Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine16
- Electrical system6
- Unknown or other4
- Service brakes4
- Power train3
- Visibility/wiper1
- Suspension1
- Engine and engine cooling1
- Air bags1
- Firerelated1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 1 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 1 variant; 1 of 1 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | 9.8 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Optional
- Lane departure warning
- Optional
- Best overall rating
- 5 / 5
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 1 variant: combined 5.6 L/100 km (about 42 mpg US), CO₂ 132 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optima Hybrid · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 6.0 | 5.1 | 5.6 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
23V594000 · Latches/locks/linkages24 Aug 2023 · 319,436 vehicles
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."
21V844000 · Engine29 Oct 2021 · 10,731 vehicles
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Kia told its dealers about the 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11000787 | This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced. |
| 10245265 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: INHIBITOR SWITCH REPLACEMENT (SA317B/C) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the inhibitor switch on some 2017MY Optima (JFa), Sorento (UMa), Optima Hybrid (HEV), Optima Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), Sportage (QL), Forte (YD), and Sedona (YP), and some 2016-2017MY Optima (JF) vehicles, equipped with a front wheel drive 6-speed transmission, which may experience the concerns listed below. These |
| 10238484 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: INHIBITOR SWITCH REPLACEMENT (SA317B/C) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the inhibitor switch on some 2017MY Optima (JFa), Sorento (UMa), Optima Hybrid (HEV), Optima Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), Sportage (QL), Forte (YD), and Sedona (YP), and some 2016-2017MY Optima (JF) vehicles, equipped with a front wheel drive 6-speed transmission, which may experience the concerns listed below. These |
| 10238225 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR - ELECTRICAL A/C COMPRESSOR - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information regarding partial repair of the Air Conditioning (A/C) compressor assembly on some 2011MY~ Optima Hybrid (TF HEV, JF HEV/PHEV), 2015MY~ Soul EV (PS EV), 2017MY~ Niro (DE HEV/PHEV/EV), 2022MY~ EV6 (CV), 2021MY~ Sorento (MQ4 HEV/PHEV), 2023MY~ Sportage (NQ5 HEV/PHEV), and 2023MY~ Niro (SG2 EV/HEV/PHEV) vehicles. |
| 10237610 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: INHIBITOR SWITCH REPLACEMENT (SA317B/C) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the inhibitor switch on some 2017MY Optima (JFa), Sorento (UMa), Optima Hybrid (HEV), Optima Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), Sportage (QL), Forte (YD), and Sedona (YP), and some 2016-2017MY Optima (JF) vehicles, equipped with a front wheel drive 6-speed transmission, which may experience the concerns listed below. These |
| 10230492 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: BMS/OPU/MCU LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA411) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides the procedure to improve the logic of the Battery Management System (BMS), Oil Pump Control Unit (OPU) and Motor Control Unit (MCU) on some 2017-2019MY Optima (JF P/HEV) vehicles, produced from August 25, 2016 through September 13, 2018 (refer to page 8) in order to improve the BMS diagnosis logic, OPU judgment logic for DTC P1B77 (High |
| 10226555 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced, refer to applicable vehicles in the chart starting on page 2. |
| 10220346 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: MAINTENANCE REMINDER FEATURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area.This bulletin provides information on setting the "Service Interval Reminder" feature available on most 2014-2023MY Kia vehicles (refer to model list on page 2). If the service interval reminder is set, the customer will be informed to have the next maintenance service performed, which can positively affect vehicle longevity and performance. Refer to TSB ENG241 for 2023MY~ vehicles equi |
| 10210264 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: HIGH-VOLTAGE BATTERY ORDERING AND RETURN PROCEDURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin outlines the ordering and return procedure for high-voltage Lithium-ion batteries equipped on EV/hybrid vehicles (hereafter referred to as "high-voltage batteries" or HVBs). |
| 10209455 | PITSTOP: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REPLACEMENT AND MILEAGE SETTING WITH KDS - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This pitstop provides the KDS service procedure for mileage setting on the models listed below with newly replaced instrument clusters. Certain models allow for mileage setting with the KDS, which prevents the need to send out the instrument cluster to a 3rd party for mileage adjustment (refer to PS264). After a new cluster is installed, cluster (variant) coding may also ne |
| 10209439 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: MDPS WARNING LAMP DIAGNOSTIC INSPECTION & SINGLE PARTS REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides information regarding the diagnosis of Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS), also known as Electronic Power Steering (EPS), and parts replacement associated with the Warranty Extension Program (WTY023) on 2016-2017MY Optima (JF/JFa), 2017MY Optima HEV/PHEV (JF P/HEV), 2016-2017MY Sorento (UMa) vehicles produced in the ranges listed below. The affected vehicles may exhibit the MDPS (also known as EPS) warning lamp ON. The warranty coverage for repairs related to the MDPS unit du |
