NHTSA vehicle safety data

2018 Kia Optima Hybrid Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2018 Kia Optima Hybrid has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 3 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Kia dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2018 Kia Optima Hybrid, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2018 Kia Optima Hybrid owner complaints

Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Kia Optima Hybrid, describing incidents dated June 3, 2022 to February 18, 2023.

Most-cited components

Engine 3 complaints
Electrical System 1 complaint
Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint
Power Train 1 complaint
Unknown or Other 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11515516 · Filed April 5, 2023
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 stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine was faulty and needed to…
ODI #11508317 · Filed February 21, 2023
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 to a total stop. since the gas pedal didn't do anything. the car then said there was multiple…
ODI #11486933 · Filed September 28, 2022
I brought the vehicle into Kia service for the recall including a computer operating system upgrade. After the recall work was done the car driving at high highway speeds failed, and immediately slowed down, almost causing a rear collision. The computer system turned off the drive mechanism and I…

Read all 3 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2018 Kia Optima Hybrid in 3 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA21-003: Engine Fires
Closed February 5, 2024
- Recall 23V-877
Defect Petition DP22-003: Loss of Motive Power
Closed December 12, 2023
Defect Petition DP22-005: Pedestrian alert sounds
Closed August 7, 2023
- Recall 22V-063

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Trunk Emergency Release May Fail/FMVSS 401

NHTSA #23V594000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages — Trunk Lid — Latch · NHTSA notice

Reported August 24, 2023 · Kia America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 319,436 vehicles

Repair completion: 47.58% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Kia campaign SC278 · Owners notified October 19, 2023

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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 SC278.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Engine Damage May Cause Stall or Fire

NHTSA #21V844000 · Engine · NHTSA notice

Reported October 29, 2021 · Kia Motors America

Potentially affected: 10,731 vehicles

Repair completion: 88.91% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Kia campaign SC218 · Owners notified November 29, 2021 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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 charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 29, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC218.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

2018 Kia Optima Hybrid 4 DR FWD

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Frontal Crash

Driver: 5, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Rollover

10% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control Forward Collision Warning (Optional) Lane Departure Warning (Optional)

3 investigations

3 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Kia Optima Hybrid.

Engine

ODI #11515516

Incident: August 1, 2022 · Filed: April 5, 2023

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 stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The engine was replaced but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Power Train; Unknown or Other; Engine

ODI #11508317

Incident: February 18, 2023 · Filed: February 21, 2023

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 to a total stop. since the gas pedal didn't do anything. the car then said there was multiple failures and the hybrid system needed to be immediately shut down. The car then wouldn't start or move after that. about 20 mins later the car like dashboard and screen would turn on but the engine would not. when it turned back on there were even more warnings along with other failures like emergency braking and transmission and the hybrid communication. when the tow truck came and took it it would go into neutral to get on the truck but wouldn't even do that when we got it to the dealership it had to be manually taken out of park to get it off the truck. there were lots of warning lights but the oil, engine, and another light I not sure what it meant were always on even when the others would go away after a while.

Electrical System; Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11486933

Incident: June 3, 2022 · Filed: September 28, 2022

I brought the vehicle into Kia service for the recall including a computer operating system upgrade. After the recall work was done the car driving at high highway speeds failed, and immediately slowed down, almost causing a rear collision. The computer system turned off the drive mechanism and I was left with only the electric motor to propel the car. The car barely limped off the highway. The car was brought to the Kia Dealer and no defect was found and the computer was reset. This problem occurred two more times, at highway speeds (70 mph) and Kia was contacted to find out why the problems occurred and how to fix it. To date, Kia has not responded to how to fix the problem and has ignored all phone calls and emails. The car has been in the shop for 3 months. The problem occurred only after Kia upgraded the software due to the recall. Additionally, the recall work was done. I do not know why the recall work was not reported.

Other Kia Optima Hybrid model years

Check your 2018 Kia Optima Hybrid VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Kia Optima Hybrid at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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