2018 Kia Optima Phev problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Visibility/Wiper (1) · Steering (1) · Power Train (1)
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 (34)
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
Electrical System 2025-03-20 · TSB_ELE378 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: service action: kia connect modem reset (sa611) - this bulletin outlines the procedure for resetting the modem in certain 2016-2025my kia vehicles listed on page 3 that are equipped with kia connect services. the affected vehicles may encounter the following issues: remot
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.
Engine And Engine Cooling 2023-09-07 · SC218YZ_TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
subsequent repair action: engine replacement instructions for dtc p1326 (sc218yz) - this bulletin provides information related to the technical service bulletin previously published (sc218) titled "engine inspection/replacement and ksds s/w installation." specifically, this bulletin provides
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 34 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-07-21 · Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery · 35,000 mi“the contact owns a 2018 kia optima phev. the contact's daughter stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the high systems temperature switching to hybrid mode message was displayed. the contact stated that there was a two-hour delay for a full charge. the vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. the dealer inform…”
2025-05-10 · Steering“the plastic coupling for the steering is broken in my 2018 kia optima the same issue that the 2011-2014 issue optima’s have my car has this same issue. …”
2024-08-20 · Engine And Engine Cooling“see attached document for complaint. …”
2021-02-26 · Power Train · 19,000 mi“i was told by the dealership that my 2018 kia optima phev was repaired but after i drove it off the lot and got on the freeway the warning light came on again and lost all power. i almost got into another accident because of this. the dealership said they worked with kia technical support to fix my car but apparently kia doesn't know what's wrong w…”
2021-02-15 · Unknown Or Other · 19,000 mi“when i was driving on the highway on 2/14/2011 a "check hybrid system" warning came on, check engine light, triangle hev light, a red battery light came on and car lost engine power. after my vehicle slowed traffic down due to not having power i was barely able to pull over to the side of the road by coasting the car to the shoulder. it would not a…”
2020-12-18 · Unknown Or Other · 18,600 mi“i leased a new #kia #optima #phev from you in july of 2018. in july of 2020, the charging cable lodged in the car and it took 4 hours for roadside assistance to remove it. on december 2, 2020, i got a check engine light and made an appointment for service, but before i could bring it on dec 3, the check engine light became a turn engine off now …”
2019-06-12 · Engine · 11,000 mi“error message "check hybrid system. turn off engine" with yellow caution triagle showing exclaimation point and hev" came on, at highway speed vehicle dropped to from 65 mph to 40 mph suddenly, exited freeway, turned car off and restarted...vehicle had loss of propulsion, would not go over 20 mph. stop, at stop sign, and when i applied gas, the v…”
2018-09-25 · Visibility/Wiper · 7,500 mi“the car was park in the house and when i get back i saw a long crack on the windshield so i check the surrounding if there is something fell on it but there's no even an impact on it it's just crack from the top of the windshield up to the middle center. it's a brand new car so how will the windshield get crack like that. i ask around to replace my…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.