2017 Kia Optima Hybrid

26 complaints on file, page 1 of 2.

1. Filed Sep 8, 2026Failure Oct 27, 2025Antioch, CAElectrical system, Engine, Power train

   This car is registered under my sons name, [XXX]. I helped him buy the car as we paid cash for it ( Money was provided by my ex-wife). We bought it on XXX and was sold as-is but then the seller said theres no problem with it. A week after we bought it as my son was driving it on [XXX] it drove it suddenly loss power then it stop. He was in the middle lane in a 45 mph road. He said it started to run again after a few minutes after a several minutes of turning it off. After that the car randomly kept giving error messages regarding the Hybrid system, losing power and telling driver to stop car and turning it off while driving on the freeway. We called the seller (Jalal) about the issue and he recommended for us to take it to his mechanic nearby. We took it to his mechanic and he did some test on it. We dont really know everything he did but a day or two later it started giving the same error message and a few days after it give another warning to stop and turn off the engine as it lost power again. After that we got in touch with the seller (Jalal) again to let him know that we were still having the same problem. In XXX we agreed again to his recommendation to take the car to his mechanic ( who knows about Hybrid issues) in Mt. View to have it repaired. We agreed to pay $750 and seller agreed to pay the balance of $500. The mechanic had it for about a week before we picked up the car. Mechanic did not speak english. We drove it home with no problem but after a few days the problem came back again. It didnt happened everyday but randomly. It losses power all of a sudden and gives warning to turn off car immediately while driving. We did a little bit of research on the car and found out that it had a recall in 2018 about the Hybrid Propulsion System. This recall causes the car to loose power and warns you to stop. Also it was noted by our car insurance agency that it still has the recall open. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

   NHTSA complaint 11762651
2. Filed Jun 2, 2026Failure May 27, 2026Poland, OHUnknown or other

   I believe the Hybrid Propulsion System in my kia optima hybrid should have been part of the recall. The vehicle is currently showing signs of the vehicle's Voltage Protection Device activating inadvertently, causing a sudden loss of power. Vehicle is currently with an authorized dealership being tested.

   NHTSA complaint 11741564
3. Filed Feb 13, 2025Failure Feb 6, 2025115,000 milesLong Beach, CAEngine and engine cooling

   The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 70 MPH, there was an abnormal amount of smoke coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that DTC: P1326 was displayed on the instrument panel, with the message, “For Your Safety – Please Pull Over” displayed. The contact pulled over and opened the hood and there was a green liquid sizzling on the heat on top of the engine. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was inspected; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the upper radiator hose had melted, and that the battery was an OEM part. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11642636
4. Filed Jan 23, 2025Failure Dec 16, 202490,000 milesPompano Beach, FLEngine

   The contact’s son owns a 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that after coming to a complete stop, the vehicle started leaking oil. The vehicle was not taken to a mechanic or the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11638094
5. Filed Aug 27, 2024Failure Jul 18, 2024140,000 milesSkokie, ILEngine, Power train

   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
6. Filed Jun 7, 2024Failure Jun 7, 202383,000 milesSan Antonio, TXEngine, Hybrid propulsion system, Visibility/wiper

   The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V844000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 MPH the "Hybrid" warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that while driving in a rainstorm, the windshield wipers failed, and the contact pulled over. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle returned to normal functionality; however, the "Hybrid" warning light remained illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to a local dealer who diagnosed that the main propulsion battery needed to be replaced; however, the parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle could no longer be started. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

   NHTSA complaint 11593002
7. Filed May 24, 2024Failure Mar 22, 2024Malvern, ARElectrical system, Engine

   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. Since it is the Wiring Harness this time it could be a fire hazard especiall on a Hybrid with Lithium batteries, I am not going to repair it as it has left me on the road too many times and I am sure it has the connecting rod issue. I hope nobody else has this issue and unfortunately Kia does not seem interested in repairing it, it was in the shop for 6 weeks before they diagnosed it.

   NHTSA complaint 11590600
8. Filed May 2, 2024Failure May 2, 2024Malvern, AREngine

   Vehicle Hybrid system wanring light has come on 3 times since January 2024. Kia has not been able to resolve the issue and just reset the system.

   NHTSA complaint 11586499
9. Filed Jan 15, 2024Failure Jan 11, 2024Roselle, ILEngine

   I was driving in morning traffic at 65MPH when the warning lights went flashing stating the HEV Electric engine was shutting down, I was crawling to 20 MPH. I had the car towed to a Kia dealer and was told the electric engine was fine, the gas engine oil was bone dry! NO LOW OIL light ever triggered! Not a single warning. Just out of the blue! This is wrong on so many levels! I get oil changes when they are due and use top synthetic oil. The dealer is reporting it to Kia and said at 87,500 miles I'm under the extended warranty, but Kia will tell them how to handle the issue. I cannot afford a new engine! This is the second Kia I had this problem! They said it passed the bearing test, so why is my engine bone dry? This is dangerous to be driving at high speed and have your car drop speed to 20MPH, then drop to 10MPH. I'm still waiting for Kia to get back to me, the dealer says it takes 48 business hours. I dropped it off Thursday 1/11/2024, Hopefully, tomorrow I will find out. I cannot afford a new car and I still have a balance on this car. I've read multiple complaints on this sight, all the same.

