2017 Kia Optima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 255 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 7th highest complaint count among 20 Optima model years with reports.
Of the 2017 reports, 4 involved a crash and 9 involved a fire. 7 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Latches/locks/linkages, trunk lid, latchAug 24, 2023
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."
A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 23V594000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsDec 19, 2018
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.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
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.
Campaign 18V907000 on NHTSA.gov
Hybrid propulsion systemMar 8, 2018
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.
Campaign 18V161000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: exterior lighting
15 reports, newest first. Show all
Exterior lighting, Sep 3, 2025
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
Exterior lighting, Feb 23, 2024
I drive with my lights on auto. Occasionally the lights go out for no apparent reason. Both inside and headlights. I then have to hold the high beam switch on until I can turn lights on and off or use directional. Sometimes using the directional will cause lights to go out as well. This can happen several days in a row or maybe once or twice a week. I have noticed a few times the box appearing in my dashboard saying lights were off. I had done nothing for them to go out. If a cop sees this happen I am sure to get pulled over. This has been going on for a year=3 trips to 2 different dealers. I brought my car to two different dealers and they both said without it happening when they have it they cannot do anything. I do not understand how a few years ago they fixed something incorrectly and I had to go back for a different part. Apparently this can't be done for this. So, I just risk my life every time I drive at night!!
Exterior lighting, Nov 28, 2023
I have my headlights on auto so they turn on but they turn on during the day and then off at night they turn on they have turn off when I'm diving at night on freeway and turn back on
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Sep 28, 2023
Headlights will randomly turn on and off throughout while driving. Radio has the same issue
Exterior lighting, Sep 19, 2023
I was driving at night and the headlights suddenly turned off for about 5 seconds and then it will come back on. Don't know whats going on with its headlight.
Exterior lighting, Forward collision avoidance, Aug 25, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the "Check High beam Assist System" and "Check Lane Departure System" messages were displayed. The Forward Collision Avoidance warning light and an unknown warning light were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while starting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the front view camera needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened; however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 39,715. The contact is requesting to withdraw the complaint.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 15, 2022
1. Headlights randomly fail and yes. 2. Headlights will completely go out at night while driving. Not being able to see in the dark while driving can be fatal to me, my family, and any nearby innocent bystanders. 3. No. 4. No. 5. No warnings at all and it started almost 2 weeks ago.
Exterior lighting, May 25, 2022
I have been driving at night going 70 mph on major rural freeway, as well as 55 mph on a two lane rural country road when the auto headights went completely dark, including all the interior lights. I could see nothing in the dark at those speeds ... not even the road. The first time this happened, I panicked because I could not see the road. I slammed on the brakes. I turned the auto light switch from auto to off and then turned to regular on. The headlights and interiors lights came back on. The second time this happened, I was going 70 mph on a rural highway. I immediately took my foot off the petal and turned the auto light to off and back on to regular on. I told the Kia Dealership and they said I would need to pay $138 to have them investigate the problem. The Service Center said they have heard of the problem before but were very vague. This is a MAJOR SECURITY TRANSPORTATION RISK.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 6, 2021
The vehicle automatically turns the headlights off automatically (at night). While driving and not touching the multi function switch, the vehicle indicate that the headlights were switched manually to the "off" position from the "auto" position on the multi function switch. This happens randomly at random intervals and most noticeable at night when the car is driving and the lights are turned off and is not reproducible on demand. The safety of both myself and the other vehicles around me are put at risk if my headlights cannot turn on or turn off by themselves at night while operating the vehicle. I went to the dealer, and they told me that even though the car is under warranty since the problem cannot be reproduced I would need to pay a $175 diagnostic fee, the dealer told me that Kia will charge them if they can't prove that the multi functional switch is defective. I contacted Kia customer service, they opened a claim, but did confirm that if the issue is not re-creatable on demand the dealer can charge a fee and there isn't anything they can do to waive that. They told me since it's a safety issue they could escalate the issue, so I agreed to escalate it. Then I never heard back after that. The lcd in the control cluster indicated that the lights were turned off (even though the switch was physically not touched and remained in the "auto" position for the lights). Other Kia Optima owners are experiencing this issue as seen here: https://www.optimaforums.com/threads/headlights-turn-off-automatically-at-night.169987/
Exterior lighting, Mar 4, 2021
THE HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OFF NO MATTER IF THE SWITCH IS ON AUTO OR NORMAL ON. THE LIGHTS CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING, IT HAPPENS ON THE STREET, HIGHWAY, AND EVEN IF THE CAR ISN'T MOVING. IT STARTED ABOUT A MONTH AGO. THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY DAMAGE OR WRECKS TO MY CAR.
Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 5, 2020
BOUGHT MY KIA 1 AGO & ALWAYS HAD A PROBLEM W/HEADLIGHTS ALWAYS TURNING ON & OFF WHEN IN AUTO MODE. TRUNK LATCH HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE LATCH NOT LOCKING WHEN TRYING TO CLOSE TRUNK. DEALERSHIP SAID THEY GET 20-30 LATCH ISSUES W/MY MAKE & MODEL OF KIA EVERY WEEK. AFTER VEHICLE STARTS CAR JUST DIES & ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. AT TIMES CAR WILL STAY ON BUT STUTTERS LIKE ITS GOING TO DIE.
Exterior lighting, Jul 26, 2020
WHEN CAR IS DRIVING, OR SITTING THE HEAD LIGHTS WILL GO ON AND OFF BY THEMSELVES. LIKE WHEN ITS DARK THEY WILL SHUT OFF. THEN COME BACK ON, SWITCH IS ON AUTOMATIC MODE. THEN WHEN YOU SWITCH TO TURN LIGHTS ON IT WILL DO ON AND OFF. BEEN HAPPENING FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, FINALLY DID IT ON MY HUSBAND HE WAS THINKING I HAD LOST MY MIND.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 30, 2019
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AT NIGHT TIME FOR ABOUT A WEEK STRAIGHT MY HEAD LIGHTS WOULD RANDOMLY TURN ON AND OFF BY THEIR SELVES WHILE I'M DRIVING AND THEN MY CAR WOULD BE SITTING IN MY PARKING SPACE AND MY NEIGHBORS TOLD ME MY LIGHTS WOULD JUST BE ON ALL NIGHT AND MY CAR WOULD BE LOCKED AND EVERYTHING AND ONE DAY I WENT OUT TO START MY CAR AND I COULDN'T EVEN UNLOCK IT TO GET IN IT SO I THOUGHT IT MIGHT'VE BEEN MY CAR REMOTE BATTERY DIED AND SO I ASKED A NEIGHBOR THAT WORKS ON CARS TO SEE WHAT IT COULD BE THEY POPPED MY HOOD AND CHECKED MY CAR BATTERY AND IT WAS COMPLETELY DEAD, THEY TRIED TO GIVE ME A JUMP WHICH WAS JUST ENOUGH TO ALLOW ME TO UNLOCK AND GET INTO MY VEHICLE BUT MY CAR BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY FRIED DUE TO HEADLIGHT SENSOR.
Exterior lighting, Aug 26, 2019
WHEN ON AUTOMATIC MODE, THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. SOMETIMES THEY COME BACK ON AFTER A MOMENT, BUT SOMETIMES THEY DO NOT COME BACK ON UNTIL YOU TURN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH FROM AUTOMATIC TO ON. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. IT HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE DRIVING, IN BOTH DAY AND NIGHT CONDITIONS.
Exterior lighting, May 23, 2018
TAKATA RECALL BREAK LIGHTS NOT COMING ON. I NOTICED I HAD A NOTIFICATION COME ON MY DASHBOARD THAT READ ''CHECK BRAKE LIGHTS' AND BOTH OF MY BREAK LIGHTS WERE FLASHING ON THE IMAGE OF THE CAR ON THE DASH. IT WOULD COME OFF AND ON RANDOMLY THROUGHOUT THE DAY. I CAN SMACK MY BREAK LIGHTS AND THEY COME BACK ON, AND ONCE I PRESS MY BREAK THEY GO BACK OFF.