2017 Kia Optima Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 252 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2017 Kia Optima overview page.
What owners report
“Engine oil consumption, I have owned this car since new and almost every other week I need to add oil. My car has 85k miles…”NHTSA complaint 11502085 — filed 01/17/2023
“I was driving on the highway when my check engine light came on flashing the car jersey almost to a stop and I had to…”NHTSA complaint 11467133 — filed 06/02/2022
“Large Oil consumption (1qt a week). No warning lights, experiencing loss of power, hesitation on acceleration, oil covering the motor with no signs of leaks…”NHTSA complaint 11462741 — filed 04/29/2022
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2017 Kia Optima have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #5 most-reported problem area on the 2017 Kia Optima: 20 of 252 complaints on file (7.9%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2017 Kia Optima have in total?
252 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 4 involved a crash, 9 involved a fire, 7 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
