2017 KIA Optima Hybrid Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Optima Hybrid years
- About as many complaints as other years 5th of 10 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 2 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 out of 5 stars
Owners have filed 26 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 KIA Optima Hybrid. That ranks 5th out of 10 Optima Hybrid model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine (16 complaints, 62%), typically at around 28,938 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations involving it.
- 26owner complaints
- 2safety recalls
- 3NHTSA investigations
- 1complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2017 KIA Optima Hybrid problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 16 | 62% | 28,938 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 6 | 23% | 11,750 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 4 | 15% | 23,640 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 4 | 15% | 8,775 | — | — |
| Power Train | 3 | 12% | 87,500 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 1 | 4% | 23,000 | — | — |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | 4% | 10,000 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 4% | 115,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 4% | 9,000 | — | — |
| Firerelated | 1 | 4% | 106,000 | — | — |
| Hybrid Propulsion System | 1 | 4% | 83,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 1 | 4% | 8,775 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 4% | 83,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2017 KIA Optima Hybrid recalls (2)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Latches/locks/linkages:trunk lid:latch
Problem: 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."
Risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers 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.
Engine
Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which can result in engine damage.
Risk: A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the engine. If bearing damage is found, the engine will be replaced. Dealers will also install a software update containing a Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 29, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC218.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Pedestrian alert sounds (DP22005) — opened Jan 27, 2023, closed Aug 7, 2023, led to recall 22V063000.
- Loss of Motive Power (DP22003) — opened Sep 12, 2022, closed Dec 12, 2023.
- Engine Fires (EA21003) — opened Dec 22, 2021, closed Feb 5, 2024, led to recall 23V877.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
This car is registered under my sons name, [XXX]. I helped him buy the car as we paid cash for it ( Money was provided by my ex-wife). We bought it on XXX and was sold as-is but then the seller said theres no problem with it. A week after we bought it as my son was driving it on [XXX] it drove it…
I believe the Hybrid Propulsion System in my kia optima hybrid should have been part of the recall. The vehicle is currently showing signs of the vehicle's Voltage Protection Device activating inadvertently, causing a sudden loss of power. Vehicle is currently with an authorized dealership being…
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 70 MPH, there was an abnormal amount of smoke coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that DTC: P1326 was displayed on the instrument panel, with the message, âFor Your Safety â…
The contactâs son owns a 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that after coming to a complete stop, the vehicle started leaking oil. The vehicle was not taken to a mechanic or the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The…
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was…
Other KIA Optima Hybrid years
← 2016 Optima Hybrid · 2018 Optima Hybrid →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Optima Hybrid | 1 | 0 |
| 2019 Optima Hybrid | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 Optima Hybrid | 3 | 2 |
| 2017 | 26 | 2 |
| 2016 Optima Hybrid | 4 | 0 |
| 2015 Optima Hybrid | 12 | 0 |
| 2014 Optima Hybrid | 31 | 0 |
| 2013 Optima Hybrid | 55 | 2 |
| 2012 Optima Hybrid | 109 | 3 |
| 2011 Optima Hybrid | 34 | 3 |
See all KIA Optima Hybrid problems by year, every KIA model, or the KIA VIN decoder.
Similar KIA models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2017 KIA Optima Hybrid?
Owners most often report engine, electrical system, service brakes problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 16 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2017 KIA Optima Hybrid?
Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2017 KIA Optima Hybrid a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Optima Hybrid model years, the 2017 has about as many complaints as a typical year, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.