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Service bulletins for the 2018 Kia Optima

A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.

170 on file from NHTSA, as of 2026-10-19.

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Bulletins, newest first
PS7042021-08-25. Service bulletin. FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. PITSTOP: FRONT RADAR SENSOR MOUNTING INSPECTION (PS704) - This pitstop provides information regarding front radar sensor alignment on 2014MY and later vehicles that may exhibit a warning light ON related to radar sensor alignment errors in the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA)/Smart Cruise Control (SCC) system.
TSB_CHA1062021-08-25. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; STEERING; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF THE DUAL PINION MOTOR DRIVER POWER STEERING SYSTEM - This bulletin provides information regarding the availability of partial repair (depending on faulty components) of the Dual Pinion Motor Driven Power Steering (DP-MDPS) system on some 2016-2021MY~ Kia vehicles (refer to the table below) in order to enhance customer satisfaction by promoting a cost-effective repair/replacement of a faulty related part, instead of replacement of the complete DP-MDPS assembly.
PS7022021-06-15. Service bulletin. VISIBILITY. PIT STOP: A/C DYE FOR E-COMPRESSOR EQUIPPED VEHICLES - This bulletin provides information on the proper non-conductive A/C system leak detection dye to be used in all EV, HEV, and PHEV models equipped with an electric A/C compressor.
TSB_CHA084_R72021-04-06. Service bulletin. STEERING. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information regarding the partial repair of the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Motor, Electronic Control Unit (ECU), Steering Column Housing, or Worm Gear Assembly. When the steering wheel is rotated a scraping noise can be heard originating from the lower bearing on the Worm Gear Assembly on some 2010MY~ Kia models listed on page 8, equipped with a Column Motor Driven Power Steering (C-MDPS) unit.
TSB_ENG222_R22021-03-24. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information on diagnosing and/or repairing some 2011-2019MY vehicles (refer to table below for applicable model and engine), which may exhibit a symptom of excessive oil consumption.
PS6862021-03-04. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. PITSTOP/TECHNICAL OPERATIONS - SMOKE MACHINE NOT TO BE USED FOR EMISSIONS TESTING WITH HEV/PHEV MODELS - This Pitstop provides information to properly test the evaporative emissions system in all Kia 2011MY~ Hybrid (HEV) and Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) model vehicles. A smoke machine should NEVER be used when testing the evaporative system in a HEV/PHEV model vehicle.
TSB_ENG222_R12021-02-02. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; EQUIPMENT. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information on diagnosing and/or repairing some 2011-2019MY vehicles (refer to table below for applicable model and engine), which may exhibit a symptom of excessive oil consumption.
TSB_CHA084_R62020-12-02. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; STEERING; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information regarding the partial repair of the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Motor, Electronic Control Unit (ECU), Worm Gear Assembly or Steering Column Housing on some 2010MY~ Kia models listed on page 8, equipped with a Column Motor Driven Power Steering (C-MDPS) unit.
TSB_CHA084_R52020-12-02. Service bulletin. STEERING; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information regarding the partial repair of the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Motor, Electronic Control Unit (ECU), Worm Gear Assembly or Steering Column Housing on some 2010MY~ Kia models listed on page 8, equipped with a Column Motor Driven Power Steering (C-MDPS) unit.
PI1802YZ_TSB_R42020-12-01. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI1802Y/Z) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published in July 2018 (PI1802 Rev 10, 03/16/2020) titled “Knock Sensor Detection System - ECU Logic Improvement” equipped w/THETA II engine. Specifically, this bulletin provides instructions on which procedures to follow if, after installation of the KSDS, any one of the subject vehicles below returns to the dealer with Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P1326 (Knock Signal Range/Performance).
PS6632020-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. PITSTOP: MFC, CONCERNS FOR DISABLED OPERATION - This Pitstop provides information regarding concerns with disabled operation of Multi-Function Camera (MFC) on some Kia vehicles. When normal operation is not possible due to certain outside environment conditions (such as sunlight glare, heavy rain, sunlight, snow, fog and/or substance/debris) causing a temporary concern. This stops operation causing Warning Lamp ON and/or Pop-up Message displayed on the cluster. This is a normal operation of the ADAS and once environment conditions improve and/or substance/debris are removed, the system will clear itself and operate normally.
