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: exterior lighting
47 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 25, 2026, crash
Vehicle was purchased in 2023. AC blower failure occurred for the first time in June 2024 and was repaired by PepBoys. On 4/2/2025 the ve3hicle had an active recall event when the engine seized on the highway because of a faulty oil pump/filter, Engine was replaced 4/17/2025 under that recall. Kia advised at the time that the wiring harness should be replaced due to electrical issues at the time but said that there was no recall for that work. At the time, there were no electrical failures of steering, brakes, all power etc. Nor did we know that those were a possibility. The wiring harness quote was $7,000, over the cost of the vehicle. It was decided to continue repairing the electrical issues as they came up, it was assumed that the fuses would blow before there because a safety or total vehicle failure, as automobiles are designed that way. 8/4/2026 the vehicle experienced a complete and total loss of power resulting in a traffic crash into another vehicle as the brakes felt like you were trying to push a wall rather than a pedal. There was minimal physical damage to the other car and the kia, the other driver got my husband's insurance information and then drove off. The car did startup after ~30 minutes or so and was driven home, but taken to the Kia dealership the next day. It was said that the blower motor overheated and melted a portion of the electrical junction box under the hood and that it was unsafe and dangerous to drive. Kia said that there were no active recalls for this work. NHTSA SC351 seems very similar to this issue that has plagued this car since the beginning. We would ask that Kia incorporate this vehicle and others outside of the year/model ranges in SC351 that have similar failure mechanisms as this seems common.
Exterior lighting, Engine, Feb 1, 2026
The engine is a problem and all I’m ever told us “ this vehicle is know to have engine problems. This is dangerous to have in the road. Kia is aware of this. Why sale the vehicle knowing this and not disclosing this info to the consumer upon purchase. There is no truth in lending. It’s plain sight robbery. What if I’m far from home and stranded because vehicle set fire or broke down in hazardous condition weather. I constantly needing oil changes because of this engine. The dealership is aware. They tell me to trade it in or get rid of it because it’s going to go for a fact. I’ve never missed oil changes. I put oil every time the oil indicator light comes on. Now for the 3rd time the check engine light is on. 2 times for misfire code. The vehicle engine holds sludge no matter how much you get oil changes. The mechanic told me this year make and model is known for this very fact. I want my money back. Kelly blue book don’t give enough. I was scammed into this car but I managed to pay it off. A car the sales person scammed me and wouldn’t take the vehicle back. I complained to the general manager. They always act like he wasn’t available. They kept claiming new ones started. After almost a year of those games I had to move and the case never got solved. But even when I complained their maintenance person stole my rims. They told me prove it. Just all bad experience. I just want my money. Even if they gave me another engine. It’s still going to be the same problem. A bad engine. 2016 Kia optima’s should not have been continuously sold with them knowing it has bad engines. Even the headlights don’t work. Very dim. Car smells like burning fumes when driving. Please please help. This isn’t fair lending practice. People trust them and they are dishonest sellers.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Sep 3, 2025
The headlights and brake lights have been VERY dim for a while. I've had to replace both headlights and brake lights an excessive amount in the last several years. This year alone since December 2024, I've had to replace my headlights 3 separate times. I do not drive more than 10,000 miles per year, or use my vehicle on roads that would lead me to believe the issue is from road conditions.
Exterior lighting, Seats, Other or unspecified, Apr 8, 2025
Unknown
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine, Oct 12, 2023
At 95000 car had problem accelerating and then all of a sudden on the side of the road did that 2 had 2 engine rebuilds done no but the problem is still there and the fuses all look burnt and half my lights don't work.
Exterior lighting, Oct 4, 2023
driving in the dark, my auto headlight selector only works when it wants to. like it’ll just just my headlights off at random no matter how dark it is
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 23, 2023
My high beams and low beams are starting to shut off randomly. When it happens, my dash shows that i am trying to turn my headlights from auto to another setting, which is not the case. It has happened at night and that poses a danger because i cant see the road and people cant see my car. I have not had it looked at yet. I do see multiple complaints online for multiple different kia models and years. There is no recall and i do not see a TSB.
Exterior lighting, Aug 8, 2023
Headlights will randomly turn off when driving. I then have to quickly turn the headlight switch from auto to off to on to get them to come back on. There are numerous complaints online regarding this very same problem with Kia Optimas and other Kia vehicles. This is extremely dangerous.
Exterior lighting, Jul 29, 2023
The headlights failed and yes it can be inspected . The headlights while my 16 year old daughter was driving at night. She could not see the road there were no streetlights. She had to hit her brakes turn the car off and restart and the lights came back on . This put her life in danger I cannot believe there are no recalls . We have called numerous mechanics to fix and they have not heard of the problem. I do not trust Kia to fix this . She could have died . Before this happened the dash showed the lights changing themselves from auto to on to off . This also happened to me while driving at night . We now do not drive this car at night out of fear .
