2017 Kia Optima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 255 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 7th highest complaint count among 20 Optima model years with reports.
Of the 2017 reports, 4 involved a crash and 9 involved a fire. 7 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Latches/locks/linkages, trunk lid, latchAug 24, 2023
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."
A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Dealers will replace the trunk latch base subassembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC278.
Campaign 23V594000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsDec 19, 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 Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
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 service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
Campaign 18V907000 on NHTSA.gov
Hybrid propulsion systemMar 8, 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 activate inadvertently.
If the VPD activates while the vehicle is being operated in Electric Vehicle (EV) mode, there may be a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash.
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), free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC162.
Campaign 18V161000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
167 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Oct 11, 2024
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.
Seat belts, Engine, Sep 18, 2024
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.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 11, 2024
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.
Engine, Aug 3, 2024
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.
Engine, Jun 23, 2024
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 …
Engine, Jun 19, 2024, fire
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.
Engine, May 22, 2024
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
Engine, May 19, 2024
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.
Engine, Apr 25, 2024
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.
Engine, Apr 10, 2024
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.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 4, 2024, fire
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)
Engine, Mar 2, 2024
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
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 19, 2024
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.
Engine, Feb 14, 2024
Entered on to the highway and accelerated to get up to speed. Check engine light started blinking and could no longer accelerate.
Engine, Feb 14, 2024
I was driving at 65MPH on the highway when the warning lights went flashing on my dashboard with "Check Hybrid system", "!HEV", and check engine light. I pulled over to the side of the highway and had a tow truck took it to the dealership to check out. Kia dealership did a diagnostic and mentioned the hybrid engine failed to convert from hybrid to gas and vice-versa. I am at 165,531 miles and Kia is charging me $13,000 to fix it. I am over the warranty of 150,000 miles. The "Check Hybrid system" message has been ongoing since 2021 and Kia mentioned it has to do something with the hybrid battery and Kia no longer makes a replacement battery for the Kia hybrid optima 2017. All Kia does it reset the system for the "Check Hybrid system" message to go away. After a few weeks, the message will appear again on the dashboard. I have upload an image of the dashboard with all of the warning lights. I need help as this is costing to much to fix.
Engine, Jan 31, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact stated that the engine was consuming one quart of engine oil every two days after an oil change was performed. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone, where it was diagnosed that the detonation sensor was faulty. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,500.
Engine, Jan 15, 2024
I was driving down the highway and my car just went out in the middle of traffic I almost got into a accident with my kids in the car.there were no warning lights or anything on before it went out I finally pulled over in the far right lane and my car wouldn’t turn back on and started flashing various lights on the dashboard and still wouldn’t turn on I had to call triple A and have the car towed that put me in a very dangerous situation especially with my children in the car
Engine, Dec 26, 2023
Excessive Oil Consumption: Could cause Engine failure, Engine Seizure due to lack of oil. I have a 2017 Optima with Excessive Oil Consumption issue. I noticed the car is consuming excessive oil, for the third time. Many people had reported this issue, leaving customers with expensive repairs. This issue could cause Engine failure, Engine Seizure due to lack of oil. I took the vehicle to the dealer, (Kia) recommended additional services and kept the vehicle overnight for testing. These additional services were outside the normal maintenance interval and are expensive. Quick History: -As of 12/26/2023 Vehicle was dropped off due to excessive oil consumption, this time before the service interval was due. -2017 Optima/ 83,200 Mi -All Oil changes and scheduled maintenance performance at normal interval, sometimes sooner due to the Excessive oil consumption. -Car is for personal use/ normal driving - No Leaks detected in the Car
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Oct 31, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact reset the check engine warning light however, the light became illuminated again. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that the engine oil was low and needed to be topped off. Additionally, the dealer offered to perform an oil consumption test. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that he had researched online and related the failure to an engine design flaw. The contact requested that the dealer attempt to repair the engine and was refused. The contact was advised by the dealer to drive the vehicle until the engine failed and then he would be placed under consideration for a manufacturer engine replacement program. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.
Engine, Oct 30, 2023
Driving down the interstate, the vehicle started to decelerate and the engine light started flashing. Got it to a mechanic and he started that it was a knock sensor failure P1326 code. Same as the recalls, but my vin number was not included in the recall report. Already had this vehicle in for excessive oil consumption. Paid for the dealer consumption test. They said it only burned a qt. and that was acceptable. In 1000 miles. Have done my own 1000 mile test and have been burning 1.5 or more qts. on three separate tests. Something has to be done about these engines. This is dangerous when going interstate speed and dropping to 20 mph in heavy traffic.
Engine, Oct 28, 2023
Oil from engine does not cycle through the engine and instead it foams up and comes out of the top of the engine and I need to put oil in my car every week.
Latches/locks/linkages, Engine, Oct 26, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V594000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and determined that the next available appointment would be in February 2024. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that there were a lot of customers in front of him and the dealer would not be able to get to the vehicle until February 2024. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil and failed to start occasionally. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000. Parts distribution disconnect
Engine, Oct 25, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated and then lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drove to the residence. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked while driving. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle at the residence and retrieved DTC Code: P1326, and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the knock sensor was previously replaced for the same issue; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN and that the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The failure mileage was 100,670.
Engine, Oct 23, 2023, fire
The engine on this vehicle caught fire while the vehicle was parked and not running. It had previsouly been drive for approximately 4 hours throughout the day but at the time of the incident there were no warning dashlights present. It is currently available for inspection, however depending on the length of this invesitagion it may no longer be available as i work with my insurance company determing next steps. My safety and the safety of other were put at risk by and open flame and smoke that occured during the fire. Ultimately the Fire Department were required to put out the fire. Approximately 8 months ago the engine was replace by the dealership Summit Place Kia East in Michigan due to an open recall for a knock sensor issue. I suspect this vehicle will be a total loss.
Engine, Oct 16, 2023
I was driving my kiaon a very busy interstate. When I was going around 65miles per hour and all of a sudden I lost all power it went from 65 miles per hour to 30 all at once when I hit the gas peddle the car went in jerks finally I got it back up to 55 but it only goes in a jerking motion and r. Very small hill u come to u lose power and it goes jerking . I thought several times I would get rear ended by the vehicle behind me I'm scared to drive this and when the car is running and you step out of the car the smell of gas is very strong and it is using a lot more gas than it mostly does . This happened to me September 20th2023.