2017 Kia Optima transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Aug 17, 2026INEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11757576 · source
2. Filed Jun 3, 2026INEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   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

   NHTSA complaint #11741793 · source
3. Filed Feb 5, 2026AREngineOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11715807 · source
4. Filed Dec 9, 2025ILEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   Vehicle experiences sudden and dangerous loss of power while driving, including hesitation during acceleration, consistent with connecting-rod bearing failure risk known in this model’s GDI engine. Dealer estimate found timing and oil-flow component failures connected to internal engine damage. Vehicle is unsafe to drive and stalls/lacks power unexpectedly, creating a high risk of crash.”

   NHTSA complaint #11704089 · source
5. Filed Oct 1, 2025CAEngineSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain

   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...

   NHTSA complaint #11690860 · source
6. Filed Jul 30, 2025GAEngineOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

   Excessive oil consumption started at 61,000 miles, causing engine misfires and dangerous power loss on the road. Engine codes 1326 and P0304 were frequent. Despite numerous services, including sensor replacements, spark plugs and oil top-offs, the problem worsened. At 97,769 miles, the dealer said a full engine replacement is needed along with other pertinent repairs related to the engine are needed. The situation was life-threatening each time as they occurred while driving…

   NHTSA complaint #11677350 · source
7. Filed Jul 30, 2025CAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   While driving my 2017 Kia Optima (Theta II engine) at approximately 115,900 miles, I suddenly experienced engine failure. The vehicle began to stall and produced a burning smell shortly before the engine seized completely. I had the car towed to a Kia dealership, which confirmed an internal engine failure and noted that there were no signs of external oil leaks or neglect. The failure occurred only 4,500 miles after my last oil change, which was documented and professionally…

   NHTSA complaint #11677195 · source
8. Filed Jul 7, 2025TXEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   Engine is failing and using over 3 quarts of oil every 700-100 miles. Spark Plugs have become oil fouled and replaced all 4 spark plugs June 11th, 2024 and replaced all 4 spark plugs again January 12th, 2025. Today July 7th, 2025 Check Engine light came back on with Engine Misfire code P0303 Cylinder 3 Misfire, changing spark plugs again today. My safety is put at risk because oil consumption is a know issue with Kia GDI Engines. At any moment my car can run out of oil if it…

   NHTSA complaint #11671759 · source
9. Filed May 19, 2025GAAcceleration & Cruise ControlSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11661833 · source
10. Filed Sep 2, 2023PATransmission & Drivetrain

    Vehicles has most recently developed a "whizzing" type sound coming from the transmission just before it shifts into the next gear. It is most discernible when it shifts out of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gears. I don't profess to know if modern transmissions have "Bands" that are adjustable or not. Clearly, it is a sound that has never been present. There's been enough wrong with this Kia, so why not transmission issues as well. I was at my dealer today for PA State Inspection &…

    NHTSA complaint #11542272 · source
11. Filed Sep 2, 2023PAEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    Vehicle had oil change & filter service done on April 27, 2023 for the purpose of hoping the service would rectify an Oil Pressure Sensor Light illuminated on the dashboard. It did not. Sensor was subsequently replaced by the dealer. Vehicle taken into the dealership today (September 2, 2023) for Pennsylvania State Inspection and Emissions, along with another oil change service. Dealer technician in the course of performing the oil change, noticed after he put the new oil…

    NHTSA complaint #11542271 · source
12. Filed Jul 7, 2023OKTransmission & Drivetrain

    On Friday 6/23/2023 on my way home from work, one of the clutches went out on my DCT Transmission without any warning. I was at a stop light in front of all of the cars in a busy section and wasn’t able to go. I was able to get it to a safer location, but new something was wrong with my transmission. My mechanic was able to tell me that I’ve lost the 1st & 3rd gear. We drove around a few blocks with his diagnostics computer hooked into my car. My car isn’t safe to drive due…

    NHTSA complaint #11530790 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology