Lemon Law Check › 2017 Kia Optima

2017 Kia Optima Problems, Recalls & Complaints

The 2017 Kia Optima has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 250 owner complaints filed with federal regulators, with complaints concentrated in engine. Owners whose Optima has needed repeated repairs for the same warranty problem may qualify for a buyback or compensation under state lemon laws.

Most-reported problem areas

Complaint counts by vehicle system, from 250 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2017 Kia Optima:

Engine118 complaints
Electrical system24 complaints
Unknown or other23 complaints
Power train17 complaints
Exterior lighting11 complaints
Steering10 complaints

What owners told federal regulators

"The contact called on behalf of her daughter who owns a 2017 kia optima. the contact stated while driving at approximately 60 mph, the vehicle made an abnormal knocking sound, the cruise control was inoperative, the infotainment screen darkened, and the charging outlet was ino…"
— owner complaint filed with NHTSA, 12/30/2025
"Excessive oil consumption: could cause engine failure, engine seizure due to lack of oil. i have a 2017 optima with excessive oil consumption issue. i noticed the car is consuming excessive oil, for the third time. many people had reported this issue, leaving customers wit…"
— owner complaint filed with NHTSA, 12/26/2023
"I had got on the freeway when i got to my destination i got off the freeway and was waiting for the green light my car started shakeing and shut off. i was able to turn it back on"
— owner complaint filed with NHTSA, 12/20/2021

NHTSA recall campaigns (3)

Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
19/12/2018 · 18V907000
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 …
Hybrid propulsion system
08/03/2018 · 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.
Latches/locks/linkages:trunk lid:latch
24/08/2023 · 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, the…

Recall repairs are performed free of charge at franchised dealers. Check your specific vehicle with the free VIN recall checker.

Has your Optima been in the shop repeatedly?

If the same warranty problem has needed 2+ repair attempts — or your Optima has spent 30+ days out of service — it may qualify for a buyback, replacement, or cash compensation under your state's lemon law. Manufacturers pay the legal fees in most states, so the case review costs you nothing.

Check My Optima — Free →

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Kia Optima?

Based on 250 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas for the 2017 Kia Optima are engine, electrical system, unknown or other.

How many recalls does the 2017 Kia Optima have?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2017 Kia Optima. Recall repairs are always free at franchised dealers regardless of warranty status.

Is the 2017 Kia Optima a lemon?

A specific vehicle qualifies as a lemon based on its own repair history, not the model's overall record. If your Optima has had engine or other warranty problems repaired 2–4 times without success, or has spent 30+ days in the shop, it may qualify under your state's lemon law — attorneys evaluate this free of charge.

Researching this car as a buyer instead? Read the full Carivo review of the 2017 Kia Optima.

All recall and complaint figures on this page come directly from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) federal records for this make, model, and year, fetched at page build time and cached daily. Complaint excerpts are owner-submitted reports to NHTSA, lightly truncated. Carivo is an independent data site, not a law firm; lemon law eligibility is determined solely by attorneys under your state's statute.