."
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."
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."
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.
Other Kia Optima Years
Wider context: See the full Kia Optima reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2018 Kia Optima
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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