https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev New NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for the KIA Optima PHEV. en-us Sun, 18 Oct 2026 04:35:46 GMT https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev#complaint-2135804 Thu, 02 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the check engine and oil warning lights illuminated and then turned off independently. The contact slowed down, and after arriving at the destination, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The co https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev#complaint-2134731 Sun, 28 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT I was driving the vehicle home on the freeway after just buying it. I had only driven it for about 35-40 minutes and after 5 minutes the ev battery was drained completely and the car was running in hybrid mode. The vehicle suddenly lost all its power and a warning light came on flashing saying "check hybrid system turn off engine". I was forced to put on my emergency lights and quickly move https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev#complaint-2134732 Sun, 28 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT I was driving the vehicle home on the freeway after just buying it. I had only driven it for about 35-40 minutes and after 5 minutes the ev battery was drained completely and the car was running in hybrid mode. The vehicle suddenly lost all its power and a warning light came on flashing saying "check hybrid system turn off engine". I was forced to put on my emergency lights and quickly move https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev#complaint-2134733 Sun, 28 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT I was driving the vehicle home on the freeway after just buying it. I had only driven it for about 35-40 minutes and after 5 minutes the ev battery was drained completely and the car was running in hybrid mode. The vehicle suddenly lost all its power and a warning light came on flashing saying "check hybrid system turn off engine". I was forced to put on my emergency lights and quickly move https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev#complaint-2112397 Mon, 21 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima PHEV. The contact's daughter stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the high systems temperature switching to hybrid mode message was displayed. The contact stated that there was a two-hour delay for a full charge. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the fluids in the vehicle need https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev#complaint-2090799 Sat, 10 May 2025 00:00:00 GMT The plastic coupling for the steering is broken in my 2018 Kia optima the same Issue that the 2011-2014 issue optima’s have my car has this same issue. https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev#complaint-2089813 Wed, 07 May 2025 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima PHEV. The contact stated that there was an abnormally loud rattling sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was turning on and off. The contact stated that the catalytic converter and battery were damaged. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev#complaint-2087292 Wed, 30 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT For several years my 'check hybrid engine' followed by turn off engine. The dealership can not figure out the cause. Twice in the last month the engine has automatically shut off when the "check hybrid engine' warning light displays. I nearly had an accident because the brakes are much weaker when the engine shut off. Kia dealership is unable to find the source of the problem and says the car https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev#complaint-2087293 Wed, 30 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT For several years my 'check hybrid engine' followed by turn off engine. The dealership can not figure out the cause. Twice in the last month the engine has automatically shut off when the "check hybrid engine' warning light displays. I nearly had an accident because the brakes are much weaker when the engine shut off. Kia dealership is unable to find the source of the problem and says the car https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev#complaint-2087294 Wed, 30 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT For several years my 'check hybrid engine' followed by turn off engine. The dealership can not figure out the cause. Twice in the last month the engine has automatically shut off when the "check hybrid engine' warning light displays. I nearly had an accident because the brakes are much weaker when the engine shut off. Kia dealership is unable to find the source of the problem and says the car https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev#complaint-2078759 Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMT - https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev#complaint-2017953 Tue, 20 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMT See attached document for complaint. https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev#complaint-2010706 Thu, 25 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMT This car was purchased [XXX] and has been in my possession for 3 years and 4 months. It has sat in a dealership repair facility for 13 of those months to replace the engine and high-voltage hybrid battery. Meaning I have actively driven this vehicle for approximately 27 months and the retraction system for the seatbelts is malfunctioning and as its a safety issue I feel the need to report this and https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev#complaint-1982923 Fri, 12 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima PHEV. The contact noticed a failure with the key fob and manual locking function with the trunk. The contact was notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V594000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed as a failure with the trunk latch base which needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurre https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev#complaint-1974230 Mon, 11 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT Oil pressure sensor leaked out all of the oil and no warning lights lit on the dashboard to let me know that I had lost oil pressure or that I was low on oil. Problem part #1: oil pressure sensor Problem part #2: no warnings on dashboard Result: #1: Engine failure / loss of engine #2: This caused engine to seize on main highway on Feb 14, 2024. This could have caused a major accident. https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev#complaint-1965190 Tue, 06 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMT I was getting on the freeway and my car suddenly just stopped accelerating. I even