2017 KIA Optima Engine Problems
Owners have filed 164 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the 2017 KIA Optima, 64% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 72,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “oil consumption” (18% of reports).
- 164engine complaints
- 72,000median miles at failure
- 0mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $10,900typical repair cost reported by owners
- 61%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Oil consumption: mentioned in 29 of 164 complaints (18%)
- Knock sensor: mentioned in 20 of 164 complaints (12%)
- Spark plugs: mentioned in 15 of 164 complaints (9%)
- Engine started: mentioned in 10 of 164 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine repair on the 2017 KIA Optima at $10,900, and half of them between $6,800 and $13,250.
Based on 7 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2018–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 49 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 164 complaints, 8 a fire.
KIA Optima engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Optima | 102 | 68% | 103,593 |
| 2019 Optima | 92 | 43% | 65,000 |
| 2018 Optima | 131 | 56% | 69,000 |
| 2017 Optima | 164 | 64% | 72,000 |
| 2016 Optima | 426 | 56% | 88,000 |
| 2015 Optima | 622 | 62% | 87,992 |
| 2014 Optima | 284 | 48% | 85,000 |
| 2013 Optima | 613 | 44% | 99,062 |
| 2012 Optima | 398 | 43% | 100,000 |
| 2011 Optima | 256 | 43% | 101,000 |
| 2010 Optima | 9 | 12% | 76,500 |
| 2009 Optima | 14 | 12% | 70,000 |
| 2008 Optima | 19 | 13% | 96,000 |
| 2007 Optima | 16 | 10% | 99,560 |
| 2006 Optima | 7 | 5% | 105,735 |
| 2004 Optima | 3 | 1% | 89,400 |
| 2003 Optima | 2 | 1% | 60,000 |
| 2002 Optima | 4 | 4% | 118,049 |
| 2001 Optima | 2 | 1% | 105,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Engine; fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: 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.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
While driving at highway speed, my engine began to produce a loud knocking noise without prior warning. Within few seconds, the engine seized completely causing sudden loss of motive power.This caused a dangerous situationâ loss of power steering and barking at highway speed, leaving me stranded…
Loosing oil putting oil in every 3 to 4 days no leaks on ground or oil pan or drain plug.oil don't smell or looks burnt happened around did 2 oil changes in a week still the same. Car will sputer hesitation on acceleration every so often have all updateds and recalls.
I am requesting urgent assistance regarding my 2017 Kia Optima EX, which is experiencing a serious oil consumption/burning issue. The vehicle is burning oil into the engine, causing the oil level to continually decrease and creating a significant concern for engine failure, overheating, or a…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2017 KIA Optimas have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 164 owner complaints about engine for the 2017 KIA Optima (64% of the 256 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2017 KIA Optima engine?
Yes: 1 safety recall list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do engine problems start?
The median reported mileage is 72,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix engine problems on the 2017 KIA Optima?
Owners report a typical cost of $10,900 (half paid between $6,800 and $13,250), from 7 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine problems on the 2017 KIA Optima?
The most frequent phrase is “oil consumption”, in 29 of 164 complaints, followed by “knock sensor” (20).
See all 2017 KIA Optima problems or engine problems across all Optima years.