2017 Kia Optima power train problems
20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 2017 Kia Optima — 8% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“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”
filed Jun 3, 2026
“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…”
filed Feb 5, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Power Train problems in other Optima years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Optima | 25 | 18% |
| 2019 Optima | 16 | 8% |
| 2018 Optima | 18 | 8% |
| 2016 Optima | 72 | 10% |
| 2015 Optima | 49 | 5% |
| 2014 Optima | 20 | 3% |
| 2013 Optima | 64 | 5% |
| 2012 Optima | 54 | 6% |
| 2011 Optima | 25 | 4% |
| 2010 Optima | 24 | 32% |
| 2009 Optima | 33 | 28% |
| 2008 Optima | 18 | 13% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2017 Kia Optima
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.