2018 Kia Optima Phev Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 1about this part
- Share
- 13%of 8 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 19,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 1 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2018 Kia Optima Phev, 13% of the 8 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 19,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11398068, filed 2021-02, 19,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11000787May 16, 2024This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 | 13% |
| 2017 | 2 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2018 Kia Optima Phev
3 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Kia Optima Phev
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology