10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 8
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
31,045 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2017 Kia Optima engine problems

engine problem

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2017 Kia Optima Owner Comments (Page 1 of 7)

problem #132

Nov 112024

Optima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact-??s daughter owns a 2017 Kia Optima. While the contact-??s daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud rattling sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start on the first attempt. The vehicle started on the second attempt was able to be driven. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who determined that the engine rod had failed, causing complete engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact became aware that the vehicle was included in an undisclosed Product Improvement Program for a software update; however, the contact was unaware of the software update which voided the Extended Warranty for the engine repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Port Orange, FL, USA

problem #131

Nov 132024

Optima

  • miles
A auto repair shop said my Kia Optima has a bad knock sensor which is a common problem with those cars. My safety and others was put at great risk when I suddenly lost power on the freeway Problem was confirmed at an independent service center Has not yet been inspected by manufacturer Warning message came up at the same time as losing power

- San Juan Capistrano, CA, USA

problem #130

Oct 072024

Optima

  • miles
Took the car to the dealership to diagnose an issue that I know Kia has a settlement for which is the engine class settlement and the dealership is trying to say the cause of known issue is from another source so they do not have to cover the cost of a replacement engine. The dealership is saying my option is to pay 8-10k for a new engine when it should be covered under the lifetime engine warranty which they confirmed I have. Engine light popped up the day of taking it to dealer. The engine has the possibility of seizing putting the driver or others at risk of serious accident.

- Longwood, FL, USA

problem #129

Sep 102024

Optima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine is burning 2 QT of oil every month and burning it in under 1000 miles. Kia dealership says it's a common issue but can't help me until the engine seizes up. The car has less than 85k miles on it. How can this be a common issue but they can't fix it till the engine dies" What if the engine dies out of warranty" Then I'm out 12k for a new engine that will die in 80k miles. This should be a recall.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #128

Jul 182024

Optima

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but failed to accelerate as intended or change gear as intended. The vehicle was then taken to another dealer where it was diagnosed that the triaxle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.

- Skokie, IL, USA

problem #127

Aug 092024

Optima

  • miles
The KSDS in my engine is causing engine failure due to the dealership failing to fix the problem when I first experienced stalling, lagging and misfiring of my vehicle, which would often make it shake and I would have to turn the car off and reignite it, sometimes more than once. My safety is at risk when driving, because the vehicle will lag while trying to accelerate in traffic. My mechanic researched the issue and found the recall and Kia said they fixed it when it was issued and they didn-??t. My CHECK ENGINE light is flashing now and it continues to lose power. I have contacted Kia about the issue and I-??m waiting on a response.

- Muskogee, OK, USA

problem #126

Aug 032024

Optima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The engine Is losing oil. Taking it to KIA dealership and other repair shops around our area and she has to have her oil changed every thousand miles because the oil is going somewhere but they don-??t know where because there-??s no leakage anywhere. I see there-??s 100 of other complaints about this key should be responsible. Please indicate what we can do about this doesn-??t have that many miles on it.

- Springfield, MO, USA

problem #125

May 232024

Optima

  • miles
Driving highway speed (75) after work may 23rd 2024 when my car just randomly stop accelerating and I pulled to the side of the highway and I heard a weird engine knock sound coming from engine. I turned the vehicle off and back on and it was still doing the same thing then it just cut off and wouldn-??t start no more. I reached out to Kia cooperate to find out that it-??s an extended life time warranty on the engine of the make of my car for rod bearings failure. I contacted Kia of Pelham Al to get an appointment to bring it in I drop it off June 9th, service app was June 10th. They failed to give a rental car -?? leaving me with no way to work -??

- Alberta, AL, USA

problem #124

Jun 192023

Optima

  • miles
Turbocharger failed at 90000 miles because fan assembly was bad. May have happened when dealership replaced high pressure fuel pump. Fan sheared and metal parts got in the engine about a thousand miles after that.

- Garden City, GA, USA

problem #123

Mar 222024

Optima

  • miles
The Hybrid Warning light came on. This was the third time this has happened. The first time Kia said it was the Air Box and I paid $600 to repair. The second time the shop mistakenly cleared the codes before determining the cause. The third time they say it is the Wiring Harness and will cost $4,550 to report if they have the harness. This vehicle has recall for the connecting rod in the engine which I suspect is the real issue due to clicking noise it makes just before the lights come on, but each time I take it in I am told it is something else. Since it is the Wiring Harness this time it could be a fire hazard especiall on a Hybrid with Lithium batteries, I am not going to repair it as it has left me on the road too many times and I am sure it has the connecting rod issue. I hope nobody else has this issue and unfortunately Kia does not seem interested in repairing it, it was in the shop for 6 weeks before they diagnosed it.

- Malvern, AR, USA

problem #122

May 052024

Optima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving on the highway, and my oil pan storage plug fell out of my car. All of the oil leaked out of the engine causing my engine to seize up while I was driving. The dealership says my vehicle is out of warranty, and will not replace it, and that it will cost me $12,000 for a new engine

- Odessa, FL, USA

problem #121

May 092024

Optima

  • miles
My 2017 Optima is consuming oil into the pistons and piston rings which is soaking the spark plugs causing engine misfire, my mechanic states it wont be long till the engine goes out, I talked to Kia and they told me the car has to be seized or knocking for them to replace the engine, knowing its a problem. I want my car fixed as its a known issue across all Optimas.

