2018 Kia Optima · symptom sheet
Engine stalls or loses power while driving
- 34owner reports
- 72,800median miles
- $913median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Aug 20, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
177 of the 232 complaints on this car are about the engine. 34 of those describe stalling.
Tick what matches of 34 reports
Stalling on other Optima years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2019, 2020.
What this problem usually is
Stalling reports are some of the most alarming on the site. The engine quits while the car is moving, sometimes on a highway and sometimes at a stop. Many owners say it restarted right away and the dealer found no stored code, which is part of why these complaints pile up before anything gets fixed.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the ignition coil or plugs (6 reports), the fuel pump (3 reports) and the battery (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the engine covers the 2018 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Optima
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.
Engine fires. Closed feb 5, 2024, led to recall 23V-877.
Non-crash vehicle fires. Closed dec 22, 2021, led to recall 20V-088.
Non-crash vehicle fires. Closed may 10, 2019, led to recall 18V-907.
Scope and timeliness. Closed dec 22, 2021, led to recall 17V-224.
Transmission shift cable detachment. Closed apr 5, 2011, led to recall 11V-153.
What owners paid
6 of the 34 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $251 to $2,900.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 40,000 and 109,000 miles, from the 16 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Engine failed despite maintenance and repairs. The car is part of the active class action for Kia Engine Defects. The KSDS software was never installed as we were never notified about the recall by kia. As a result, Kia denied coverage under the engine defect class action settlement. We need this vehicle repaired or compensation for replacement”
Filed Jul 11, 2025
“Car cut out and stutters and the engine light flashes. Code P1326 is displayed on the OBD reader.”
Filed Aug 26, 2024
“I purchased this vehicle used in April 2023 with 3,000 to go prior to another oil change. I returned home from a trip and the oil light would come on only while turning or braking. When checking the oil there was no oil in the motor. The reservoir was filled and two weeks in the engine is low on oil again. There are no leaks. The car jerks at lights as if it wants to stall out. I feel unsafe driving this car.”
Filed Jun 18, 2023
“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.”
Filed Jun 6, 2023 · 68,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 34 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 52 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 48 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 37 reports