2017 Kia Optima Other Problems

Your 2017 Kia Optima has experienced repeated safety issues that mechanics have tried to fix multiple times, but the problem keeps coming back. According to your service records, these unresolved issues have put your safety at risk. The manufacturer should investigate why the repairs haven't worked and provide a permanent solution.

--- **Summary of Complaint – 2017 Kia Optima** My 2017 Kia Optima (VIN: [XXX] ) experienced sudden engine failure due to a damaged piston. There were no warning signs—no knock codes or dashboard alerts—prior to the malfunction. Despite regular maintenance and timely oil changes, Kia denied warranty coverage, leaving me with significant repair costs. This issue appears consistent with reported engine problems in similar Kia models and could represent a broader manufacturing defect. I'm submitting this report in hopes of prompting an investigation into a potential safety hazard. A recall may be necessary to prevent similar failures and protect INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I previously submitted a report regarding engine failure in my Kia 2017, Optima. I’d like to update the complaint with new details. Upon mechanical inspection, it was confirmed that the engine bears Hyundai branding and has sustained internal damage including broken pistons and valve failure. These issues appear consistent with the known oil ring defect affecting Hyundai-manufactured engines used in Kia vehicles. Symptoms included: Engine knocking and rough idling Sudden loss of oil and reduced performance Full engine failure requiring replacement I believe my vehicle may have been missed in the recall or settlement programs and request this update be added to my case. I’m willing to provide repair estimates, diagnostic reports, and photos upon request. Thank you for investigating this issue further

For years there has been a problem with my vehicle after it rains. On the drivers side when turning the steering wheel there is a scraping noise. The dealership service always said they can’t hear anything or duplicate the problem. Now the issue has extended to the passenger side. After a heavy rain or going through the car wash water get in under the glovebox. My sunroof is fine and not clogged, the problem is something else. Water no matter the source should not be getting inside the car causing odor issues, interfering with the operation of turning / steering gears. This needs to be a recall to force Kia to acknowledge this well known problem from hundreds of online complaints regarding leaks.

I was driving and as I was going to make a left turn, the steering wheel forced itself to the right and locked. And the whole car completely shut down. So I had to slam on my brakes as they were also locking on me.

Unknown Oil consumption Spark plugs need replacement about every 500-1000 miles. Also needs oil every 500-1000

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

KIA states they are unable to provide the vehicle with the anti theft software update due to the vehicle having a remote start. I asked if they can remove the remote start. KIAs are not safe with only using the Club steering wheel lock. Theives are drilling a hole through the keyhole or cutting them off. My car is now worth less & auto insurance is becoming more difficult. Please make them do something! These cars are still getting stolen nonstop every single day!

Car went into limp mode (three times since July 2022) and slowed down on the freeway from 70mph to 20mph without prior warning, putting my life at risk. Dash reads “check hybrid system”. Kia’s had my car for a week without allowing me a loaner or answers.

No vehicle warning as it became engulfed in flames. Fire started from under the hood.

My car was stolen on February 14, 2023 at 7pm.

Forward collision avoidance system activated with no vehicle stopped in front. Brakes locked up multiple times and then unlocked.

Car can be easily stolen due to not having an engine immobilizer

While driving on the freeway and NO vehicles around me, the sunroof shattered, I am reaching out to consumers to see if they have encountered the same problem. As I reached out to KIA consumers affairs and after waiting 2 months I was told to reported it to my insurance and they will cover my deductible but it will take 90 days for my deductible to be processed and issued to me. A total of 5 months to wait for my sunroof to be fixed is unacceptable. FYI - KIA Dept. of consumers affairs (800) 333-4542 you will be on hold for hours before someone can help you, so annoying… Any suggestions or help will be greatly appreciate.

After driving for more than 5 or so minutes I begin to smell a burning smell. I’ve had my brakes inspected, my oil changed and even took it to the dealership however it continues to keep happening

Since I purchased the car I have a had a issue with my vehicle misfiring. We purchased the car in 2018 and a few months in I had to bring the car in for a rattle and shaking while I was driving. It would give me a warning lamp stating that a “possible engine control issue had been found”. Since then I have taken the car in for the same issue three different time. Including the misfire and coil pack and spark plug replacement that I just had to pay nearly 600 for at the dealership. I have had this issue occur multiple time since we purchased the car and while driving on the freeway nearly putting my life at risk. This is an issue that needs to be addressed.

During the week of November 14th, 2021, I noticed my vehicle begin to noticeably vibrate and generate an unfamiliar sound near the engine compartment. The vibration and sound was accompanied by a "check engine" light illuminating. I immediately scheduled an appointment at my local dealership and was provided a date of November 29, 2021. On November 29, 2021, I dropped off my vehicle at the dealership and learned of NHTSA Recall Number "21V844." The service representative and his technician believe the vibration and sound are a result of the recall. To date, my vehicle remains at the dealership and the matter is unresolved. The service representative has advised me that Techline / KIA Corp. is determining whether my vehicle's engine issue is due to the recall or not. It has been two weeks that the vehicle has been at the service center. As per the recall notice I received in the mail, the inspection for the recall should have been completed in a matter of hours. I reasonably believe that Techline / KIA Corp is searching for an excuse to not remedy my vehicle's engine issue, and are jeopardizing the safety of myself and my family. I have a newborn and kindergartener that I have in the car daily and am concern for their safety if the engine issue does not get fixed. I am a military veteran and active police officer. I appreciate any assistance you may provide and thank you in advance.

ABS LIGHT AND TRAC LIGHT ON. RIGHT REAR HUB BEARING NEEDS REPLACING. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 78,000 MILES.

