2017 Kia Optima: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Jul 30, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

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 completed. The Kia technician mentioned verbally that this was due to excessive oil consumption and burning — an issue I later found to be widely reported in other Kia vehicles using this engine type. The estimated repair cost is over $14,000, which is more than the value of the vehicle. Despite my warranty being expired, this type of failure appears consistent with known manufacturing defects. I am reporting this for public safety and accountability. The vehicle failed without warning and could have caused a dangerous situation on the road.

Filed Apr 4, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · FL · fire

On [xxx], around 11:30 a.m., I was driving [xxx] on [xxx], going about 78 MPH, just passed [xxx], when the lights on the dash lit up, smoke started coming from the back of the car, then there was smoke coming from under the hood then smoke started coming from the A/C vents. There was a full fledge fire under my hood. The guy driving next to me, kinda gestured for me to pull over, although I was already thinking I needed to pull over, the shock of what was happening, I lost my train of thought. I pulled over and so did that guy, he had a fire extinguisher and tried to put out the fire but to no avail. 5 mins after I got out, the entire car was engulfed in flames. It was very scary and I am thankful for that guy, because I froze for a minute and couldn't think of what to do, I pulled over just in time. The fire dept was called and it took them awhile to put the fire out, the car was burnt to a crisp, a 100% loss. A police officer took my name & phone number and arranged for a tow truck. I had to arrange for someone to pick me up from the side of interstate I [xxx] and had to call off work. The car was towed by professional towing tampa located - phone# 813‑242‑0610 ext. 5 email - [email protected] | website - www.professionaltowingtampa.com I spoke to someone at the tow yard and they told me to bring them the title to the car the next day and suggested I pay the towing fee right away being that the total amount due increases every day. On [xxx], I brought them the title to the car and paid the, I believe, $285 towing & storage fee. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Filed Oct 23, 2023 · Engine · MI · fire

The engine on this vehicle caught fire while the vehicle was parked and not running. It had previsouly been drive for approximately 4 hours throughout the day but at the time of the incident there were no warning dashlights present. It is currently available for inspection, however depending on the length of this invesitagion it may no longer be available as i work with my insurance company determing next steps. My safety and the safety of other were put at risk by and open flame and smoke that occured during the fire. Ultimately the Fire Department were required to put out the fire. Approximately 8 months ago the engine was replace by the dealership Summit Place Kia East in Michigan due to an open recall for a knock sensor issue. I suspect this vehicle will be a total loss.

Filed Mar 1, 2023 · FL · fire

No vehicle warning as it became engulfed in flames. Fire started from under the hood.

Filed Nov 8, 2022 · Engine · NY · fire

On June 5th 2022 as I was traveling out of state with my wife and daughter the car lost power on the highway. I pulled over to the side when safe and noticed whitish grey smoke puffing from under the hood by the hinges. Being a fire lieutenant, I recognized this as the car being on fire. We exited the vehicle, my daughter was asleep in the back seat, so it was a panic to wake her and make sure she got out away from traffic. Within the 3 minutes I was on the phone with 911 the car was engulfed. A few minutes after the first Chief arrived the fire had reached the fuel tank and the vehicle exploded, approximately 8 minutes in. I opened a claim with my insurance and with Kia America. Kia has taken the blame but refused to replace the vehicle, instead offering me $15000 for the car with only 57000 miles on it. After fighting with Kia for 3 weeks during my claim they finally provided me with a rental vehicle paid for by their insurance. To this date they have not paid for said rental and I am now on the hook for the $930 charge. This event has caused much undue stress on me, I already have cardiac issues, my wife and daughter still have nightmares from the event. Kia inspected the vehicle which is totally burned, they found it to be an engine failure causing oil to spill onto the hot exhaust. They accepted blame. There was no warning, no noises, no lights. I never received a recall notice, I found out about the recall from my insurance after the fact. Kia has been less than helpful.

Filed Jul 11, 2022 · Engine · GA · fire

On November 16, 2020, Lucy Robinson was driving her 2017 Kia Optima when she started seeing smoke. She pulled into a gas station and the engine was on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. A cause and origin was conducted and it was found that the fire originated within the engine compartment. The fire was caused by the release of heated oil coming from the leaking PCV located at the top portion of the valve cover.

Filed Jun 3, 2022 · CA

After driving for more than 5 or so minutes I begin to smell a burning smell. I’ve had my brakes inspected, my oil changed and even took it to the dealership however it continues to keep happening

Filed Mar 4, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 74,200 miles · TN · fire

The wiring harness was replaced in my 2017 kia optima in 2019 at approximately 45,000 miles. Kia replaced my engine january 2020 because it was consuming large amounts of oil. I just got my car back in january 28, 2021 with a supposedly new engine. On march 3, 2021, my car caught fire while pulling out of my neighborhood actually driving down the street. Smoke and flames were coming out from underneath the hood the of the car. The entire front end of the car burned. Thankfully, the fire department got the fire out and no one was injured.

Filed Feb 6, 2021 · Electrical · 24,000 miles · CA

The wiring in these cars are coated with something that small rodents like to eat they chew through the tape then then wiring. Causing hybrid engine not to work lites come. Luckly no fire yet. Dealer say sorry that will be $ the cars wiring hybrid part . Rodents like to eat it kia has coating on it that attracts them then it costs you thousands of dollars to fix their problem cause it's not covered by them. Luckly the car did not caught on fire yet.

Filed Oct 20, 2020 · Engine · 96,500 miles · GA · fire

My 2017 kia optima caught on fire on october 15, 2020. I was driving to the store and heard a ticking sound and some noises. The check engine light also came on. I pulled over in the left turning lane on the highway to exit the vehicle. I heard a popping sound and saw flames. I exited the vehicle and immediately called 911. My car burst into flames.

Filed Jul 22, 2019 · Body, Electrical · 44,000 miles · CA · fire

While my significant other and I were driving down the highway our car began smoking from under the hood, then smoke began coming through the air vents inside the car; within seconds we seen flames coming out from under the hood and immediately evacuated the vehicle in heavy traffic with no where to pull over. Within minutes the entire car was engulfed in flames. There was no warning, our car was regularly maintained, there were no check engine lights or others displaying on the dash, no leaks or overheating to cause this.