2018 Kia Optima Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 3%of 233 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 15,625miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the body and structure of the 2018 Kia Optima, 3% of the 233 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 15,625 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“Takata recall. I was involved in an accident where I was coming off the highway, slid on water and crashed into a steel pole. The breaks did not work at all and when I got out to look at the damage the break pads were in the middle of the street like they had just fall off. None of the airbags deployed and my friend's head cracked the windshield. Car was totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #11153087, filed 2018-11, 7,418 miles“I was driving on the freeway at about 60mph and suddenly the front part of my panoramic sunroof exploded. There was no impact or accident that caused this. We weren't hit by any road debris or anything it just exploded while driving.”
NHTSA complaint #11413054, filed 2021-04, 24,770 miles“I was driving on a highway and started to hear an noise from the front right while I was on a road trip. Had been driving for about 45 miles and moved over one lane to the right and front right tire blew - had less than 16,000 miles on car. I got the tire replaced at a Kia dealership and wheels aligned. Then,driving on a main road, 45 MPH a few weeks later, got to a passing zone, and passed the car in front of me after accelerating to 65 during the short passing zone. After passing the car I tapped the breaks to slow back down to 45 and the traction, brake, and tmz lights all came on. …”
NHTSA complaint #11307413, filed 2020-02, 15,000 miles“While driving on the interstate highway with no other traffic around the panoramic sunroof exploded. There was a sound like a gunshot and then a rush of air into the driver/passenger compartment. Thankfully I had the interior shade (panel) closed and was not riddled with broken glass.”
NHTSA complaint #11187212, filed 2019-03, 16,250 miles“About a month ago my paint on my 2018 Kia Optima snow white pearl car started bubbling, then it turned into peeling and has since then been coming off more and more. It is occurring right under the back seat of the drivers side window. Reading into this issue more, it is happening to many who own a Kia Optima owners, especially those who own the snow white pearl color. Kia is not helping customers who are out of warranty but since this is a manufacturer defect they should be, even if they are out of warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #11722839, filed 2026-03Related service bulletins
- 11034003Jun 8, 2026TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin has been revised to include…
- 11028908Feb 19, 2026TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin has been revised to include…
- 11026825Dec 18, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin provides information to install a…
- 11026980Dec 17, 2025CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (CS2312) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting Customer Satisfaction Campaign. A software…
- 10201529Sep 13, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this…
- 10128617Jan 11, 2018TSB - SERVICE ACTION: FLOOR CONSOLE INNER PANEL INSPECTION & CORRECTION/REPLACEMENT (SA328) -This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 14 | 7% |
| 2018 | 7 | 3% |
| 2017 | 5 | 2% |
| 2016 | 41 | 5% |
| 2015 | 76 | 8% |
| 2014 | 48 | 8% |
| 2013 | 127 | 9% |
| 2012 | 39 | 4% |
| 2011 | 21 | 4% |
| 2010 | 2 | 3% |
| 2009 | 4 | 3% |
| 2008 | 5 | 3% |
| 2007 | 4 | 2% |
| 2006 | 12 | 8% |
| 2005 | 22 | 15% |
| 2004 | 42 | 19% |
| 2003 | 25 | 18% |
| 2002 | 30 | 28% |
| 2001 | 35 | 24% |
Other parts of the 2018 Kia Optima
132 complaintsOther or unknown
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 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