2018 Kia Optima: won't start

Filed Jun 10, 2026 · GA

2018 Kia Optima Dealer Ed Voyles Kia Smyrna began Recall SC340. Vehicle drove in running. Dealer flashed ECM software, discovered non-original engine/ECU. Vehicle now won’t start. Dealer document states 'will not start after recall.' Dealer refuses to restore to running condition citing prior repairs. This violates 49 USC 30120

Filed Jul 28, 2024 · Brakes · KY

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.

Filed Aug 8, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · TX

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

Filed Oct 22, 2020 · Electrical · 19,200 miles · FL

2018 kia optima ex. Sometimes hesitates when trying to start, until today. All lights on dash lit up but no ignition. I tried several times, then steering and brake pedal locked up and I heard clicking noise. Had someone jump my battery and the car started up, but when I turned it off, it would not start again. Nothing was left on all night, car was locked and unlocked with handle. I am contacting the dealer this afternoon to see how they handle this.

Filed Dec 7, 2019 · Brakes, Electrical · 42,100 miles · TX

I have never had any issues with my car, I get maintenance as scheduled so it's odd that this is even happening. On december 6th I went to move my car. I crank the car with no problem. I noticed it kind of hesistated slightly, but continued on with no problem. When I went to put my car in reverse in order to park it stalled and about 5 or 6 of the lights on the dash came on, the steering wheel went hard to manage/steer and as 6 other lights started blinking, I could no longer manipulate my wheel so I allowed the car to roll into the spot because I was on a slight incline and put it in park. The moment I did that the car cut off. It would not turn over, it would not do anything besides click when I tried to crank the car again. I eventually asked someone for a jump and managed to make it home. The next day I got up and drove as I normally would and thats when the eletric power steering warning light came on. When that light comes on the car becomes hard to maneuver. Thankfully that time it went off and proceeded to drive as it would normally. This issue happens unexpectedly without any warning. So at any moment I could be driving and the car can stop on me. I have 4 kids and live in a really busy area so even the thought of this happening has me second thinking each time I have to move my car!! I've seen more than one of the same complaint and I notice our VIN #'s are similar so something should really be done about this as it seems this is a trend with the year, make, and model of this car.

Filed Nov 24, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 57,000 miles · CA

Hello I am nychole and in october of 2017 I purchased a brand new 2018 kia optima . Never really had any issues with it until fri nov 22. As I was leaving from work my car did a very abrupt jerk that I acknowledged but didn't think anything of it because my gas light had just came on. But today which is sunday my car's eps (electric power steering) light flashed. Weirded out I look at the manual in the glove compartment. As I eased into my apartment complex the car did that same jerk, the steering wheel went hard to manage/steer and 6 other lights started blinking( parking break light,epb light ,ABS light,ESC light ,battery charge light, and the master malfunction light) . I could no longer manipulate my wheel so I pull forward onto a open spot and put it in park. The moment I did this the car cut off. It will not turn over, it will not do anything besides tick. I have been great with maintenance because it was either free or dirt cheap so I always took it to the dealership. I have read more reviews of people going through similar things. Just imagine if I had my child in the car, on the interstate and could no longer control my steering wheel or the car just dying mid drive on the interstate how dangerous this issue is. My car is basically 3 years old and has less that 50 k. It has never been wrecked , towed or damaged still practically new. I have also read similar recalls about electronic issues that are only relevant to the hybrids . The recall seems similar.