What 25 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid

The Hybrid Warning light came on. This was the third time this has happened. The first time Kia said it was the Air Box and I paid $600 to repair. The second time the shop mistakenly cleared the codes before determining the cause. The third time they say it is the Wiring Harness and will cost $4,550 to report if they have the harness. This vehicle has recall for the connecting rod in the engine which I suspect is the real issue due to clicking noise it makes just before the lights come on, but each time I take it in I am told it is something else. Since it is the Wiring Harness this time it could be a fire hazard especiall on a Hybrid with Lithium batteries, I am not going to repair it as it has left me on the road too many times and I am sure it has the connecting rod issue. I hope nobody else has this issue and unfortunately Kia does not seem interested in repairing it, it was in the shop for 6 weeks before they diagnosed it.

NHTSA ODI 11590600

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION, THE VOLTAGE INDICATOR SWITCHED FROM NORMAL VOLTAGE TO HIGH VOLTAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER ELK GROVE KIA LOCATED AT (8480 LAGUNA GROVE DR, ELK GROVE CA) WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 18V161000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11317509

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 THINK THAT IT'S OFF BUT THE ENGINE STILL REVS.

NHTSA ODI 11220808

HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC OR SPEEDS OVER 60 MPH, ENGINE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON STATING HYBRID ENGINE MALFUNCTION TURN OFF IMMEDIATELY. IF I DON'T GET TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY, I LOSE POWER UNTIL I DO. WHEN I HAVE MY PHONE ATTACHED TO THE CARPORT PROGRAM, IT REGISTERS THAT THERE IS SOMEONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND WILL BEEP UNTIL I PUT THE SEAT BELT IN THE RECEPTACLE AS IF SOMEONE WAS THERE. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE I FIRST BOUGHT IT AND I HAVE ABOUT 5,000. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO THE DEALER TWICE AND THEY CLAIM THAT THEY CAN'T REPLICATE EITHER ISSUE. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A TREND. THEY ARE NOW SENDING OUT AN "EXPERT" TO FIX THE PROBLEM. OTHERWISE I'M LEMON LAWING IT. I HAVE PHOTOS AND VIDEO OF THE DEFECT SO THEY CAN'T EVEN TRY AND SAY I'M MAKING IT UP.

NHTSA ODI 11112581

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE SPEED SUDDENLY REDUCED TO APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE ELECTRIC MOTOR WAS TURNED OFF AND THE GAS MOTOR DID NOT IMMEDIATELY TURN START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (KIRBY KIA OF VENTURA, 6424 AUTO CENTER DR, VENTURA, CA). BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,500. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT

NHTSA ODI 11105400