2017 Kia Optima problems and recalls

64% of owner complaints on the 2017 Kia Optima related to the Engine (164 of 255).

255
Complaints
3
Recalls
4
Crash reports
9
Fire reports
7
Injuries
52.7
Severity index

Severity index 52.7 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 52.7p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 82 of 137 by severity index among 2017 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 40% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2017 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

EngineEngine: 164 complaints (64.3%)164 64%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 33 complaints (12.9%)33 13%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 25 complaints (9.8%)25 10%Power TrainPower Train: 21 complaints (8.2%)21 8%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 20 complaints (7.8%)20 8%Exterior LightingExterior Lighting: 15 complaints (5.9%)15 6%Vehicle Speed ControlVehicle Speed Control: 13 complaints (5.1%)13 5%SteeringSteering: 11 complaints (4.3%)11 4%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE16464.3%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3312.9%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM259.8%
POWER TRAIN218.2%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM207.8%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING155.9%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL135.1%
STEERING114.3%

Complaints filed per year

030612017: 62018: 82019: 162020: 222021: 172022: 372023: 612024: 272025: 422026: 19 (partial year)1718192021222361242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20176
20188
201916
202022
202117
202237
202361
202427
202542
2026 (year to date)19
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 1.7x those in 2020 to 2022 (130 against 76).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
18V90700019/12/2018FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSKia 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 h
18V16100008/03/2018HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEMKia 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.
23V59400024/08/2023LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCHKia 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 require

Other Kia Optima model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 9 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-08-29. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.