Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Trunk Emergency Release May Fail/FMVSS 401
- Summary
- 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."
- Consequence
- 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.
Engine Damage May Cause Stall or Fire
- Summary
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which can result in engine damage.
- Consequence
- A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the engine. If bearing damage is found, the engine will be replaced. Dealers will also install a software update containing a Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 29, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC218.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (26)
26 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 26 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 16 | 61.5% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 23.1% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 15.4% |
| Unknown or other | 4 | 15.4% |
| Power train | 3 | 11.5% |
| Air bags | 1 | 3.8% |
| Back over prevention | 1 | 3.8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 3.8% |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 3.8% |
| Firerelated | 1 | 3.8% |
How 2017 compares with other Optima Hybrid years
Best and worst Optima Hybrid years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 34 | 3 |
| 2012 | 109 | 3 |
| 2013 | 55 | 2 |
| 2014 | 31 | 0 |
| 2015 | 12 | 0 |
| 2016 | 4 | 0 |
| 2017 | 26 | 2 |
| 2018 | 3 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 | 0 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Crash tests: 5 stars overall
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid 4 dr fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 42 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $1,600
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 212 g/mi
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 42 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 L 4-cyl · Automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 39 / 46 / 42 | $1,600 | 212 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2017 Optima Hybrid for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2017 Kia Optima Hybrid FAQ
How many recalls does the 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 23V594000 (latch), 21V844000 (engine). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid problems?
Owners filed 26 complaints with NHTSA. Engine (16), Electrical system (6), Service brakes (4) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid get?
EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · Automatic version at 39 city, 46 highway and 42 combined mpg.
What safety rating did the 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid get?
NHTSA rated the 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid 4 dr fwd 5 stars overall, with 5 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 5 stars rollover (9.8% rollover risk).
How does the 2017 Optima Hybrid compare with other years?
Among the 2011–2020 Kia Optima Hybrid model years at least five years old, the 2020 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2012 the most (109). The 2017 drew 26. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.