2017 Kia Optima: stuck in gear or won't shift

5 of the 258 complaints about the 2017 Kia Optima describe stuck in gear or won't shift.

owner complaints: 5
of this car's complaints: 2%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 14 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Stuck in gear or won't shift by model year

2020
16
2019
5
2018
8
2017
5
2016
21
2015
19
2014
10
2013
15
2012
13
2011
6
2008
3
2007
2
2006
1
2001
1

What owners say

Filed Feb 12, 2026 · Engine · 130,000 miles · AZ

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at 67 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of drive power, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The check engine and HEV warning lights were intermittently illuminated. The contact entered the vehicle settings, and the ECU message was displayed. The contact stated that the failure had occurred three times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Filed Oct 15, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

I purchased the 2017 Optima Hybrid from Huntington Beach Hyundai on [XXX]. I made sure to double check with the dealer if the engine and hybrid battery were in good condition, in which the salesman reassured me everything is good. The car was driving okay for a while, and I had oil change and tires/alignment changed recently. Just barely 4 months in after I owned the car, the incident happened on the night of [XXX]. I was driving on the highway near the Getty going roughly 70 mph up the mountain roads while all of a sudden the "check hybrid system" warning came on in the car. The car immediately went into limp mode, and I did everything I could to slow the car to a complete stop, and stop on the freeway shoulder safely. It was a traumatizing experience to me, as this is a major safety issue with the vehicle, and other cars were travelling really fast in LA mountain areas. I had the car towed to a auto repair shop the next day, the mechanics did a deep inspection and informed me the hybrid inverter has failed. I paid $2,177 to replace the hybrid inverter with the mechanic. The mechanic also informed me while they were test driving they heard a knocking sound from the engine. I did a look up and found out there is a class settlement and safety campaigns on the engine for 2017 Optima Hybrid due to the faulty factory rod bearings, and the 150K miles extended warranty from Kia should apply to replace my faulty engine free of charge. I will be getting my car towed to Car Pros Kia in Huntington Beach on October 15th, 2025, and request the dealer to replace my engine per Kia's extended warranty. I am filing the complaint because the car is having problems after problems in barely 4 months of ownership, in which I believe I have purchased a lemon, or Huntington Beach Hyundai knowingly hid the facts the components were faulty. I have also filed a case with Kia corporate. Attached is the repair invoice for the hybrid inverter. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6

Filed Mar 21, 2023 · Engine · CA

Car went into limp mode (three times since July 2022) and slowed down on the freeway from 70mph to 20mph without prior warning, putting my life at risk. Dash reads “check hybrid system”. Kia’s had my car for a week without allowing me a loaner or answers.

Filed Aug 16, 2022 · Engine · 112,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle entered limp mode as several warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer and was informed that his vehicle was under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V844000 (Engine), which they linked to his failure. Despite the recall repair, the failure occurred on two additional occasions. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where an additional software update was performed; however, the failure continued. The manufacturer was notified about the failure and sent an investigator to inspect the vehicle. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.

Filed Jun 17, 2022 · Engine · TX

Engine Failure after KSDS in March 2022 Update Error Code P1326 (2 times in May and June 2022), BSDS Error with HEV Warning Light Shut Off Engine to prevent damage. Engine burned 2.5 quarts of oil in 3 weeks and 1500 miles. Vehicle went into “limp mode” or “safe mode” to prevent further damage. Engine failure at 102k miles. Error is currently being added by KIA North Austin. KIA reproduced the error P1326.