2018 KIA OPTIMA Complaints

Check engine light began flashing halfway down the highway. Oil changes and maintenance are done regularly. Vehicle handling seemed to be unsafe. Vehicle would not accelerate. Had inspection done in September.

Kia Optima headlights turn off randomly while on automatic. This dangerous issue has been investigated on other Kia models by the NTSB, which them prompted Kia to issue a recall. I have found many, many posts on car and Kia forums about headlights shutting off while driving at night with the Kia Optima (as well as other Kia items). It's very scary and very hazardous. This is a widespread issue.

Engine is burning oil at a high rate have to add at least three quarts twice a week and headlights and brake lights got out twice a month

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that there was an abnormal growling sound coming from under the floorboard, and the engine was making an abnormal knocking sound. The contact stated that the RPM gauge was revving high while depressing the accelerator pedal; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact pulled over and turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the vehicle was not running normally. The contact stated that the failure was a recurring failure. Additionally, the contact stated that vehicle was consuming approximately one quart of engine oil per week and the transmission was hesitating and was making the vehicle jerk while shifting gear. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 76,270.

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The engine and oil warning lights were flashing on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who performed an oil consumption test. The vehicle failed the oil consumption test and determined that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Monroeville Kia (3721 William Penn Hwy, Monroeville, PA 15146); who informed the contact there was no recall coverage on the VIN for the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.

I’ve had the 2018 Kia Optima for a little over a year. I purchased it as a used vehicle. I’ve noticed that the car is utilizing an excessive amount of oil. Each time I get an oil change for the vehicle I am having to purchase oil to refill the vehicle about 2weeks to a month after. I’ve made multiple road trips where I’ve gotten the oil changed before leaving and I drove around 350 miles; halfway through the drive the oil was half empty on the dipstick. The first time this happened I was unaware of this issue and when I arrived to my destination after around 350 miles of driving, the car had little to no oil. I will provide store receipts of each time I had to purchase oil for the vehicle. I will also provide service interval receipts upon request. Dates of oil purchase are as follows: 1.7/18/23 2.8/16/23 3.10/20/23 4.12/18/23 5.2/7/24 6.2/29/24 7.3/18/24 8.5/4/24 9.5/11/24 10.7/9/24 Service intervals for oil changes are kept up with every 3-5k miles and can provide maintenance receipt.

My grandson was driving home last night on our Clay County West Virginia narrow unlighted road when his 2018 Kia Optima Headlights went out completely. He wrote that he was scared but finally was able to get lights back on before running off the road. Also, several nights while car is locked with one in the car: the headlights came on. He had to unlock the car and start it up to finally get the headlights off. The lights were off when he first entered the house. I have a service call set up for 09-27-24 with Dutch Miller Kia, but there is a $180.96 + tax diagnostic charge and then the cost to repair the situation. I see there are many NHTSA complaints on your website for this problem. Kia apparently has not issued a statement or recall. HELP!

Car cut out and stutters and the engine light flashes. Code P1326 is displayed on the OBD reader.

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle hesitated upon depression of the accelerator pedal with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact continued to drive the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 40 MPH and was shaking abnormally. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 132,378.

Driver side brake light will only work with headlights off. Turn headlights on and it goes out and doesn't start to work until turning off headlights. Also brakes give out when trying to stop, you have to actually shift to neutral for brakes to work again.