2017 Kia Optima problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (115) · Power Train (16) · Fuel/Propulsion System (13)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Kia Optima model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
85 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Latches/Locks/Linkages:trunk Lid:latch 2023-08-24 · campaign 23V594000 · 319,436 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Engine 2018-12-19 · campaign 18V907000 · 71,653 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Hybrid Propulsion System 2018-03-08 · campaign 18V161000 · 1,710 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Service bulletins (179)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2026-06-08 · CS2312_TSB_R2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: customer satisfaction: theft deterrent ignition cylinder protector and decal installation (cs2312) - 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 prov
Engine 2026-04-04 · SC340_TSB_R5 · Emissions
voluntary emissions service campaign: theta ii 2.4l gdi emissions: ecm logic improvement (sc340 revision 5) - 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 to
Engine 2026-03-17 · SC340_OWNR_JF&JFA_104 · Emissions
voluntary emissions service campaign: owner notification (sc340 flight 104 ) - this document is the owner notification advising that kia is conducting a voluntary emissions service campaign to improve the emissions software logic in the electronic control module (ecm) for certain 2016-2020 my optima
Engine 2026-03-06 · SC340_TSB_R4 · Emissions
technical service bulletin: voluntary emissions service campaign: theta ii 2.4l gdi emission secm logic improvement (sc340 rev 4) - 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 p
Structure:body 2026-02-19 · TSB_CS2312_R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: customer satisfaction: theft deterrent ignition cylinder protector and decal installation (cs2312) - 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 prov
Engine 2025-12-19 · SC340_OWNR_JF103 · Emissions
voluntary emissions service campaign: owner notification (sc340 flight 103 / jf) - this document is the owner notification advising that kia is conducting a voluntary emissions service campaign to improve the emissions software logic in the electronic control module (ecm) for certain 2016-2020 my op
Showing the 6 most recent of 179 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-20 · Engine“3 weeks ago i had my vehicle towed to car pros kia in the city of [xxx]. they said that there was an issue with the engine which should be covered under the extended lifetime warranty that kia issued me 2 years ago due to a recall and a system update that they required that i do on my vehicle. we did the update. we are having the same mechanical is…”
2026-09-28 · Engine And Engine Cooling“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…”
2026-08-24 · Engine“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 should…”
2026-08-17 · Power Train“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. …”
2026-08-07 · Engine“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 m…”
2026-06-30 · Steering“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 occurr…”
2026-06-26 · Suspension“i just bought this car and it runs thru oil fast. …”
2026-06-03 · Power Train“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 …”
2026-05-27 · Engine“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 …”
2026-05-26 · Engine · 98,000 mi“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 kn…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.