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2017 Kia Optima Hybrid Recalls & Complaints

2

open safety recalls on record

Critical

38 owner complaints filed · Severity Index 0.40 · updated 2026-08-07

The recalls

Critical21V844000

Engine

damaged engine can raises the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy & full details

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.

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.

Serious23V594000

Latches/Locks/Linkages:Trunk Lid:Latch

person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy & full details

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.

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."

Complaint volume

38 this model-year 7 median, same year

Volume alone is not a fault rate — popular vehicles attract more reports. Read it next to the severity mix below.

What owners reported happened

2Crashes
1Fires
2Injuries
0Deaths

Across 38 complaints. Severity Index 0.40.

Severity Index weights each complaint's reported outcome (death ×10, injury ×4, fire ×3, crash ×2) and divides by total complaints. It measures how severe reports are, not how often faults occur.

What owners report most

Engine15 · 39%Electrical System5 · 13%Unknown Or Other4 · 11%Service Brakes4 · 11%Power Train2 · 5%Suspension1 · 3%Air Bags1 · 3%Exterior Lighting1 · 3%
  1. Engine — 15 reports
  2. Electrical System — 5 reports
  3. Unknown Or Other — 4 reports
  4. Service Brakes — 4 reports
  5. Power Train — 2 reports
  6. Suspension — 1 reports
  7. Air Bags — 1 reports
  8. Exterior Lighting — 1 reports
  9. Firerelated — 1 reports
  10. Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera — 1 reports

What to do

  1. Find your 17-character VIN on the driver's door jamb or the base of the windscreen.
  2. Check it against NHTSA's official lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls — the authoritative record for your exact car.
  3. Book the repair with any franchised dealer. Safety recall work is free, with no time limit and regardless of who owns the car now.

Other model years

2011 (3) · 2012 (3) · 2013 (2) · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 (2) · 2020

Numbers in brackets are open recall campaigns for that year.

Questions

Does an open recall mean the car is unsafe to drive?

Not usually. NHTSA issues a "do not drive" or "park outside" advisory when a defect is dangerous enough to keep you out of the car — those are flagged Critical above. Everything else should be repaired promptly but is not an immediate stop-driving order.

Do I pay for recall repairs?

No. Federal law requires the manufacturer to fix a safety recall free of charge, including parts and labour, whether or not you are the original owner.

Why are there complaints but no recalls?

Complaints are unverified reports filed by owners. They can prompt an investigation, but many never become recalls — either the fault isn't safety-related or it isn't widespread.

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