2017 Kia Optima Problems

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 potential vehicle fire. I am extremely concerned about my safety and the safety of others because I depend on this vehicle every day. This is also my only vehicle, and I am still making payments on the financing. I do not have the financial ability to simply purchase another vehicle or take on a new car payment. I am asking Kia to please take this matter seriously and investigate the vehicle as soon as possible. I am requesting that Kia review whether there is a known engine issue, applicable warranty or assistance, recall/campaign coverage, or any other program that could help with the necessary repairs or engine replacement. I cannot afford to lose my only means of transportation because of an engine problem that is beyond my ability to financially resolve. I am asking Kia to work with me toward a safe and reasonable solution as urgently as possible. Thank you [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I just bought this car and it runs thru oil fast.

The electrical wiring harness connecting to the hybrid system electric fuel pump(s) was found to have significant corrosion and a missing factory-installed protective covering. This is a manufacturing defect. The protective covering was never installed at the factory, leaving the wiring exposed to moisture and corrosion from the time the vehicle was built. COMPONENT THAT FAILED: Electrical wiring harness to hybrid electric fuel pump(s). Missing factory protective covering caused corrosion. The failed component is available for inspection upon request. SAFETY RISK: Corroded wiring in a hybrid vehicle electrical system poses serious risks including electrical shorts, potential fire hazard, and sudden loss of hybrid propulsion while driving. The vehicle is currently inoperable and unsafe to operate. CONFIRMED BY DEALER: Yes. The vehicle was taken to an authorized Kia dealership where it remained for approximately 8 months. The dealership and manufacturer inspected the vehicle and confirmed the wiring issue but denied warranty coverage. THIRD-PARTY CONFIRMATION: A third-party warranty representative independently reviewed photographic evidence and confirmed the missing protective covering is a manufacturing defect, not wear-and-tear or owner-caused damage. MANUFACTURER RESPONSE: The manufacturer denied warranty repair, falsely claiming the hybrid component warranty does not transfer to subsequent owners. Federal warranty law requires transfer unless explicitly excluded in the warranty terms. WARNING SIGNS: No warning lamps, messages, or symptoms appeared prior to the failure. The defect was hidden beneath the vehicle and not visible during normal operation or routine maintenance.

On March 23, 2026, I took my 2017 Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid (VIN: [XXX] ) to Mark Kia [XXX] ) solely for two open safety recalls: SC218 (Engine Inspection/Replacement and KSDS software installation) and SC278 (Emergency Trunk Latch Release) under Repair Order #6807251. No customer-pay work was performed. The Multi-Point Inspection that day noted only the cabin air filter. During the drive home on March 23, a faint rotten-egg (H₂S) smell appeared for the first time. By the morning of March 24, 2026, the smell was severe. I immediately returned the vehicle. Under new Repair Order #6807360, a second Multi-Point Inspection suddenly recommended $1,134.10 in customer-pay services (new 12V battery, fuel induction service, cooling system service, brake fluid exchange, and ATF exchange) that were not flagged the previous day. Since the recall service, the vehicle has developed numerous new defects that never existed before: Rotten-egg smell (H₂S) Intermittent AC that blows warm in stop-and-go traffic Passenger-rear power window clicks but will not roll down Brake warning (“Stop vehicle and check brakes”) “Key not detected” message Passenger-side mirror pushed in with temporary motor malfunction 12V battery cover left completely disassembled and misplaced in the trunk Complete no-start / dead 12V battery condition (will not crank even after multiple jump attempts as of March 30, 2026) On March 24, 2026, I sent a formal demand letter by certified mail (received and signed for by the dealership on March 27, 2026) giving Mark Kia five business days (until close of business March 31, 2026) to provide a free tow, free loaner, and free repair of all defects. I followed up with six supplemental addendums (dated March 24–30, 2026) attaching photos and videos of every issue. On April 1, 2026, Service Director [XXX] replied by email and admitted in writing (twice) that the dealership did not follow recall procedure INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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

Constant Mis-firing, must put oil in car every 3 to 4 weeks. Hesitation when driving and sputtering.

My vehicle is experiencing engine issues consistent with the known Theta II GDI engine defects — including rod bearing failure piston rings engine stalling, I understand that Kia has offered extended warranty coverage through the engine defect settlement, provided the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) update was installed before failure. I am unsure whether this update has been applied and would like to confirm my eligibility. I respectfully request: 1.Confirmation of KSDS update installation on my VIN 2.A review of my eligibility for engine inspection and coverage under the extended warranty 3.Assistance with coordinating service and coverage at my local dealership (LeBlanc Kia, New Iberia, LA) I am the second owner of this vehicle and want to ensure I am treated fairly under the known warranty extension guidelines. Thank you for your support. I look forward to your prompt response.

