Model Year Problem Record
The complete public record for the 2018 Kia Optima: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.
Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.
The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.
146 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
39 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
33 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
19 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
17 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
14 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
1 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 23V594000.
Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.
Hybrid and Electric Propulsion. Recall covering the hybrid and electric propulsion system, reported to NHTSA on March 8, 2018. The campaign covers an estimated 1,710 vehicles across all affected models.
Latches, Locks and Linkages. Recall covering the latches, locks and linkages system, reported to NHTSA on August 24, 2023. The campaign covers an estimated 319,436 vehicles across all affected models.
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.
Loss of Motive Power. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
Electrical overstress. Resulted in recall campaign 20V024.
When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.
Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.