2018 Kia Optima Hybrid problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel/Propulsion System (1) · Engine (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Kia Optima Hybrid model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (2)
Latches/Locks/Linkages:trunk Lid:latch 2023-08-24 · campaign 23V594000 · 319,436 vehicles
Defect: 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."
Risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Engine 2021-10-29 · campaign 21V844000 · 10,731 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (48)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Visibility/Wiper 2026-08-28 · TSB_CLI049_R2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: partial repair – electrical a/c compressor - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin provides information regarding the partial repair of the air
Back Over Prevention: Warnings 2025-12-09 · PS797 · Other
pitstop: technical operations: external damage to ultrasonic sensor: this pitstop provides information related to parking distance warning (pdw) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. the pdw system alerts the driver while parking, by calculating distance based on the difference in signal
Power Train 2025-04-17 · TSB_TRA046_R5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: transmission fluid application guide - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid ty
Power Train 2024-05-16 · TSB_TRA046_R4 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each kia model. a flush is required only when a transmission is replaced.
Visibility:defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:compressor 2023-06-26 · TSB_CLI049_R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: partial repair - electrical a/c compressor - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin provides information regarding partial repair of the air c
Electrical System 2023-01-18 · TSB_ELE192_R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: service action: bms/opu/mcu logic improvement (sa411) - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin provides the procedure to improve the logic of t
Showing the 6 most recent of 48 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2023-04-05 · Engine · 100,000 mi“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 fail…”
2023-02-21 · Unknown Or Other“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 s…”
2022-09-28 · Fuel/Propulsion System“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 th…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.