2018 Kia Optima Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 132about this part
- Share
- 57%of 233 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 69,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 132 complaints about the engine of the 2018 Kia Optima, 57% of the 233 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 9 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While I was driving my vehicle on the streets; its an 2018 Kia Optima.on august 2,2019 my car engine caught on fire.people walking on the sidewalk and other drivers stop to alert me that they saw fire from the bottom of the car.then while driving I start to notice extreme smoke coming from the hood so much I couldnt no longer look where I was going.I panicked and mind was racing q how could this happen I got this car new last year may 1,2018. …”
NHTSA complaint #11254060, filed 2019-09, 22,450 miles“I originally leased my 2018 Optima with 98 miles on it and bought it out at the end of my lease this was my second Optima, I also had 2 hyundai sonatas. Since I'm in sales I had the added mileage on it. At 98,000 miles the engine started ticking. I originally had a 2013 hyundai sonata that when it hit 105,000 started ticking only to find that it was burning oil (1.5 quarts a week) so I was hesitant about another Kia but the dealer assured me that Kia had been aware of the problem and that they had fixed it. Guess what?! It hasn't. …”
NHTSA complaint #11398642, filed 2021-03, 98,000 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 purchased a brand new 2018 Kia Optima in november 2018. I have put approximately 22,500 miles on it and have been keeping up with updated oil change maintenance per the schedule recommended by the dealer. On saturday 9/28 I dropped the car off for a routine oil change, and as I drove it off the lot it sputtered as if it was going to die, but it didn't. The car continued to run and it got me home. The next day, sunday 9/29, it drove without problems for about an hour, but while driving the car completely powered down and stopped working. …”
NHTSA complaint #11265744, filed 2019-10, 22,500 miles“On 03/29/2019 was traveling to work. On interstate 53 southbound car went to limp mode. No power. Managed to get to dealership. They tried to repair my vehicle for 1 month after they told me that engine need to be replaced they managed to change wiring harness. After 1 month it was done. I took car back. 1 or 2 weeks later car went into limp mode again with same problem. Filed a claim with Kia and bbb to resolve it. As of right now they had in inspections on my vehicle as they stated from Kia california hq and from korea hq with no luck to repair it. …”
NHTSA complaint #11241806, filed 2019-08, 14,900 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11031854Apr 4, 2026VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSIONS: ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340 REVISION 5) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information…
- 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…
- 11026899Dec 19, 2025VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC340 FLIGHT 103 / JF) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions…
- 11026533Dec 10, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSIONS ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional…
- 11025897Nov 27, 2025VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC340 FLIGHT 101 / JF) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions…
- 11025892Nov 21, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSIONS ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional…
- 11025898Nov 7, 2025VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC340 FLIGHT 102 / JF) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions…
- 11025859Nov 7, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSIONS ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional…
- 11025889Nov 5, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSIONS ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340) - This bulletin provides information to upgrade the…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 102 | 68% |
| 2019 | 92 | 43% |
| 2018 | 132 | 57% |
| 2017 | 165 | 64% |
| 2016 | 426 | 56% |
| 2015 | 623 | 62% |
| 2014 | 284 | 48% |
| 2013 | 614 | 44% |
| 2012 | 398 | 43% |
| 2011 | 256 | 43% |
| 2010 | 9 | 12% |
| 2009 | 14 | 12% |
| 2008 | 19 | 13% |
| 2007 | 16 | 10% |
| 2006 | 7 | 5% |
| 2004 | 3 | 1% |
| 2003 | 2 | 1% |
| 2002 | 4 | 4% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2018 Kia Optima
39 complaintsElectrical system
33 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