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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2017 Kia Optima Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
21about this part
Share
8%of 257 total for the year
Median mileage
36,500miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2017 Kia Optima, 8% of the 257 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 36,500 miles.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I believe there is a problem with the transmission in this car. It is an lx with the 2.4l engine gdi. It's the standard engine. The transmission seemed off after a firmware update. Prior to this, the car really performed and rolled nicely. By that I mean, there was no detectable dray when taking my foot off the gas. In driving the car now, the car just seems to lug, as it takes more acceleration to get the car moving. The transmission hangs up at around 40mph, with no load on the engine. The tach at 40mph or thereabouts, reads around 1900-2200rpms. …”

NHTSA complaint #11398715, filed 2021-03, 36,500 miles

“Power train; shift lock specifically: had to use the release control more than once. While driving when it happens, I feel a surge/ decline in acceleration(something I requested be checked a year and a half ago, but Kia said they could not recreate my description).continues to drive but sluggish to accelerate. Once I put into park I cannot get it out of park except to use release. It did reset(?) when I turned the car off. Suspension; first few months of owning the car I periodically heard a creak in rear suspension here and there when backing out of driveway/gutter slope. …”

NHTSA complaint #11340067, filed 2020-07, 45,000 miles

“Kia Optima 2017 hybrid. 26k mileage and automatic transmission become very clunky, car jerks when shifting on any gear. Not stable driving, strange noises under the hood especially when vehicle goes uphill and even on straight road car twitches. No oil leaks from the bottom.”

NHTSA complaint #11408554, filed 2021-04, 23,000 miles

“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 pull over. I cut the car off and sat then turned it back on. The check engine light was still flashing and I put my flashers on and was unable to go over 60 mph. I drove slowly to an autozone and a code was pulled p1326. I looked it up and it undeliverable due to the knock sensor issue.”

NHTSA complaint #11467133, filed 2022-06

“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 on it , and has been service by dealer since new, just 2 months ago Pomona kia said my oil pan gasket had a small leak and replaced the gasket, today 3500 miles after the gasket replacement my car needed 3 quarts of oil. I'm not a mechanic but I know my car should not go trough so much oil. Someone please help.”

NHTSA complaint #11502085, filed 2023-01

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20202718%
2019178%
2018198%
2017218%
20167410%
2015495%
2014203%
2013645%
2012546%
2011254%
20102432%
20093328%
20081813%
2007138%
2006149%
200532%
200484%
200386%
200266%
2001128%

Other parts of the 2017 Kia Optima

Engine
165 complaintsOther or unknown
33 complaintsElectrical system
25 complaintsFuel system
22 complaintsExterior lighting
15 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaintsForward collision avoidance
8 complaintsSeat belts
8 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsAir bags
5 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2017 Kia Optima

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology