2018 Kia Optima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 232 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 20 Optima model years with reports.
Of the 2018 reports, 10 involved a crash and 10 involved a fire. 9 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Latches/locks/linkages, trunk lid, latchAug 24, 2023
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."
A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
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 SC278.
Campaign 23V594000 on NHTSA.gov
Hybrid propulsion systemMar 8, 2018
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.
If the VPD activates while the vehicle is being operated in Electric Vehicle (EV) mode, there may be a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will remove the VPD switch and install two newly designed Battery Management Systems (BMS) that contain Overvoltage Protection Devices (OPDs), free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC162.
Campaign 18V161000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
143 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Nov 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the spark plugs had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred while driving. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed by the dealer that the repair could not be covered due to the poor maintenance of the vehicle; however, upon providing all the maintenance records, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired unless the engine had fully seized. The dealer offered a trade-in offer; however, the contact declined the offer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000.
Steering, Engine, Nov 25, 2024
Check engine light began flashing halfway down the highway. Oil changes and maintenance are done regularly. Vehicle handling seemed to be unsafe. Vehicle would not accelerate. Had inspection done in September.
Electrical system, Engine, Oct 14, 2024
Engine is burning oil at a high rate have to add at least three quarts twice a week and headlights and brake lights got out twice a month
Power train, Engine, Oct 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that there was an abnormal growling sound coming from under the floorboard, and the engine was making an abnormal knocking sound. The contact stated that the RPM gauge was revving high while depressing the accelerator pedal; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact pulled over and turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the vehicle was not running normally. The contact stated that the failure was a recurring failure. Additionally, the contact stated that vehicle was consuming approximately one quart of engine oil per week and the transmission was hesitating and was making the vehicle jerk while shifting gear. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 76,270.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The engine and oil warning lights were flashing on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who performed an oil consumption test. The vehicle failed the oil consumption test and determined that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Monroeville Kia (3721 William Penn Hwy, Monroeville, PA 15146); who informed the contact there was no recall coverage on the VIN for the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 15, 2024
I’ve had the 2018 Kia Optima for a little over a year. I purchased it as a used vehicle. I’ve noticed that the car is utilizing an excessive amount of oil. Each time I get an oil change for the vehicle I am having to purchase oil to refill the vehicle about 2weeks to a month after. I’ve made multiple road trips where I’ve gotten the oil changed before leaving and I drove around 350 miles; halfway through the drive the oil was half empty on the dipstick. The first time this happened I was unaware of this issue and when I arrived to my destination after around 350 miles of driving, the car had little to no oil. I will provide store receipts of each time I had to purchase oil for the vehicle. I will also provide service interval receipts upon request. Dates of oil purchase are as follows: 1.7/18/23 2.8/16/23 3.10/20/23 4.12/18/23 5.2/7/24 6.2/29/24 7.3/18/24 8.5/4/24 9.5/11/24 10.7/9/24 Service intervals for oil changes are kept up with every 3-5k miles and can provide maintenance receipt.
Engine, Aug 26, 2024
Car cut out and stutters and the engine light flashes. Code P1326 is displayed on the OBD reader.
Engine, Jul 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle hesitated upon depression of the accelerator pedal with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact continued to drive the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 40 MPH and was shaking abnormally. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 132,378.
Engine, Jul 16, 2024
Have completed 4 oil consumption tests and replaced knock sensor and now have knocking in the engine
Engine, Jun 28, 2024
Engine continuously stalls,while driving in both city and hight way. I have taken it in while under warranty and am told that's just how the car runs. Sudden jerks / seizure will happen while driving. since I haven't gotten the vehicle it happens at min 15mph or on the freeway at 65 mph. It is stalls at all mph .
Engine, Jun 20, 2024, crash
Took my vehicle for an oil change next day my vehicle was not working well stopped on me could start didn’t want to do damage so I stopped driving and had it told to a shop found out there is METAL IN THE ENGINE
Engine, Jun 7, 2024
Code P-030300 was detected when doing a diagnostic on my car when the check engine light came on. It is a cylinder 3 misfire. When the car comes to a idle the car starts to shake roughly. I took it to the KIA dealership I bought the car from and they told me I would need a new engine and not to drive it.Thankfully nothing bad happened while my baby was in the car. I drove it home and stopped driving it completely once the issue occurred.
Engine, May 30, 2024
Oil consumption issue. My mechanic referred me to Kia because oil consumption. I would bring car in because oil light and no oil in car and had oil change only 1000 miles. Kia did 2 checks one at 1000 miles and one at 500 miles and oil consumption failed both times. Now I have to pay $686 for oil combustion cleaning even though I am being told this is more than likely going to have engine replaced by Kia because of known issues,
Engine and engine cooling, May 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal amount of smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The contact inspected the dipstick and discovered that the engine oil level was low. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Engine and engine cooling, May 22, 2024
The contact’s sister owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact stated that engine oil needed to be added every 2-3 weeks. The contact stated that an unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle received an unknown repair; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with valve cover gasket failure. The valve cover gasket was replaced however, the failure persisted. The failure persisted and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was discovered that there was an oil leak as well as there was excessive oil consumption. The independent mechanic stated that the engine might need to be replaced; however, a diagnostic result was not confirmed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,000.
