2017 Kia Optima
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 195 of 304 complaints (64%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (6) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 758 in 2016 to 304 in 2017.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | vs. 2017 Large Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,700–2,600 | 1,700–2,500 | 1,500–2,500 | 1,500–2,500 | 1,500–2,600 | |
| Combined MPG | 24–37 | 25–37 | 25–42 | 25–42 | 24–41 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 20–35 / 30–38 | 22–35 / 31–38 | 22–39 / 31–46 | 22–39 / 31–46 | 21–39 / 30–45 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 242–372 | 242–360 | 212–360 | 212–360 | 215–371 | |
| Complaints filed | 1,019 | 758 | 304 | 243 | 207 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 31 | 27 | 6 | 10 | 20 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 76 | 20 | 12 | 10 | 6 | |
| Injuries reported | 23 | 21 | 8 | 9 | 16 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2017 Kia Optima have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2017 Kia Optima?
Engine: 195 of 304 NHTSA complaints (64%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2017 Kia Optima get?
EPA rates it 25–42 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2017 Kia Optima?
EPA estimates $1,500–$2,500 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (AM6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 39 mpg (high) | 46 mpg (high) | 42 mpg (high) | $1,500 (low) | 212 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (AM7) | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 28 mpg | 37 mpg | 31 mpg | $2,000 | 286 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 22 mpg (low) | 31 mpg (low) | 25 mpg (low) | $2,500 (high) | 360 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 25 mpg | 36 mpg | 29 mpg | $2,150 | 310 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 24 mpg | 34 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,250 | 321 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (AM6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gas and Electricity | Midsize Cars | 38 mpg | 43 mpg | 40 mpg | $1,550 | 97 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 195 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 28 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 39 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 14 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 12 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 16 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 21 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 42 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH · Campaign 23V594000 · Aug 25, 2023
Defect: 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 · Campaign 21V844000 · Nov 1, 2021
Defect: 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS; ENGINE · Campaign 18V907000 · Jan 30, 2019
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM · Campaign 18V161000 · Mar 12, 2018
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Kia Optima hybrid vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a Voltage Protection Device (VPD), designed to protect the high voltage battery module, that may activate inadvertently.
Consequence: If the VPD activates while the vehicle is being operated in Electric Vehicle (EV) mode, there may be a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will remove the VPD switch and install two newly designed Battery Management Systems (BMS) that contain Overvoltage Protection Devices (OPDs), free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC162.