Is the 2017 Kia Optima a bad year?
257 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 169, 13× a quiet Optima year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 41k–99k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 9 of 169 filed since 2016.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2017 Optima owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 72,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 169 (66%) | 41k–99k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 25 (10%) | 25k–93k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Fuel system | 22 (9%) | 58k–105k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 21 (8%) | 18k–72k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 15 (6%) | 37k–70k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 13 (5%) | 19k–70k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 6 (2%) | 19k–62k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Steering | 11 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 8 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 8 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 72,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 257 complaints: 4 mention a crash · 9 mention a fire · 2 report an injury · 12 say the car was towed.
24 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
The wiring harness was replaced in my 2017 Kia Optima in 2019 at approximately 45,000 miles. Kia replaced my engine january 2020 because it was consuming large amounts of oil.
My 2017 Kia Optima caught on fire on october 15, 2020. I was driving to the store and heard a ticking sound and some noises.
Bought vehicle new from ricart Kia in columbus, oh in 2018. Vehicle has 41,917 miles now. Vehicle developed flashing check engine light while driving at 65MPH.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 72,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2017 Kia Optima: 3
The trunk latch base may crack, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
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.
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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Kia: 107
Repair instructions Kia sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2017 Kia Optima. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Product improvement campaign: engine replacement instructions for DTC P1326 (PI1802Y/Z)
SC205_stkr: voluntary emissions service campaign completion sticker
Voluntary emissions service campaign: theta 2.0L t-gdi ulev logic improvement for emissions (SC205)
Injector harness routing for PI1802Y/Z and PI1803Y/Z engine replacements
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Loss of Motive Power
Engine Fires
Electrical overstress
Neighbouring years
2016 Optima: 761 complaints, consider selling · 2018 Optima: 233 complaints, consider selling.
Every Kia Optima year
2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · All Optima years side by side
Other Kia models: Kia Amanti · Kia Cadenza · Kia Carnival · Kia EV6 · Kia EV9 · Kia Forte · Kia K5 · Kia Niro · Kia Optima Hybrid · Kia Rio · Kia Rondo · Kia Sedona · Kia Seltos · Kia Sephia · Kia Sorento · Kia Soul · Kia Spectra · Kia Sportage · Kia Stinger · Kia Telluride. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2017 Kia Optima a bad year?
257 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 169, 13× a quiet Optima year. At 72,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 41k–99k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 9 of 169 filed since 2016.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Kia Optima?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (169), electrical system (25), fuel system (22), transmission and drivetrain (21), exterior lighting (15). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 41k–99k miles.
How many recalls does the 2017 Kia Optima have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Latches and locks (NHTSA 23V-594), Fuel system (NHTSA 18V-907), Hybrid system (NHTSA 18V-161). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.