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: power train
73 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Oct 3, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V705000 (POWER TRAIN) AT GREENWAY KIA OF FRANKLIN (5026, 1413 MURFREESBORO RD, FRANKLIN, TN 37067, (615) 224-7973). THE DRIVESHAFT WAS REPLACED DURING THE REPAIR, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FLUID AFTERWARDS. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO CALL THE DEALER BACK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WARRANTY FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS VALID FOR ONLY TWELVE MONTHS AND HAD EXPIRED. THE DEALER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE DEALER WAS INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND THEY WOULD NOT GET PAID TO PERFORM THE REPAIR; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,323.
Power train, Engine, Sep 21, 2019
MY OIL IS BURNING FASTER THAT EXPECTED. I GOTAND OIL CHANGE AND A WEEK LATER IT WAS TO THE BOTTOM.
Power train, Sep 16, 2019
AFTER 2ND TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED, 2 DAYS AFTER I RECEIVED A DIAGNOSTIC WARNING OF A POSSIBLE MOTOR CONTROL UNIT ERROR. , I RECEIVED A PROMPT SO IT COULD REPORT IT BACK TO KIA, I THEN RECEIVED AN EMAIL WITH ERROR CODE P0C17 BROUGHT CAR BACK TO KIA, THEY STATED THE CALIBRATION WAS OFF, AND NEEDED TO BE RE CALIBRATED
Steering, Power train, Sep 13, 2019
I WAS CHANGING OUT THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND I NOTICED ON THE DRIVER SIDE THE BOOT AROUND THE AXEL HAD CRACKED AND THE GREASE HAD LEAKED OUT.
Power train, Sep 12, 2019
AFTER THE KIA DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION THE FIRST TIME. DUE TO A MCU FAILURE. 2 WEEKS LATER CAR WAS DUE FOR OIL CHANGE, JIFFY LUBE STATED MY TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING. I TOOK IT BACK TO KIA. AFTER 2 DAYS OF IT BEI N.V G IN THE SHOP. I WENT TO KIA ON THE 3RD DAY, TO CHECK IT ON THE CAR AND WAS TOLD THE DEALERSHIP WAS WAITING ON APPROVAL FROM KIA AUTOMOTIVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION A 2ND TIME DO TO THE LEAKING OF THE FIRST TRANSMISSION
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 1, 2019
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS BLINKING, THERE IS A NOTICEABLE DECREASE IN POWER, AND IT JERKS OUT OF FIRST GEAR. TOOK IT TO AUTOZONE FOR A FREE DIAGNOSTIC WHICH WAS P1326. ALL FLUID ARE IN ORDER. MILAGE IS 123,000. THIS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS DRIVING HE FR WORK.
Power train, Aug 21, 2019
VEHICLE, ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, WILL SHIFT UNEXPECTEDLY FROM FIFTH GEAR INTO FOURTH VERY ABRUPTLY AND DRAMATICALLY. THERE IS ALSO A LAPSE IN TIME WHEN YOU PRESS ON THE GAS TO ACCELERATE AND WITH FOR IT TO DOWN SHIFT INTO FOURTH GEAR OR BEYOND. *TR
Power train, Aug 16, 2019
I STARTED THE CAR, WHICH APPEARED NORMAL, ABOUT 10 MINUTES INTO MY TRIP, THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY WAS FLASHING, " CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM, STOP VEHICLE AND TURN OFF ENGINE " A DINGING BELL WAS GOING OFF, I WAS STARTLED BY IT, SO I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND STOPPED I LET CAR SIT FOR A MINUTE THE TRIED TO START IT AGAIN. NO LUCK. THE NAV SCREEN SHOWED MOTOR CONTROL UNIT, ISSUE. ASKED ME TO SEND A REPORT, THEN CALL ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE. ROADSIDE SHOWED UP TOWED ME TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP, THEY CALLED ME 1 PM SATURDAY AFTERNOON. SAYING THEY NEEDED MORE TIME TO DIAGNOSE IT,ABS PUT ME IN A LOANER CAR I DID NOT HEAR ANYTHING FROM THE DEALER MONDAY THEY THURSDAY AFTERNOON. I STOPPED BY AND WAS TOLD THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. THE CAR ONLY HAD 56K MILES ON IT. I PICK UP THE CAR ON FRIDAY.
Power train, May 9, 2019
I'VE BEEN HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE JERKING UPON TAKE OFF AS IF THE TRANSMISSION STRUGGLES TO ENGAGE, IT'S CAUSED ME SEVERAL NEAR ACCIDENTS DUE TO THE CAR NOT GOING WHEN IT'S SUPPOSED TO, HOW IT'S SUPPOSED TO.. THIS HAPPENS AT START UP WHEN FIRST SHIFTING INTO GEAR, AND AFTER STOPING THEN ATTEMPTING TO GO. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO KIA 3 TIMES. THE LAST TIME I TOOK IT THEY FELT THE ISSUE, THEN CLAIMED IT WAS DUE TO THE VEHICLE BEING EQUIPPED WITH A DOUBLE CLUTCH. NOT LETTING ME TAKE THE PAPERWORK THAT DESCRIBES THIS DOUBLE CLUTCH. I HAVE NEVER EVER FELT THIS WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE ESPECIALLY WITH A BRAND NEW ONE.
Power train, Apr 2, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT AXLE STARTED TO FAIL AND MADE ABNORMAL NOISES. PERRIS VALLEY KIA (707 E 4TH ST, PERRIS, CA 92570) STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V705000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.
