The Kia Optima TF was Kia's first serious attempt at a European D-segment sedan, launched in Europe in late 2011 with striking styling by Peter Schreyer. Kia's European range paired a 2.0-litre 165 hp petrol with this 1.7 CRDi diesel, but in the UK and several other national ranges the diesel was the only engine on the price list. It competed with the Ford Mondeo, Volkswagen Passat, and its platform sibling the Hyundai i40, offering generous space and equipment at a lower price, backed by Kia's 7-year transferable warranty.· more· less
7-year warranty transfers to ownersSpacious cabin, generous equipment
DPF sensitive to short-trip drivingDiesel-only in many national ranges
Buy if: You want a well-equipped mid-size sedan for regular motorway driving and can find one with complete Kia service history.
Avoid if: Your daily driving consists mainly of short urban trips under 15 km, which will cause repeated DPF problems.
Maintenance costs
€650 – €1,250/year
at 15,000 km/year
Fixed costsservice, tyres, brakes€400 – €650 /yr
Risk bufferunplanned repairs€250 – €600 /yr
Price estimates are based on German asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
Maintenance costs
Maintenance assumes 15,000 km a year. Price estimates are based on German asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
Diesel particulate filter clogs rapidly if the car is not regularly driven on longer journeys · more· less
The D4FD 1.7 CRDi needs approximately 20-25 km of continuous driving at motorway speed to complete a DPF regeneration cycle. If the car is used primarily for short urban trips, the regeneration is interrupted repeatedly, and soot accumulates until the filter blocks. Symptoms include reduced power, an engine warning light, and a sulphur smell. DPF problems have been reported after as little as 40,000 km of predominantly urban driving. Professional cleaning by a specialist costs around €300-500 and can buy 80,000-100,000 km of additional use. A full DPF replacement including the integrated catalytic converter runs €800-1,400. Using the correct low-ash oil (ACEA C2/C3) is essential, as conventional oil loads the DPF faster. The original DPF typically lasts 150,000-200,000 km on cars that are driven on regular longer journeys.
EGR valve carbon buildup
€250 - 8002 of 6
Exhaust gas recirculation valve soots up, typically between 100,000 and 150,000 km · more· less
The EGR valve on the D4FD engine operates at a high recirculation rate and accumulates carbon deposits over time, particularly on cars driven in stop-start conditions. Symptoms include rough idle, hesitation under acceleration, increased emissions, and eventually the engine management light with codes P0401 or P0404. The EGR assembly is integrated with the exhaust gas cooler and is located at the rear of the engine, requiring removal of the battery, air intake, and intercooler pipework. Labor time is typically 4-5 hours. Cleaning the EGR valve and cooler costs around €200-350 at a specialist and can restore normal operation for several years. Full replacement of the assembly runs €500-800 including labor. Regular motorway driving and quality diesel fuel help delay the buildup considerably.
Dual mass flywheel and clutch wear (manual)
€800 - 1,5003 of 6
Flywheel begins to rattle and clutch wears, typically from 120,000 km onward with urban use · more· less
Manual-gearbox Optima TFs use a dual mass flywheel to absorb torsional vibrations from the diesel engine. Heavy urban driving with frequent clutch engagement accelerates wear. Symptoms include a rattling noise at idle that disappears when the clutch pedal is depressed, vibration through the pedal, and jerking when pulling away. The flywheel typically starts to deteriorate between 120,000 and 180,000 km, faster if the car has spent most of its life in city traffic. Replacement of the full kit including dual mass flywheel, pressure plate, clutch disc, and release bearing costs €800-1,500 at an independent garage. Kia dealers typically quote higher. The DMF and clutch are classified as wear items, so normal wear was excluded from the 7-year warranty; Kia UK covered clutch linings and discs against material or workmanship defects only for the first 24 months or 12,500 miles.
Turbocharger oil seal failure
€800 - 1,5004 of 6
Oil seals on the variable geometry turbo degrade, typically after 120,000-170,000 km · more· less
The variable geometry turbocharger on the D4FD engine is generally durable, but the oil seals can fail at higher mileage. When the seals deteriorate, oil enters the exhaust and burns off as blue or grey smoke, particularly noticeable under firm acceleration. Neglected oil service intervals and the use of non-approved oil accelerate the problem. The turbo vanes can also stick from carbon buildup if the car is driven too gently. A remanufactured turbo installed at a specialist costs around €800-1,000, while a new OEM turbo with dealer fitting runs €1,200-1,500. Using 5W-30 ACEA C3 oil and avoiding immediate shutdown after sustained high-load driving helps extend turbo life.