| 10206890 | WARRANTY EXTENSION: REIMBURSEMENT FORM - This document is a Reimbursement Request form that was mailed with the customer letter advising them to submit the form if they had paid for repairs for this same matter prior to the warranty extension program launch. |
| 10206889 | WARRANTY EXTENSION: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the notification to owners of the warranty extension program for WTY023. Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage for repairs related to the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) unit, also known as Electronic Power Steering (EPS) unit, due to illumination of the EPS warning light for all 2017 MY Optima HEV and 2017 MY Kia Optima PHEV vehicles from 5 years/60,000 miles to 15 years/150,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service. |
| 10206886 | WARRANTY EXTENSION: QUESTION AND ANSWER - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the warranty extension (WTY023). Kia America, Inc., is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage for the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) unit, also known as Electronic Power Steering (EPS) unit, from 5 years/60,000 miles to 15 years/150,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service. |
| 10206885 | WARRANTY EXTENSION: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service Managers of the warranty extension program for WTY023. Kia America, Inc., is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage for the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) unit, also known as Electronic Power Steering (EPS) unit, from 5 years/60,000 miles to 15 years/150,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service. |
| 10206884 | WARRANTY EXTENSION: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals of the warranty extension program for WTY023. Kia America, Inc., is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage for the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) unit, also known as Electronic Power Steering (EPS) unit, from 5 years/60,000 miles to 15 years/150,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service. |
| 10206646 | WARRANTY EXTENSION: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service Managers of the warranty extension program for WTY023. Kia America, Inc., is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage for the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) unit, also known as Electronic Power Steering (EPS) unit, from 5 years/60,000 miles to 15 years/150,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service. The power steering uses a motor to assist in steering the vehicle. If the engine is off or if the power s |
| 10206645 | WARRANTY EXTENSION: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals of the warranty extension program for WTY023. Kia America, Inc., is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage for the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) unit, also known as Electronic Power Steering (EPS) unit, from 5 years/60,000 miles to 15 years/150,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service. The power steering uses a motor to assist in steering the vehicle. If the engine is off or if the power steering system becomes inoperati |
| 10202226 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information regarding the partial repair of the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Motor, Electronic Control Unit (ECU), Steering Column Housing, or Worm Gear Assembly. When the steering wheel is rotated a scraping noise can be heard originating from the lower bearing on the Worm Gear Assembly on some 2010MY~ Kia m |
| 10201529 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to some Kia models that may exhibit fogging, condensation, and/or moisture inside a headlamp assembly. Generally, a fogging condition is considered normal and can be eliminated by turning on the headlamps with the engine running for up to 30 minutes or during normal driving conditions. Headlamp assembly replacement WILL |
| 10200535 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: HIGH-VOLTAGE BATTERY ORDERING AND RETURN PROCEDURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin outlines the ordering and return procedure for high-voltage Lithium-ion batteries equipped on EV/hybrid vehicles (hereafter referred to as "high-voltage batteries" or HVBs). |
| 10200525 | PITSTOP: FRONT RADAR SENSOR MOUNTING INSPECTION (PS704) - This pitstop provides information regarding front radar sensor alignment on 2014MY and later vehicles that may exhibit a warning light ON related to radar sensor alignment errors in the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA)/Smart Cruise Control (SCC) system. |
| 10195049 | PIT STOP: A/C DYE FOR E-COMPRESSOR EQUIPPED VEHICLES - This bulletin provides information on the proper non-conductive A/C system leak detection dye to be used in all EV, HEV, and PHEV models equipped with an electric A/C compressor. |
| 10189545 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information regarding the partial repair of the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Motor, Electronic Control Unit (ECU), Steering Column Housing, or Worm Gear Assembly. When the steering wheel is rotated a scraping noise can be heard originating from the lower bearing on the Worm Gear Assembly on some 2010MY~ Kia m |
| 10188137 | PITSTOP/TECHNICAL OPERATIONS - SMOKE MACHINE NOT TO BE USED FOR EMISSIONS TESTING WITH HEV/PHEV MODELS - This Pitstop provides information to properly test the evaporative emissions system in all Kia 2011MY~ Hybrid (HEV) and Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) model vehicles. A smoke machine should NEVER be used when testing the evaporative system in a HEV/PHEV model vehicle. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
DP22005 · Electrical system:propulsion systemopened 27 Jan 2023 · closed 7 Aug 2023
Pedestrian alert sounds
DP22003 · Engineopened 12 Sept 2022 · closed 12 Dec 2023
Loss of Motive Power
EA21003 · Engineopened 22 Dec 2021 · closed 5 Feb 2024
Engine Fires
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation