After adding oil..Car stopped while driving…Smoke and Fire occurred.. Now engine will not start.. 2 Mechanics Stated “Engine needs to Be Replaced”… A/C Front Blower Doesn’t Work Console Has a Short and Doesn’t Work
2007 Kia Optima engine problems
20 complaints (12% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 98,000. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 20
- of this car's complaints
- 12%
- typical mileage
- 98,000
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Kia Optima engine problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2007 Kia Optima engine
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Loss of Motive Power
the federal safety agency received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitionersâ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODIâs evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to the federal safety agency which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing. Â There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in the federal safety agency's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, the federal safety agency does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing the federal safety agencyâs reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to the federal safety agency cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to
DP22003
What 2007 Kia Optima owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I've seen in other forums about engine recalls. I was never notified and the engine in my car disintegrated. It was replaced with an engine from a wrecking yard. This should be covered by manufacturer. I had issues with the brake lines rusting out. This should not have happened either. Not being able to service the transmission and arguing with the dealership about this should be replaced by manufacturer!
On saturday 9/14/19 my daughter was driving on the highway when she heard a noise and the check engine/oil light came on and then a driver pulled up next to her and told her that the car was on fire. The engine ended up in full flames.
My check engine light keeps coming on. At first it would go off and on with no code. Now it stays on with the code p0420 for the catalytic converter. Also I heard about an air bag recall
My kia optima began consuming large amounts of oil but it wasn't leaking out or burning off anywhere. I began to watch the oil levels closely and was down 2 qts every week. At some point the oil pressure got too low and we think sucked air into the engine. The check engine light came on and then off again as it has been for the ppast yr but for an evap problem - a very small leak kept getting detected. I spent $1800 at firestone the previous ur the colder kept coming back on and off. But this didn't explain the sidden massive oil consumption. Suddenly on oct. 21 my car suddenly idled very high without moving and the the check light came on again and stayed on. The engine began to knock loudly especially when accellerating or climbing hills. My mechanic friend told me one of the engine rods was damaged and the computer code check verified that the crankshaft timing oil control valve was not working properly. This would explain the low oil pressure and damage to the engine. I was able to find the problem on kia's website with many complaints regarding the same issue. Kia had a recall regarding this problem for many of their cars but of course not mine. I was very upset over it. I had gotten the car only 3 years prior and it only had 150k miles on it. I took really good care of it. Kia said they could do nothing. My only option was to junk the car and have to buy a new when I wasn't in a position to do so. Kia has disappointed me greatly. Because of this problem I may never but another kia. I was so excited about getting my kia as it had all the features I wanted in a car and at a very good price but it iis only good if it runs. This problem should have been included in thw recall for my car as it is a huge problem as I read complaint after complaint online from other kia optima owners. The engine computer code that came up was po600011
Engine taps even after an oil change. Had a mechanic look at it said it was my engine the back end. Said that their was a recall on my engine because he has had to replace several of them already. Looked it up and there is no recall. This happens while vehicle is in motion, stationary.
I was driving to work and my drivers side airbag came on. A few months prior, we had to replace the o2 sensor because the check engine light was on. Now on the second day with the airbag light on, the check engine light came back on! Is it bad wiring, will my airbag not work?
Oil was low check engine light came on need new engine said it was from metal shavings in oil
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle shut down in the middle of the road, without any warning indicator. The vehicle was pulled to the side and was towed to a local dealer the following day. The technician diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 94,000. The VIN was not provided.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 kia optima. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the engine started to make an abnormal noise. The engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the main bearing in the engine failed causing one of the rods to fracture. As a result, the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.
Questions about the 2007 Kia Optima engine
Does the 2007 Kia Optima have engine problems?
Owners have filed 20 complaints about the engine of the 2007 Kia Optima, 12% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2007 Kia Optima engine problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 98,000 miles.
Is there a recall for the 2007 Kia Optima engine?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
Other 2007 Kia Optima problems
Airbags 65Visibility 33Lights 27Electrical 14Transmission 13Brakes 8Acceleration 5Body 4Fuel system 3Seat belts 3Suspension 3Locks 2Steering 2Tires 2Driver assistance 1Seats 1
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