7.5

pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
6,800 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2018 Kia Optima fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2018 Kia Optima Owner Comments

problem #10

Oct 072023

Optima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The fuel pump has an active recall. Took itin to dealer and we are being advised Kia will not cover the cost. They have an article out that clearly states they will cover the costs. The car wreaks of the smell of gas and we are scared it will catch fire.

- North Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #9

Aug 212021

Optima

  • miles
Leaking gas at the firewall when running.

- Lincoln University, PA, USA

problem #8

Aug 192023

Optima

  • miles
purchased my car in june of 2019. Ive scheduled regular oil changes and maintenance until june of 2020 where the engine light began to flicker and the car would shake. I took to Koons Kia owings mills md and it was repaired. Next year same thing. Oil compression issues all year round where i have to keep putting oil in. Now my car starts and shakes violently. the kia service modurator on the car indicated there were an engine issue. I cannot keep dishing money into this car with so many recalls (current fuel pump recall and anti theft issue) is also included. Please help

- Pikesville, MD, USA

problem #7

Aug 032023

Optima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I'm reporting these issue pertaining to the engine within the first 3 weeks AFTER the engine replacement recall was serviced and completed. The vehicle was exhibiting the same defects and major health and safety hazards as before the new engine. Intermittent engine failure, even worse, while i was trying entering the hwy at speeds of 45-50 miles it jerked very violently and loss total power while vehicles were behind me nearly rear ended. Prior to this I reached out multiple times to have it serviced at again. The original service department didn't respond, so I called other service departments and was told it needed to be serviced by the original dealership/service department that replaced the engine. I had the vehicle in normal working conditions a few days before it began exhibiting the same problems as before the engine replacement. It was in operable condition but still stalling and refusing to crank unless primed, until it ultimately just would not crank at all and is back in the same condition it was before the new engine but it is not locked up currently. The time frame and Milage between first experiencing the issues to now, March 2023-64745 Started shuddering, loss of power while driving, but would crank right back up without issues. Happened a few times, charged up battery thinking is was am electrical issue. April 2023 More frequently the issues occurred, still same severity levels. May 2023 Began happening every time at an idle, whether I was at a fast food in drive through placing an order, or to wash the car. Every time at an idle this would happen, and would take a few times of trying to start the vehicle and after about 5 seconds of cranking it would catch and work. I began placing the vehicle in neutral while at idle and it would assist In the stalling out sometimes. After a few days of this it refused to crank due to the engine locking up. Milage at this time was 68048. Aug 2023-New engine, drove about 2k miles-70207 current

- Humble, TX, USA

problem #6

May 162023

Optima

  • 68,000 miles
High injector fuel pump top engine mount went out at 68000 miles. It caused the vehicle to stall and lose power and basically cut the car off while driving.

- Humble, TX, USA

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problem #5

May 262023

Optima

  • miles
-Knock Sensor Detection System - ECU Logic Improvement - I Was driving with my infant son in the backseat. I was going 70 mph when my car started rapidly losing speed. This happened again with just myself after receiving the car from mechanic. There was heavy traffic and I had to swerve to avoid being hit by an 18-wheeler. - I can see on the website where I received the car from, there is a recall for my exact make and model with the same code but they say there is no recall for my specific car. - The check engine light started flashing and Kia Systems starts talking.

- Lithia Springs , GA, USA

problem #4

Jun 032022

Optima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I brought the vehicle into Kia service for the recall including a computer operating system upgrade. After the recall work was done the car driving at high highway speeds failed, and immediately slowed down, almost causing a rear collision. The computer system turned off the drive mechanism and I was left with only the electric motor to propel the car. The car barely limped off the highway. The car was brought to the Kia Dealer and no defect was found and the computer was reset. This problem occurred two more times, at highway speeds (70 mph) and Kia was contacted to find out why the problems occurred and how to fix it. To date, Kia has not responded to how to fix the problem and has ignored all phone calls and emails. The car has been in the shop for 3 months. The problem occurred only after Kia upgraded the software due to the recall. Additionally, the recall work was done. I do not know why the recall work was not reported.

- Lake Forest , IL, USA

problem #3

Mar 082020

Optima

  • miles
Trying to cut off and jerks when stopping vehicle

- Greensboro , NC, USA

problem #2

Aug 042022

Optima

  • miles
ECM telling fuel pump to put too much gas, causing exhaust into cabin, unnoticed while in car, but hair and cloth reak of exhaust and getting headaches. Reduced mileage by 20+mpg from 30+ to 11mpg. BSD- no lights or codes thrown by 3rd party, but dealer said there was a code on the BSD. BSD was not working and no codes appeared. NO LIGHTS OR CODES FOR FUEL ISSUE OR BSD, but dealer said there is a recall that I cannot find for fuel and said there was a code for BSD, but it didn-??t pop up on my husband-??s code reader previously.

- Roseville, CA, USA

problem #1

Jul 202019

Optima

  • miles
When driving this vehicle rattles and shakes it has a burning smell/gas smell. It cuts off while driving. Looses oil.oil at low level before due. This make and model is no longer being manufactured. It has a known history of engine problems. Why were consumers allowed to buy this car. Problems are active and ongoing. Started about a year or close to a year after purchase. It is a lemon. The dealer wants to diagnose the engine, but they already know the engine is no good.

- Upper Marlboro, MD, USA

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