2018 KIA OPTIMA PHEV

3 recalls — 12 complaints

23V594000 Aug 24, 2023
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH
Defect Description
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... Read more
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.
319,436 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
23V594000 Aug 24, 2023
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH
Defect Description
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... Read more
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.
319,436 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
21V844000 Oct 29, 2021
ENGINE
Defect Description
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.
Consequence
A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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... Read more
10,731 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: Kia Motors America

Complaint Statistics

12 total complaints

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
ENGINE3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
VISIBILITY/WIPER1
POWER TRAIN1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
STEERING1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY Jul 21, 2025
Incident date: Jul 21, 2025
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 bu... Read more
STEERING May 10, 2025
Incident date: Apr 2, 2025
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Aug 20, 2024
Incident date: Apr 21, 2022
See attached document for complaint.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Feb 26, 2021
Incident date: Feb 25, 2021
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 ... Read more
ENGINE Feb 26, 2021
Incident date: Feb 25, 2021
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 ... Read more
POWER TRAIN Feb 26, 2021
Incident date: Feb 25, 2021
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 ... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Feb 15, 2021
Incident date: Feb 14, 2021
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 B... Read more
ENGINE Feb 15, 2021
Incident date: Feb 14, 2021
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 B... Read more
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Feb 15, 2021
Incident date: Feb 14, 2021
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 B... Read more
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Dec 18, 2020
Incident date: Dec 3, 2020
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, TH... Read more
ENGINE Jun 12, 2019
Incident date: May 29, 2019
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. ... Read more
VISIBILITY/WIPER Sep 25, 2018
Incident date: Sep 23, 2018
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 WINDSHIE... Read more

KIA OPTIMA PHEV — All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the KIA OPTIMA PHEV across all model years (2017–2018).

6 Total Recalls
53 Total Complaints
0 Investigations
1 Reported Crashes
2 Reported Fires
0 Reported Deaths

KIA OPTIMA PHEV — Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
2020 0 1 View
2019 0 3 View
2018 (current) 3 12
2017 3 37 View

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SORENTO HYBRID 62 159 View
SOUL EV 62 50 View