2018 Kia Optima Other or unknown Problems
- Complaints
- 39about this part
- Share
- 17%of 233 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 25,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 39 complaints about the other or unknown of the 2018 Kia Optima, 17% of the 233 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 25,000 miles. 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“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“First off my car is fine. Again my car is fine no complaints. Nhtsa has miss identified my 2018 Optima lx with 2.4l engine hybrid. Nhtsa with this screw up has ohio bmv thinking my car is hybrid and wants an extra $100 dollars as a fee for license because they think it is electric. Ohio bmv or apparently NHTSA dose not have a process to fix the problem or figure out my car is gasoline only. Ohio bmv will will only go on what NHTSA web site says. It apparently says my car could be a hybrid. As I say no problem with car but NHTSA has miss coded what my car is. …”
NHTSA complaint #11352846, filed 2020-09, 33,000 miles“When I got in my car the check engine can on. I started driving my car to work, because I was not sure why this light came on because this was/is a new car. I have less than 19k miles on my car. As I attempted to get on the highway the car refused to speed up. The max that I could drive was 60 MPH. I had to pull over to the side of the road because my car would not pick up speed. So I called the service department, who informed me that when I brought my car in for an oil change in january that they has place a saftey feature on my car to keep the engine from blowing up. …”
NHTSA complaint #11217052, filed 2019-05, 18,000 miles“Randomly brake pedal on my Kia Optima freezes and im unable to apply and stop vehicle it happened twice once it happened on hwy and once on city street. Currently vehicle is in dealership since jan 2nd and dealer stating they are unable to duplicate issue”
NHTSA complaint #11298131, filed 2020-01, 23,000 milesOther or unknown: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 18 | 12% |
| 2019 | 43 | 20% |
| 2018 | 39 | 17% |
| 2017 | 33 | 13% |
| 2016 | 123 | 16% |
| 2015 | 140 | 14% |
| 2014 | 90 | 15% |
| 2013 | 189 | 14% |
| 2012 | 88 | 10% |
| 2011 | 41 | 7% |
| 2010 | 5 | 7% |
| 2009 | 3 | 3% |
| 2008 | 9 | 6% |
| 2007 | 4 | 2% |
| 2006 | 9 | 6% |
| 2005 | 6 | 4% |
| 2004 | 12 | 5% |
| 2003 | 7 | 5% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 2001 | 4 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2018 Kia Optima
132 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 28, 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