2017 Kia Optima Engine Problems
Engine problems account for 174 of 255 complaints (68%) filed against the 2017 Kia Optima, the highest share of any model year in this dataset. NHTSA also lists a related engine recall (18V907000) covering fuel pipe replacement. Median mileage at failure is 71,000 miles, and 8 fires have been reported.
- Engine complaints
- 174
- 68% of 255
- Crashes reported
- 1
- Fires reported
- 8
- Injuries reported
- 2
- Median mileage
- 71,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical engine symptoms owners report
- Owners report sudden engine fires starting under the hood, sometimes while driving on the highway and sometimes while parked and not running.
- Several complaints describe the engine stalling without warning after coming to a complete stop or while turning, with dealers unable to duplicate or find a failure code.
- Owners describe hesitation or delayed acceleration, where the vehicle takes several seconds to respond after the pedal is pressed, especially when changing lanes.
- One owner reported the engine violently shaking and shutting off while slowing to a stop, requiring multiple restart attempts.
- A separate report describes turbocharger failure tied to a bad fan assembly, with metal debris entering the engine afterward.
- One owner reported the engine consuming large amounts of oil, leading to a full engine replacement before a later fire occurred.
When 2017 Kia Optima engine complaints were filed
First complaint May 18, 2017, latest Aug 24, 2026.
Engine recalls for the 2017 Kia Optima
- NHTSA 18V907000Dec 19, 2018Engine71,653 vehicles
Engine
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.
Remedy: 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.
Engine complaints by Optima model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How common are engine problems in the 2017 Kia Optima?
- NHTSA lists 174 engine-related complaints for the 2017 Optima, which is 68% of all 255 complaints filed for that model year, the highest share among the years covered in this dataset.
- Is there an engine recall for the 2017 Kia Optima?
- Yes. Recall 18V907000, reported December 19, 2018, covers certain 2011-2017 Optima and related Kia models that previously had an engine replacement, and involves inspecting and replacing the fuel pipe.
- At what mileage do 2017 Optima engine problems typically show up?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 71,000 miles at failure for engine-related complaints on the 2017 Optima.
- Have there been fires linked to the 2017 Optima engine?
- NHTSA records 8 fires and 2 injuries among the reported engine complaints for the 2017 Optima, along with 1 crash.