2017 Kia Optima · symptom sheet
Engine stalls or loses power while driving
- 47owner reports
- 40,000median miles
- $3,300median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Aug 24, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
197 of the 256 complaints on this car are about the engine. 47 of those describe stalling.
Tick what matches of 47 reports
Stalling on other Optima years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2019, 2020.
What this problem usually is
Stalling reports are some of the most alarming on the site. The engine quits while the car is moving, sometimes on a highway and sometimes at a stop. Many owners say it restarted right away and the dealer found no stored code, which is part of why these complaints pile up before anything gets fixed.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the ignition coil or plugs (5 reports) and the engine (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the engine covers the 2017 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
All 3 recalls on the 2017 Kia Optima, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Optima
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.
Engine fires. Closed feb 5, 2024, led to recall 23V-877.
Non-crash vehicle fires. Closed dec 22, 2021, led to recall 20V-088.
Non-crash vehicle fires. Closed may 10, 2019, led to recall 18V-907.
Scope and timeliness. Closed dec 22, 2021, led to recall 17V-224.
Transmission shift cable detachment. Closed apr 5, 2011, led to recall 11V-153.
What owners paid
6 of the 47 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $930 to $14,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 11,000 and 81,000 miles, from the 24 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Engine completely shut down when driving it. Had it replaced among many other things then found out it was part of a class action lawsuit. I have spent two years trying to recoup the money I lost in repairs and the cash I paid for the car.”
Filed Sep 11, 2025
“Engine stalled out while driving lyft. Got passenger to their destination safely, however lyft is my only source of income big risk to stall out on a highway.”
Filed Jun 5, 2025
“I was driving on the highway, the check engine light started flashing and the car lost power. This created a very dangerous situation because I could not go the speed limit and could not get off the highway since I was in the middle lane. We went and had the check engine light checked and were told the code was P1326.”
Filed Apr 5, 2025
“A auto repair shop said my Kia Optima has a bad knock sensor which is a common problem with those cars. My safety and others was put at great risk when I suddenly lost power on the freeway Problem was confirmed at an independent service center Has not yet been inspected by manufacturer Warning message came up at the same time as losing power”
Filed Nov 13, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 47 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 72 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 49 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 43 reports