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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2017 Kia Optima Hybrid Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
3about this part
Share
12%of 26 total for the year
Median mileage
87,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid, 12% of the 26 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 87,500 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 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

“The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but failed to accelerate as intended or change gear as intended. The vehicle was then taken to another dealer where it was diagnosed that the triaxle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11611145, filed 2024-08, 140,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2017312%
201518%
2014310%
2013713%
2012109%
2011412%

Other parts of the 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid

Engine
16 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsBrakes
4 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 31, 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