NHTSA model-year recall report

2018 Kia Optima Recalls

2 campaigns in our verified NHTSA snapshot, with source consequences, remedies, and VIN-specific next steps.

Check exact VIN status Decode a VIN

NHTSA campaigns

Affected systems

Urgent advisories

Aug 24, 2023

Latest campaign date

At a glance

What the record says

This model year's count is below the Kia Optima average of 3.3 campaigns per listed year. That is context only—not proof that this year is safer or less safe.

The most frequent affected category is Hybrid Propulsion System, appearing in 1 campaign.

1
Read
Review every campaign and urgent instruction below.
2
Verify
Check your exact VIN with NHTSA or the manufacturer.
3
Repair
Contact an authorized dealer if a campaign applies.

Source campaign records

All 2018 Kia Optima recall campaigns

Shown newest first. NHTSA summary, consequence, and remedy text is preserved without truncation.

NHTSA campaign 23V594000

Latches / Locks / Linkages › Trunk Lid › Latch

Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.

Reported Aug 24, 2023

What is recalled

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Rio, 2016-2018 Optima, 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. The trunk latch base may crack, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."

Safety consequence

A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will replace the trunk latch base subassembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC278.

Campaign history does not confirm applicability or repair status for one VIN.

Campaign details

NHTSA campaign 18V161000

Hybrid Propulsion System

Manufacturer: Kia Motors America

Reported Mar 8, 2018

What is recalled

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Kia Optima hybrid vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a Voltage Protection Device (VPD), designed to protect the high voltage battery module, that may activate inadvertently.

Safety consequence

If the VPD activates while the vehicle is being operated in Electric Vehicle (EV) mode, there may be a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Kia will notify owners, and dealers will remove the VPD switch and install two newly designed Battery Management Systems (BMS) that contain Overvoltage Protection Devices (OPDs), free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC162.

Campaign history does not confirm applicability or repair status for one VIN.

Campaign details

Other Kia Optima model years

Compare campaign histories within the same model. Counts are descriptive, not a safety grade.

20191 campaign 20182 campaigns 20173 campaigns 20165 campaigns 20154 campaigns 20147 campaigns 20139 campaigns 20125 campaigns 20115 campaigns 20101 campaign

View all model years

Other 2018 Kia recall reports

2018 Kia Stinger4 campaigns 2018 Kia Forte3 campaigns 2018 Kia Sedona3 campaigns 2018 Kia Sorento3 campaigns 2018 Kia Soul Ev3 campaigns 2018 Kia Sportage3 campaigns

2018 Kia Optima recall questions

How many recalls does the 2018 Kia Optima have?

This verified dataset contains 2 NHTSA campaigns associated with the 2018 Kia Optima. A campaign can apply to some, not all, vehicles of the same model year.

Does this confirm an open recall for my 2018 Kia Optima?

No. This page is a model-year campaign history. Use NHTSA's official lookup or an authorized dealer to confirm whether a campaign applies to your exact VIN and whether the repair remains open.

Are vehicle recall repairs free?

When a safety recall campaign applies to your VIN, the manufacturer remedy is generally provided at no charge through an authorized dealer. Confirm eligibility and scheduling with the manufacturer or dealer.

Source: NHTSA. Dataset includes campaigns through Jul 30, 2026. Last processed Aug 8, 2026. Methodology