The 2018 Kia Optima is associated with 242 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 3 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Engine, accounting for 88 reports (36% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 7 certified vehicle configurations spanning 1.6l 4-cyl, 2.4l 4-cyl, 2l 4-cyl, 2L 4-Cyl hybrid, and 2L 4-Cyl plug-in hybrid configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 25 to 42 MPG combined. Plug-in hybrid variants are rated up to 103 MPGe (40 MPG on gasoline) with up to 29 miles of electric driving range.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 242 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 3 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Engine (88 / 36%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 10 crash / 10 fire / 7 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 25–42 MPG (7 variants • PHEV up to 103 MPGe)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| Optima | 1.6L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM7) | 28 MPG | 37 MPG | 31 MPG | — | $2,000 / yr |
| Optima FE | 2.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 25 MPG | 36 MPG | 29 MPG | — | $2,100 / yr |
| Optima | 2.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 24 MPG | 34 MPG | 28 MPG | — | $2,200 / yr |
| Optima S | 2.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 23 MPG | 32 MPG | 26 MPG | — | $2,350 / yr |
| Optima | 2L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 22 MPG | 31 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $2,450 / yr |
| Optima Hybrid Hybrid | 2L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM6) | 39 MPG | 46 MPG | 42 MPG | — | $1,450 / yr |
| Optima Plug-in Hybrid Plug-in Hybrid | 2L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM6) | 103 MPGe (38 MPG) | 104 MPGe (43 MPG) | 103 MPGe (40 MPG) | 29 mi EV (610 mi total) | $1,550 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
Electric Range & Charging: The 2018 Kia Optima provides an official EPA-rated driving range of up to 29 miles on a single battery charge.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| 4 DR FWD | | | | | 9.8% |
| Hybrid 4 DR FWD | | | | | 9.8% |
| Plug-in Hybrid 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2018 Kia Optima models.
View complete 2018 Kia Optima crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2018 Kia Optima problems & component breakdown (64 categories) →
Affected Component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH
Defect Summary: 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."
Free 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.
Affected Component: ENGINE
Defect Summary: 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.
Free 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.
Affected Component: HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: 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.
View all 2018 Kia Optima recalls & campaign history (3 campaigns) →