2016 Kia Optima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 756 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 20 Optima model years with reports.
Of the 2016 reports, 27 involved a crash and 19 involved a fire. 21 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Latches/locks/linkages, trunk lid, latchAug 24, 2023
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Rio, 2016-2018 Optima, 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. The trunk latch base may crack, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Dealers will replace the trunk latch base subassembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC278.
Campaign 23V594000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsDec 19, 2018
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. 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.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
Campaign 18V907000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleJan 6, 2017
Kia Motors America (Kia) has recalled one 2016 Optima vehicle. In this vehicle, the end seal for the driver's frontal air bag inflator may not have been properly installed, possibly resulting in reduced inflation of the frontal air bag in the event of a crash.
In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate fully increases the risk of injury.
The affected vehicle was remedied on January 10, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC143.
Campaign 17V007000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, axle assembly, axle shaftOct 3, 2016
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Optima vehicles manufactured November 13, 2015, to April 23, 2016 and equipped with a 2.4l engine. The right front axle driveshaft may crack and fail.
If the driveshaft cracks and separates from the vehicle, it will not be able to move forward. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied upon exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll. Either scenario can increase the risk of a crash.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC139.
Campaign 16V705000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalApr 21, 2016
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Optima vehicles manufactured November 10, 2015, to February 12, 2016. In these vehicles, a chemical enhancer required for the for the second stage deployment of the driver's frontal air bag was not loaded, resulting in the second stage not deploying in necessitating crashes.
If the second stage air bag does not deploy it increases the risk of injury or death.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on May 6, 2016. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC131.
Campaign 16V231000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
103 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Engine, Jan 9, 2018
MY OPTIMA SEEMS TO HESITATE OR STUDDER WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. IT REMINDS ME OF A GEAR SLIPPING BUT MY CAR ONLY HAS 11,145 MI ON IT SO THERE'S NO WAY THAT'S POSSIBLE. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING OBSERVATION FOR MONTHS NOW. I'VE ALSO HAD ONE OF MY MIRRORS NOT GO BACK TO NORMAL POSITION AFTER I MOVED THE CAR FROM R AND BEGAN TO DRIVE. I HAD TO PULL OVER, PLACE THE CAR BACK IN R, AND FLIP BACK TO D FOR THE MIRROR TO GO BACK TO PLACE. LASTLY I'VE NOTICED MY DRIVER SEAT SEAT WARMER BUTTON ISN'T LIGHTING UP LIKE IT USED TO. WHEN ON HIGH, ONLY 2 LIGHTS ARE ON. I RECORDED A VIDEO OF IT VS HOW THE PASSENGER SEAT WORKS BUT I DON'T THINK I CAN UPLOAD IT. I'VE AT LEAST TAKEN PHOTOS OF IT IN EACH LEVEL. THIS HAS BEEN FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS NOW. MILEAGE LISTED ON REPORT IS WHAT I'M CURRENTLY AT BUT THE STUDDERING HAS BEEN SINCE 3,000MI OR SO
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Jul 10, 2017
PURCHASED A 2016 KIA OPTIMA EX WITH THE PREMIUM PACKAGE WITH LESS THAN 30 ODOMETER MILES IN APRIL 2017 FROM A KIA DEALER (VIN [XXX]). AT 4200 MILES THE CAR STALLED AND LOST ALL POWER WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR. SCREEN FLASHED "ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM - POSSIBLE ENGINE CONDITION. " TOOK VEHICLE TO THE KIA DEALER ON 07/08/2017 WHO INDICATED THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR NEEDED ADJUSTING AND CLEANING. THEY ASSURED ME ALL WAS GOOD AND THEY HAD RESOLVED THE ISSUE. LESS THAN 24 HOURS LATER THE CAR STALLED AGAIN ON THE HIGHWAY. HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO ANOTHER KIA DEALER WHERE IT SITS. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED WITH KIA AS IT POSES A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD TO ME AND OTHER DRIVERS. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, Jan 5, 2017, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 KIA OPTIMA. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR 15 HOURS, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE WAS BELIEVED TO BE DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,700. UPDATED 03/17/17*LJ UPDATED 08/29/2017*JS