Engine, Apr 22, 2024
It started with the car using oil but the mechanic could not determine where the oil was going. It quickly lead to the Cadillac converter going out with a host of other things that cost me over $2900 to fix. Which only lasted a few weeks and the last incident occurred when I was on my way home and it would not pick up speed at all and would stall. The first time it happened I was on the free way and it lost speed almost causing a semi to run into the back of me. The second time I was at a red light and when I tried to accelerate in speed and it stalled and then began to jerk before it would pick up speed. Each time the occurrence happened it placed my life as well as my families life in danger as it was sudden with no engine light or any other lights coming on. The last time it happened it left me stranded with a child, over 2 hours from home and in the middle of the night on isolated highway. Every time I would call KIA they would give me the run around on the issue and say it was due to my negligence but I beg to differ as I feel as if it is an engine error on the manufacturing. Please help. Currently the car is sitting in my yard and I can not afford to keep paying for repairs due to a faulty engine that they refuse to fix.
Engine, Apr 16, 2024
My 2018 Kia Optima experienced an oil consumption issue. After awhile out of nowhere my vehicles oil light kept coming on. There was zero oil in my garage. Unbeknownst to me It was burning oil due to this oil consumption issue.I took it to multiple mechanics all which told me that this issue is a known issue and would eventually blow the engine, which is exactly what happened. I reached out to Kia in person via dealerships over the phone via their consumer line and they went out of their way to tell me all the reasons why they could not replace the engine. I have spent enormous amounts of money on rental cars and Ubers and Lyfts to get to work or appointments just to Because of this issue . I was referred to this organization by the Ga consumer bar help line.
Engine, Mar 22, 2024
Indiana - car in reverse in driveway and started shaking. I turned car off and back on and it drove normally. The next day, I put the car in reverse and the shaking started again and check engine light illuminated. This car has a history of burning oil and we constantly have to add oil between oil changes. Car is at Andy Mohr Kia dealership at this time where we were told that engine would not be covered by Warranty because we are second owners. Mileage of car is 62,000 miles.
Engine, Feb 23, 2024
My vehicle is constantly running out of oil within a 30 day period and I constantly getting an oil change. I was advised to get an oil consumption test at the dealer and was out of oil in 3 weeks. I was told that I have a warranty, however, it's only if the rod bearings are an issue. I think my engine should be replaced without paying a $300 diagnostic fee that might get refunded without an exact time frame.
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 8, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle was losing motive power. The contact stated that there were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to stop; however, after numerous attempts to restart the vehicle, the contact had the vehicle towed to the residence. The vehicle was later towed to a local dealer who inspected the vehicle and determined that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that prior to the stall, the vehicle had been consuming an abnormal amount of engine oil. The contact stated that he was adding a quart of oil every week. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.
Engine, Feb 8, 2024
My engine started leaking oil from the inside and all of a sudden my car started shaking out of nowhere
Engine, Jan 26, 2024
I have had this car in the shop multiple times for a engine light that kept coming on, they would reset and say they couldn't see anything wrong. Well my car died in Dec, it made a noise and would not accelerate. To avoid any further issues I parked it and had it towed to a dealership. They told me the catalytic converter had come apart taking out the turbo and it would cost me $6k to fix. I decided to see if i could find parts cheaper, to find no one anywhere in the US or Canada has a converter for this car and it seems many dealerships have customers on waiting lists to get one, so I am now wondering if this is in fact a pretty large problem Kia is not addressing. I called Kia and got a very canned answer that parts were hard to come by right now and it could be up to 2 years to get the part. So I am now paying for a car i cannot drive and have no idea at this point if I will ever be able to drive it. i am hoping you are able to do some research to see if this is a bigger problem that nobody seems to be talking about. thank you
Engine, Jan 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing abnormal oil consumption. The contact stated that on one occasion, 3 quarts of oil were added to the vehicle after less than 1,000 miles of driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who initiated an oil consumption test. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer twice after 1,000 miles; however, upon returning to the dealer the third time, the dealer informed the contact that they could not complete the oil consumption test because the vehicle had been driven 1,200 miles. The dealer initiated another oil consumption test. The contact stated that the local dealer was 45 miles away from his residence, which made it difficult to complete the oil consumption test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.
Engine, Jan 11, 2024
1- My 2018 Kia Optima engine seized while driving on interstate 64 West -Had the car towed to a mechanic (J TEAM AUTO REPAIR) and was told me to contact kia because after replacing the spark plugs and coils and knock sensor there was still no compressing in cylinder 4. My life and safety was at risk when my engine blew out on the interstate. When I went to Kia Dealership they confirmed that my VIN number was included in the recall and in the class action lawsuit. customer support told me since I wasn't the first owner of the car they weren't required to honor the recall -I asked why I was never informed they told me I bought the car as second owner my 60,000 warranty has expired and the extended warranty for engine doesn’t cover compression issues - its stated on the NHTSA website that they are required to send notices to all owners.When I contacted (Escalation Case specialist) with this information they said the extended warranty only covers the rod bearing connectors, and not compression. Completely contradicting the first call I had with another employee at Kia. Kia is deliberately keeping people in cars with engines that were manufactured improperly. I had the KSDS update-It takes more than reading engine codes to get to the bottom of things. Compression is part of the engine block. Prior to the Engine failure, my Kia Optima, was constantly burning oil.
Engine, Jan 6, 2024
Car burning excessive oil in engine. 2 quarts every 1,200 miles