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: other or unspecified
121 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 8, 2020
THE CLUSTER STARTED BLINKING OUT WHILE DRIVING THEN EVENTUALLY GOES OUT COMPLETELY. AT THE START OF THE PROBLEM IT WOULD GO OUT AT TIMES THEN POP BACK ON FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS.
Other or unspecified, Sep 12, 2020
THE WINDOWS FALL ON THEIR OWN AND NOT OPERATIVE WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE SO FAR AND TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER. I AM TRYING NOT TO LOWER MY WINDOWS AT ALL FOR NOW. IT IS SERIOUS WHEN IT RAINS & WATER GETS INSIDE THE CAR, I LIVE IN FLORIDA AND IT RAINS A LOT. ANY SOLUTION ?
Other or unspecified, Sep 12, 2020
SINCE I BOUGHT 2016 KIA OPTIMA EX, THERE HAS BEING WINDOWS PROBLEM ON THIS MODEL. EITHER WINDOW REGULATOR OR MODULE PANEL OR SOME THING ELSE CAUSE WINDOWS TO DROP DOWN WHILE YOUR DRIVING, OR MALFUNCTION DOES NOT OPERATE AT ALL. AT LEAST 4 TIMES I TOOK TO DEALER TO FIX IT, BUT IN SHORT PERIOD OF TIME HAPPENS AGAIN, IT IS NOT ONE WINDOW HAPPENS TO ALL OF THEM. I AM SICK & TIRED OF GOING TO DEALER TO WASTE MY TIME. IT IS SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH KIA AND SHOULD REDESIGN THE OPERATING WINDOW SYSTEM.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 29, 2020
AIR CONDITIONING GOING OUT WITH POSSIBLE BREAKDOWN AT SEVENTY THOUSAND MILES AIR CONDITIONER TURNS ON BUT DON'T BLOW AIR
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jul 31, 2020
MY BREAK SERVICE LIGHT KEEP COMING ON AND IT'S MAKING A NOISE LIKE IT'S A HONDA I TOOK IT BACK TO GANAS SERVICE AND WEEK LATER THE BREAK LIGHT BACK ON
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jan 17, 2020
I WAS DRIVING IN THE EVENING AT 25-30MPH ON A CITY STREET. THERE WERE NO PARKED CARS, NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, NO PEDESTRIANS OR BICYCLES FOR THREE BLOCKS AHEAD OF ME. WITHOUT ANY FORWARD COLLISION WARNING OR ROAD HAZARD, MY CAR'S AUTONOMOUS EMERGENCY BRAKING (AEB) SYSTEM INITIATED AND APPLIED FULL BRAKING FORCE TO MY CAR FOR NO REASON. THE CAR BEEPED CONTINUOUSLY AND FLASHED A RED "EMERGENCY BRAKING" NOTIFICATION IN THE DASH CONSOLE. THE VEHICLE ANTI-LOCKING BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGED IN RESPONSE TO THE APPLIED BRAKING FROM THE AEB. I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL OR STOP THE BRAKING DURING THE EVENT. ONCE THE CAR WAS FULLY STOPPED, THE RED DASH NOTIFICATION STOPPED, THE BEEPING STOPPED AND I WAS ABLE TO MOVE MY CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SO TRAFFIC BEHIND ME COULD PROCEED.
Other or unspecified, Jan 9, 2020
MY DRIVER SIDE AXLE IS CLICKING AND POP WHEN I TURN AND THERE IS NO WAY THAT HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF AND IT CLEARLY STATES ON THIS SITE THAT ALL ARE RECALLS ON THE MODEL IS THERE ANYWAY THE RECALLS AN BE DONE NOW I BOUGHT THIS CALL AT 2018 PREOWNED WITH 38000 OR MORE MILES ON IT IT NOW HAS 82000 MILES ON IT AND IF A RECALL HAS NOT ENDED DONE WHY CAN'T THEY DO THEM NOW AND I DON'T FEEL THESE VEHICLE IS SAFE FOR ME TO BE IN AND I'M DISABLED!!! I WANTED TO SEE IF YOU ALL CAN HELP WITH THESE ISSUES WITH THE ENGINE AS WELL!!!ALL RECALLS ON THIS MODEL
Structure, Other or unspecified, Dec 23, 2019
THERE WAS A NEW VIBRATION SOUND WHEN WE STARTED DRIVING OUR CAR YESTERDAY. IT SOUNDED LIKE A PANEL WAS A LITTLE LOOSE OR SOMETHING. WITHIN 15 MINUTES OF DRIVING IT ON THE INTERSTATE WE HEARD AN EXPLOSION AND IT WAS THE SUNROOF BURSTING INTO PIECES. FREAKED US OUT WITH THE LOUD NOISE. WE
Steering, Other or unspecified, Nov 25, 2019
I HAVE HAD THE STEERING GO OUT MULTIPLE TIMES - REPORTED IT TO KIA WHERE I LEASE FROM AND A LOCAL SHOP. JUST HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY (11/25/19) - IT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 3 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR - I HAVE HAD IT TOWED TO THE PLACE I LEASED FROM AS WELL. ALSO, TWICE NOW - WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. VERY SCARY. AS I STATED, I HAVE TAKEN IN AND THE KIA DEALERSHIPS SAY THAT THEY CANNOT NOT GET IT TO DUPLICATE, THEY TREAT ME AS I AM MAKING UP. NOW READING THAT IT DOES HAPPEN TO OTHERS, I THINK THIS IS AN ISSUE. I WILL NOT LEASE OR BUY ANOTHER KIA
Other or unspecified, Nov 16, 2019
WHEN FIRST TAKING OFF THE CAR FEELS LIKE THE BACK HAS TO CATCH UP WITH THE FRONT OF THE CAR ,,, TO ME IT SEEMS AS THE UNIVERSE JOINTS.
Other or unspecified, Nov 1, 2019
VEHICLE WAS FINE, STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, ENGINE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING, NO LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD, AND TURNED OFF.
Other or unspecified, Jun 30, 2019
24 DAYS AFTER AN OIL CHANGE, THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON. I CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL AND IT WAS EMPTY. I'M WONDERING WHERE 5QTS OF OIL WENT IN 24 DAYS. THERE ARE NO VISIBLE LEAKS ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE.
Other or unspecified, Jun 3, 2019, fire
ON MAY 31 2019 MY KIA OPTIMA 2016 CAUGHT FIRE RANDOMLY AND WITHIN 4 MINUTES WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. IT TOTALED MY CAR AND DAMAGED SOME EQUIPMENT AT SONIC DRIVE IN WHERE I HAD PULLED IN
Other or unspecified, Nov 10, 2018
TAKATA RECALL - MY CAR IS STARTING TO STALL FOR SOME REASON BUT THERE ISN'T A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. MECHANICS CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHAT MIGHT BE CAUSING IT. THIS HAPPENS AS I DRIVE ON STREETS AND ON HIGHWAYS.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 16, 2018
IN AUGUST 2018 I NOTICED THAT THE CAMERA ON THE FRONT GRILLE OF MY 2016 KIA OPTIMA WAS PRODUCING A BLURRY IMAGE. IT DID NOT DO THIS THE NIGHT PRIOR WHEN I USED THE CAMERA TO PARK IN MY GARAGE (WHERE I DID NOT HIT OR BUMP ANYTHING, I WAS NOT EVEN NEAR THE WALL AT THE FRONT OF THE GARAGE). THE LENS HAD A CRACK. SOME CONTEXT: THIS HAPPENED BEFORE IN 2017 AND THE KIA DEALERSHIP IN MCDONOUGH, GA REPAIRED IT AS A WARRANT ITEM. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE NAMED JOSE CAMACHO SAID THEY THEY WOULD COVER IT AS A WARRANT TIME AND THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. THEY JUST NEEDED TO ORDER THE PART AND WOULD CALL ME WHEN IT ARRIVED. I NEVER RECEIVED A CALL, SO WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP IN SEPTEMBER 2018 I WAS TOLD THAT THE CLAIM WAS DENIED AS A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR PROBLEM AND THAT THEY SHOULD NEVER HAVE REPLACED IT THE FIRST TIME. I WAS TOLD THAT IF I WANTED TO DISPUTED IT, I WOULD NEED TO CALL KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS. KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD CHECK WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND AFTER A FEW WEEKS, I CALLED THEM BACK AND THEY SAID THE DEALERSHIP WANTED MY TO COME BACK. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ASKED FOR ME TO BRING THE CAR IN SO THEY COULD TAKE PICTURES. WHILE I WAS THERE I ASK WHAT THE ODDS WHERE THAT THE CAMERA LENS WOULD CRACK TWICE WITH NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO THE CAMERA UNIT, THE GRILLE OR THE BUMPER, THE SERVICE MANAGER JUSTIN, TOLD ME IT WASN'T LIKELY. I NOTIFIED THEM THAT THERE WAS A 3 PAGE FORUM ON THE INTERNET WHERE OTHER KIA OPTIMA OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM, IN FACT, IF YOU DO A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH FOR KIA OPTIMA CRACKED LENS, IT IS THE FIRST SEARCH RESULT. I ASKED WHY THIS IS NOT A RECALL ITEM, AND THEY SHRUGGED THERE SHOULDERS AND SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHY. THEY THEN SAID THEY WOULD SUBMIT THE PICTURES AND I WOULD GET A CALL BACK FROM KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS. IT WAS DENIED, NO REASON.
