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

2017 KIA Optima

Typical pattern

2.8% of complaints about the 2017 KIA Optima 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 6.3 yr in service. The most-reported system is engine (162 complaints), typically at 6.5 yr or about 72,000 miles.

Complaints
353
Median age at failure
6.3 yr
Median mileage
46,000 n=111
Crash / fire / tow
8.5% of reports
Safety recalls
3

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Engine
162 reports · 72,000 mi
6.5 yr
9.3%
Other
33 reports · 32,000 mi
5.8 yr
9.1%
Electrical system
25 reports · 24,000 mi
5.5 yr
12%
Power train
21 reports · 36,500 mi
6.6 yr
0%
Fuel / propulsion
20 reports · 81,000 mi
7.4 yr
5%
Exterior lighting
15 reports · 68,000 mi
5.5 yr
0%

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.

18V907000 2018-12-19
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

18V161000 2018-03-08
Hybrid propulsion system

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Kia Optima hybrid vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a Voltage Protection Device (VPD), designed to protect the high voltage battery module, that may activate inadvertently.

If the VPD activates while the vehicle is being operated in Electric Vehicle (EV) mode, there may be a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash.

In owners’ own words

Other 1,980 mi 6 mo in service
WE LEASE A 2017 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID WITH TECHNOLOGY PACKAGE. IT HAS 1986 MILES AND IS THREE MONTHS OLD. LAST WEEK THE CAR WHILE IN MOTION JUST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC ON A MAJOR ROADWAY WITH NO WARNING. MY WIFE WAS ABLE GET OFF THE ROAD BY CONSTANTLY RESTARTING THE CAR. AFTER ALMOST ONE WEEK WE FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS A FAILURE OF THE BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WOULD NOT CHARGE THE MAIN BATTERY.
Other 8,800 mi 2.7 yr in service
THE SHARK FIN ANTENNA SNAPPED OFF WHILE DRIVING. I HIT NOTHING, JUST DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY.
Other 32,000 mi 3.0 yr in service
SEAT BEAT SOUNDS OFF WHILE DRIVING AND SEAT BELT IS FASTEN. IT DINGS AS IF THE SEAT BELT IS NOT ON. SECONDLY, RADIO PLAYS BUT NO LIGHTS NO CAMERA WORKS FROM TIME TO.
Engine 3,300 mi 8 mo in service
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER A COMPLETE STOP AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO COMPLETE A TURN, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT A FAILURE CODE WAS UNABLE TO BE LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TEST DRIVEN, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,300.

Other Optima model years

20202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001

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