   NHTSA complaint 11565654
10. Filed Dec 16, 2023Failure Dec 16, 2023140,000 milesNew York, NYEngine, Unknown or other

    Hev is not working happened 2 two times already

    NHTSA complaint 11560426
11. Filed Dec 15, 2023Failure Nov 20, 2023League City, TXEngine

    While driving my car started to decelerate in the middle of the freeway and I was in no position to pull over. The hybrid battery nearly completely drained before I was able to limp off the freeway. My car threw an error message to “Check Hybrid system” and told me to pull over immediately and turn the car off. After pulling over, turning the car off, then turning it back on, the message went away but the check engine light remained. After 24 hours the check engine light disappeared until it would randomly do the same thing all over again. I ran an OBD code reader on it and it gave me P2600. After extensive research, I’ve noticed a lot of Hyundais and Kia’s around the same year as mine having the same issue with some peoples vehicle completely dying. Many threads take their vehicle into the dealership and they can’t replicate the problem so they’re just sent on their way for the dangerous problem to happen again at any given time. This is a dangerous situation because you don’t get any warning or strange engine noise to warn you. The car just pops up this message and the engine immediately starts to malfunction.

    NHTSA complaint 11560233
12. Filed Jan 6, 2023Failure Nov 11, 2022Charlotte, NCEngine

    I am a service provider. On 9/15/2022, a customer, who owns the vehicle with attached VIN, came for an oil change in his 2017 Kia Optima. On 11/11/2022, after nearly 2 months and 2,964 miles, the customer and vehicle owner called to tell us his car was broken down on the side of the road. Upon inspection, it was found that the oil drain plug had fallen out of the vehicle after nearly 3,000 miles. As a result, there is engine failure on the vehicle. Due to the mileage, we went to Kia West Broad in Richmond, VA to ask for their opinion. They were unwilling to assist the customer. I believe this falls in line with the current investigation from the NHTSA into Kia drain pan assemblies and drain plug issues. I have repeatedly been hung up on by Kia when asking them questions surrounding their willingness to assist this customer who is without transportation. Each time that I ask about the investigation, I am put on hold and then hung up on.

    NHTSA complaint 11500505
13. Filed Apr 13, 2022Failure Apr 13, 201710,000 milesLaguna Beach, CACamera

    The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera would activate however, the display screen failed to display the current image behind the vehicle. Instead, the screen would display the previous image displayed when the vehicle was previously parked. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed but no issues were found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11460659
14. Filed Jan 11, 2022Failure Jan 6, 2022106,000 milesCarson, CAFirerelatedFire

    The contact owned a 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that while her mother was driving at an undisclosed speed, a smoke odor was detected. Another driver alerted the contact's mother that there was a fire coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact's mother pulled over and exited the vehicle. There were flames coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle, and within seconds, the vehicle was engulfed in flames. No injury was sustained and no medical treatment was received. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A fire department report was filed. The vehicle did not have insurance and remained on the side of the road, where it caught fire. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V844000 (Engine) associated with the VIN; however, the contact did not receive the recall notification. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11447046
15. Filed Apr 23, 2021Failure Sep 1, 20189,000 milesPark Rapids, MNExterior lighting

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO PROVIDE ILLUMINATION FARTHER THAN 30 FEET AHEAD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA OF FARGO (3901 2ND AVE S, FARGO, ND 58103, (701) 281-9165) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HEADLAMPS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 9,000. *DT, Consumer Started with attachment photo *TP

    NHTSA complaint 11413545
16. Filed Sep 16, 2020Failure Sep 11, 202023,000 milesRindge, NHAir bags, Service brakesCrash1 injured

    TL* THE CONTACT AND HIS DAUGHTER LEASED A 2017 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE PARKING BRAKE WOULD ACTIVE INDEPENDENTLY AS THE PARKING BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WOULD SIMULTANEOUSLY APPEAR ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE PARKING BRAKE HAD ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY AS THE CHECK HYBRID WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. DUE TO THE PARKING BRAKE ACTIVATION, SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AS THE REAR TIRES BEGAN TO LOCK. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SKID SIDEWAYS AND THE CONTACT ALSO LOST CONTROL OF THE POWER STEERING.THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE.AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE HIT A GUARD RAIL WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO FLIP APPROXIMATELY SIX TIMES AND ULTIMATELY LANDED IN A WOODED AREA. THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS INITIALLY TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE, ONCE SHE WAS REMOVED BY PARAMEDICS, SHE WAS TREATED AT THE SCENE FOR MINOR BRUISES AND BURNS IN AN AMBULANCE. SHE DID NOT SEEK FURTHER MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AFTER THE ACCIDENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT TOW YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND WAS GIVEN A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11355448
17. Filed Aug 10, 2020Failure Jul 28, 202035,000 milesClinton, MDEngine, Power train, Service brakes

    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
18. Filed Mar 11, 2020Failure Jan 15, 202023,000 milesBrentwood, CAElectrical system

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION, THE VOLTAGE INDICATOR SWITCHED FROM NORMAL VOLTAGE TO HIGH VOLTAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER ELK GROVE KIA LOCATED AT (8480 LAGUNA GROVE DR, ELK GROVE CA) WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 18V161000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

    NHTSA complaint 11317509
19. Filed Jun 19, 2019Failure Jun 16, 201924,280 milesVista, CAService brakes

    BRAKE LINE HAS AIR IN IT FOR THE SECOND TIME IN A MATTER OF A FEW MONTHS, FIRST TIME IT TOOK KIA DEALERSHIP 4 DAYS TO REPAIR. THIS CURRENT TIME IT SHOULD TAKE 2 DAYS. WHEN BRAKING HARD AT A SLOW OR HIGH SPEED, THERE IS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM BRAKE AREA. S

    NHTSA complaint 11221314
20. Filed Jun 18, 2019Failure Jun 16, 201918,000 milesFairfield, CAElectrical system

    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