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Electrical systemPart report

2017 Kia Optima Hybrid Electrical system Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
23%of 26 total for the year
Median mileage
11,750miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the electrical system of the 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid, 23% of the 26 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 11,750 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“My car will not turn completely off! I was driving if the freeway and hit an object, not sure what. When I got home I couldn't turn my car off completely. The car think that it's off but the engine still revs.”

NHTSA complaint #11220808, filed 2019-06, 18,000 miles

“Happened numerous times while driving in traffic or speeds over 60 MPH, engine warning light comes on stating hybrid engine malfunction turn off immediately. If I don't get to pull over immediately, I lose power until I do. When I have my phone attached to the carport program, it registers that there is someone in the passenger seat and will beep until I put the seat belt in the receptacle as if someone was there. This has happened since I first bought it and I have about 5,000. I have brought this to the dealer twice and they claim that they can't replicate either issue. …”

NHTSA complaint #11112581, filed 2018-07, 1,000 miles

“The Hybrid Warning light came on. This was the third time this has happened. The first time Kia said it was the Air Box and I paid $600 to repair. The second time the shop mistakenly cleared the codes before determining the cause. The third time they say it is the Wiring Harness and will cost $4,550 to report if they have the harness. This vehicle has recall for the connecting rod in the engine which I suspect is the real issue due to clicking noise it makes just before the lights come on, but each time I take it in I am told it is something else. …”

NHTSA complaint #11590600, filed 2024-05

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2017623%
2015542%
20141135%
20132239%
20122018%
2011618%

Other parts of the 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid

Engine
16 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsHybrid propulsion system
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology