What 252 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Kia Optima

I was driving on the highway and randomly my car started to shake very badly and i couldn’t go faster than about 30 mph. My engine light didn’t turn on until i turned the car off and back on after finally making it home after almost getting hit by cars trying to make it back home. I sent it to get looked at and they said that it’s misfiring pretty severely and that kia had a recall on an engine/motor awhile back for my car and to take it to a dealership. I contacted KIA customer care but the only recall I see when I look up my VIN # is for the trunk recall.

NHTSA ODI 11650676

There appears to be an issue with Kia USA regarding an oil switch fault that the company may be aware of but has not addressed through a service bulletin. We own a 2017 Kia Optima with a 2.4L engine and 84,000 miles that has recently started experiencing an intermittent oil pressure light. Thinking the issue was covered under warranty, I took the vehicle in for repair, only to receive a quote of $6,000. The faulty switch had pushed oil through the wiring harness, contaminating the powertrain control module and fuel injectors. I have found information indicating that Kia issued a service bulletin in April 2022 for the same switch used in the 2.4L issue affecting 2015-2018 Kia models with 3.3L engines. However, when I provided this information to the dealer, they insisted the switch in my Optima was different and not covered by the bulletin. I have repeatedly requested the part number for the faulty switch referenced in the bulletin, but have not received a response from the dealer or Kia corporate. The information I found on-line is that the switch in both motors are the same switch. I understand that if this issue is not addressed early, the repair cost can reach upwards of $7,500. If Kia had proactively notified 2.4L owners about the switch issue in 2022, my problem may have been caught and resolved before the extensive damage occurred. Furthermore, if the faulty switch was used across multiple Kia models during the same time frame, the company should have included those vehicles in the service bulletin. I am not concerned with getting my own Optima repaired, but I find it unacceptable for Kia to take advantage of customers in this manner. An $18 part failure should not result in such significant damage, and Kia's lack of transparency and action is disappointing. I hope that by sharing this experience, Kia will be compelled to address this issue and prevent further financial hardship for their customers.

NHTSA ODI 11649658

1.) What component or system failed or malfunctioned? Engine failure due to excessive oil consumption and/or a malfunctioning Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). •The engine failed at only 50,000 miles due to internal issues. •The KSDS system triggered a flashing check engine light, but Kia refuses to cover the repair despite known past issues. •Kia engineers and the dealership confirmed the engine failure but are denying warranty coverage. The vehicle is currently at the dealership and available for inspection. 2.) How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? •A flashing check engine light appeared, indicating possible catastrophic engine failure while driving. •Loss of engine function on the road could have led to an accident. •The KSDS system was designed to prevent this type of failure, but it failed to stop the damage in time. •If the engine had completely failed at highway speeds, it could have created a dangerous situation. 3.) Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, the issue was confirmed by the Kia dealership. •The dealership confirmed that the engine has failed and needs to be replaced. •A tech line case was opened with Kia engineers, who confirmed the failure. •Kia refuses to cover the repair, claiming it is a "top-end failure" instead of a "rod bearing failure." 4️.) Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? Yes, it was inspected by the Kia dealership and Kia engineers. •A tech line case was created, and Kia engineers reviewed the issue. •Kia admitted that the engine failed but refused to cover the repair under warranty. 5.) Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Yes, a flashing check engine light appeared due to the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). •The same warning code had previously appeared while

NHTSA ODI 11648736

My Engine is burning a quart or more of oil a week. Since my last oil change I have put in 15 quarts of oil. I called KIA service department and they said there is nothing they can do unless my check engine light is on.

NHTSA ODI 11644864

I have been dealing with an engine issue for almost two years now, dealership is telling me I need to wait till a barring goes out for the engine to be replaced at no charge. Car does not go over 60 mph, oil is burning like crazy

NHTSA ODI 11644890

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle stalled. The oil change warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that an oil change was needed almost every two weeks. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the oil change warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed; however, the result of the diagnostic test was unknown. The vehicle was repaired; however, the oil change warning light remained illuminated. The contact research and was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V907000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11642742

My driver's seat seatbelt has completely locked up rendering unusable. It neither retracts or goes out further so it is stuck in a state where it cannot buckle with a person in it. My car is only 7 years old and I have only had it for4 years.

NHTSA ODI 11640169

Yes, the issue has been confirmed by Kia. They acknowledged the high oil consumption and indicated that the engine requires a rod bearing replacement. However, Kia does not want to fully recognize the problem. I have taken the car to another mechanic who confirmed that the ignition coil has burnt on cylinder number 3 and identified it as an engine failure along with the high oil consumption.

NHTSA ODI 11638978

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.

NHTSA ODI 11629027

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

NHTSA ODI 11625072

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.

NHTSA ODI 11619423

Drivers side seat belt will not click into latch

NHTSA ODI 11618738

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.

NHTSA ODI 11615129

Car engine stuttered when turned on, then after a moment smoothed out . I noticed some looseness in response in the steering wheel while driving forward, after a short period of time driving the antiskid symbol and the EPS symbol came on and I lost power steering. I turned off the car and turned it back on . The emergency symbols were gone and the power steering was OK. I headed back home and the symbols came back on and lost power steering again after driving about 3 blocks. I repeated turning car off and on to get home.

NHTSA ODI 11611800

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.

NHTSA ODI 11607864

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.

NHTSA ODI 11606247

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 …

NHTSA ODI 11595951

On 11/02/2023 I mailed in the KIA request for Reimbursement form. I included a reciept from KIA of Fargo, ND for the Trunk latch assembly. My trunk latch failed in August of 2022, I had to leave Fargo so I cancelled my service appointment. Then purchased the trunk latch assembly and installed it myself. I included labor of $180 and part cost of $62.68. KIA sent an aknowlegment of the reimbursement form on 02/22/2024 they were reviewing the form. As of today I have not yet received the reimbursement. KIA is not following through in a timely manner on this trunk latch recall.

NHTSA ODI 11595347

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.

NHTSA ODI 11595366

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

NHTSA ODI 11590045

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.

NHTSA ODI 11589493

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.

NHTSA ODI 11585230

The contact owned a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, another vehicle crashed on the front passenger side tire of the vehicle. Due to the impact, the vehicle was sent over four lanes of traffic and jumped over a curb. The contact stated that the front air bag was deployed only after the vehicle jumped the curb; no other air bags in the vehicle were deployed despite the contact's children in the vehicle's rear seat. The contact stated that metal shrapnel was released upon deployment of the air bag. The contact used her left arm to block the fragments from hitting her face. The contact and her children were all transported to the hospital by ambulance. The contact sustained multiple cuts to her jaw, lips and face. In addition, the contact sustained multiple lacerations and bruises to her left arm and the contact's right arm was broken; the contact also sustained eight cracked teeth. The contact stated that all four children located in the rear seats suffered minor bruising with one child suffering a seat belt laceration on their right shoulder. A police report was filed. The children were discharged from the hospital on the same day; however, the contact stayed in the hospital for a week due to her injuries. The other driver's air bags were deployed upon impact and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it remained in their possession pending. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle had been deemed a total loss. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

NHTSA ODI 11582639

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.

NHTSA ODI 11582205

Sunroof shattered while driving on the highway. Nothing hit the vehicle. Sounded like a loud explosion.

NHTSA ODI 11581319