Reliable Auto DB

2017 Kia Optima reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2017 Kia Optima holds 255 complaints after 10 years, a rate of 10 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Optima years here — under the median of the other years, which is 22. NHTSA has 3 recalls on file, including Latch, Hoses and fittings, and Hybrid propulsion.

2012 Kia Optima
Photo by Throwawayacc222, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC0
Complaints

255

Per year

10

Recalls

3

Years on the road

10

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (164 of 255), then Electrical system (25) and Powertrain (21). Those filings include 4 that report a crash, 9 that report a fire, and 2 that report an injury.

Next to 2016 and 2018

The 2016 Optima has 754 complaints, 17 per year, and the 2018 has 232 complaints, 14 per year. The 2017 has fewer complaints per year than the 2016. The 2017 has fewer complaints per year than the 2018.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2017 Kia Optima. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (3)

Recall latches, locks, and linkages, trunk lid, latch 2023-08-24 · NHTSA campaign 23V594000
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."
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.
Recall gasoline fuel system, delivery, hoses and fittings 2018-12-19 · NHTSA campaign 18V907000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall hybrid propulsion 2018-03-08 · NHTSA campaign 18V161000
Summary 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.
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.

Complaints by component (255 total)

Engine
164
Electrical system
25
Powertrain
21
Fuel and propulsion system
20
Exterior lighting
15
Speed control
13
Steering
11
Forward collision avoidance
8
Seat belts
8
Engine and engine cooling
7
Service brakes
6
Air bags
5
Structure
5
Suspension
3
Visibility and wipers
3
Electronic stability control (ESC)
2
Fuel system, gasoline
2
Hybrid propulsion
1
Latches, locks, and linkages
1
Visibility
1
Wheels
1
Show 13 more Show less
Crash-flagged

4

Fire-flagged

9

Injury reports

2

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

6201782018162019222020172021372022612023272024422025192026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "While driving at highway speed, my engine began to produce a loud knocking noise without prior warning. Within few seconds, the engine seized completely causing sudden loss of motive power.This caused a dangerous…"
    Engine · filed 2026-08-24
  • "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…"
    Powertrain, Engine · filed 2026-08-17
  • "I am requesting urgent assistance regarding my 2017 Kia Optima EX, which is experiencing a serious oil consumption/burning issue. The vehicle is burning oil into the engine, causing the oil level to continually decrease…"
    Engine · filed 2026-08-07
  • "Since 4/1 my car has intermittently lost power steering. I received dashboard warning lights and the wheel was difficult to turn. When I shutoff the car and turned back on, the warning lights were gone and the steering…"
    Steering · filed 2026-06-30
  • "I just bought this car and it runs thru oil fast."
    Suspension, Engine · filed 2026-06-26

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2017 Kia Optima 4 DR FWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars
2017 Kia Optima Hybrid 4 DR FWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars
2017 Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid 4 DR FWD Not rated Not rated Not rated Not rated

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Optima 1.6L, 4-cyl Automatic (7-speed) Front-wheel drive 28 37 31 MPG $2100
Optima 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 22 31 25 MPG $2600
Optima 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 24 34 28 MPG $2300
Optima FE 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 25 36 29 MPG $2250
Optima hybrid 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 39 46 42 MPG $1550
Optima Plug-in hybrid 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 38 43 40 MPG / 610 mi range $1600

Specs and fitment

4th generation (JF), 2012–2020
Body styles Sedan
Oil 5W-20 or 0W-20 (2.4L and 2.0L turbo per manual) , 5 qt capacity
Tire size 215/55R17 to 245/45R18 (trim dependent)

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA campaign 18V161000. 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. 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. 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.

Compare

Previous year 2016 Kia Optima Next year 2018 Kia Optima See every Kia Optima model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Kia Optima reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2017 Kia Optima holds 255 complaints after 10 years, a rate of 10 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Optima years here — under the median of the other years, which is 22. NHTSA has 3 recalls on file, including Latch, Hoses and fittings, and Hybrid propulsion.

What are common problems with a 2017 Kia Optima?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (164 of 255), then Electrical system (25) and Powertrain (21). Those filings include 4 that report a crash, 9 that report a fire, and 2 that report an injury.

Is the 2017 Kia Optima more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2016 Optima has 754 complaints, 17 per year, and the 2018 has 232 complaints, 14 per year. The 2017 has fewer complaints per year than the 2016. The 2017 has fewer complaints per year than the 2018.

Has the 2017 Kia Optima been recalled?

The 2017 Kia Optima has 3 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2017 Kia Optima?

Owners have filed 255 complaints about the 2017 Kia Optima with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2017 Kia Optima get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2017 Kia Optima is 32.5 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Optima take?

5W-20 or 0W-20 (2.4L and 2.0L turbo per manual)

What does NHTSA recall 18V-161 cover on the Kia Optima?

NHTSA campaign 18V161000.

What generation is the 2013 Kia Optima?

4th generation (JF) (2012-2020).