Exterior lighting, Engine, Apr 26, 2023
I was driving at night when both of my lower beam headlights went out at the exact same time. My high beams work but not the low beams and it wasn't a blown fuse. Also, my engine has been consuming 2 quarts of oil every 1,000 miles since it hit roughly 58,000 miles. The excessive oil consumption started about 2,000 miles before my next oil change was due. The oil indicator light never came on to indicate my engine was low on oil. The oil indicator light flashed on and off one time as I was slowing down to turn which is what prompted me to check my oil because I knew something wasn't right that the oil indicator only flashed but didn't stay on.
Exterior lighting, Engine, Nov 16, 2022
We bought this car brand new and for the past two or so year it has started to consuming oil like crazy at least 3 to 4 quarts every thousand miles and they wont do anything to see what is causing the issue its not leaking anything at all. Secondly with the head light turned to auto we will be driving down the road and all of a sudden the lights shut off and you have to flip the light to on to get them to turn back on huge safety issues there but they will not do Anything for this issue either. I should have to do what im doing to a very well taken care of vehicle and its only 6 years old i get it if it was 10 years old but to burn this much oil this not right.
Exterior lighting, Nov 12, 2022
Kia Optima Hybrids from 2014-2016 and most likely the two previous model years all have defective taillights. I know this because I've had two Optimas and I've had to replace 9 taillights in 4 years. The Kia dealer service department told me that that was quite typical of these cars. The light assemblies are not water tight and they fill with moisture on rainy days. This eventually causes the LED ribbons to fail and then the light has to be replaced. Kia will replace them under warranty for the first 60,000 miles but after that the car owner is on the hook for a part that costs approximately $500. A taillight that will not light up is obviously a safety problem. Kia should be forced to replace these pieces for free for as long as these cars exist. I tried to attach two photos but the system wouldn't allow me to continue until I removed them.
Exterior lighting, Engine, Sep 5, 2022
My oil light would flash on when coming to a stop. I was notified my car was low on oil my last oil change. However I was not made aware as to how much. About 2000 miles afterwards when checking the oil it looked to be empty. The oil light would again flash on when coming to a stop but then go back off seconds later. The dipstick was dry. I added the appropriate amount of oil to show in the safe zone on dipstick and again about 1500 miles later the oil light is flashing on when turning/stopping. Separately, the headlights have randomly turned off while driving at night and set on auto on multiple occasions.
Exterior lighting, Jul 21, 2022
Headlights will randomly turn off when set on automatic lights. Turn signal might be part of the issue. Headlights will turn off when driving on winding road or randomly when you turn on the turning signal. I was driving rounding on the hillside when my headlights randomly turned off. So scary because I could have driven off the cliff. No specific dates because it happens consistently. I will enter the most recent but it goes back about 2years. I should add for safety sake, that it also happened when I was driving on a relatively straight-smooth road
Exterior lighting, Oct 14, 2021
There have been 2 occasions while driving at night with the headlights on auto that the lights have gone off for no apparent reason. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. I was driving on a major highway and was not able to get to the side of the road. The entire dash went out. This was very dangerous as I could not see anything in front of me. After jiggling the turn signal switch the lights did come back on. I have taken the car into a dealership and also into an independent service center to have the problem addressed. Neither location was able to reproduce the incident. The best guess from the dealer was a headlight switch and from the independent service center their guess was possible an ignition switch. Both of the estimates were unable to confirm that replacing the switch would correct the problem. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms prior to the failure.
Exterior lighting, Sep 16, 2021
Headlights, set in AUTO, randomly will briefly go dark at night while the vehicle is in motion, putting driver at risk of night-time crash. Headlights can be re-illuminated by turning the lights off and back on. This issue has not been by dealer, service tech, or any other party. The issue occurred twice 9/15/2021, and once previously on an unknown date. There were no warning signs, dashboard lights, or any other indication of malfunction.
Exterior lighting, Sep 8, 2021
Headlights turn off and on randomly when headlight switch is in auto mode. Dangerous in the dark when suddenly the light disappears.
Exterior lighting, Sep 7, 2021
My dash told me I have a headlight out. The headlight seems to come on and off from time to time. Now it says both are out. Every now and again they both come back on. It seems as though I have an electrical issue going on all of a sudden. But could be due to the engine running poorly causing disconnections In the wiring harness. The engine is shaking pretty bad and awaiting my scheduled appointment.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 18, 2021
About 3 weeks ago my headlight Auto dash notification would flash on and off for probably 8 times. It was day time so I didn't think anything of it. Last week I was driving in the dark and my head lights turned off completely. I was able to get them back on. I started doing research and other people have had the same issue stating that it is the multifunction switch. Again this morning driving in the dark they turned off completely again. This is dangerous for not just the driver and passengers of the car but also other drivers if you can not be seen. This needs to be recalled and needs to be fixed sooner than later. Please help.
