The Lemon IndexAll cars · Kia Optima · 2018
2018 Kia Optima. Advanced data.
The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.
Engines and drivetrains 5
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / hwy / combined | Fuel | Fuel cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | Auto (AM7) | FWD | 28 / 37 / 31 | Regular | $2,000 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl hybrid | Auto (AM6) | FWD | 39 / 46 / 42 | Regular | $1,500 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl plug-in hybrid | Auto (AM6) | FWD | 38 / 43 / 40 | Regular | $1,550 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Auto (S6) | FWD | 22 / 31 / 25 | Regular | $2,500 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | Auto (S6) | FWD | 24 / 34 / 28 | Regular | $2,200 |
EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.
Failure mileage by system
Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 19,200 and 90,000 miles. Median 45,700, from 74 complaints with a mileage.
| System | Median | Middle half | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 70,000 | 22,500–100,000 | 35 |
| Electrical | 39,500 | 15,600–54,100 | 8 |
| Transmission & drivetrain | 26,500 | 12,800–62,200 | 8 |
| Brakes | 29,900 | 10,400–41,600 | 8 |
| Engine | 98,000 | 35,000–110,000 | 9 |
Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.
Complaints by system
| System | Share of complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | 32% |
| Electrical | 18% |
| Brakes | 17% |
| Steering | 13% |
| Transmission & drivetrain | 12% |
One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.
Severity, all complaints
| Total | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Tows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 235 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 20 |
As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.
Recall campaigns 2
23V594000 Aug 2023 Latches/Locks/Linkages / Trunk Lid / Latch
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.
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.
18V161000 Mar 2018 Hybrid Propulsion System
Defect. 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.
Risk. 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.
NHTSA investigations
| Status | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Closed | Loss of motive power | 2022 | 2023 |
| Closed | Electrical overstress | 2019 | 2024 |
Manufacturer communications 155
Kia filed 155 service communications for this car with NHTSA.
- PITSTOP - INTEGRATED BRAKE ACTUATOR UNIT (IBAU) HONK NOISE - This Pitstop provides information…
- Vehicle product improvement: engine replacement instructions for dtc p1326 (pi1802w/x)- this…
- ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI1802W/X) - This bulletin provides information…
Crash ratings by version
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Optima 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Kia Optima Hybrid 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Safety equipment
| Electronic stability | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Optional | Optional |
Nearby model years
Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Updated
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