Problems · NHTSA complaints

2017 Kia Optima problems

Owners filed 257 complaints about the 2017 Kia Optima with NHTSA between Apr 2017 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (165).

Complaints
257
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
9
Reported by owners
Injuries
7
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine165
  2. Electrical system25
  3. Power train21
  4. Fuel/propulsion system20
  5. Exterior lighting15
  6. Vehicle speed control13
  7. Steering11
  8. Engine and engine cooling8
  9. Forward collision avoidance8
  10. Seat belts8
  11. Service brakes6
  12. Structure5
  13. Air bags5
  14. Suspension3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20176
20188
201916
202022
202117
202237
202361
202427
202542
202621

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

165 reports8 fires
“3 weeks ago I had my vehicle towed to Car Pros Kia in the city of [XXX]. They said that there was an issue with the engine which should be covered under the extended lifetime warranty that KIA issued Me 2 years ago due to a recall and a system update that they required that I do on my vehicle. We did the update. We are having the same mechanical issues we did two years ago with the first recall. I reached out to Kia corporate Kia says they're reaching out to Car Pros Kia I've been in contact with both companies three to four times a week for the last 3 weeks and they both are saying they never received anything from each other. The mechanical issue is very dangerous the car jerks slows down to a very low speed around 30 Mi an hour in the middle of high speed traffic. Is very dangerous I've been without a vehicle for 3 weeks which is slowing down my process to continue to pay my bills I need my vehicle can I get any help from anyone. I feel disrespected taking advantage of and now I'm starting to fall into a financial issue because they cannot communicate with each other to fix an issue that should be covered under the warranty that they said it would and I have…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2026EngineODI 11772418

Electrical system

25 reports1 crash2 fires
“The electrical wiring harness connecting to the hybrid system electric fuel pump(s) was found to have significant corrosion and a missing factory-installed protective covering. This is a manufacturing defect. The protective covering was never installed at the factory, leaving the wiring exposed to moisture and corrosion from the time the vehicle was built. COMPONENT THAT FAILED: Electrical wiring harness to hybrid electric fuel pump(s). Missing factory protective covering caused corrosion. The failed component is available for inspection upon request. SAFETY RISK: Corroded wiring in a hybrid vehicle electrical system poses serious risks including electrical shorts, potential fire hazard, and sudden loss of hybrid propulsion while driving. The vehicle is currently inoperable and unsafe to operate. CONFIRMED BY DEALER: Yes. The vehicle was taken to an authorized Kia dealership where it remained for approximately 8 months. The dealership and manufacturer inspected the vehicle and confirmed the wiring issue but denied warranty coverage. THIRD-PARTY CONFIRMATION: A third-party warranty representative independently reviewed photographic evidence and confirmed the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 16, 2026Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11731494

Power train

21 reports
“Loosing oil putting oil in every 3 to 4 days no leaks on ground or oil pan or drain plug.oil don't smell or looks burnt happened around did 2 oil changes in a week still the same. Car will sputer hesitation on acceleration every so often have all updateds and recalls.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 17, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11757576

Fuel/propulsion system

20 reports1 fire
“Loosing oil putting oil in every 3 to 4 days no leaks on ground or oil pan or drain plug.oil don't smell or looks burnt happened around did 2 oil changes in a week still the same. Car will sputer hesitation on acceleration every so often”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 3, 2026Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11741793

Exterior lighting

15 reports
“I own a 2017 Kia Optima. My vehicle was brought in for the tail light recall at Lupient Kia, but the dealership only replaced a bulb and refused to replace the harnesses. I was told by the service advisor (Brad Baranowski) that my tail lights had “nothing to do with the recall” and that I would need to pay $210 for a diagnosis, even though I am still experiencing the exact defect described in the recall (shortage/failure in the harness causing tail light malfunction and warning lights). This incomplete recall repair is a safety hazard my tail lights continue to fail, and I have received tickets because of it. I request that NHTSA investigate Kia’s failure to properly complete this recall. Lupient Kia 6030 N Green Bay Ave Glendale, WI 53209 Phone: (414) 351-3000”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 3, 2025Exterior lightingODI 11684748

Vehicle speed control

13 reports1 crash
“The power steering stopped working and the car became hard to turn because of it. The power steering light (red color with steering wheel and exclamation point to the right of it) came on also.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 19, 2025Steering, Power train, Vehicle speed controlODI 11661833
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.