Open safety recalls, the components owners report failing most often, crash-test results and running costs for the 2017 Kia Optima, assembled from NHTSA and EPA records.
Everything on this page applies to the model as a whole. Run its VIN to decode that exact car, its engine, trim, assembly plant and factory equipment, alongside these records.
Open a VIN recordRecalls and complaints are filed against a specific model year, so figures differ from one year to the next even within a single generation. See every Kia Optima year.
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for this make, model and year. Recalls apply to the model, so some may already be fixed on this specific car. A dealer can confirm from the VIN.
Issue: 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.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
Campaign 18V907000
Issue: 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.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will remove the VPD switch and install two newly designed Battery Management Systems (BMS) that contain Overvoltage Protection Devices (OPDs), free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC162.
Campaign 18V161000
Issue: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 23V594000
The parts named most often across 256 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this make, model and year.
5 fires
1 fire
1 fire
1 crash
Complaints are self-reported and skew toward problems people find alarming, so read this as where to look rather than as a defect rate.
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated that after receiving an oil change, the contact became aware that the engine oil level was low. The vehicle was taken back to the service center, and the engine oil was topped off with an additional quart of engine oil. The contact was advised to return for an oil consumption test. There was no oil leak found and the contact was informed that there was an internal oil leak.
While driving at highway speed, my engine began to produce a loud knocking noise without prior warning. Within few seconds, the engine seized completely causing sudden loss of motive power.This caused a dangerous situation— loss of power steering and barking at highway speed, leaving me stranded in traffic lanes. I was forced to coast to the shoulder. The vehicle was towed to the nearest independent repair shop because it was not drivable and I was stranded far from home. The shop diagnosis —- seized engine due to big end connecting rod bearing seizure, identical to NHTSA Recall 17V-224 and KIA recall SC 17/ SC165 and TSB P1803 related to Theta engine bearing wear and engine seizure.My vehicle has the 2.4 L engine covered by this recall/defect.The failure occurred exactly as described in the recall: knocking , the seizure. KIA has denied warranty coverage because the vehicle was initially diagnosed and repaired at independent shop after the roadside emergency.The shop was used only because the vehicle was immobilized on the freeway away from home. I did attempt to contact a dealership in FortWorth, Texas, Morits KIA, but they could not provide roadside assistance or a tow solution at that time. I am reporting because: 1) This is a sudden loss of power at highway speed, which is a major safety risk 2) This appears to be the same defect KIA has recalled for, but the vehicle was not remedied or remedy failed 3) KIA is refusing to honor the extended warranty for this known defect I request NHTSA document this failure as part of the ongoing monitoring of Theta II engine failures. Vehicle is available for inspection and defective engine have been preserved.
Loosing oil putting oil in every 3 to 4 days no leaks on ground or oil pan or drain plug.oil don't smell or looks burnt happened around did 2 oil changes in a week still the same. Car will sputer hesitation on acceleration every so often have all updateds and recalls.
I am requesting urgent assistance regarding my 2017 Kia Optima EX, which is experiencing a serious oil consumption/burning issue. The vehicle is burning oil into the engine, causing the oil level to continually decrease and creating a significant concern for engine failure, overheating, or a potential vehicle fire. I am extremely concerned about my safety and the safety of others because I depend on this vehicle every day. This is also my only vehicle, and I am still making payments on the financing. I do not have the financial ability to simply purchase another vehicle or take on a new car payment. I am asking Kia to please take this matter seriously and investigate the vehicle as soon as possible. I am requesting that Kia review whether there is a known engine issue, applicable warranty or assistance, recall/campaign coverage, or any other program that could help with the necessary repairs or engine replacement. I cannot afford to lose my only means of transportation because of an engine problem that is beyond my ability to financially resolve. I am asking Kia to work with me toward a safe and reasonable solution as urgently as possible. Thank you [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Since 4/1 my car has intermittently lost power steering. I received dashboard warning lights and the wheel was difficult to turn. When I shutoff the car and turned back on, the warning lights were gone and the steering returned. My mechanic did a diagnostic and found the following codes c1259, c1260, c1290 and c1688 each time the incident occurred. After research, we discovered these codes relate to TBS CHA114 and TSB CHA864 under extended warranty WTY023. I was unable to upload the TBS documents. The same thing happened on 6/18. I brought the car to a different dealer. The first time they supposedly did a diagnostic and said there were no codes. I have pictures of the codes. They said it did not matter because the codes need to be active and the lights need to be on the dashboard. The second time at a different dealer, they didn't do a diagnostic but said it did not matter because the codes need to be active. No where is any documentation does it say the codes need to be active. They are stored in history and Freeze frame data. It is impossible for me to get the car there with the illuminated dash and "active" codes because when it happens, I cannot steer the car and when I shut if off they go away. Plus when I get to the dealer, they will tell me they cannot take me and to make an appointment. I am now working with KIA escalation department but she informed me today that she did not have the authority to authorize a dealer to repair the car. When I asked who does she said I need a techline which is opened by the dealership. WHAT??? This all started with the dealer. The car is now having glitches with the steering while driving. IT IS DANGEROUS AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. I have no idea when the steering might go out. I need help in getting a Kia dealership to fix the issue under the extended warranty they sent me in 2022. I am so sick of the run around and brush off. How do I get this accomplished?