The power steering stopped working and the car became hard to turn because of it. The power steering light (red color with steering wheel and exclamation point to the right of it) came on also.

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

My fiancée and I just recently bought this car with the 1.6T-GDi engine I immediately replaced the oil even though the dealership said that he just replaced it. I put 7 quarts of oil topping off from awk consumption after I initially changed the oil filter. Those 7 quarts were added over the period of three weeks and it’s just progressively gotten worse. I’m putting a quart to 1.5 quarts of oil in here every other day. Worried about it causing total failure & being at risk of being stranded with 2 kids due to the only engine I’ve been able to find that Kia doesn’t have any recall touched base on is the GAMMA 1.6 engine. The turbo GAMMA 1.6. The N/a 1.6 was covered but it has ungodly pop/clunking backfiring sound coming from either intake manifold or valve train please help. Times are hard enough as it is to be without a vehicle due to a fault other than none of my own the dealership extended powertrain warranty isn’t being honored by Kia even though they said it would just don’t want something to happen to me or the car that’s beyond my capabilities and knowledge and ultimately result in my spouse not having a reliable and/or safe means of transportation to/from work and commuting kids as well. Thanks in advance

I own a 2017 Kia Optima. My vehicle was brought in for the tail light recall at Lupient Kia, but the dealership only replaced a bulb and refused to replace the harnesses. I was told by the service advisor (Brad Baranowski) that my tail lights had “nothing to do with the recall” and that I would need to pay $210 for a diagnosis, even though I am still experiencing the exact defect described in the recall (shortage/failure in the harness causing tail light malfunction and warning lights). This incomplete recall repair is a safety hazard my tail lights continue to fail, and I have received tickets because of it. I request that NHTSA investigate Kia’s failure to properly complete this recall. Lupient Kia 6030 N Green Bay Ave Glendale, WI 53209 Phone: (414) 351-3000

I drive with my lights on auto. Occasionally the lights go out for no apparent reason. Both inside and headlights. I then have to hold the high beam switch on until I can turn lights on and off or use directional. Sometimes using the directional will cause lights to go out as well. This can happen several days in a row or maybe once or twice a week. I have noticed a few times the box appearing in my dashboard saying lights were off. I had done nothing for them to go out. If a cop sees this happen I am sure to get pulled over. This has been going on for a year=3 trips to 2 different dealers. I brought my car to two different dealers and they both said without it happening when they have it they cannot do anything. I do not understand how a few years ago they fixed something incorrectly and I had to go back for a different part. Apparently this can't be done for this. So, I just risk my life every time I drive at night!!

Since 4/1 my car has intermittently lost power steering. I received dashboard warning lights and the wheel was difficult to turn. When I shutoff the car and turned back on, the warning lights were gone and the steering returned. My mechanic did a diagnostic and found the following codes c1259, c1260, c1290 and c1688 each time the incident occurred. After research, we discovered these codes relate to TBS CHA114 and TSB CHA864 under extended warranty WTY023. I was unable to upload the TBS documents. The same thing happened on 6/18. I brought the car to a different dealer. The first time they supposedly did a diagnostic and said there were no codes. I have pictures of the codes. They said it did not matter because the codes need to be active and the lights need to be on the dashboard. The second time at a different dealer, they didn't do a diagnostic but said it did not matter because the codes need to be active. No where is any documentation does it say the codes need to be active. They are stored in history and Freeze frame data. It is impossible for me to get the car there with the illuminated dash and "active" codes because when it happens, I cannot steer the car and when I shut if off they go away. Plus when I get to the dealer, they will tell me they cannot take me and to make an appointment. I am now working with KIA escalation department but she informed me today that she did not have the authority to authorize a dealer to repair the car. When I asked who does she said I need a techline which is opened by the dealership. WHAT??? This all started with the dealer. The car is now having glitches with the steering while driving. IT IS DANGEROUS AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. I have no idea when the steering might go out. I need help in getting a Kia dealership to fix the issue under the extended warranty they sent me in 2022. I am so sick of the run around and brush off. How do I get this accomplished?

Oil is burning too fast... Car has had an issue like this in the past and the problem resulted in a blown engine... Re-call was found by dealer and honored and endinge re-placed.. Car is now expierenceing this problem again... Second, steering wheel is locking when turnning fully left... Third, car smells extremely strong like gasoline when car is warming up...

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.

