Kia Optima 2018 Hybrid Recall: Risk of Power Loss During EV Mode
Kia recalls certain 2017-2018 Optima hybrids due to potential power loss in EV mode, risking crashes. Owners must contact Kia by May 2018 for free BMS repairs.
Use caution until it’s fixed
If the VPD activates while the vehicle is being operated in Electric Vehicle (EV) mode, there may be a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash.
What happened, in plain English
Kia is recalling some 2017-2018 Optima hybrid vehicles because a voltage protection device might activate unexpectedly while driving in electric mode, causing power loss and crash risk. This affects owners who use the vehicle's electric mode. Read more at govinfonow.com/recall/1225135-kia-optima-2018-hybrid-recall-risk-of-power-loss-during.
Source Summary by GovInfoNow · govinfonow.com/recall/1225135-kia-optima-2018-hybrid-recall-risk-of-power-loss-during · Updated October 6, 2026 · Official notice: NHTSA #18V161000
Cite this page
“Kia Optima 2018 Hybrid Recall: Risk of Power Loss During EV Mode.” GovInfoNow, updated October 6, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/1225135-kia-optima-2018-hybrid-recall-risk-of-power-loss-during. Based on NHTSA recall #18V161000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=18V161000).
Why it’s dangerous
The vehicle's Voltage Protection Device (VPD) may activate while in electric mode, causing power loss. This could lead to a crash if the driver loses control of the vehicle.
Who’s affected
Owners of 2017-2018 Kia Optima hybrid vehicles are affected. Drivers using electric mode are most at risk due to potential power loss.
How to tell if you have this one
Check for 2017-2018 Kia Optima hybrid models. The recall applies to vehicles with the Voltage Protection Device (VPD) that may activate inadvertently.
- Brand
Kia- Category
Vehicle
What to do — step by step
Contact Kia Customer Service
Call 1-800-333-4542 to confirm your vehicle is affected and schedule repairs.
May 2018Get Free BMS Repair
Kia will install two new Battery Management Systems with Overvoltage Protection Devices at no cost.
What NHTSA says to do
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will remove the VPD switch and install two newly designed Battery Management Systems (BMS) that contain Overvoltage Protection Devices (OPDs), free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC162.
How this recall unfolded
Recall timeline
- Recall expected to begin (expected, per the notice)
- NHTSA received the defect report
Dates from the agency record only; steps without a date are left out.
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Where this comes from
The facts (hazard, remedy, dates, manufacturer) are pulled from the official NHTSA recall record. The plain-language summary and step-by-step checklist are written by GovInfoNow to make the official notice easier to act on — they don’t replace it.
- Official source: NHTSA Recall #18V161000 (August 3, 2018)
- Plain-language summary written by qwen3:4b on October 6, 2026, from the official record above. Not reviewed by a person — if it conflicts with the NHTSA notice, the notice is correct. Report an error on this page.
- GovInfoNow is an independent service and is not a government agency. We republish official NHTSA recall data; we don’t issue, amend or administer recalls.