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Buying a used 2018 Kia Optima? Check these 2 recalls first

2 NHTSA recalls · 232 owner complaints on file

The 2018 Optima's complaint record is the notable part: 232 owner reports to NHTSA, 131 of them engine-related, with 10 crashes, 10 fires, and nine injuries logged. These are unverified owner reports. The two open recalls are narrower — a high-severity item covering power loss while driving on the Optima Hybrid, and a trunk that may not open from inside. Neither carries a stop-driving or park-outside warning.

Before you buy

1. Get the 17-character VIN from the seller and run it at nhtsa.gov/recalls. It shows which recalls are still unrepaired on that exact car.
2. Ask for complete engine service history and check for oil consumption or knocking
3. Run the VIN to see which recalls apply to this specific car and their status
4. Test the interior trunk release and inspect the engine bay for oil or burn marks
5. Open recalls are repaired free at any Kia dealer, whoever owns the car — an open recall is a to-do item, not a bill.

Recalls covering the 2018 Kia Optima

What owners have reported to NHTSA

232 complaints filed for this model year, including 10 mentioning a crash, 10 a fire and 9 injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, and popular models collect more of them simply because more are on the road.

Other model years

• All Optima recalls