2017 Kia OPTIMA PHEV: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 23 complaints (47.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 34.8% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 8.7% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 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 |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 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 |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 4 |
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11064175 · 2018-01-22 (January 22, 2018)
WHILE DRIVING MY KIA HYBRID A NOTICE CAME UP ON THE DASH BOARD TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER AND SHUT OFF MY ENGINE AND I WAS ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 75 WHEN I LOST TOTAL POWER AND MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOOSE POWER. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT OFF THE ROAD AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED MY DEALER. I HAD KNOW ABOUT THIS BECAUSE A RELATIVE AND I BROUGHT THE CARS THE SAME DAY AND SHE EXPERIENCE THIS 3 TIMES.THE DEALER SAID IT WAS A SWITCH THAT GOT STUCK WHEN THE CAR GOES FROM ELECTRIC TO GAS. I SPOKE WITH KIA AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO FORMAL RECALL. BUT THIS …
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11064175 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11110703 · 2018-07-11 (July 11, 2018)
BACKUP CAMERA DOES NOT ACTIVATE ON THE NAVIGATION SCREEN WHEN WE PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE. THIS HAPPENS OFTEN BUT NOT EVERY SINGLE TIME.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11110703 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11118109 · 2018-08-06 (August 6, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V161000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (JIM BONE KIA, 1255 SANTA ROSA AVE, SANTA ROSA, CA 95404, [phone removed]) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11118109 at NHTSA ↗
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 11354966 · 2020-09-14 (September 14, 2020)
THE PLUG THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE CHARGING CABLE FOR MY ELECTRIC CHARGER CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PLUGGED INTO A DEDICATED WALL OUTLET IN MY GARAGE. FORTUNATELY, NO MAJOR STRUCTURAL DAMAGE NOR BODILY HARM RECEIVED . I CONTACTED KIA AND THEY HAVE SINCE REPLACED THE CHARGING CABLE WITH NO FURTHER INVESTIGATION OR EXPLANATION AS TO WHAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THIS TO HAPPEN. AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE PICTURES ATTACHED, THE PLUG ACTUALLY MELTED A LITTLE. I DO BELIEVE MAJOR DAMAGE WAS SUBVERTED BECAUSE I NOTICED MY CAR WAS NOT CHARGING AND PULLED THE PLUG OUT OF…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11354966 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11386121 · 2021-01-02 (January 2, 2021)
GETTING ONTO THE FREEWAY ACCELERATING, WHEN HEARD RATTLING AND SAW SMOKE, EXITED THE FREEWAY AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING OR LIGHTS THAT CAME ON PRIOR OR DURING THIS TIME. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST KIA DEALERSHIP IN CITY OF CARSON. I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL ON SATURDAY 1/2/2021 FROM TONY AT THE DEALERSHIP ASKING FOR PERMISSION TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. I AGREED TO THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. RECEIVED A CALL BACK WITHIN AN HOUR TO NOTIFY ME THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE ENGINE, NO REPAIRS COULD BE DONE AND I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. I…
Owner-reported narrative. 64,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11386121 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 ↗