I just bought this car and it runs thru oil fast.
Loosing oil putting oil in every 3 to 4 days no leaks on ground or oil pan or drain plug.oil don't smell or looks burnt happened around did 2 oil changes in a week still the same. Car will sputer hesitation on acceleration every so often
The engine of this vehicle is still exhibiting the issues that are under the class action lawsuit. Engine. Was not repaired properly by dealership. I must change my oil around 1700 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated that on three of four occasions while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle began rattling and shaking, and he observed a knocking noise emanating from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the knock sensor needed to be replaced, and he was advised that his vehicle may have been included in Manufacturer Recall Number: SC162. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
Constant Mis-firing, must put oil in car every 3 to 4 weeks. Hesitation when driving and sputtering.
The electrical wiring harness connecting to the hybrid system electric fuel pump(s) was found to have significant corrosion and a missing factory-installed protective covering. This is a manufacturing defect. The protective covering was never installed at the factory, leaving the wiring exposed to moisture and corrosion from the time the vehicle was built. COMPONENT THAT FAILED: Electrical wiring harness to hybrid electric fuel pump(s). Missing factory protective covering caused corrosion. The failed component is available for inspection upon request. SAFETY RISK: Corroded wiring in a hybrid vehicle electrical system poses serious risks including electrical shorts, potential fire hazard, and sudden loss of hybrid propulsion while driving. The vehicle is currently inoperable and unsafe to operate. CONFIRMED BY DEALER: Yes. The vehicle was taken to an authorized Kia dealership where it remained for approximately 8 months. The dealership and manufacturer inspected the vehicle and confirmed the wiring issue but denied warranty coverage. THIRD-PARTY CONFIRMATION: A third-party warranty representative independently reviewed photographic evidence and confirmed the missing protective covering is a manufacturing defect, not wear-and-tear or owner-caused damage. MANUFACTURER RESPONSE: The manufacturer denied warranty repair, falsely claiming the hybrid component warranty does not transfer to subsequent owners. Federal warranty law requires transfer unless explicitly excluded in the warranty terms. WARNING SIGNS: No warning lamps, messages, or symptoms appeared prior to the failure. The defect was hidden beneath the vehicle and not visible during normal operation or routine maintenance.
On March 23, 2026, I took my 2017 Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid (VIN: [XXX] ) to Mark Kia [XXX] ) solely for two open safety recalls: SC218 (Engine Inspection/Replacement and KSDS software installation) and SC278 (Emergency Trunk Latch Release) under Repair Order #6807251. No customer-pay work was performed. The Multi-Point Inspection that day noted only the cabin air filter. During the drive home on March 23, a faint rotten-egg (H₂S) smell appeared for the first time. By the morning of March 24, 2026, the smell was severe. I immediately returned the vehicle. Under new Repair Order #6807360, a second Multi-Point Inspection suddenly recommended $1,134.10 in customer-pay services (new 12V battery, fuel induction service, cooling system service, brake fluid exchange, and ATF exchange) that were not flagged the previous day. Since the recall service, the vehicle has developed numerous new defects that never existed before: Rotten-egg smell (H₂S) Intermittent AC that blows warm in stop-and-go traffic Passenger-rear power window clicks but will not roll down Brake warning (“Stop vehicle and check brakes”) “Key not detected” message Passenger-side mirror pushed in with temporary motor malfunction 12V battery cover left completely disassembled and misplaced in the trunk Complete no-start / dead 12V battery condition (will not crank even after multiple jump attempts as of March 30, 2026) On March 24, 2026, I sent a formal demand letter by certified mail (received and signed for by the dealership on March 27, 2026) giving Mark Kia five business days (until close of business March 31, 2026) to provide a free tow, free loaner, and free repair of all defects. I followed up with six supplemental addendums (dated March 24–30, 2026) attaching photos and videos of every issue. On April 1, 2026, Service Director [XXX] replied by email and admitted in writing (twice) that the dealership did not follow recall procedure INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Showing 12 of 256 complaints.

NHTSA frontal crash test
3 open NHTSA investigations into this model. Investigations come before recalls, so these are potential defects not yet covered by one.
Rated configuration: 2017 Kia Optima 4 DR FWD
Over 5 years this costs $1,250 less in fuel than an average new vehicle.