2017 Kia Optima driver assistance problems

Filed Jun 25, 2025 · Driver assistance, Engine · LA

My vehicle is experiencing engine issues consistent with the known Theta II GDI engine defects — including rod bearing failure piston rings engine stalling, I understand that Kia has offered extended warranty coverage through the engine defect settlement, provided the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) update was installed before failure. I am unsure whether this update has been applied and would like to confirm my eligibility. I respectfully request: 1.Confirmation of KSDS update installation on my VIN 2.A review of my eligibility for engine inspection and coverage under the extended warranty 3.Assistance with coordinating service and coverage at my local dealership (LeBlanc Kia, New Iberia, LA) I am the second owner of this vehicle and want to ensure I am treated fairly under the known warranty extension guidelines. Thank you for your support. I look forward to your prompt response.

Filed Sep 27, 2023 · Driver assistance · TX

Twice while driving in rain my front end collision warning has taken control from me and slammed on the brakes bringing my car to a full stop. There was no vehicle or object in front of me either time. The second time I narrowly missed being rear ended.

Filed Sep 21, 2023 · Driver assistance, Engine · WA

Engine needed to be replaced as part of the recall for knock, however they said because the repair was done on a subsequent work order and the first one was for a failed AEB module that none of the repairs are covered. I'm out over $13,000 for what should have been warrantied

Filed Aug 25, 2023 · Driver assistance, Lights · 39,715 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the "Check High beam Assist System" and "Check Lane Departure System" messages were displayed. The Forward Collision Avoidance warning light and an unknown warning light were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while starting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the front view camera needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened; however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 39,715. The contact is requesting to withdraw the complaint.

Filed Jul 24, 2023 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · CA · crash · 2 injuries

On 6 June 2022 I was driving Eastbound Interstate 80 passing Fairfield, CA. Traffic was moderate, average traffic speed 65. The Kia’s Adaptive Cruise was enabled and set to the maximum amount of safe distance. I recall the car directly in front of me changed lanes to pass a truck towing a trailer. I remember the Kia began to accelerate and I couldn’t turn the wheel. Next memory was opening my eyes to the dust smoke of deployed air bags. I lost consciousness likely due to the sudden impact and air bags deployed. I was taken to a Fairfield hospital by ambulance where I spent 4 days. A slurry of tests ruled out loss of consciousness as the cause. No stroke, heart attack or seizure occurred. I was treated for bruised ribs due to the airbag. No doubt to me that this collision could have been catastrophic to this driver and others driving nearby. Witness reported that I sped up and clipped the truck/trailer while attempting to pass. What I believe happened: 1) the Adaptive Cruise accelerated when it determined there was room but failed to see the trailer and 2) the steering was unresponsive when I attempted to avoid a collision. The reaction time between car accelerating and getting knocked out had to be a mere three or four seconds. The vehicle was totaled, The insurance company, Mercury Insurance, released the vehicle

Filed Mar 14, 2023 · Driver assistance · CA

Cruise control does not maintain a steady speed and constantly fluctuates 10+- miles an hour! The dealer refuses to fix and says they cannot reproduce the symptom. I used a tracker and saw the dealer drive it around the block, never attempting to put it on the freeway.

Filed Nov 13, 2022 · Driver assistance · GA

Forward collision avoidance system activated with no vehicle stopped in front. Brakes locked up multiple times and then unlocked.

Filed Sep 23, 2022 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · GA

I was driving with an SUV in front of me at 18-wheeler in front of them. This is on a road where the speed limit is 65 however there's a section on 301 where there's a traffic light. All three vehicles came to a slow normal stop and the adaptive cruise control was doing a good job of slowing the vehicle down without my input. But the SUV when we were at about stopping speed but had not yet come to a complete stop, the SUV switched to the left lane. At which point I was maybe 20 ft behind the 18-wheeler and all of a sudden the car is adaptive cruise control tried to accelerate the car back up to the setting of 65. It didn't register the 18-wheeler at all It just registered that the car in front of me had cleared the space and if I had not been paying attention and immediately applied the brakes to stop the car manually It absolutely would have accelerated directly into the back of the 18-wheeler. I was maybe 5 ft and it was still accelerating when I slammed on the brakes. I've been able to since reproduce the effects, it doesn't register 18 wheelers correctly in this specific situation as vehicles. I've even had the camera recalibrated in between tests. I have everything on video but unfortunately do not have access to the car's computer logs. I would be willing to send in my ECU for whatever is needed to identify this further.

Filed Sep 30, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · TN

I was driving to work at night time for about a week straight my head lights would randomly turn on and off by their selves while I'm driving and then my car would be sitting in my parking space and my neighbors told me my lights would just be on all night and my car would be locked and everything and one day I went out to start my car and I couldn't even unlock it to get in it so I thought it might've been my car remote battery died and so I asked a neighbor that works on cars to see what it could be they popped my hood and checked my car battery and it was completely dead, they tried to give me a jump which was just enough to allow me to unlock and get into my vehicle but my car battery was completely fried due to headlight sensor.

Filed Sep 5, 2017 · Airbags, Driver assistance · 300 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2017 kia optima. The contact stated that the air bag indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to weseloh kia carlsbad (located at 5331 paseo del norte, carlsbad, ca 92008 at (760) 496-3131) where it was diagnosed that the front passenger side seat belt was defective and caused the light to remain illuminated. The voltage alternator assembly needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently drifted to the right and left. The vehicle was then taken back to weseloh kia carlsbad, but no diagnostic codes were found and the failure could not be replicated. The vehicle was not repaired. On several occasions, while attempting to drive, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 300.