Does the 2018 Kia Optima have any recalls?

2 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: latches/locks/linkages, hybrid propulsion system. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.

How do I check if my 2018 Kia Optima recall has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Kia dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2018 Kia Optima?

232 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.

2018 Kia Optima recalls

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

2 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026

For the 2018 Kia Optima. These apply to the model and year, not to one particular vehicle: check your VIN to see whether yours is included and whether it has been repaired.

Has your Kia been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

Check your VIN with NHTSA

NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A Kia dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.

2018 Kia Optima recalls, newest first

August 24, 2023NHTSA 23V594000319,436 vehicles potentially affected

Latches/locks/linkages › Trunk lid › Latch

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

This recall on nhtsa.gov

March 8, 2018NHTSA 18V1610001,710 vehicles potentially affected

Hybrid propulsion system

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.
Consequence: 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.
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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Owner complaints

Owners have filed 232 complaints about the 2018 Kia Optima with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public; NHTSA uses them to decide what to investigate.

Crashes reported: 10
Fires reported: 10
Injuries reported: 9
Deaths reported: 0

Most complained-about components

Engine131
Unknown or other37
Electrical system31
Power train18
Service brakes17

Other Kia Optima years

Other 2018 Kia models

Most recalled 2018 vehicles

2018 Altec Aerial Device (36 recalls)
2018 Blue Bird Vision (35 recalls)
2018 Freightliner Cascadia (26 recalls)
2018 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner HDX (26 recalls)
2018 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2 (22 recalls)

All of 2018’s most recalled vehicles

Questions

Does the 2018 Kia Optima have any recalls?: 2 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: latches/locks/linkages, hybrid propulsion system. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.
How do I check if my 2018 Kia Optima recall has been fixed?: Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Kia dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2018 Kia Optima?: 232 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.