What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2017 KIA Optima Hybrid

Typical pattern

2.4% of complaints about the 2017 KIA Optima Hybrid came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2017 vehicle — around the middle of the 203 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 4.0 yr in service. The most-reported system is engine (16 complaints), typically at 7.2 yr or about 35,000 miles.

Complaints
41
Median age at failure
4.0 yr
Median mileage
23,000 n=31
Crash / fire / tow
19.5% of reports
Safety recalls
2

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Engine
16 reports · 35,000 mi
7.2 yr
12.5%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

23V594000 2023-08-24
Latches/locks/linkages:trunk lid:latch

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."

A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.

21V844000 2021-10-29
Engine

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.

A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

In owners’ own words

Engine 2,500 mi 1.4 yr in service
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
Engine 143 mi 1.6 yr in service crash / fire / tow
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. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143.
Engine 5,500 mi 1.8 yr in service
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

Other Optima Hybrid model years

20172014201320122011

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