2018 Kia Optima Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 33about this part
- Share
- 14%of 233 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 39,463miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 33 complaints about the electrical system of the 2018 Kia Optima, 14% of the 233 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 39,463 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Hello I am nychole and in october of 2017 I purchased a brand new 2018 Kia Optima . Never really had any issues with it until fri nov 22. As I was leaving from work my car did a very abrupt jerk that I acknowledged but didn't think anything of it because my gas light had just came on. But today which is sunday my car's eps (electric power steering) light flashed. Weirded out I look at the manual in the glove compartment. …”
NHTSA complaint #11282081, filed 2019-11, 57,000 miles“2018 Kia Optima ex. Sometimes hesitates when trying to start, until today. All lights on dash lit up but no ignition. I tried several times, then steering and brake pedal locked up and I heard clicking noise. Had someone jump my battery and the car started up, but when I turned it off, it would not start again. Nothing was left on all night, car was locked and unlocked with handle. I am contacting the dealer this afternoon to see how they handle this.”
NHTSA complaint #11365705, filed 2020-10, 19,200 miles“Takara recall vehicle power down while I was driving 45 MPH on a city street the car was stationary in motion then powered back up without me turning the ignition.was a very scary experience”
NHTSA complaint #11218043, filed 2019-06, 12,098 miles“I have 63,826 miles on my 2018 Kia Optima s and I drove it to the store and all my light on the dash came on when I would come to a stop and my power steering would go out and about cause me to wreck. I was told that it was my alternator but after getting a new alternator I then drove it to get dinner a few days later when the same thing started happening again and my power steering kept going out again. I have two newborn babies, a 5 year old and a 10 year old in the vehicle with me and had I wrecked when the power steering went out it could have been a bad situation.”
NHTSA complaint #11383186, filed 2020-12, 36,826 miles“I have never had any issues with my car, I get maintenance as scheduled so it's odd that this is even happening. On december 6th I went to move my car. I crank the car with no problem. I noticed it kind of hesistated slightly, but continued on with no problem. When I went to put my car in reverse in order to park it stalled and about 5 or 6 of the lights on the dash came on, the steering wheel went hard to manage/steer and as 6 other lights started blinking, I could no longer manipulate my wheel so I allowed the car to roll into the spot because I was on a slight incline and put it in park. …”
NHTSA complaint #11287697, filed 2019-12, 42,100 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11030390Mar 17, 2026VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC340 FLIGHT 104 ) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions…
- 11029979Mar 6, 2026TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSION SECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340 REV 4) - This bulletin has been revised to include…
- 11024469Oct 23, 2025Sc340_stkr: voluntary emissions service campaign completion label/sticker
- 11024468Oct 23, 2025VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER (SC340) - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the…
- 11024467Oct 23, 2025Voluntary emissions service campaign: sc340_poc: proof of correction card
- 11024462Oct 23, 2025VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (SC340) - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service managers advising that Kia…
- 11024445Oct 23, 2025VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (SC340) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary…
- 11001594Jun 5, 2024TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2303) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information…
- 10252085Mar 22, 2024TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI1802Y/Z) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional…
- 10240563Aug 7, 2023TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: KIA GENUINE REMOTE START CONTROL MODULE UPGRADE FOR ANTI-THEFT LOGIC COMPATIBILITY (CS2310) - This bulletin has been revised to…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 14 | 9% |
| 2019 | 23 | 11% |
| 2018 | 33 | 14% |
| 2017 | 25 | 10% |
| 2016 | 104 | 14% |
| 2015 | 135 | 13% |
| 2014 | 60 | 10% |
| 2013 | 146 | 11% |
| 2012 | 122 | 13% |
| 2011 | 63 | 11% |
| 2010 | 13 | 17% |
| 2009 | 16 | 14% |
| 2008 | 15 | 10% |
| 2007 | 14 | 8% |
| 2006 | 23 | 15% |
| 2005 | 29 | 20% |
| 2004 | 45 | 20% |
| 2003 | 25 | 18% |
| 2002 | 14 | 13% |
| 2001 | 17 | 12% |
Other parts of the 2018 Kia Optima
132 complaintsOther or unknown
39 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
19 complaintsBrakes
17 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsExterior lighting
14 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Kia Optima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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