What is a Carchieve vehicle history report?

A Carchieve report is a complete safety and records check on any U.S. vehicle. Enter the 17-character VIN and you get the decoded vehicle identity and full specifications, every open safety recall, owner-reported complaints by system, official NHTSA crash-test ratings, and a buyer action plan, in one clean report and a downloadable PDF.

How is Carchieve different from a typical VIN lookup?

Carchieve doesn't just dump raw data. It authenticates the VIN, organizes every federal safety record into a buyer-ready dossier, scores the vehicle, and tells you exactly what to inspect, ask and verify before you pay, the way a careful mechanic would read the car.

How fast will I get my report?

Reports are generated in under a minute. As soon as your VIN is checked against the recall, complaint, ratings and identity databases, your report and PDF are ready to view and download.

Can I buy more than one report?

Yes. A single report is $24.99. If you're comparing several cars, the 3- and 5-report bundles save you money per report and the extra credits stay in your account until you use them.

What information do I need to run a report?

Only the 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The VIN is on the lower-left corner of the windshield, the driver-side door jamb, and the vehicle title or registration.

Where does the data come from?

Every report is built from authoritative U.S. vehicle databases, including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall, complaint and 5-Star safety-rating programs and the federal VIN product information catalog. Carchieve authenticates the VIN check digit so you know the identity is genuine.

Can I share the report with a seller or mechanic?

Yes. Every report includes a professionally formatted PDF you can download, print, or forward to a private seller, dealer, or mechanic to support your buying decision.

2018 Kia Optima Recalls: 2 Campaigns, 232 Complaints & Ratings

The 2018 Kia Optima has 2 safety recall campaigns and 232 owner complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and it earned an overall 5-star NHTSA crash-test rating. Below is the public model-level safety record. To see whether a specific Optima had applicable recalls repaired and what its decoded VIN says, run that car's VIN.

Safety recalls

HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

Campaign 18V161000 · 08/03/2018

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Kia Optima hybrid vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a Voltage Protection Device (VPD), designed to protect the high voltage battery module, that may activate inadvertently.

RiskIf 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.

RemedyKia 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.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH

Campaign 23V594000 · 24/08/2023

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Rio, 2016-2018 Optima, 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. The trunk latch base may crack, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."

RiskA person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.

RemedyDealers will replace the trunk latch base subassembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC278.

What owners complain about

The systems 2018 Kia Optima owners report most often to federal regulators:

Engine131

Unknown Or Other37

Electrical System33

Power Train18

Service Brakes17

Engine And Engine Cooling14

NHTSA crash-test ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★

Side crash★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Overall★★★★★

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2018 Kia Optima have any recalls?

Yes. The 2018 Kia Optima has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns associated with this model year. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer when the exact VIN is affected. Check your specific VIN to confirm applicability and completion.

What problems do 2018 Kia Optima owners report?

Owners have filed 232 complaints with the NHTSA for the 2018 Kia Optima, most often about the engine, unknown or other, electrical system.

How do I check a specific Optima's history?

Enter the 17-character VIN into Carchieve. You get the recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings shown here for that exact vehicle, plus full decoded specifications and a guided title and odometer check.

2018 Kia Optima: Recalls, Complaints & Safety Ratings

Run a full report for this Optima

Safety recalls

HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH

What owners complain about

NHTSA crash-test ratings

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2018 Kia Optima have any recalls?

What problems do 2018 Kia Optima owners report?

How do I check a specific Optima's history?

Check a specific 2018 Kia Optima

2018 Kia Optima: Recalls, Complaints & Safety Ratings

Run a full report for this Optima

Safety recalls

HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH

What owners complain about

NHTSA crash-test ratings

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2018 Kia Optima have any recalls?

What problems do 2018 Kia Optima owners report?

How do I check a specific Optima's history?

Check a specific 2018 Kia Optima

Other model years