- Costa Mesa, CA, USA

problem #120

May 022024

Optima

  • miles
Vehicle Hybrid system wanring light has come on 3 times since January 2024. Kia has not been able to resolve the issue and just reset the system.

- Malvern, AR, USA

problem #119

Aug 292022

Optima

  • miles
Ms. Nadine Thomas, who is running for District 44 in Georgia, has served on the Georgia House of Representatives and the Georgia State Senate is my boss and know what I have been through with my vehicle and has heard from KIA in Athens GA that there is nothing they can do. I have a 2017 KIA Optima that I have been having problems with since around 06/2022 or a little before. I have been getting oil changes and putting oil in the vehicle every week or every other week. It finally took a mechanic to tell me it is an issue with Kia's and a recall due to the replacement of the motor because the cars are losing oil. I do not have an oil leak but losing it every week and replacing it and it is expensive for an oil change and a gallon of oil constantly. I have reached out to KIA Manufacturer and case was denied, BBB and KIA denied it all the way, through where I went has far as to the attributor. Georgia Attorney General and they sent a letter to the Bulldog KIA in Athens and they said I have to go through the process of either hearing a thumping noise or motor light flashing constantly and or car shuts off before my motor can be replace. None of this has happened. I had to pay out of pocket for a tune up which was over $300 in Sept 2023 and again early this year 2023 and no reimbursement but it-??s on my KIA receipts due to oil consumption (leaking of oil) it-??s causing me to keep replacing the spark plugs. Renting vehicles when they would have to keep my vehicle to replace the spark plugs, and missing time from work. They will not compensate me for it, replace the motor, and or provide me another vehicle. I feel also because I am a woman that I am racially profiled, I have been very professional, calm, and provided more than enough time, effort, and providing all the information to KIA and I am not getting nowhere or through to anyone that will hear me or understand what I am going through. Previous NHTSA ID Number is 11518826, awaiting for response back from Ossoff Office.

- Winder, GA, USA

problem #118

Oct 312022

Optima

  • 92,973 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the low oil pressure warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the contact's wife was asked to complete and record information for daily engine testing. The contact's wife completed the daily engine and oil pressure testing for ten consecutive days. The contact's wife submitted the information to the dealer and the manufacturer. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and an oil consumption test was requested. The vehicle was at the dealer for several days; however, a diagnostic update was not provided. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 92,973.

- Alachua, FL, USA

problem #117

Mar 072024

Optima

  • miles
ON [XXX], AROUND 11:30 A.M., I WAS DRIVING [XXX] ON [XXX], GOING ABOUT 78 MPH, JUST PASSED [XXX], WHEN THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH LIT UP, SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR, THEN THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD THEN SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE A/C VENTS. THERE WAS A FULL FLEDGE FIRE UNDER MY HOOD. THE GUY DRIVING NEXT TO ME, KINDA GESTURED FOR ME TO PULL OVER, ALTHOUGH I WAS ALREADY THINKING I NEEDED TO PULL OVER, THE SHOCK OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING, I LOST MY TRAIN OF THOUGHT. I PULLED OVER AND SO DID THAT GUY, HE HAD A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND TRIED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE BUT TO NO AVAIL. 5 MINS AFTER I GOT OUT, THE ENTIRE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. IT WAS VERY SCARY AND I AM THANKFUL FOR THAT GUY, BECAUSE I FROZE FOR A MINUTE AND COULDN'T THINK OF WHAT TO DO, I PULLED OVER JUST IN TIME. THE FIRE DEPT WAS CALLED AND IT TOOK THEM AWHILE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT, THE CAR WAS BURNT TO A CRISP, A 100% LOSS. A POLICE OFFICER TOOK MY NAME & PHONE NUMBER AND ARRANGED FOR A TOW TRUCK. I HAD TO ARRANGE FOR SOMEONE TO PICK ME UP FROM THE SIDE OF INTERSTATE I [XXX] AND HAD TO CALL OFF WORK. THE CAR WAS TOWED BY PROFESSIONAL TOWING TAMPA LOCATED - PHONE# 813-242-0610 EXT. 5 EMAIL - DISPATCH@PROTOWTAMPA.COM | WEBSITE - www.professionaltowingtampa.com I SPOKE TO SOMEONE AT THE TOW YARD AND THEY TOLD ME TO BRING THEM THE TITLE TO THE CAR THE NEXT DAY AND SUGGESTED I PAY THE TOWING FEE RIGHT AWAY BEING THAT THE TOTAL AMOUNT DUE INCREASES EVERY DAY. ON [XXX], I BROUGHT THEM THE TITLE TO THE CAR AND PAID THE, I BELIEVE, $285 TOWING & STORAGE FEE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Apollo Beach, FL, USA

problem #116

Feb 142024

Optima

  • miles
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.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #115

Mar 012024

Optima

  • miles
The engine code p1326 code popped up after coming to a stop the same code associated with the Kia engine recall but my vin isn-??t covered

- Wentzville, MO, USA

problem #114

Feb 192024

Optima

  • miles
Every time after I get an oil change I-??m constantly having to put oil in it because it goes dry every 2 days and my check engine light stays on before and after oil change, randomly shaking soon as I turn the car on then the oil light comes on every time I go over a speed bump! The car slams on breaks when it wants and has even did it when in fast traffic on the highway.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #113

Feb 142024

Optima

  • miles
Entered on to the highway and accelerated to get up to speed. Check engine light started blinking and could no longer accelerate.

- Soringdale, AR, USA

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