Model year record

2017 Kia Optima Hybrid recalls & problems

The 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid has 2 safety recalls and 26 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine (16 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints26filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 1reported in complaints

NHTSA overall5 ★crash-test stars

Safety recalls

Latches/locks/linkagesAug 24, 2023

Trunk lid › Latch

Recall 23V594000319,436 vehicles

Problem: 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."
Risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: 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.

EngineOct 29, 2021

Engine

Recall 21V84400010,731 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

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

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2017 Kia Optima Hybrid 4 DR FWD

Overall★★★★★

Frontal crash	★★★★★
Side crash	★★★★★
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	9.8%

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Optima Hybrid Hybrid

42mpg combined

City / highway	39 / 46 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AM6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $1,600/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Engine	16	0	0	0	28,937 mi
Electrical system	6	0	0	0	11,750 mi
Unknown or other	4	0	0	0	8,775 mi
Service brakes	4	1	0	1	23,640 mi
Power train	3	0	0	0	—
Suspension	1	0	0	0	—
Air bags	1	1	0	1	—
Exterior lighting	1	0	0	0	—
Firerelated	1	0	1	0	—
Back over preventionSensing system › Camera	1	0	0	0	—
Hybrid propulsion system	1	0	0	0	—
Visibility/wiper	1	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Power train
This car is registered under my sons name, [XXX]. I helped him buy the car as we paid cash for it ( Money was provided by my ex-wife). We bought it on XXX and was sold as-is but then the seller said theres no problem with it. A week after we bought it as my son was driving it on [XXX] it drove it suddenly loss power then it stop. He was in the middle lane in a 45 mph road. He said it started to run again after a few minutes after a several minutes of turning it off. After that the car randomly kept giving error messages regarding the Hybrid system, losing power and telling driver to stop car and turning it off while driving on the freeway. We called the seller (Jalal) about the issue and he…
Oct 27, 2025
Unknown or other
I believe the Hybrid Propulsion System in my kia optima hybrid should have been part of the recall. The vehicle is currently showing signs of the vehicle's Voltage Protection Device activating inadvertently, causing a sudden loss of power. Vehicle is currently with an authorized dealership being tested.
May 27, 2026
Engine and engine cooling
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 70 MPH, there was an abnormal amount of smoke coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that DTC: P1326 was displayed on the instrument panel, with the message, âFor Your Safety â Please Pull Overâ displayed. The contact pulled over and opened the hood and there was a green liquid sizzling on the heat on top of the engine. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was inspected; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the upper radiator hose had melted, and that the battery was an OEM part. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer…
Feb 6, 2025 · 115,000 miles
Engine
The contactâs son owns a 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that after coming to a complete stop, the vehicle started leaking oil. The vehicle was not taken to a mechanic or the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Dec 16, 2024 · 90,000 miles
Engine
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but failed to accelerate as intended or change gear as intended. The vehicle was then taken to another dealer where it was diagnosed that the triaxle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.
Jul 18, 2024 · 140,000 miles
Engine
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V844000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 MPH the "Hybrid" warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that while driving in a rainstorm, the windshield wipers failed, and the contact pulled over. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle returned to normal functionality; however, the "Hybrid" warning light…
Jun 7, 2023 · 83,000 miles
Engine
The Hybrid Warning light came on. This was the third time this has happened. The first time Kia said it was the Air Box and I paid $600 to repair. The second time the shop mistakenly cleared the codes before determining the cause. The third time they say it is the Wiring Harness and will cost $4,550 to report if they have the harness. This vehicle has recall for the connecting rod in the engine which I suspect is the real issue due to clicking noise it makes just before the lights come on, but each time I take it in I am told it is something else. Since it is the Wiring Harness this time it could be a fire hazard especiall on a Hybrid with Lithium batteries, I am not going to repair it as…
Mar 22, 2024
Engine
Vehicle Hybrid system wanring light has come on 3 times since January 2024. Kia has not been able to resolve the issue and just reset the system.
May 2, 2024

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

Pedestrian alert soundsClosedLed to recall 22V063000
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review…
DP22005 · opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023
Loss of Motive PowerClosed
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003)…
DP22003 · opened Sep 12, 2022 · closed Dec 12, 2023
Engine FiresClosedLed to recall 23V877
On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles.Â During the PE investigations, Hyundai and Kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, including those due to engine failures involving various engine types.Â The remedies for the engine failure recalls typically involve engine inspection (to detect existing damage), and if necessary, engine replacement.Â Additionally, both manufacturers have been installing an engine control software modification known as Knock Sensor Detection Software (KSDS) which is intended to detect impending engine failure, alert the driver, and limit engine power (to lessen likelihood of engine failure).KSDS is…
EA21003 · opened Dec 22, 2021 · closed Feb 5, 2024