MY 2017 KIA OPTIMA, THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AT NUMEROUS TIMES AND WHEN IT DOES IT STARTS TO RIDE ROUGH LIKE IT IS IN THE WRONG GEAR, SEEMS LIKE IT IS READY TO DIE OUT WHEN SLOWING DOWN. ALSO FEELS LIKE IT WON'T PICK UP SPEED. I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY MOST OF THE TIME AT SPEEDS FROM 40 TO 70 MPH. IT ALSO DOES THIS WHEN DRIVING IN TOWN. I AM CRYING OUT FOR HELP. THE DEALERSHIP DOES NOT SEEM TO CARE ABOUT MY SAFETY. I COMMUTE IN THE MID MORNING HOURS AND VERY UNSAFE IF I BREAK DOWN . MY LIFE IS AT STAKE. THANK YOU

THE SHARK FIN ANTENNA SNAPPED OFF WHILE DRIVING. I HIT NOTHING, JUST DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY.

I PURCHASED A NEW 2017 KIA OPTIMA IN FEB OF 2017 AND ON JULY 17 2018 I WAS DRIVING DOWN A STREET WHEN I SLOWED DOWN TO A STOP SO A CAR CAN BACK OUT WHEN THE CAR VIOLENTLY SHOOK THEN SHUT OFF. I TRIED MULTIPLE TIMES TO RESTART IT BUT JUST SHOOK AGAIN AND TURNED OFF. MY HUSBAND PUSHED ME TO THE SIDEWALK WHERE I TRIED AGAIN TO RESTART IT AND IT FINALLY STAYED ON WITH NO LIGHTS SHOWING UP. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON A TOW TRUCK AND WAS TOLD NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT. THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR A DAY AND SAID I CAN PICK IT UP IT'S PERFECTLY FINE. I HAVE A CASE OPEN WITH KIA AND THEY TOLD ME NOT TO RESTART THE CAR BECAUSE THE CODES WILL ERASE AND THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED. I TOLD KIA I WILL NOT BE DRIVING THE CAR BECAUSE IT'S NOT SAFE AND I HAVE CHILDREN. THEIR RESPONSE IS NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT SO I DECIDED TO DRIVE IT ONLY TO TAKE MY HUSBAND TO WORK FOR THE NEXT 2 WEEKS AND ON AUGUST 13 2018 WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE LIGHTS CAME ON AND I COULD NOT GET ANY GAS SO I WAS JUST COASTING. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT AND PARK BUT I ALSO TOOK A VIDEO OF WHAT LIGHTS CAME ON AS WELL AS WHEN THE TOW TRUCK CAME SHOWING THE LIGHTS WERE STILL ON EVEN THOUGH I DID NOT COMPLETELY TURN THE CAR ON. I HAVE A RENTAL FOR 2 WEEKS AND A FIELD TECH IS GOING TO DRIVE MY CAR FOR 1 WEEK TO TRY AND DUPLICATE THE ISSUE EVEN THOUGH IT ALREADY HAPPEN FOR THE SECOND TIME. NOW I'M WAITING ON WHAT THE ISSUE IS.

WHILE ON AN HOUR'S DRIVE THE BSD (BLING SPOT DETECTION SYSTEM) CEASED TO OPERATE. THE ACTUATOR SWITCH WAS ILLUMINATED, BUT AN ERROR EXCLAMATION POINT APPEARED ON THE DASH NOTING THE BSD FAILURE. I DROVE ON FURTHER UNTIL I CAME TO STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THIS HAD HAPPENED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, ALSO. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND PULLED THE KEY. I WAITED 30 SECONDS AND RESTARTED THE CAR. THEY SYSTEM CAME BACK ONLINE. FURTHER ALONG ON THE DRIVE IT HAPPENED AGAIN, AS I WAS DRIVING ON A HILLY ROAD. WHEN I WENT TO GIVE THE CAR MORE GAS, THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND. I FLOORED THE ACCELERATOR, AND THE CAR STILL DID NOT RESPOND, WHILE THE BSD MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN. IT WAS SIMULTANEOUS. ADDITIONALLY, THE SYSTEM ON THE DASHBOARD THAT INDICATES WHERE THE SHIFTER IS WENT DARK AND THE EXACT SAME TIME AS THE FAILURE IN BOTH CASES ON THIS DAY. OF COURSE I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER. THEY COULD NOT RE-CREATE THE ISSUE. THEY CALLED KIA CORPORATE TO SEE IF THERE WERE SIMILAR REPORTS WITH A FIX THEY MIGHT KNOW OF. THE FACTORY SENT A CYA RESPONSE TO THE DEALER STATING THAT KNEW NOTHING OF THIS ISSUE. I HAD GONE ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND SCORES OF SIMILAR BSD FAILURES IN BOTH KIA AND HYUNDAI WHICH ARE SISTER COMPANIES. I HAVE TO BELIEVE THE BSD MODULE IS MADE BY THE SAME MANUFACTURER FOR BOTH COMPANIES. I TOLD THE DEALERSHIP IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE I WAS IN THE AREA OF THE DEALERSHIP I WOULD DRIVE THE CAR THERE SO THEY COULD SEE AND POSSIBLY COME UP WITH A DIAGNOSTIC CODE WHILE THE FAILURE WAS IN PROGRESS. THEY HAD NO EXPLANATION FOR THE ASSOCIATED LOSS OF POWER...

WE LEASE A 2017 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID WITH TECHNOLOGY PACKAGE. IT HAS 1986 MILES AND IS THREE MONTHS OLD. LAST WEEK THE CAR WHILE IN MOTION JUST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC ON A MAJOR ROADWAY WITH NO WARNING. MY WIFE WAS ABLE GET OFF THE ROAD BY CONSTANTLY RESTARTING THE CAR. AFTER ALMOST ONE WEEK WE FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS A FAILURE OF THE BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WOULD NOT CHARGE THE MAIN BATTERY.