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: engine
442 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Engine, Feb 24, 2019
ENGINE FAILED ON HIGHWAY AND CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING.
Engine, Feb 7, 2019
I CHANGE MY OIL CHANGE IN MY KIA OPTIMA 16 OIL GET LOW BEFORE 3000MILE IT LOSE OIL BEFORE IT REACH 3000 MILES IT LOSE 2 QUART OIL
Engine, Dec 4, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHARLIE'S MOTOR MALL (465 WESTERN AVE, AUGUSTA, ME 04330, 207-622-7327) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 92793557. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 22,000. *TT*JB
Engine, Mar 23, 2018
WHILE IN DRIVE, RANDOMLY AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE ENGINE WILL DIE. I WILL HAVE TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK, TURN THE KEY COMPLETELY OFF, AND THEN TRY TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON. THIS CAN TAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO FINALLY GET THE CAR STARTED. ONLY THE ENGINE DIES, THE RADIO, LIGHTS, ETC STAY ON WITHOUT ANY INTERRUPTION. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT STOP LIGHTS, STOP SIGNS, IN A CAR POOL LINE, ALL WHILE NOT MOVING.
Power train, Service brakes, Engine, Feb 20, 2018
WHEN DECELERATING, THE CAR JERKS AT EXACTLY 35 MPH WHETHER IM ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN THE CITY AND THIS HAPPENS . I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE AND THEY HAVE EVEN DROVE MY CAR THEMSELVES AND FELT THE SAME THING THAT I WAS FEELING AND ALL THEY SAY IS THAT WITHOUT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THRER IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT AND I JUST HAVE TO "LIVE" WITH IT. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND KIA NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE BEFORE IT CAUSES ANY ACCIDENTS OR WORSE DEATH. I SPENT WAY TOO MUCH MONEY ON THIS CAR FOR IT TO BE HAVING THESE ISSUES. BRAKES ARE SUPPOSED TO BE A SAFETY FEATURE NOT A SAFETY HAZARD.
Engine, Jan 17, 2018
CAR STALLED FOR NO REASON WHILE SITTING IDLE AT AN INTERSECTION. IT WAS TOWED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP IN SAN DIEGO. THE FIRST DAY, THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED IT FOUND NOTHING WRONG AND THERE WERE NO ERROR CODES. THE NEXT DAY, IT CLAIMED TO FIND A HOLE IN THE OIL PAN. IT REFUSED TO START THE CAR AGAIN UNTIL WE PAID $500 TO FIX IT. THERE WAS NO OIL IN ITS PARKING SPACE OR THE PLACE WHERE THAT IT STALLED. WE TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC WHO FOUND THE HOLE. HE SAID THERE WAS MORE THAN SUFFICIENT OIL TO TURN IT OVER, AND IF THE HOLE HAS BEEN THERE LONG, ALL OF THE OIL WOULD HAVE LEAKED OUT. WE SUSPECT THE DEALER DID THIS INTENTIONALLY TO CREATE AN EXCUSE TO AVOID PAYING FOR A NEW ENGINE IF IT TURNED OUT TO HAVE METAL SHAVINGS AND CATASTROPHIC FAILURE LIKE SO MANY OTHER OPTIMAS.
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
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 31, 2017
I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH MY 2016 KIA OPTIMA SINCE I PURCHASED IT ON SEPTEMBER, 5TH 2016. A SHORT TIME AFTER OWNING MY NEW VEHICLE, FIRST THE CAR STARTED TO HESITATE WHEN STARTING AS IF IT WAS STRUGGLING TO START, THE PUSH BUTTON WOULD TURN RED AND THE INDICATOR LIGHTS WOULD LIGHT UP ON THE DASHBOARD AS IF THE KEY WAS NOT RECOGNIZED IN THE CAR. THE CAR WOULD ALSO SELF ACCELERATE. ON OR AROUND AUGUST 16TH OR 17TH THE CAR STALLED OUT WHILE IT WAS BEING DRIVEN,WE ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE CAR AND IT TURNED ON LIKE NORMAL SO THE TOW WAS CANCELED. , THE SERVICE WRITER & KIA ALL HAVE COPIES OF THE VIDEOS THE MECHANIC HAS ALSO TOLD ME HE WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE, THE SOLUTION WAS TO CHANGE THE FUEL PUMP AND SERVICE THE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM. UPON THE SERVICES BEING COMPLETED WE WERE CONTACTED BY THE SERVICE MANAGER, AND KIA THAT THE CAR WAS READY TO BE PICKED UP ON SEPTEMBER 6TH 2017. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HOME WE NOTICED SOME HESITATION WHILE IDLE, ALSO SOME STRONG ACCELERATION WHEN TAKING OFF FROM RED-LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. WHILE PARKED WE NOTICED SOME STRONG VIBRATION FROM THE MOTOR WHICH THE CAR HAD NOT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEFORE SERVICE. ALSO AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS OF STARTING THE CAR, THE CAR WOULD EITHER START ROUGH, AND ALSO STILL HAD THE SAME ORIGINAL OCCURRENCE AS BEFORE WITH THE KEY NOT BEING RECOGNIZED IN THE CAR. WITH THE CAR NOT FULLY STARTING AND THE PUSH BUTTON TURNING RED WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING UP WITH THE KEY NOT IN CAR LIGHT ALONG WITH SOME OTHERS. ON THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 7TH, 2017 AT ABOUT 4:30PM I HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL SET TO 80 MPH, THE CAR HESITATED A COUPLE TIMES, THEN SELF DECELERATED TO 73 MPH, REACCELERATED TO 82 MPH THEN SELF ADJUSTED TO 80 MPH, I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP RIGHT AFTER THE OCCURRENCE I WAS TOLD I HAD TO WAIT TO BRING THE CAR BACK IN THEY HAD NO LOANER VEHICLES, NOT TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL FEATURE.