Power train, Apr 2, 2019
MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED ON NOVENBER 13, 2015 THE SAME DATE FOR THE RECALL NUMBER SC139 FOR THE POWERTRAIN AXLE BUT WASN'T INCLUDED ON THE RECALL. MY AXLE IS STARTING TO MAKE NOISE LIKE IF IT IS FAIL JUST AS THE RECALL STATES I'M TOWING IT TO THE DEALER TO GET FIXED BUT WAS MY CAR SUPPOSE TO BE APART OF THAT RECALL?
Power train, Engine, Feb 24, 2019
ENGINE FAILED ON HIGHWAY AND CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING.
Power train, Oct 14, 2018
THE TRANSMISSION HAS A VERY HARSH DOWNSHIFT UPON COMING TO A STOP. SOMETIMES SO BAD THAT IT WILL PUSH ALL PASSENGERS HEADS FORWARD HARSHLY.
Power train, Jul 4, 2018
WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE ENGINE SHUDDERS & HESITATES. I MUST ALLOW EXTRA TIME & SPACE FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC, WHEN PULLING OUT INTO AN INTERSECTION. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. KIA SAYS THE VEHICLE IS PERFORMING AS IT WAS DESIGNED TO. I THINK A RECALL SHOULD BE CONSIDERED, AS I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS, SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON VARIOUS WEBSITES REGARDING THIS PROBLEM.
Power train, Electrical system, Service brakes, Jul 2, 2018, crash
VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, STOPPED, IN THE WEST CONSHOHOCKEN MUNICIPAL COMMUNITY BUILDING PARKING LOT, 112 FRONT STREET, WEST CONSHOHOCKEN, PA. THE CAR WAS IN PARK WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED. I WENT TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND WHEN I PRESSED THE IGNITION BUTTON, A LOUD EXPLOSION SOUND CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THEN A LOUD JACK HAMMER SOUND STARTED. CAR SHOT BACKWARDS IN REVERSE AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WERE FLASHING AND A BELL RINGING. I PUMPED THE BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT STOP. IN HAD JUST BEEN TURNED OFF, AND WAS ALREADY IN PARK AND EMERGENCY BRAKE ON. CAR WENT ON OUT OF NOWHERE, AND WENT IN REVERSE THE LENGTH OF APPROXIMATELY 25 CARS AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED CAR.POLICE WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE. THEY REPORTED THE ACCIDENT AND IT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION. MURRAY KIA WAS WHERE THE CAR WAS TOWED. THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND TOLD ME IT WAS AN INSURANCE PROBLEM. NOT TRUE!! MY PASSENGER AND I WERE LUCKY NOT TO HAVE ROLLED INTO THE STREET AND ONCOMING TRAFFIC, AND COULD BEEN KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED, OR INJURED OTHERS. THANK GOD THE PARKED CAR WAS THERE AND ONLY THEN DID THE CAR CRASH INTO IT, AND STOP.
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.
Power train, Feb 13, 2018
TAKING A LEFT FROM A STOP AT MAYBE 5 MPH , AND THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE BROKE IN HALF. I WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF THE ROAD AND HAVE THE CAR TOWED. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE (RECALL #SC139).
Power train, Visibility, Vehicle speed control, Feb 5, 2018
WHEN THE CAR ENCOUNTERS A HILL AND NEEDS TO DOWNSHIFT, EITHER TO CLIMB OR TO HOLD BACK THE SPEED WHEN IT DESCENDS, THE CRUISE CONTROL REMEMBERS THE DOWNSHIFT AND WILL NOT RETURN TO HIGH GEAR UNTIL A) IT IS MANUALLY OVERRIDDEN, BUT WILL STILL DOWNSHIFT UP TO 2 GEARS, WHEN THE LEVER IS PLACED BACK TO AUTOMATIC OR, B) WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL IS TURNED OFF. THE CRUISE CONTROL ALSO BELATEDLY REACTS TO LOSS OF SPEED CONTROL AND OVERCORRECTS WITH TOO MUCH POWER, RESULTING IN A CRUDE RIDE, AS WELL. THE WORKLOAD IS INCREASED DEALING WITH GETTING THE CAR TO ATTAIN TOP GEAR ON FLAT ROADS, AND IS CREATING UNSAFE CONDITIONS, IN MY OPINION. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO GET THIS ATTENDED TO AT THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY CONTINUE TO NOT FIX THE ISSUE, AS WELL AS INFORM ME I SHOULDN'T BE USING CRUISE CONTROL ON HILLS. MY 2014 KIA OPTIMA DID NOT EXHIBIT THESE ISSUES, NOR ANY OTHER OF MY CARS WHICH HAD CRUISE CONTROL. THERE IS A PROBLEM AND THESE PEOPLE WILL NOT FIX IT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEAT DOES ENTER THE FOOT WELL AREA. *JS
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.
Power train, Service brakes, May 28, 2017
WHEN DECELERATING/BRAKING, THE CAR JERKS HARSHLY FORWARD AT 52,42, 32 MPH. ON WET HIGHWAYS A WHEN IT JERKS THE REAR OF THE CAR FISHTAILS. KIA KNOWS THE FAULT IS BECAUSE OF THE DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFT TIMING AND HAS NO SOLUTION. I BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES ON THIS. FISHTAILING ON WET HIGHWAYS HAS A SERIOUS RISK OF AN ACCIDENT. THEY JUST SAY LIVE WITH IT EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND FELT THE PROBLEM WITH ME ON A TEST DRIVE IN MY CAR AND OTHER CARS OF SAME MODEL IN THE NEW CAR LOT. IT IS TIME THEY FACE THIS SERIOUS HAZARD, AS BRAKING IS SUPPOSE TO THE THE #1 SAFETY ISSUE IN A CAR, NOT CREATE A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE STATED A DATE BELOW, BUT THAT DATE IS WHEN I FIRST WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE PROBLEM, IT HAPPENS EVERYDAY, AND EVERY TIME AT THOSE SPEEDS.
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.
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.