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2017 Kia Optima Hybrid
Solid pick. The public record on this car is clean for its age. Inspect it, then negotiate with confidence.
25 owner complaints · 2 recalls · data verified July 19, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Engine problems dominate (60% of complaints, typically reported near 3k miles).
Very few owner complaints for its age and sales volume.
Complaints are overwhelmingly minor: almost none involve crashes, fires, or injuries.
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →#31 of 422Among the 2017 models with a matured record, the 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid ranks #31, scoring higher than 91% of them. See the 2017 ranking →
Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
5/5 overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating · 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid 4 DR FWD
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 10%
3 open NHTSA defect investigations on file, separate from the recalls above.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Electrical system (5)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint, a rough guide, not a schedule.
Engine
60%15 complaints · typically near 3k mi · 2 in the last 2 years
“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…”
Electrical system
20%5 complaints
“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 THIN…”
Brakes
16%4 complaints
“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. …”
Transmission & drivetrain
8%2 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“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…”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
We can place 1 of this model's commonly reported problem areas against a mileage. Nothing is stored.
Read all 25 owner complaints in their own words → · just the 2 crash/fire/injury reports →
Recalls (2)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Latches/locks/linkages · 23V594000
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."
Risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: 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 · 21V844000
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.
Risk: A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this Kia before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid. Can you run this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm each one shows "Remedy Completed"?
- Owners of this model report engine problems more than anything else (owners tend to report it near 3k miles). Has this car shown any engine symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Owners of this model report electrical system problems more than anything else. Has this car shown any electrical system symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Check the VIN for open recalls
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2017 Kia OPTIMA HYBRID beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2017? See how every Optima Hybrid model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.