PS299_R42020-11-03. Service bulletin. VISIBILITY; VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER. PITSTOP: CORRECT PROCEDURE FOR RAISING WINDSHIELD WIPERS - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. When servicing windshield wipers on the below listed vehicles, including during PDI, ensure to raise the wiper arms to a vertical position to avoid damaging the paint on the rear edge of the hood.
TSB_CHA098_R32020-09-03. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: IBAU SYSTEM REPAIR FOR NOISE AND AIR BLEEDING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides the repair procedure for the Integrated Brake Actuation Unit (iBAU) system on some 2014-2019MY EV/Hybrid/Plug-In Hybrid vehicles listed (see table), which may exhibit a "honking" (Hissing) noise due to air remaining in the brake fluid system.
PS6752020-09-03. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER. PITSTOP - BRAKE CALIPER LEAK INSPECTION - This PITSTOP provides information related to a brake caliper fluid/oil substance found on some Kia vehicles, due to possible excess assembly oil applied during assembly.
PI1802_TSB_R122020-09-03. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT - TSB_PI1802_R2 - Knock Sensor Detection System - ECU Logic Improvement - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information related to a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to install the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) in order to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage.
TSB_ENG2192020-08-04. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: MAINTENANCE REMINDER FEATURE - This bulletin provides information on setting the "Service Interval Reminder" feature available on most Kia vehicles. If the service interval reminder is set, the customer will be informed to have the next maintenance service performed, which can positively affect vehicle longevity and performance.
PI1802YZ_TSB_R32020-08-03. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN - ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI1802Y/Z_Rev3) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. - This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published in July 2018 (PI1802 Rev 10, 03/16/2020) titled "Knock Sensor Detection System - ECU Logic Improvement".
PI1802YZ_TSB_R22020-08-03. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN - ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI1802Y/Z_Rev2) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published in July 2018 (PI1802 Rev 10, 03/16/2020) titled "Knock Sensor Detection System - ECU Logic Improvement".
TSB_BOD2082020-07-06. Service bulletin. LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES. TSB - This bulletin provides the procedure to perform a partial repair on the trunk latch base sub assembly on the certain Forte, Rio and Optima vehicles, which may exhibit a difficult-to-close/latch concern with the trunk lid.
TSB_FUE0462020-07-06. Service bulletin. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: COMBINATION TSB/SERVICE ACTION: AIR FILTER AND NVLD REPLACEMENT (SA421) - This bulletin provides the procedure to perform an evaporative leak test and replace the fuel tank air filter, and, if necessary, the Natural Vacuum Leak Detector (NVLD) on some Optima (JF HEV) vehicles, produced from June 27, 2016 through January 7, 2019, which may experience an evaporative leak concern with DTC P0456.
TSB_CLI0492020-07-06. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL; EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR - ELECTRICAL A/C COMPRESSOR - This bulletin provides information regarding partial repair of the Air Conditioning (A/C) compressor assembly on some 2011MY~ Optima (TF HEV, JF HEV/PHEV/EV), Soul (PS EV) and Niro (DE HEV/PHEV/EV) vehicles.
PI1802_TSB_R112020-07-06. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. TSB: PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN : KNOCK SENSOR DETECTION SYSTEM (KSDS) LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (PI1802_R11) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides information related to a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to install the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) in order to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage.
PS608_R12020-06-03. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. PITSTOP: UPDATED SPARK PLUG FOR 2.0T THETA-II - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This Pitstop provides information regarding the updated spark plug for vehicles listed below, equipped with 2.0T Theta-II engines, which may not yet be available in the Electronic Parts Catalog (EPC). If not available, the updated spark plug must be ordered manually. This updated spark plug has been improved with the thread shoulder lengthened to enhance protection of the insulator from combustion heat.
TSB_TRA046_R12020-05-05. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: - TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced, refer to applicable vehicles on page 2. Refer to the shop manual on KGIS for the specific Kia model for the correct transmission fluid check/fill procedures.
TSB_ENG205_C2020-05-05. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: WIRING SIGNAL INTERFERENCE CHECK & ENGINE NOISE INSPECTION (SA379) - CLOSED - SUPERSEDED BY PI1802YZ/1803YZ.

The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.