2018 Kia Optima Plug In Hybrid
Common Problems
Ranked from 93 federal NHTSA complaints. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
17 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Engine Misfire and Failure
29complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine experiences misfires and failures, often due to internal bearing wear or other mechanical issues, leading to engine lock-up and stalling.
$200–$900est. ignition service (coils/plugs) · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 2
Engine Oil Consumption
26complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine consumes oil at an abnormally high rate, leading to frequent oil changes and potential engine failure.
$400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 3–14 hrs laborGet local quotes - 3
Headlight Malfunction
18complaintsMedium severityElectricalHeadlights randomly turn off or fail to illuminate, posing a safety hazard especially at night.
$100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 4
Steering Column Coupler Failure
13complaintsHigh severitySteeringThe steering column coupler fails, requiring a costly replacement of the entire column or coupler, posing a driving risk.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 5
Engine Stalling and Shaking
10complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine frequently stalls and shakes during operation, affecting vehicle stability and drivability.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 6
Paint Peeling and Bubbling
10complaintsLow severityOtherThe paint on the vehicle begins to peel and bubble, particularly in the snow white pearl color, affecting the vehicle's appearance.
- 7
Unreliable Recalls and Warranty Coverage
10complaintsMedium severityOtherOwners report issues with recalls and warranty coverage, particularly with the engine defect class action lawsuit, leading to unresolved safety concerns.
- 8
Check Engine Light Illumination and Limp Mode
5complaintsMedium severityEngineThe check engine light illuminates and the vehicle enters limp mode, often due to engine or transmission issues.
$100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 9
Unexplained Smoke Emission
4complaintsMedium severityFuel systemThe car emits smoke from the exhaust, often accompanied by a burning smell, indicating potential engine or fuel system issues.
- 10
Engine overheating
3complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine overheats, often resulting in a check engine light and reduced performance.
$150–$1,200est. cooling-system diagnosis + repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 11
Vehicle Speed Control Issues
3complaintsMedium severityOtherThe vehicle speed control system malfunctions, causing the car to lose power or stall while driving, posing a safety risk.
- 12
Airbag Deployment Failure During Collision
2complaintsSafety riskBrakesThe airbags fail to deploy during a collision, leaving passengers at risk of injury or death.
- 13
Brake Pedal Freezes During Emergency Braking
2complaintsSafety riskBrakesThe brake pedal freezes during emergency braking, causing the car to come to an abrupt stop without reducing speed.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 14
Engine Fire
2complaintsSafety riskOtherThe engine catches fire, often due to excessive oil consumption, posing a significant safety risk to the driver and passengers.
- 15
Engine Fire During Operation
2complaintsSafety riskEngineThe engine catches fire while the car is being driven, emitting smoke and flames from under the hood.
- 16
Random Loss of Power and Propulsion
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe car suddenly loses power and propulsion, unable to accelerate beyond certain speeds.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 17
Unreliable Electrical System
2complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe electrical system malfunctions, causing random issues such as headlights turning off or doors not closing properly.
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.