Drivers side seat belt will not click into latch

unknown

Warning lights displayed for ABS and ESC systems. Had Autozone pull the OBD2 codes which indicated the left rear wheel speed sensor failed resulting in failed/disabled ABS and ESC systems. I replaced the bad rear wheel hub/sensor which corrected the problem. I no longer have that failed component. A few months later, warning lights came on again. I again had the codes pulled by Autozone and this time it was the right rear wheel speed sensor. I have the new part but have not yet replaced it so I could keep the defective part for the right wheel. The first one failed in April 2024 and the second in November 2024. This seems to be a bad design with two of the same parts failing in the same timeframe affecting two main safety features of the vehicle

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.

Several weeks ago, we had trouble opening and closing the trunk of our 2017 KIA Optima. Then a few weeks ago, the trunk of our KIA Optima closed and would not open at all. Because of the pandemic, we didn't contact KIA. But today, 16 Dec. 2021, as my wife was driving north in heavy traffic on US Highway 25 in Albuquerque, NM, the trunk suddenly opened and blocked her view of the cars behind her. Luckily she was in the right lane and was able to exit the highway. Otherwise there might have been a serious accident. We bought the car in 2017 from Fiesta KIA in Albuquerque, NM (505-999-2745). They have been unresponsive.

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.

March 2022, (approximately 72,000 miles)while driving to work my car shut off. I was in drive at a red light. Noticeable decreased acceleration and vibration. Took it to the dealership for routine oil change and mentioned incident. Technician was not able to find cause. Ok so be it. Now May at a little over 73,000 miles multiple lights began to illuminate and flash. Still with decreased acceleration it was noticed on a Friday morning on my way to work: 1. Oil light flashed on and off for approximately 2 minutes. 2. Air bag light stays on 3. Electronic Stability Control light stays on I scheduled an appointment for the next day. Took it into nearest Kia dealership. I was informed that my engine had no oil in it. The electrical board that signals my airbags and power steering is “malfunctioning” and would need to be replaced. I was also told that since I just went for an oil change and was not due for another 3-4,000 miles maybe the “engine absorbed the oil as there are no visible leaks” I am set to return to Kia at the 1,000 mile mark to check oil levels to see if the oil is gone again. On my way to work again, on I-75 I felt extreme unsteadiness and loss of road grip with steering. Like I was loosing co trio of the vehicle while traveling at 55 miles an hour. As the original owner of this vehicle, with regular routine maintenance this is extremely concerning. I worry every day that my car will fail me and injure mine, my kids and others lives. I really hope this is looked into as a safety issue.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED WITHOUT IMPACT WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN THE HOUSE SHE HEARD AN ABNORMALLY LOUD BOOMING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,300.

I CAN NOT SEE THE CAR ON THE RIGHT IF I WANT TO SWITCH LANES ON A HIGH WAY. IN TRAFFIC I GET NOT ZOOM IN AND OUT OF LANES, EITHER I (THE DRIVER) OR THE PASSENGER NEEDS TO TURN THEIR HEAD IN ORDER FOR THE DRIVER TO TURN RIGHT. I TRIED THE LITTLE MIRRORS THAT YOU STICK ON BUT THAT DID NOT WORK. WHEN I TEST DROVE IT, I DID NOT REALIZED IT FOR I DROVE IT REGULAR ROADS

I just bought this car and it runs thru oil fast.

My car is consuming major oil. I am having to put at minimum 3 to 4 quarts of oil every 3 days. I am having major loss of power. My car has oil fouled far too many spark plugs. In the last 3 months, I have had to replace the spark plugs three separate times. Within the last 3 weeks I have replaced the following: 1. Ignition Coils 2. Valve Cover Gasket 3. PCV Valve 4. 2 separate sets of spark plugs and 1 singular spark plug for Cylinder #4. My car is having a major oil consumption problem and the performance has been severely affected.

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the low battery warning light was illuminated, and the message stating an electrical failure was occurring was displayed on the infotainment center. The battery was tested and found to be non-defective. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone, where a mechanic diagnosed and determined that the alternator had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact found information of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V161000 (Hybrid Propulsion System) and linked the recall to the failure. The dealer was contacted and informed of the failure. The dealer confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

WITHIN A WEEK BOTH FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER WHEEL SPEED SENSORS FAILED. RESULTING IN A PROMPT ON DASH AT START UP AND CONSISTENTLY DISPLAYED FOR AEB SYSTEM SERVICE AFTER VEHICLES AUTOMATIC SYSTEM SCAN AN SEE DIFFERENCE IN MILEAGE IN ATTACHED PICTURES. KIA TECHNICIAN SAID IT IS A COMMON ISSUE AND SEES ATLEAST 4-5 VEHICLES PER WEEK WITH THIS PART FAILURE.

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