KIA OPTIMA PHEV · model year

2018 KIA OPTIMA PHEV

12 NHTSA complaints, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2018KIAOPTIMA PHEV carries 12 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2018 OPTIMA PHEV is engine with 3 filings, followed by unknown or other (2) and electrical system (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 38 investigation files overlapping the 2018 OPTIMA PHEV, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

12
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

12 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
VISIBILITY/WIPER1
POWER TRAIN1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
STEERING1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY1

Recalls (2)

21V84400029/10/2021

ENGINE

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.

23V59400024/08/2023

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH

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 Mot

Recent Complaints

20250721ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

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 informed the contact that the fluids in the vehicle needed to be changed. The vehicle wasn’t repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed by the dealer to remove all the items located in the trunk of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the battery fan assembly had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.

Mileage: 35,000

20250510STEERING

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.

20240820ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

See attached document for complaint.

20210226ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 WITH THEIR OWN CAR. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 19K MILES. I'M AFRAID FOR MY SAFETY AND MY FAMILIES THAT THIS WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN.

Mileage: 19,000

20210226ENGINE

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 WITH THEIR OWN CAR. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 19K MILES. I'M AFRAID FOR MY SAFETY AND MY FAMILIES THAT THIS WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN.

Mileage: 19,000

20210226POWER TRAIN

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 WITH THEIR OWN CAR. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 19K MILES. I'M AFRAID FOR MY SAFETY AND MY FAMILIES THAT THIS WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN.

Mileage: 19,000

20210215ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 ACCELERATE WHAT SO EVER NOT EVEN WITH JUST THE ENGINE POWER. WHEN I PULLED OVER THE BIG CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING DISSAPEARED AND ONLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TRIANGLE HEV LIGHT STAYED ON. I HAD MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. IT WAS TOWED TO MY HOME AND AFTER I CONNECTED IT TO THE WALL PLUG FOR AN HOUR THE LIGHTS DISSAPEARED. I'M AFRAID THAT IF I TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT THEY WONT BE ABLE TO REPLICATE THIS ISSUE SINCE THE WARNING LIGHTS ARE NO LONGER ON AND THEY TELL ME THEY CANT FIND THE ISSUE AND THIS HAPPENS AGAIN IN THE FUTURE. THERE ARE SEVERAL FORUMS WHERE PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE FROM 2014 HYBR

Mileage: 19,000

20210215ENGINE

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 ACCELERATE WHAT SO EVER NOT EVEN WITH JUST THE ENGINE POWER. WHEN I PULLED OVER THE BIG CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING DISSAPEARED AND ONLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TRIANGLE HEV LIGHT STAYED ON. I HAD MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. IT WAS TOWED TO MY HOME AND AFTER I CONNECTED IT TO THE WALL PLUG FOR AN HOUR THE LIGHTS DISSAPEARED. I'M AFRAID THAT IF I TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT THEY WONT BE ABLE TO REPLICATE THIS ISSUE SINCE THE WARNING LIGHTS ARE NO LONGER ON AND THEY TELL ME THEY CANT FIND THE ISSUE AND THIS HAPPENS AGAIN IN THE FUTURE. THERE ARE SEVERAL FORUMS WHERE PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE FROM 2014 HYBR

Mileage: 19,000

20210215UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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 ACCELERATE WHAT SO EVER NOT EVEN WITH JUST THE ENGINE POWER. WHEN I PULLED OVER THE BIG CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING DISSAPEARED AND ONLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TRIANGLE HEV LIGHT STAYED ON. I HAD MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. IT WAS TOWED TO MY HOME AND AFTER I CONNECTED IT TO THE WALL PLUG FOR AN HOUR THE LIGHTS DISSAPEARED. I'M AFRAID THAT IF I TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT THEY WONT BE ABLE TO REPLICATE THIS ISSUE SINCE THE WARNING LIGHTS ARE NO LONGER ON AND THEY TELL ME THEY CANT FIND THE ISSUE AND THIS HAPPENS AGAIN IN THE FUTURE. THERE ARE SEVERAL FORUMS WHERE PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE FROM 2014 HYBR

Mileage: 19,000

20201218UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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 LIGHT, AND THE CAR STOPPED DEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY HIGHWAY WITH A WISP OF SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD, A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I HAD IT TOWED TO KIA OF DELRAY. IT'S STILL THERE, THEY HAVEN'T TOLD ME WHAT'S WRONG. IT IS 2.5 YEARS OLD WITH JUST OVER 18K MILES ON IT. I LEASED THE CAR WHEN I LIVED IN CA, AND NOW LIVE IN FL, WHICH IS ALSO A PROBLEM, AS THE DEALERSHIP HERE JUST DOESN'T SEEM EQUIPPED TO SERVICE A PHEV. THE LEASE IS SCHEDULED TO END IN JULY 2021 BUT THE MANUFACTURER HAS REFUSED TO OFFER ME AN OPTION TO RETURN THE CAR EARLY, YET IT FEELS UNSAFE TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT (AND IT'S NOT OPERATIONAL RIGHT NOW).

Mileage: 18,600

20190612ENGINE

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 VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO OVER 10 MPH...ONCE SAFELY OFF THE ROAD, I TURNED ENGINE OFF, TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE. 1 DAY AFTER PICKING UP THE VEHICLE FROM DEALER, SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED. I RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION...TWO WEEKS AT THE DEALER AND THEY SAY ITS A WATER PUMP.

Mileage: 11,000

20180925VISIBILITY/WIPER

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 WINDSHIELD AND MOST OF THEM TOLD ME THAT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE NEW VEHICLE LIKE MINE AND THEY EVEN ASK THE DEALER IF IT'S AVAILABLE AND THEY SAID IT WILL TAKE ABOUT A MONTH TO HAVE IT.

Mileage: 7,500

Compare 2018KIAOPTIMA PHEV to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2018 KIA OPTIMA PHEV have?
The 2018 KIA OPTIMA PHEV has 12 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2018 KIA OPTIMA PHEV?
Yes, the 2018 KIA OPTIMA PHEV has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is ENGINE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 KIA OPTIMA PHEV?
The most-complained component for the 2018 KIA OPTIMA PHEV is ENGINE with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include UNKNOWN OR OTHER and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2018 KIA OPTIMA PHEV safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.