Cold start and glow plug failure
€150 - 4005 of 6
Starting problems below 5°C caused by degraded glow plugs, typically after 60,000-80,000 km · more· less
The 1.7 CRDi engine is known to develop cold starting problems, particularly in temperatures below 5°C. The most common cause is degraded glow plugs, which fail to preheat the combustion chambers adequately. Symptoms include extended cranking, rough idle for the first 30 seconds, and white exhaust smoke on cold mornings. Glow plugs on the D4FD engine typically begin to fail between 60,000 and 80,000 km. A full set of four glow plugs including labor costs €150-300. In some cases the problem is traced to a clogged fuel filter or an issue in the common rail injection system, which increases the diagnostic and repair cost to around €300-400.
Timing chain tensioner wear
€600 - 1,8006 of 6
Chain tensioner loses pressure over time, causing a brief rattle on cold start · more· less
The D4FD engine uses a timing chain rather than a belt, which normally lasts the life of the engine. However, the chain tensioner can lose hydraulic pressure over time, allowing the chain to develop slight slack. This manifests as a brief rattle on cold start lasting a few seconds that disappears once oil pressure builds. The issue is typically reported on cars approaching or exceeding 200,000 km. Kia released an updated tensioner with larger oil channels for quicker lubrication. If caught early, replacing just the tensioner costs around €600-900. If the chain has stretched and guides are worn, a full timing chain kit including labor runs €1,200-1,800, as both the top and bottom of the engine must be stripped to access the timing cover.
Reliable diesel, but sensitive to driving style and maintenance
The D4FD 1.7 CRDi engine is fundamentally robust and can reach 200,000+ km with proper care. The main concerns are typical for diesel engines of this era: DPF clogging on short-trip cars, EGR buildup, and eventual turbo wear. The conventional 6-speed automatic is more reliable than the DCT fitted to the later JF generation. Kia's 7-year warranty has now expired on every TF, so a complete service record is the buyer's only protection. Cars with documented regular motorway use and full Kia service stamps are the safest purchases.
Service history
A complete, documented service record is essential. Kia dealer stamps and independent-garage invoices both count, provided the schedule was followed.
Tires
Check tread depth, age (date codes), and uneven wear patterns. Standard size is 205/65 R16, with 215/55 R17 and 225/45 R18 offered as factory options.
Cold start
Must start the engine completely cold. Listen for extended cranking, rough idle, or white smoke in the first 30 seconds.
Test drive
Minimum 20 minutes including varied speeds. Check for power delivery, smooth acceleration, and absence of warning lights.
Specific for this vehicle
Check exhaust for blue or grey smoke under acceleration
Blue or grey smoke with a burning oil smell indicates turbocharger oil seal failure. Rev the engine firmly from low speed and observe the exhaust.
DPF status via diagnostics
Ask for a diagnostic scan showing DPF soot loading percentage and regeneration history. High soot levels or frequent failed regenerations indicate a car used mostly for short trips.
Clutch bite point and DMF rattle (manual)
With the engine idling in neutral, listen for a rattling noise from the bell housing area. Check the clutch for slipping, judder, or a high bite point during hill starts.
+ 2 more checksShow less
Listen for timing chain rattle on cold start
A brief rattle in the first few seconds after a completely cold start may indicate a worn chain tensioner. Rattle lasting more than 5 seconds warrants further inspection.
Verify complete Kia service history
The 7-year warranty has expired on all TF Optimas. The documented history is the only proof of how the car was maintained and whether warranty-covered repairs were performed.
Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins
HECU/ABS brake fluid leak causing potential electrical short and fire risk (ABS/ESC-equipped cars built 9 February 2010 to 23 July 2015)Critical - verify completed
Contact Kia with the VIN to verify all recalls have been completed. The HECU recall covers ABS/ESC-equipped Optima TF cars built between 9 February 2010 and 23 July 2015, so it can apply to any car in this range, and it is a safety-critical item. Campaigns issued for other Optima engines or for markets outside Europe are not listed here, which is why a VIN check remains the only reliable confirmation.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (7 years / 150,000 km)Expired on every TF, the last of which were built in 2015
Warranty transferTransferred automatically to subsequent owners without registration
Powertrain coverageEngine, turbo, and gearbox were covered while the warranty ran, subject to a complete service history
ExclusionsNormal wear on clutch, DMF, brake pads, and filters was excluded, though UK cars had 24 months / 12,500 miles of cover against material or workmanship defects in those parts
Kia's 7-year / 150,000 km warranty was the longest standard warranty in the European market and transferred to subsequent owners automatically. While it ran, servicing at an independent garage did not invalidate it provided the schedule was followed, suitable parts were used, and the work was documented. The warranty has now expired on every TF Optima, so what matters today is that the service documentation exists.
Sources: Research draws on model-specific owner forums and owner communities, recall information from official authorities, German automotive press, and multiple workshop cost references cross-checked against each other.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.