tried pushing the pedal to the floor and all power was gone. I was almost ran down by a 18 wheeler who must not have noticed my hazards had been switched on. A warning came on “check hybrid system. Turn off engine” When the car lost its momentum as I was pulling over and eventually came to a stop I followed the warn https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev#complaint-1965191 Tue, 06 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMT I was getting on the freeway and my car suddenly just stopped accelerating. I even tried pushing the pedal to the floor and all power was gone. I was almost ran down by a 18 wheeler who must not have noticed my hazards had been switched on. A warning came on “check hybrid system. Turn off engine” When the car lost its momentum as I was pulling over and eventually came to a stop I followed the warn https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev#complaint-1965192 Tue, 06 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMT I was getting on the freeway and my car suddenly just stopped accelerating. I even tried pushing the pedal to the floor and all power was gone. I was almost ran down by a 18 wheeler who must not have noticed my hazards had been switched on. A warning came on “check hybrid system. Turn off engine” When the car lost its momentum as I was pulling over and eventually came to a stop I followed the warn https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev#complaint-1942352 Sat, 11 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMT This pre-owned vehicle lost power at an intersection with my wife and child in the vehicle. Both of them were fearful and in tears. Several indicator lights suggested problems with the engine, HEV system , and battery. Upon returning home, I notified Carmax and scheduled the vehicle for service at a local Kia dealership. Although the mechanic told me that he knew there is a problem with the vehicl https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev#complaint-1942353 Sat, 11 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMT This pre-owned vehicle lost power at an intersection with my wife and child in the vehicle. Both of them were fearful and in tears. Several indicator lights suggested problems with the engine, HEV system , and battery. Upon returning home, I notified Carmax and scheduled the vehicle for service at a local Kia dealership. Although the mechanic told me that he knew there is a problem with the vehicl https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev#complaint-1942354 Sat, 11 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMT This pre-owned vehicle lost power at an intersection with my wife and child in the vehicle. Both of them were fearful and in tears. Several indicator lights suggested problems with the engine, HEV system , and battery. Upon returning home, I notified Carmax and scheduled the vehicle for service at a local Kia dealership. Although the mechanic told me that he knew there is a problem with the vehicl https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev#complaint-1938034 Tue, 24 Oct 2023 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima PHEV. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed up a steep hill, the vehicle lost motive power. The Check Hybrid System, Turn Off Engine message was displayed, and the traction control, check engine, ABS, and auto-hold warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the cause of the failure was not found. The vehicle https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev#complaint-1938035 Tue, 24 Oct 2023 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima PHEV. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed up a steep hill, the vehicle lost motive power. The Check Hybrid System, Turn Off Engine message was displayed, and the traction control, check engine, ABS, and auto-hold warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the cause of the failure was not found. The vehicle https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev#complaint-1938036 Tue, 24 Oct 2023 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima PHEV. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed up a steep hill, the vehicle lost motive power. The Check Hybrid System, Turn Off Engine message was displayed, and the traction control, check engine, ABS, and auto-hold warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the cause of the failure was not found. The vehicle https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev#recall-23V594000-kia-kia-optima-phev-2018 Thu, 24 Aug 2023 00:00:00 GMT 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." https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev#recall-23V594000-kia-kia-optima-phev-2017 Thu, 24 Aug 2023 00:00:00 GMT 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." https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev#complaint-1892115 Tue, 02 May 2023 00:00:00 GMT I took my car into the local Kia dealership after my engine failed while driving down the highway. I was approved for the engine replacement due to the recall. However after my engine was replaced, and still in the shop, the side curtain airbag module gave an error due to low voltage. Now I'm out $1200 for an item that should not fail within the first 6 years. I have had vehicles 3 times as old th https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev#complaint-1892116 Tue, 02 May 2023 00:00:00 GMT I took my car into the local Kia dealership after my engine failed while driving down the highway. I was approved for the engine replacement due to the recall. However after my engine was replaced, and still in the shop, the side curtain airbag module gave an error due to low voltage. Now I'm out $1200 for an item that should not fail within the first 6 years. I have had vehicles 3 times as old th https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev#complaint-1892117 Tue, 02 May 2023 00:00:00 GMT I took my car into the local Kia dealership after my engine failed while driving down the highway. I was approved for the engine replacement due to the recall. However after my engine was replaced, and still in the shop, the side curtain airbag module gave an error due to low voltage. Now I'm out $1200 for an item that should not fail within the first 6 years. I have had vehicles 3 times as old th https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-phev#complaint-1804989 Thu, 31 Mar 2022 00:00:00 GMT Vehicle dash warning light started flashing and told me to turn off vehicle. There were no shoulders on the road where I was. I smelled a burning smell (like a belt -not brakes). I stopped and turned the car off. Very dangerous!!! Not impressed that the dealership or manufacturer allowed this vehicle to be re-sold! I turned the vehicle into the service department. Do NOT want this vehicle back! Le