Kia OPTIMA PHEV problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
33 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
35,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2017 to 2020 model years. Data snapshot: . 15 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 15 of 33 complaints (45.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 10 | 30.3% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 12.1% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.0% |
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 | 15 |
| Electrical System | 10 |
| Unknown Or Other | 7 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Hybrid Propulsion System | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
Engine: 15; Electrical System: 10; Unknown Or Other: 7; Power Train: 3; Air Bags: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Hybrid Propulsion System: 2; Service Brakes: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 18 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 | 4 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 7 |
2018: 4; 2019: 4; 2020: 2; 2021: 6; 2022: 2; 2023: 3; 2024: 5; 2025: 7
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 10 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 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 ↗
Owner report 11660146 · 2025-05-10 (May 10, 2025)
The plastic coupling for the steering is broken in my 2018 Kia optima the same Issue that the 2011-2014 issue optima’s have my car has this same issue.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11660146 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 |
2017: 2; 2018: 2; 2019: 0; 2020: 0