What are the most common problems with the 2017 Kia Optima?

The engine group has the most complaints at 197. Electrical system has 39 and power train has 26.

Does the 2017 Kia Optima have recalls?

Yes. The by-year data shows 4 recalls for this year. See the Recalls section for the list.

Are there safety concerns for the 2017 Kia Optima?

Of 306 complaints, 12 mention a fire and 6 mention a crash. See the safety section for crash test results.

How is the gas mileage on the 2017 Kia Optima?

See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.

Is the 2017 Kia Optima reliable?

Complaints are concentrated in the engine group at 197 out of 306 total. See the by-year section to compare with other years.

2017 Kia Optima Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 306 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Kia Optima^[1]. The engine group is the biggest, with 197 complaints^[2].

306owner complaints^[1]

4recalls^[3]

25–42MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

5★NHTSA overall rating^[5]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

These groups come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA. They are unverified reports, and one complaint can name several parts.

Engine. 197 complaints^[2]. Owners describe the engine stalling without warning, hesitating when pulling away, and losing power on the road. Some stories mention a warning light and a dealer who could not find a fault code.
Unknown or other. 41 complaints^[6]. These reports do not fit a named part group.
Electrical system. 39 complaints^[7]. In the stories we read, owners describe flickering headlights, dash warning lights that stay on, and sudden power loss with a message on the dash.
Power train. 26 complaints^[8]. Owners describe jerky shifting, a car that acts like it is in neutral for a few seconds, and a knocking noise that a dealer tied to the engine.
Fuel and propulsion system. 22 complaints^[9]. Owners describe stalling at intersections, shaking under acceleration, and a car that burns through oil.
Exterior lighting. 16 complaints^[10].
Speed control. 14 complaints^[11].
Brakes. 12 complaints^[12].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2017 Optima is necessarily included.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Trunk Lid › Latch (23V594), August 2023. About 319,436 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Engine (21V844), October 2021. About 10,731 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, a crash, stalling. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Engine (18V907), December 2018. About 71,653 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]
Hybrid Propulsion System (18V161), March 2018. About 1,710 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, loss of power. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[16]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Optima Hybrid, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (AM6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	39 / 46 / 42	$1,600
Optima, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM7), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[17]	28 / 37 / 31	$2,150
Optima, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[18]	22 / 31 / 25	$2,700
Optima FE, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[19]	25 / 36 / 29	$2,300
Optima, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[20]	24 / 34 / 28	$2,400
Optima Plug-in Hybrid, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (AM6), Regular Gas and Electricity^[21]	38 / 43 / 40	n/a

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR FWD^[5]	5	5	5	5	9.8%
4 DR FWD^[22]	5	5	5	5	9.8%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2017 Kia Optima with 1.6L 4-cylinder^[23]	178 hp
2017 Kia Optima with 2.0L 4-cylinder^[24]	154 to 245 hp
2017 Kia Optima with 2.4L 4-cylinder^[25]	185 hp

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
OPTIMA HYBRID 4DR SEDAN^[26]	191 in	73 in	57 in	111 in	3,490 lb
OPTIMA LX/LX+/EX/LX ECO TURBO 4DR SEDAN^[27]	191 in	73 in	58 in	111 in	3,225 lb
OPTIMA PHEV 4DR SEDAN^[28]	191 in	73 in	57 in	111 in	3,792 lb
OPTIMA SX/SXL 4DR SEDAN^[29]	191 in	73 in	58 in	111 in	3,594 lb

How 2017 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Optima model year. The 2017 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2001	143	3
2002	107	3
2003	141	2
2004	225	1
2005	144	0
2006	155	2
2007	167	2
2008	144	3
2009	116	1
2010	75	1
2011	628	6
2012	1,029	6
2013	1,441	10
2014	621	7
2015	1,021	4
2016	763	5
2017	306	4
2018	243	3
2019	213	1
2020	153	0

NHTSA's counts for the Optima show 306 complaints and 4 recalls for 2017^[3]. Among the 20 model years listed, 13 have fewer complaints than 2017 and 6 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2010 (75) and the most are for 2013 (1,441)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2017 Optima?

The 2017 Optima has 306 complaints on file^[1]. The engine group stands well above the rest at 197 complaints^[2]. Owners describe stalling and lost power in those stories, which is worth taking seriously. The page also lists 4 recalls for this year^[3]. Complaints are unverified and not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a guide for what to check on a test drive and with a mechanic.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Kia Optima?: The engine group has the most complaints at 197^[2]. Electrical system has 39^[7] and power train has 26^[8].
Does the 2017 Kia Optima have recalls?: Yes. The by-year data shows 4 recalls for this year^[3]. See the Recalls section for the list.
Are there safety concerns for the 2017 Kia Optima?: Of 306 complaints, 12 mention a fire and 6 mention a crash^[1]. See the safety section for crash test results.
How is the gas mileage on the 2017 Kia Optima?: See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Is the 2017 Kia Optima reliable?: Complaints are concentrated in the engine group at 197^[2] out of 306 total^[1]. See the by-year section to compare with other years.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Kia Optima

2012 1,029 complaints, 6 recalls
2013 1,441 complaints, 10 recalls
2014 621 complaints, 7 recalls
2015 1,021 complaints, 4 recalls
2016 763 complaints, 5 recalls
2017 this page
2018 243 complaints, 3 recalls
2019 213 complaints, 1 recall
2020 153 complaints, 0 recalls

Compare all model years of the Kia Optima

Other Kia models from 2017

2017 Kia Forte 305 complaints, 3 recalls
2017 Kia Sedona 134 complaints, 4 recalls
2017 Kia Sorento 807 complaints, 4 recalls
2017 Kia Soul 290 complaints, 3 recalls
2017 Kia Sportage 402 complaints, 4 recalls

All Kia models

Similar cars from 2017: large cars

2017 Audi A8 8 complaints, 3 recalls
2017 Hyundai Sonata 879 complaints, 5 recalls

All large cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 306 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Kia Optima (6 mention a crash, 12 a fire, 8 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
197 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 8 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,100). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Kia Optima model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Optima Hybrid, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (AM6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 39 city / 46 highway / 42 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.8%. NHTSA vehicle records
41 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 12,750). NHTSA vehicle records
39 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 17,000). NHTSA vehicle records
26 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 36,500). NHTSA vehicle records
22 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
16 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,000). NHTSA vehicle records
14 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
12 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 29,640). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 23V594, filed August 24, 2023: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Trunk Lid › Latch. NHTSA recall database
Recall 21V844, filed October 29, 2021: Engine. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V907, filed December 19, 2018: Engine. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V161, filed March 8, 2018: Hybrid Propulsion System. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Optima, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM7), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 28 city / 37 highway / 31 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Optima, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 31 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Optima FE, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 36 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Optima, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 34 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Optima Plug-in Hybrid, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (AM6), Regular Gas and Electricity: 40 MPGe combined, 610 miles of range. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.8%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2017 Kia Optima with 1.6L 4-cylinder: rated 178 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2017 Kia Optima with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 154 to 245 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2017 Kia Optima with 2.4L 4-cylinder: rated 185 hp. www.epa.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, OPTIMA HYBRID 4DR SEDAN: length 191 in, width 73 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 3,490 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, OPTIMA LX/LX+/EX/LX ECO TURBO 4DR SEDAN: length 191 in, width 73 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 3,225 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, OPTIMA PHEV 4DR SEDAN: length 191 in, width 73 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 3,792 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, OPTIMA SX/SXL 4DR SEDAN: length 191 in, width 73 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 3,594 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2017 Kia Optima: problems, recalls and fuel economy