2017 Kia Optima Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2017 Kia Optima has a complaint index of 40 and ranks 10th of 16 model years, earning a Good verdict relative to other Optima years. Engine complaints dominate at 68% of reports, with 9 fires and 3 recalls tied to this year.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 40/100
- #10 of 16 Optima years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 255
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 9
- Injuries
- 7
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 29
- 25 city / 36 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 0
Top 2017 Kia Optima problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine174 (68%)
- Electrical System36 (14%)
- Other33 (13%)
- Fuel System23 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain21 (8%)
- Steering11 (4%)
- Brakes8 (3%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras8 (3%)
- Seat Belts8 (3%)
- Structure & Body6 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the engine catching fire while driving or shortly after parking, sometimes preceded by ticking noises or a check engine light.
- Some describe smoke entering the cabin through the vents before flames appeared under the hood.
- Several complaints mention the vehicle stalling unexpectedly while accelerating from a stop, in one case causing a rear-end collision.
- Electrical system failures include flickering headlights followed by ABS, air bag, and traction control warning lights coming on at highway speed.
- One owner reported a wiring harness replacement and a later engine replacement for excessive oil consumption before the vehicle caught fire again.
- A steering complaint described the ignition being defeated with a simple tool, allowing the vehicle to be started and driven without a key.
2017 Kia Optima recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V594000Aug 24, 2023Structure & Body319,436 vehicles
Latches/locks/linkages:trunk lid:latch
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.
- NHTSA 18V907000Dec 19, 2018Engine71,653 vehicles
Engine
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.
- NHTSA 18V161000Mar 8, 2018Fuel System1,710 vehicles
Hybrid propulsion system
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.
2017 Kia Optima fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 25 MPG
- Highway
- 36 MPG
- Combined
- 29 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,250
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2017 compared with other Optima years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Kia Optima reliable?
- Compared with other Optima model years, 2017 has a complaint index of 40, which is on the lower end, and it carries a Good verdict. Engine problems are the top concern, making up 68% of its 255 complaints.
- What problems does the 2017 Kia Optima have?
- NHTSA complaints show engine issues, including fires, as the largest category at 68% of reports, followed by electrical system problems at 14% and fuel system issues at 9%. The median mileage at engine failure was 71,000 miles.
- Does the 2017 Kia Optima have engine fire recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists three recalls for the 2017 Optima, including one for the engine tied to earlier knock sensor and engine replacement issues, and one for a fuel system component in Optima hybrid models.
- How does the 2017 Optima compare to other years?
- The 2017 Optima ranks 10th worst out of 16 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 40, far below years like 2013 (100) and 2015 (93) that carry Avoid verdicts.
- What is the 2017 Kia Optima's fuel economy?
- EPA rates the 2017 Optima at 29 mpg combined (25 city / 36 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,250.