Exterior lighting, Aug 16, 2021
When I was driving at 4:45am it was total darkness still out my exterior headlights shut off and I could not see. It is always set on auto. It just happened out of no where and I could not see. I could have had an accident. Now i have read that a few people have had this same problem. About a month ago they kind of went off then on again bit i thought maybe they were switching to daytime lights. Now today they just shut off in total darkness. This needs to be looked into! Especially if many people report same problem. Now i did pull over where I could then switched the lights to just the on mode and they worked fine tell I got home but I don't know what's happening. Does this mean they will work on the on mode or lights eventually wont work at all?? Is it a fuse or relay? Idk please check onto this.
Exterior lighting, Aug 14, 2021
When I turn on my blinkers my headlights sometimes flash off (without turning them off). Then come back on when I turn off the blinker. My trunk has also lost power and will no longer unlock.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 15, 2021
MY HEADLIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT 3 TIMES IN THE LAST FOUR MONTHS. I'VE NEVER ENCOUNTERED THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE. THIS CAR IS S 2016 KIA OPTIMA AND HAD LEFT ME WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS .I NOTICE OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. THIS SAFETY ISSUE NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED . VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WITHOUT HEADLAMPS. SOMEONE PLEASE MAKE NOTE OF THIS SERIOUS SITUATION IMMEDIATELY!!!!
Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Dec 27, 2020
MID SEPTEMBER, 2020, I BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT MY HEADLIGHTS WOULD TURN OFF AS I WAS DRIVING. THEY WOULD CUT OFF FOR NO MORE THAN 15 SECONDS AND TURN BACK ON. I DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT, UNTIL I STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH OTHER COMPONENTS OF MY 2016 KIA OPTIMA. ON 11/30/2020 I WAS DRIVING AT 30MPH THROUGH A RESIDENTIAL AREA. AS I WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR BEGAN TO JUMP AND HESITATE. NO MATTER HOW FAR DOWN I PUSHED THE GAS, THE CARE WAS JUMPING/SHAKING AND WOLD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 20MPH. I PULLED INTO AN AUTOZONE WHERE THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE VEHICLE. ERROR CODE P1326 (KNOCK SENSOR) CAME UP. THE NEXT MORNING, I CALLED COASTAL KIA OF WILMINGTON IN NORTH CAROLINA AND EXPLAINED TO THEM WHAT HAD HAPPENED. THEY SENT AN EMPLOYEE TO PICK UP MY VEHICLE (12/01/2020). THEY INSPECTED MY VEHICLE AND INFORMED ME THAT THE PROTOCOL WAS TO PERFORM A BEARING CLEARANCE TEST AND ECU UPGRADE. I PICKED UP MY CAR ON 12/02/2020. A WEEK LATER, I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN AND INFORMED THEM THAT ALTHOUGH MY ENGINE LIGHT HAD NOT COME BACK ON, THE ACCELERATION ISSUE WAS STILL OCCURRING. I ASKED IF THEY WOULD LOOK AT THE CAR AGAIN, TO WHICH THEY SAID NO, THAT THEY CANNOT TAKE A FURTHER LOOK AT IT UNTIL THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. ON 12/20/2020 I WAS DRIVING 40MPH WHEN MY CAR BEGAN TO STUTTER UNCONTROLLABLY. THE FOLLOWING MORNING I CALLED KIA AGAIN TO INFORM THEM WHAT HAD HAPPENED, AND THEY AGREED TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT. ON 12/22/2020 THEY CALLED ME AND SAID THAT MY CAR WAS BURNING OIL AND SMOKING EXCESSIVELY. THEY OPENED A TECH CASE WITH KIA AND INFORMED ME THAT THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING TO THE CAR UNTIL THEY HEARD BACK FROM THEM. ON 12/23/2020 THEY CALLED ME AGAIN TO TELL ME THAT THE ISSUE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL, AND THAT MY NEXT STEP WOULD BE TO REPLACE MY ENGINE.
Exterior lighting, Dec 2, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED, THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT-OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WAS MANUALLY SHIFTED TO THE ON POSITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KINGS KIA (9600 KINGS AUTO MALL ROAD, CINCINNATI, OH 45249, (513) 677-6700) HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. THE MECHANIC CHECKED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH BUT FOUND NO ISSUES. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO NOTIFY THE DEALER WHENEVER THE FAILURE RECURS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,500.
Exterior lighting, Sep 15, 2020
HEADLIGHTS RANDOMLY TURN OFF WHEN SET TO "AUTO" POSITION WHEN SIGNALING. DOES NOT HAPPEN FREQUENTLY BUT ANY TIME IT HAPPENS IS TOO MANY TIMES FOR YOUR HEADLIGHTS TO RANDOMLY TURN OFF. HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND HAPPENS WHEN SIGNALING TO CHANGE LANES. - HEADLIGHTS SET TO "AUTO" - DRIVING AT NIGHT - SIGNALING TO CHANGE LANES - ISSUE OCCURS THE LIGHTS WILL TURN OFF AND THE INTERIOR INDICATOR GOES DARK FOR A SPLIT SECOND AND THEN COMES BACK ON AND IS STILL INDICATES "AUTO" AS THE SETTING. DOES NOT OCCUR FREQUENTLY ENOUGH FOR DEALER/MECHANICS TO IDENTIFY THE ISSUE.