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U.S. public vehicle records

2017 Kia OPTIMA PHEV problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

23 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

64,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2017 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 23 complaints (47.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Electrical and battery issues834.8%
Braking behavior28.7%

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.

Engine
11
Electrical System
8
Unknown Or Other
4
Air Bags
2
Fuel/Propulsion System
2
Hybrid Propulsion System
2
Power Train
2
Latches/Locks/Linkages
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Engine11
Electrical System8
Unknown Or Other4
Air Bags2
Fuel/Propulsion System2
Hybrid Propulsion System2
Power Train2
Latches/Locks/Linkages1

Engine: 11; Electrical System: 8; Unknown Or Other: 4; Air Bags: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Hybrid Propulsion System: 2; Power Train: 2; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
2
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
4
75,000 to 99,999
1
100,000 to 149,999
2
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0002
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9994
75,000 to 99,9991
100,000 to 149,9992
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 14 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.

2018
3
2019
3
2020
1
2021
4
2022
1
2023
3
2024
4
2025
4
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20183
20193
20201
20214
20221
20233
20244
20254

2018: 3; 2019: 3; 2020: 1; 2021: 4; 2022: 1; 2023: 3; 2024: 4; 2025: 4

Pattern summary

Engine leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 8 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 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 11192587 · 2019-03-30 (March 30, 2019)

KIA WON'T SERVICE THE ELECTRICAL LOSS RECALL

Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11192587 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11193782 · 2019-04-04 (April 4, 2019)

I HAVE 2017 KIA PLUG IN I HAD TO REPLACE BATTERIES SYSTEM TWICE WITHIN A YEAR. I ALSO HAVE A ENGINE KNOCKING AT 26000 MILES THAT THE DEALER CLAIMS IS A THAT WAS CAUSE BY SERVICE DONE TO OIL FILTER THAT DON'T MAKE NO SENSE. NO OIL LIGHT OR ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. FURTHER MORE AFTER THAT HAPPENED THE ELECTRICAL WENT OUT. THE KIA COMPANY'S REFUSE TO FIX IT. THE VEHICLE HAS 5 YEAR WARRANTY.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11193782 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11219845 · 2019-06-13 (June 13, 2019)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA OPTIMA PHEV. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE "CHECK BRAKES" WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED. ALSO, WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT TRAVELED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. WHEN THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING ON AN INCLINE, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS ENGAGED IN PARK AND THEN TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO GERALD KIA OF NORTH AURORA (201 HANSEN BLVD, NORTH AURORA, IL 60542) TO…

Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11219845 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11551627 · 2023-10-24 (October 24, 2023)

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima PHEV. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed up a steep hill, the vehicle lost motive power. The Check Hybrid System, Turn Off Engine message was displayed, and the traction control, check engine, ABS, and auto-hold warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the cause of the failure was not found. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V161000 (Hybrid Propulsion System) for th…

Owner-reported narrative. 117,336 miles reported. Look up ODI 11551627 at NHTSA ↗