KnownCarProblems2017 Kia Optima Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 256 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Kia Optima, most often about the engine (66% of complaints, typically around 72,000 miles). It is 7th of 20 Optima model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2017 Kia Optima problems
Engine
168 complaints · 66%Half of these problems showed up before 72,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made knocking sounds with the check engine, ABS, and traction control warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The vehicle was towed to the dealer…
I am the second owner of this car. According to carfax it has been well maintained at Kia since day one. I have owned it for almost 6 months and it has been sitting at the dealership for 2months due to engine failure. There is a rod knock and sludge build up not for lack of maintaining it but from not being driven…
Other or unspecified
33 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 22,500 miles.
I purchased a new 2017 Kia Optima in feb of 2017 and on july 17 2018 I was driving down a street when I slowed down to a stop so a car can back out when the car violently shook then shut off. I tried multiple times to restart it but just shook again and turned off. My husband pushed me to the sidewalk where I tried…
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.
Electrical
25 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 24,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition.
The wiring in these cars are coated with something that small rodents like to eat they chew through the tape then then wiring. Causing hybrid engine not to work lites come. Luckly no fire yet. Dealer say sorry that will be $ the cars wiring hybrid part . Rodents like to eat it Kia has coating on it that attracts them…
While I was driving probably about 45 miles an hour or so my car started to shake really hard then it shut off. Once it shut off the low oil light came on along with the check engine light and the low battery light as well. After that the car went completely dead. I turned the key to the off position and then…
Fuel system
22 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 68,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated while stationary at a traffic light, while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving to her residence. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic…
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated that after driving, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the fuel pump assembly and fuel line needed to be replaced. The…
Transmission
21 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 36,500 miles.
I believe there is a problem with the transmission in this car. It is an lx with the 2.4l engine gdi. It's the standard engine. The transmission seemed "off" after a firmware update. Prior to this, the car really performed and rolled nicely. By that I mean, there was no detectable dray when taking my foot off the gas.…
Power train; shift lock specifically: had to use the release control more than once. While driving when it happens, I feel a surge/ decline in acceleration(something I requested be checked a year and a half ago, but Kia said they could not recreate my description).continues to drive but sluggish to accelerate. Once I…
Lights
15 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 61,500 miles. Parts named most often: headlights.
When on automatic mode, the headlights suddenly shut off. Sometimes they come back on after a moment, but sometimes they do not come back on until you turn the headlight switch from automatic to on. This is very dangerous. It has happened numerous times while driving, in both day and night conditions.
Bought my Kia 1 ago & always had a problem w/headlights always turning on & off when in auto mode. Trunk latch had to be replaced due latch not locking when trying to close trunk. Dealership said they get 20-30 latch issues w/my make & model of Kia every week. After vehicle starts car just dies & engine light comes…
Speed control
13 complaints · 5%Within a week both front and rear passenger wheel speed sensors failed. Resulting in a prompt on dash at start up and consistently displayed for aeb system service after vehicles automatic system scan an see difference in mileage in attached pictures. Kia technician said it is a common issue and sees atleast 4-5…
Steering
11 complaints · 4%
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2017 Kia Optima recalls
Doors and locks: latch
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.
Full defect summary
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."
Engine
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Hybrid system: hybrid propulsion system
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Loss of motive power
Summary
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
Engine fires
Summary
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 modif
Electrical overstress
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.â during the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (acu) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) electronic control unit (ecu) manufactured by zf-trw. â the ecu receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with m
Questions about the 2017 Kia Optima
- What are the most common problems with the 2017 Kia Optima?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (168 complaints, typically around 72,000 miles); other or unspecified (33 complaints, typically around 22,500 miles); electrical (25 complaints, typically around 24,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2017 Kia Optima have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from August 24, 2023 (doors and locks). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2017 a bad year for the Kia Optima?
- It is 7th of 20 Optima model years by number of complaints, with 256 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.