2018 KIA OPTIMA Fuelpropulsion System Problems

On August 26, 2025, I brought my 2018 Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid to an authorized dealer for recall SC218 (engine inspection and KSDS software update). The dealer verbally stated both SC218 and SC278 recalls were completed, and the repair order (RO #XXX) lists them as performed. In September 2025, Kia America emailed me showing recall SC218 still open, and a warranty coverage report dated September 26, 2025, again listed SC218 as unclosed. On November 4, 2025, NHTSA’s official VIN lookup confirmed the recall remains “Incomplete.” On October 21, 2025, Kia America emailed me under Case #XXX stating that SC218 was “confirmed completed” and that the dealer performed a software update to the ECU, referencing RO #XXX. However, NHTSA’s database still lists recall SC218 as incomplete. This contradiction between Kia America’s internal record, the dealer’s invoice, and the federal NHTSA database raises a serious safety concern that the recall inspection or...

My 2018 Kia Optima LX began using excessive oil (>3 quarts/1000 miles) just over 100K miles. I researched and found that the Theta II engine in my car is known for this. When I took my car to dealership (Stokes Hodges Kia, North Augusta, SC), with the check engine light on, they told me me plugs were fouled (they were just replaced 1 yr prior), cylinder 3 misfiring, and that I needed to pay a few thousand dollars to have repaired. When I asked them to guarantee the soaking process they recommended, they responded that they couldn't, that it "only worked 80% of the time." I have the KSDS download since 2019 and asked them to follow the guidelines of their TSB ENG 222 for the class action lawsuit and start a 1000 mile oil consumption test. they refused, basically telling me the only way to get a new engine...

Purchased car about 4 months ago, before warranty ran out, the shop looked at it told me it was fine, it wouldn't accelerate. Few weeks later same issue but all my oil was gone, they found 11 things wrong with the vehicle, told me warranty wouldn't take care of it unless the engine blow up. The salesman Scottie Mitchell told me check Kia for recalls, called Kia 3 recalls, they were trying to finance another car higher, back wanted to know why the dealership didn't know about recalls, Kia place did call a Robert. One of the owners did know about recalls, why dealership didn't pass them on. They trying to sell me a higher vehicle to keep cover the cost of the one I got 1st

THE FUEL PUMP HAS AN ACTIVE RECALL. TOOK ITIN TO DEALER AND WE ARE BEING ADVISED KIA WILL NOT COVER THE COST. THEY HAVE AN ARTICLE OUT THAT CLEARLY STATES THEY WILL COVER THE COSTS. THE CAR WREAKS OF THE SMELL OF GAS AND WE ARE SCARED IT WILL CATCH FIRE.

Leaking gas at the firewall when running.

purchased my car in june of 2019. Ive scheduled regular oil changes and maintenance until june of 2020 where the engine light began to flicker and the car would shake. I took to Koons Kia owings mills md and it was repaired. Next year same thing. Oil compression issues all year round where i have to keep putting oil in. Now my car starts and shakes violently. the kia service modurator on the car indicated there were an engine issue. I cannot keep dishing money into this car with so many recalls (current fuel pump recall and anti theft issue) is also included. Please help

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...

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.

-Knock Sensor Detection System - ECU Logic Improvement - I Was driving with my infant son in the backseat. I was going 70 mph when my car started rapidly losing speed. This happened again with just myself after receiving the car from mechanic. There was heavy traffic and I had to swerve to avoid being hit by an 18-wheeler. - I can see on the website where I received the car from, there is a recall for my exact make and model with the same code but they say there is no recall for my specific car. - The check engine light started flashing and Kia Systems starts talking.

Trying to cut off and jerks when stopping vehicle

ECM telling fuel pump to put too much gas, causing exhaust into cabin, unnoticed while in car, but hair and cloth reak of exhaust and getting headaches. Reduced mileage by 20+mpg from 30+ to 11mpg. BSD- no lights or codes thrown by 3rd party, but dealer said there was a code on the BSD. BSD was not working and no codes appeared. NO LIGHTS OR CODES FOR FUEL ISSUE OR BSD, but dealer said there is a recall that I cannot find for fuel and said there was a code for BSD, but it didn’t pop up on my husband’s code reader previously.

WHEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE RATTLES AND SHAKES IT HAS A BURNING SMELL/GAS SMELL. IT CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. LOOSES OIL.OIL AT LOW LEVEL BEFORE DUE. THIS MAKE AND MODEL IS NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED. IT HAS A KNOWN HISTORY OF ENGINE PROBLEMS. WHY WERE CONSUMERS ALLOWED TO BUY THIS CAR. PROBLEMS ARE ACTIVE AND ONGOING. STARTED ABOUT A YEAR OR CLOSE TO A YEAR AFTER PURCHASE. IT IS A LEMON . THE DEALER WANTS TO DIAGNOSE THE ENGINE, BUT THEY ALREADY KNOW THE ENGINE IS NO GOOD.