KiaOptima PHEV2017Overview/kia/optima-phev/2017/base/

2017 Kia Optima PHEV

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2017 Optima PHEV.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2017 Kia Optima PHEV is a passenger-car plug-in hybrid with an engine oil capacity of 5.1 quarts of 5W-30. This model year accumulated 252 owner complaints with engine issues representing the top complaint area, alongside three recalls. These figures establish the 2017 example as a specific reliability data point within the model's history, offering researchers a concrete snapshot of documented owner concerns.

Model year20182017

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.1 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque79-94 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 760 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 48 · 760 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnRIGHTOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215/55R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.0 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length191.3 in
Overall width73.2 in
Overall height57.5 in
Wheelbase110.6 in
Curb weight3792 lb
Track (front / rear)62.2 / 63 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.1 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 79-94 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6.3
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantEthylene Glycol
Engine Coolant Capacity7.9
Engine Oil5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity5.1 qt
Power Steering FluidEPS

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.8-8.7 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.8-8.7 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.2-8.7 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.2-8.7 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.2-8.7 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.2-8.7 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)47.0-54.2 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)21.7-28.9 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts79-94 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts22.0-33.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug30.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub203.0

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)630 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)630 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)640 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)660 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.20-1.31 lbs
Oil GroupPOE
Oil Capacity5.98-6.68 oz
Standard BCI Group Number48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance760 cca
Standard BCI Group Number48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance760 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)70.0-75.0 psi
Residual Pressure42 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)PRESSURE MUST BE OVER 42 PSI: 42
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)PRESSURE MUST BE OVER 42 PSI: 42
Engine Compression156-178 PSI. 14 MAXIMUM VARIATION PSI.
Engine Compression135-156 PSI. 15 MAXIMUM VARIATION PSI.
Engine Compression164-185 PSI. 15 MAXIMUM VARIATION PSI.

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront or rear: 16-23
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 58-; Rear: 47-
ABS Sensor Torque8.5
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.040; Rear: 0.330
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishStamped on rotor
Variation from Parallelism Thickness VariationFront: .0002; Rear: .0004

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 4 stages
1M6 Bolts52 in
2M6 Bolts104–112 in
3M8 Bolts84 in
414.0-17.0
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep M6 Bolts

152.0 inch lbs.52 in
296.0-112.0 inch lbs.; M8 Bolts96–112 in
123.0-26.0 ft. lbs.23–26 ft. lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

Prep M6 Bolts

196.0-112.0 inch lbs.; M8 Bolts96–112 in
120.0-23.0 ft. lbs.20–23 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
113.0-16.0 ft. lbs.13–16 ft. lbs
290.0
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
113.0-16.0 ft. lbs.13–16 ft. lbs
285.0
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 4 stages
134.0 ft. lbs.34 ft. lbs
238.0 ft. lbs.38 ft. lbs
3+ 38 degrees38 degrees
442
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not lubricate cylinder head bolts with engine oil. Apply Loctite 5900H or equivalent on the front edge of the cylinder head gasket on both sides. Cylinder head must be assembled within 5 minutes of applying sealant.

124.0-27.0 ft. lbs.24–27 ft. lbs
290 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not lubricate cylinder head bolts with engine oil. Apply Loctite 5900H or equivalent on the front edge of the cylinder head gasket on both sides. Cylinder head must be assembled within 5 minutes of applying sealant.

124.0-27.0 ft. lbs.24–27 ft. lbs
290 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not lubricate cylinder head bolts with engine oil. Apply Loctite 5900H or equivalent on the front edge of the cylinder head gasket on both sides. Cylinder head must be assembled within 5 minutes of applying sealant.

124.0-27.0 ft. lbs.24–27 ft. lbs
290 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not lubricate cylinder head bolts with engine oil. apply liquid gasket threebond 1217H or equivalent on the edge of the cylinder block and head gasket. Cylinder head must be assembled within 5 minutes of applying sealant.

124.0.0-27.0 ft. lbs.
290 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
113.0-16.0 ft. lbs.13–16 ft. lbs
290.0
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages
111.0. ft. lbs.
220.0-23.0 ft. lbs.20–23 ft. lbs
3120.0-125.0
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages
111.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
220.0-23.0 ft. lbs.20–23 ft. lbs
3120.0-125.0
Engine Valve Cover Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
12.9-4.3 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5.8-7.22.9–4.3 ft. lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
12.9-4.3 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5.8-7.22.9–4.3 ft. lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
12.9-4.3 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5.8-7.22.9–4.3 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Intake Duct (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Fuel Tank (add fluid conditioner) · Intercooler (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect)
Every 37,500 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash)
At 105,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Hybrid Inverter (drain, flush & refill coolant)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2017 Kia Optima PHEV sits at the beginning of its generation's production arc, and the data paints a stark contrast between early and later model years. While the 2019 and 2020 model years show just 1 complaint each with zero recalls, the 2017 model year accumulated a substantial 107 engine complaints alone, plus 9 fire complaints and 4 crash complaints — suggesting early-production vehicles faced serious powertrain issues that the data does not root-cause specifically. The complaint volume drops dramatically by the 2019–2020 model years, indicating that either Kia addressed underlying problems over the generation's lifecycle or that the 2017 model year simply had more time on the road to accumulate complaints. Either way, the trend is clear: the 2017 model year carries significantly more reported risk than later years in the same generation, particularly around engine durability and fire safety. **Given the disproportionately high engine and fire complaint counts relative to later model years, the 2017 Optima PHEV is not a recommended buy** — a used 2019 or 2020 model of the same generation offers the same vehicle with a fraction of the reported problems.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
179
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
252
Owner complaints
4 involved a crash · 9 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 252 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine107
Unknown Or Other15
Exterior Lighting9
Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System8
Steering7
Power Train,Engine7
Electrical System6
Power Train6

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V907000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And FittingsReported 19/12/2018

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… Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer…

18V161000Hybrid Propulsion SystemReported 08/03/2018

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… Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will remove the VPD switch and install two newly designed Battery Management Systems (BMS) that contain Overvoltage Protection Devices (OPDs)…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 179 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
CS2312_TSB_R22026-06-08StructureTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER…
SC340_TSB_R52026-04-03EngineVOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSIONS: ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT…
SC340_OWNR_JF&JFA_1042026-03-17Electrical SystemVOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC340 FLIGHT 104 ) - This…
SC340_TSB_R42026-03-05Electrical SystemTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI…
TSB_CS2312_R12026-02-18StructureTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

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Recalls
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Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2017 Optima PHEV take?

5.1 qt of 5W-30 Use lubricant equivalent to ACEA A5/B5, per the factory manual.

Does the 2017 Optima PHEV have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.