2018 Honda Accord vs 2018 Kia Optima
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2018 Honda Accord | 2018 Kia Optima |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 1,827 | 230 |
| Recall campaigns | 6 | 2 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 300 | 155 |
| Investigations | 2 | 2 |
| Crash reports | 34 | 10 |
| Fire reports | 4 | 10 |
| NCAP overall rating | 5/5 | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 26–47 | 25–42 |
| Median reported mileage | 24,269 mi | 44,163 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Honda Accord | Kia Optima |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 521 | 129 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 326 | 1 |
| Electrical System | 279 | 33 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 296 | 13 |
| Service Brakes | 247 | 17 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 165 | 0 |
| Power Train | 130 | 18 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 110 | 10 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Loss of power | 169 | 13 |
| Stalling | 166 | 26 |
| Misfire / rough idle | 150 | 11 |
| Check engine light | 133 | 27 |
| Overheating | 79 | 0 |
| Vibration / shaking | 63 | 19 |
| Hesitation / surging | 44 | 7 |
| Clunking / rattling | 21 | 6 |
2018 Honda Accord
2018 Kia Optima
Compare all Honda Accord vs Kia Optima years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.