TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: HEATING, VENTILATION, AND AIR CONDITIONING (HVAC) BLOWER MOTOR FUSE RELOCATION - This bulletin provides the procedure to relocate the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) blower motor 40-ampere fuse on some 2016-2020MY
View on NHTSA →2017 Kia Optima visibility problems
moderate 4 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $350 · see visibility across all vehicles →
Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
When does it fail?
Of the 4 visibility complaints filed for the 2017 Kia Optima, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 10 model years of Kia Optima we track for visibility problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (4).
No new NHTSA visibility complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering visibility on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WINDOW REGULATOR DRUM GEAR REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the window regulator drum gear on some 2016-2017MY Optima (JFa) vehicles, produced from September 01, 2015 through July 31, 2016, which may exh
View on NHTSA →PITSTOP: OUTSIDE MIRROR GLASS CONTROL INOPERATIVE - This Pitstop provides information on the repair procedure for an inoperative mirror glass on the outside door mirrors for 2016-2019MY Optima (JFa) and Sorento (UMa) vehicles.
View on NHTSA →PITSTOP: ANTI-CONDENSATION LOGIC ? NORMAL OPERATION, DISABLING, AND ENABLING - Some Kia vehicles starting with 2016MY and all Kia vehicles, after and including 2017MY, incorporate an anti-condensation logic to prevent the interior windows from becoming excessi
View on NHTSA →PIT STOP: UVO ESERVICES MIRROR BUTTONS (CUSTOMER GUIDE) - This pitstop provides information regarding the functionality of the UVO eServices buttons located on the rear view mirror in some 2016-2017MY K900 (KH), and 2017MY Optima Plug-in Hybrid (JF PHEV) and 2
View on NHTSA →Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Kia optima. The contact stated that the sun roof exploded without impact while parked in the garage. The contact stated that while in the house she heard an abnormally loud booming sound. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 37,300.
Had visibility trouble with your 2017 Kia Optima?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the visibility problem on the 2017 Kia Optima?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 4 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $350 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the visibility typically fail?
Based on the 4 complaints filed, visibility issues most often appear around 24,650 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $350 for visibility repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to visibility?
No active recalls currently cover visibility issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/Kia/Optima.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.