Engine, Oct 25, 2017, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ENGINE STARTED TO SMOKE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND, SHORTLY AFTER, IT BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TOO LATE TO SALVAGE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN AUTO SHOP. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS PRESENT, BUT A REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 23, 2017
TAKATA RECALL CAR STARTS TO STALL AND IDLE WHEN ON THE ROAD AND IN TRAFFIC. CAR STARTS TO BACK UP AND REVERSE WITHOUT NOTICE OR WARNING. ENGINE, BATTERY COMES ON AUTOMATICALLY AND I HAVE TO TURN OFF IGNITION AND RESTART VEHICLE.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 18, 2017
SHUTTER/HESITATION UPON TAKE OFF. I SIGNED MY LEASE ON 9/29 AND WAS AT THE SERVICE DEPT FIRST OF 7 TIMES ON 10/4. AT FIRST I WAS TOLD THE CAR HAD TO "LEARN THE WAY I DRIVE" THAT THERE WERE NO ISSUES WITH MY CAR. SINCE THEN THE DEALER HAS "RESET" THE TRANSMISSION, CHANGED FUEL INJECTORS, REPLACED TRANSMISSION, AND NOW HAS DONE 'SEVERAL UPDATES' (SERIOUSLY?) THIS CAR HAS NEARLY CAUSED ACCIDENTS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. WHEN I ASKED THE TECH IF HE WOULD DRIVE HIS FAMILY IN THIS CAR I GOT NO RESPONSE. I HAVE ASKED ON THE LAST 2 TRIPS TO THE DEALER FOR THEM TO SIMPLY REPLACE MY CAR. I AM CURRENTLY CONSULTING A LAWYER.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 10, 2017
SINCE I HAD THE CAR IN AUG2016 BRAND NEW WHEN I GIVE IT GAS THE VALVES PING AND PEAK EXTREMELY BAD NOT MATTER WHAT FUEL I USE ALSO THE AC KEEPS LOOSING POWER IT WILL BLOW FINE THEN IT ALMOST GOES OFF WHILE STILL DRIVING THE SAME SPEED. ALSO SOMETIMES WHEN THIS HAPPENS I HAVE A MISS OR HESITATION IN THE ENGINE. THERE HAS ALSO BEEN A POP NOISE IN THE BACK END WHEN I STOP OR SLOW DOWN SINCE I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR 6 TIMES TO THE LOCAL DEALER IN CHAS WV WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND THEY KEEP SAYING THEY CAN'T DIGNOSE THE PROBLEM THEY HAVE TO CONTACT KIA AND NEVER HAVE AN ANSWER WHEH I TAKE THE CAR BACK OR CONTACT THEM.
Engine, Jul 2, 2017
I BOUGHT MY CAR 6 MONTHS AGO, I HAVE PERFORMED ALL REQUIRED MAINTENANCE FOR THE VEHICLE AND AT 17,000 MILES THERE WAS A TICKING SOUND WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD WITH MY HANDICAPPED MOTHER. THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND I THOUGHT I BLEW A TIRE, THE ENGINE SEIZED UP AND I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, I HAD TO CALL EMERGENCY ROAD SERVICE TO GET MY MOTHER AND I SAFELY HOME. AFTER GETTING THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP I AM TOLD THE ENGINE IS NEEDING TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE A ROD WAS THROWN THREW THE MOTOR. WE WERE VERY LUCKY THAT NEITHER ONE OF US WAS INJURED WITH THIS INCIDENT HOWEVER OTHERS MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY.
Power train, Seats, Engine, May 8, 2017
THIS VEHICLE SUFFERS FROM A HESITATION DURING TAKE OFF. ACCORDING TO KIA THIS HESITATION COME FROM A 7 SPEED DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION(DCT). WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE THE DRIVER TO FEEL A SHUDDER SENSATION. THIS VEHICLE HAS A DOUBLE CLUTCH. I HAVE TAKEN MY 2016 KIA OPTIMA DEALERS FOR REPAIR TO THIS PROBLEM WITHOUT ANY SOLUTION. RUNS ROUGH.
Power train, Engine, Mar 4, 2017
FROM A DEAD STOP DRIVING AROUND, RELEASING THE BRAKE PETAL FROM A STOP AND GETTING READY TO GET GOING, THE CAR SHUTTERS A BIT AND/OR BOTH THE ENGINE FEELS LIKE IT'S GONNA STALL. HESITATION TO GET GOING.. DOES IT IN ALL 3 DRIVE MODES. DEALERS SAYS NPF.. OF COURSE AND SAID MAYBE QUALITY OF GAS, I USE TOP TIER GAS ONLY.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Dec 23, 2016, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE ENGINE RPMS DRASTICALLY INCREASED TO 6 OR 7. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE ENGINE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CVT VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NUMBER 75 ON THE WAITING LIST FOR THE REPAIRS AND PROVIDED A LOANER VEHICLE. TWO DAYS LATER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THEY PERFORMED AN INTERIM REPAIR AND THAT THE VEHICLE COULD BE DRIVEN. THE DEALER ORDERED THE PART FOR A PERMANENT REPAIR. THE CONTACT FELT UNSAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.
Power train, Engine, Dec 9, 2016
WHEN STARTING FROM A DEAD STOP, THE CAR HESITATES UP TO 6 OR 7 SECONDS. I THINK IT HAS STALLED, THEN IT STARTS AGAIN BY ITS SELF. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN PULLING OUT INTO AN INTERSECTION. IT DOES THIS CONSTANTLY.