2017 Kia OPTIMA HYBRID problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
26 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
23,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2017 model year. Data snapshot: . 19 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 16 of 26 complaints (61.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 23.1% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 11.5% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 11.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.8% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 16 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
Engine: 16; Electrical System: 6; Service Brakes: 4; Unknown Or Other: 4; Power Train: 3; Air Bags: 1; Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 12 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 12; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 7 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2018: 6; 2019: 2; 2020: 3; 2021: 1; 2022: 2; 2023: 3; 2024: 5; 2025: 2; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11317509 · 2020-03-11 (March 11, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION, THE VOLTAGE INDICATOR SWITCHED FROM NORMAL VOLTAGE TO HIGH VOLTAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER ELK GROVE KIA LOCATED AT (8480 LAGUNA GROVE DR, ELK GROVE CA) WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 18V161000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WA…
Owner-reported narrative. 23,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11317509 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11348408 · 2020-08-10 (August 10, 2020)
MY VEHICLE HAS HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH ITS HYBRID BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SINCE PURCHASE. IT HAS BEEN TOWED 4 TIMES. WHILE DRIVING MY CAR WILL START TO JERK AND A WARNING SYSTEM TELLING ME THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (BMS) AND THE POWER TRAIN. IT WILL TELL ME TO PULL OVER OR TO CONTACT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THIS CAR HAS HAD ITS BATTERY REPLACED AND SOFTWARE UPGRADED NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT I KEEP HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. I'M CONCERNED THE BATTERY SYSTEM IS FAULTY AND IT'S DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT THIS POINT, AS NOTHING PR…
Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11348408 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11089870 · 2018-04-24 (April 24, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED DURING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (GALPIN KIA, 8425 SEPULVEDA BLVD, NORTH HILLS, CA 91343), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V161000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO WAIT FOR A DIAGNOSIS FROM THE DEALER…
Owner-reported narrative. 143 miles reported. Look up ODI 11089870 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11611145 · 2024-08-27 (August 27, 2024)
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 repaired but failed to accelerate as intended or change gear as intended. The vehicle was then taken to another dealer where it was diagnosed that the triaxle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failu…
Owner-reported narrative. 140,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11611145 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11112578 · 2018-07-20 (July 20, 2018)
TAKATA RECALL- WHEN BRAKING PR PUMPING THE BRAKES THERE IS A KNOCKING NOISE, THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHEN RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL ON FLAT ROADS OR HILLS. THERE IS A CREAKING NOISE WHEN RELEASING THE BRAKE AFTER PUTTING CAR FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR REVERSE.
Owner-reported narrative. 8,775 miles reported. Look up ODI 11112578 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11221314 · 2019-06-19 (June 19, 2019)
BRAKE LINE HAS AIR IN IT FOR THE SECOND TIME IN A MATTER OF A FEW MONTHS, FIRST TIME IT TOOK KIA DEALERSHIP 4 DAYS TO REPAIR. THIS CURRENT TIME IT SHOULD TAKE 2 DAYS. WHEN BRAKING HARD AT A SLOW OR HIGH SPEED, THERE IS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM BRAKE AREA. S
Owner-reported narrative. 24,280 miles reported. Look up ODI 11221314 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11072137 · 2018-02-11 (February 11, 2018)
THE VEHICLE IS GETTING STUCK ON ELECTRIC MODE AND NOT SWITCHING OVER TO GAS AND LOSING POWER. HAVING TO PULL OVER AND TURN CAR OFF AND BACK ON THE RESET IT. CAR ONLY HAS 2500 MILES. TAKING BACK TO DEALER ASAP. WAS DRIVING ON MAJOR INTERSTATE 70 MPH ERROR MESSAGE FROM CAR SAID TRANSMISSION ERROR SERVICE IMMEDIATELY
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11072137 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11355448 · 2020-09-16 (September 16, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT AND HIS DAUGHTER LEASED A 2017 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE PARKING BRAKE WOULD ACTIVE INDEPENDENTLY AS THE PARKING BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WOULD SIMULTANEOUSLY APPEAR ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE PARKING BRAKE HAD ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY AS THE CHECK HYBRID WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. DUE TO THE PARKING BRAKE ACTIVATION, SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AS THE REAR TIRES BEGAN TO LOCK. THE VEHICL…
Owner-reported narrative. 23,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11355448 at NHTSA ↗