2017 Kia Optima PHEV: engine failure

Filed Oct 2, 2025 · Engine · 64,500 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the check engine and oil warning lights illuminated and then turned off independently. The contact slowed down, and after arriving at the destination, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact was advised by the mechanic that there was potential engine failure and was referred to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, and the contact was made aware that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V844000 (Engine); however, the KSDS software update was not performed prior to the engine failure, which disqualified the vehicle from the engine replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and advised the contact that the vehicle did not qualify for the engine replacement. The failure mileage was approximately 64,500.

Filed Sep 28, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · CA

I was driving the vehicle home on the freeway after just buying it. I had only driven it for about 35-40 minutes and after 5 minutes the ev battery was drained completely and the car was running in hybrid mode. The vehicle suddenly lost all its power and a warning light came on flashing saying "check hybrid system turn off engine". I was forced to put on my emergency lights and quickly move over to the side of the freeway because the car lost so much power so quickly. It felt like the engine died and when i tried hitting the gas the vehicle would jerk. ONCE I got to a safe spot on the freeway. I called AAA to get a tow, then called the dealer to tell them. My wife and I have now checked the recalls for this car and all the customer complaints. There seems to be a similarity with the engine recall and or the hybrid electrical recall. It seems like Kia is making sure to cover its tracks with the cars so it doesn't have all the 2017 models in the recalls affecting the hybrid system as well as the defects with the engine components. There is definitely a problem. But i saw in the carfax that the vehicle was inspected a lot by KIA and that is why i would like it to get inspected by a 3rd party. I would like to get the vehicle inspected by a 3rd party before taking it to a KIA dealer but I don't have a lot of money. Can you help with this at all. Please contact me asap. You have the Vin. I told you I just bought the car so I am going to either see if the dealership I bought it from will fix the problem since it broke down the day I bought it. You should be able to see we bought the car from by looking at the carfax for the Vin. And you have my permission to also be able to get my phone numbers from that dealer I really don't think KIA should get away with these hybrid/engine problems with the car. Its very unfair to the consumers. If they as a manufacturer and dealerships are doing quick fixes when doing regularly scheduled maintenance. Thats unethical.

Filed Jul 25, 2024 · Seat belts · NY

This car was purchased [XXX] and has been in my possession for 3 years and 4 months. It has sat in a dealership repair facility for 13 of those months to replace the engine and high-voltage hybrid battery. Meaning I have actively driven this vehicle for approximately 27 months and the retraction system for the seatbelts is malfunctioning and as its a safety issue I feel the need to report this and see what other alternatives are available instead of paying out $1121.58 for something that malfunctioned under the first 10 years of the vehicles life sounds more like a design flaw than a user issue or uneasy wear as I am a [XXX] average build individual. As the vehicle went into the dealership for routine scheduled maintenance I noticed the driver and passenger seat belts don’t lock or retract properly. Service tech stated the retraction system is malfunctioning and they will both need to be replaced. With this system not working the driver and passenger are not able to be restrained properly in case of an accident. No lights or warnings appeared just noticed while driving in rush hour traffic in Buffalo, New York. *With this being a “more rare” PLUG IN HYBRID variant instead of a conventional ICE many issues don’t carry over so I would really like this to be investigated for the safety of the owners of this car.* INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Mar 11, 2024 · Engine · KY

Oil pressure sensor leaked out all of the oil and no warning lights lit on the dashboard to let me know that I had lost oil pressure or that I was low on oil. Problem part #1: oil pressure sensor Problem part #2: no warnings on dashboard Result: #1: Engine failure / loss of engine #2: This caused engine to seize on main highway on Feb 14, 2024. This could have caused a major accident.

Filed May 2, 2023 · Airbags, Electrical · WA

I took my car into the local Kia dealership after my engine failed while driving down the highway. I was approved for the engine replacement due to the recall. However after my engine was replaced, and still in the shop, the side curtain airbag module gave an error due to low voltage. Now I'm out $1200 for an item that should not fail within the first 6 years. I have had vehicles 3 times as old that did not have safety sensors or features failing. As Kia obviously has issues with airbag modules I believe my vehicle year and model should be included in this recall. Anytime there are multiple complaints for a failing safety feature on a vehicle less than 10 years old, the manufacturers should have an indepth investigation by an independent agency. These recalls should not be so narrow focused when there are many other models and years that have the same issues. Putting the responsibility on consumers to file complaints and beg for recalls to be issued seems like a backward system that is a burden to those that can't affoard to wait to MAYBE be reimbursed IF their car gets included in a recall later. When searching complaints for Kia airbags, there are several models/years that are not covered under current recalls.

Filed Jan 2, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 64,000 miles · CA

Getting onto the freeway accelerating, when heard rattling and saw smoke, exited the freeway and parked the vehicle. There was no warning or lights that came on prior or during this time. Had the car towed to the nearest kia dealership in city of carson. I received a phone call on saturday 1/2/2021 from tony at the dealership asking for permission to diagnose the vehicle. I agreed to the diagnostic testing. Received a call back within an hour to notify me that there was a hole in the engine, no repairs could be done and I needed a new engine. I asked how did the hole get in the engine. He said there was an internal rod that shot out of the engine creating a hole. It will cost $8,875 and will take around 3-4 weeks to repair. I purchased this vehicle in october 2017 with approx. 3000 miles on it. Started having issues with electrical about a month or two after purchase 2017-2018. I had to have it towed to the kia in cerritos because it was inoperable, since then we have had it in to be serviced and have had multiple issues. Including another major issue in august 24, 2020 when they repaired the active air flaps and a new battery.