2017 KIA Optima Phev Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Optima Phev years
- Far more complaints than other years 1st of 5 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 2 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 23 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 KIA Optima Phev. That is the most of any Optima Phev model year in the database (5 years). The most reported problem area is engine (11 complaints, 48%), typically at around 75,750 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash, 2 fires. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations involving it.
- 23owner 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 Phev 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 | 11 | 48% | 75,750 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 8 | 35% | 16,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 4 | 17% | — | — | — |
| Air Bags | 2 | 9% | 57,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 2 | 9% | 16,000 | — | — |
| Hybrid Propulsion System | 2 | 9% | 117,336 | — | — |
| Power Train | 2 | 9% | — | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 4% | 103,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 4% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 4% | 117,336 | — | — |
| Steering | 1 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 4% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2017 KIA Optima Phev 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.
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the check engine and oil warning lights illuminated and then turned off independently. The contact slowed…
I was driving the vehicle home on the freeway after just buying it. I had only driven it for about 35-40 minutes and after 5 minutes the ev battery was drained completely and the car was running in hybrid mode. The vehicle suddenly lost all its power and a warning light came on flashing saying…
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima PHEV. The contact stated that there was an abnormally loud rattling sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was turning on and off. The contact stated that the catalytic converter and battery were damaged. The vehicle…
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This car was purchased [XXX] and has been in my possession for 3 years and 4 months. It has sat in a dealership repair facility for 13 of those months to replace the engine and high-voltage hybrid battery. Meaning I have actively driven this vehicle for approximately 27 months and the retraction…
Other KIA Optima Phev years
← 2016 Optima Phev · 2018 Optima Phev →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Optima Phev | 1 | 0 |
| 2019 Optima Phev | 1 | 0 |
| 2018 Optima Phev | 8 | 2 |
| 2017 | 23 | 2 |
| 2016 Optima Phev | 0 | 0 |
See all KIA Optima Phev 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 Phev?
Owners most often report engine, electrical system, unknown or other problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 11 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2017 KIA Optima Phev?
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 Phev a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Optima Phev model years, the 2017 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.