2017 Kia OPTIMA HYBRID: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 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 11105400 · 2018-07-03 (July 3, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE SPEED SUDDENLY REDUCED TO APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE ELECTRIC MOTOR WAS TURNED OFF AND THE GAS MOTOR DID NOT IMMEDIATELY TURN START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (KIRBY KIA OF VENTURA, 6424 AUTO CENTER DR, VENTURA, CA). BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,500. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 5,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11105400 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 11112581 · 2018-07-20 (July 20, 2018)
HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC OR SPEEDS OVER 60 MPH, ENGINE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON STATING HYBRID ENGINE MALFUNCTION TURN OFF IMMEDIATELY. IF I DON'T GET TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY, I LOSE POWER UNTIL I DO. WHEN I HAVE MY PHONE ATTACHED TO THE CARPORT PROGRAM, IT REGISTERS THAT THERE IS SOMEONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND WILL BEEP UNTIL I PUT THE SEAT BELT IN THE RECEPTACLE AS IF SOMEONE WAS THERE. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE I FIRST BOUGHT IT AND I HAVE ABOUT 5,000. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO THE DEALER TWICE AND THEY CLAIM THAT TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11112581 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11151743 · 2018-11-15 (November 15, 2018)
DRIVING AND THE DASHBOARD SAID TURN CAR OFF. HAD TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID $8500 FOR A NEW ENGINE...SAID THE OIL DRAIN BOLT WAS LAYING OF TOP OF THE SPLASH SHIELD AND NO OIL LEFT IN THE ENGINE, THEY WANTED TO KNOW IF SOMEONE WAS AFTER US...WHAT THE HECK. FOUGHT WITH THEM FOR 2 MONTHS.
Owner-reported narrative. 22,875 miles reported. Look up ODI 11151743 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11220808 · 2019-06-18 (June 18, 2019)
MY CAR WILL NOT TURN COMPLETELY OFF! I WAS DRIVING IF THE FREEWAY AND HIT AN OBJECT, NOT SURE WHAT. WHEN I GOT HOME I COULDN'T TURN MY CAR OFF COMPLETELY. THE CAR THINK THAT IT'S OFF BUT THE ENGINE STILL REVS.
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11220808 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 ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
21V844000 · Engine
Reported: 2021-10-29 (October 29, 2021)
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.
Consequence: A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V594000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Trunk Lid:Latch
Reported: 2023-08-24 (August 24, 2023)
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."
Consequence: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