2017 Kia Optima Hybrid Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 62%of 26 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 28,938miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the engine of the 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid, 62% of the 26 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 28,938 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My vehicle has had multiple issues with its hybrid battery management system since purchase. It has been towed 4 times. While driving my car will start to jerk and a warning system telling me there is a problem with the battery management system (bms) and the power train. It will tell me to pull over or to contact the service department. This car has had its battery replaced and software upgraded numerous times, but I keep having the same issue. I'm concerned the battery system is faulty and it's dangerous to drive at this point, as nothing preceeds the issues - they happen out of nowhere.”
NHTSA complaint #11348408, filed 2020-08, 35,000 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 vehicle is getting stuck on electric mode and not switching over to gas and losing power. Having to pull over and turn car off and back on the reset it. Car only has 2500 miles. Taking back to dealer asap. Was driving on major interstate 70 MPH error message from car said transmission error service immediately”
NHTSA complaint #11072137, filed 2018-02, 2,500 miles“Driving and the dashboard said turn car off. Had towed to the dealer and they said $8500 for a new engine...said the oil drain bolt was laying of top of the splash shield and no oil left in the engine, they wanted to know if someone was after us...what the heck. Fought with them for 2 months.”
NHTSA complaint #11151743, filed 2018-11, 22,875 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 2024-05Related recalls
- 21V844000Oct 29, 2021Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may…Covers: Kia Optima Hybrid 2017–2018, Optima Phev 2017–2018
Related service bulletins
- 10128585Jan 16, 2018TSB - SERVICE ACTION: INHIBITOR SWITCH REPLACEMENT (SA317A) - This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the inhibitor switch on some 2017MY Optima (JFa), Sorento (UMa)…
- 10116117Jun 7, 2017TSB: DATA COLLECTION: EXTRACT CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS DATA FROM ECU (DC17) - This bulletin provides information related to extracting ?in use performance tracking? emissions data…
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid
6 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 28, 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