Other or unspecified, Jul 13, 2018
UPON FILLING UP THE CAR THE GAS NOZZLE NEVER SHUTS OFF UNTIL GAS (A LOT OF GAS) IS POURING OUT OF THE TANK. EVEN TRYING TO FILL IT UP ON YOUR OWN HOLDING THE HANDLE IT POURS OUT WHEN FULL. LEAVES GAS EVERY WHERE DOWN THE CAR SPRAYING THE PERSON PUTTING THE GAS IN. RUINING THE PAINT ON THE CAR.
Other or unspecified, Mar 19, 2018, crash
AS I WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN E. KY I LOST CONTROL OVER THE CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN. I TRIED TO ADJUST RIGHT AND LEFT WITH NO HOPE. I CROSSED THE MEDIUM TO THE OTHER LANE, HIT A LOG TRUCK AND THEN MY CAR FLIPPED ON ITS BACK ON THE MEDIUM. THE WHOLE THING STARTED ON THE STRAIGHT PART BEFORE REACHING THE CURVE. MIRACULOUSL,Y NOTHING HAPPENED TO ME OR THE TRUCK DRIVER. I STILL FEEL THAT SOMETHING WENT WRONG. INSURANCE ESTIMATOR SAID MY SIDE IS SO BAD HE CAN'T TELL IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM.
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.
Other or unspecified, Oct 19, 2017
ON WEDNESDAY MORNING DRIVING TO MY WORK THE SUNROOF EXPLODED WAS A BIG SOUND ,THIS EXPLOSION TERRIFIES ME AND THANKS GOD I DIDN'T LOST IT THE CONTROL OF THE CAR. IMMEDIATELY I DROVE TO THE RIGHT SIDE TO STOP THE CAR AND TRYING FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENED.I SAW BIG HOLE AT THE SUNROOF ,I DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO . I CALLED TO MY INSURANCE AND EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPEN IF I NEED TO CALL TO POLICE FOR THIS INCIDENT,THEY SAID IS NOT NECESSARY BUT WE NEED TO KIA DEALER BECAUSE COULD A FACTORY PROBLEM. KIA SAID BRING THE CAR TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION.IS ONE WEEK ALREADY AND I DON'T HAVE ANY ANSWER . I BEEN SEARCHING SAME OTHERS COMPLAINTS AND I FOUND IT KIA HAD A LOT OF SIMILAR SITUATION THIS EXPLOSION PUT ME IN A VERY RISK SITUATION COULD BE CRASHED OR HIT OTHERS CARS AND IN RISK OTHERS LIVES. I NEED SOME HELP TO CLARIFY MY CASE AND HELP OTHERS PEOPLES . I HOPE NHTSA IS INTEREST TO RESOLVE THANK YOU
Other or unspecified, Aug 7, 2017
THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE MAKES RUMBLING/RATTLING NOISE WHEN DRIVING. IT IS SPORADIC BUT SOUNDS LIKE IT IS COMING FROM SOMETHING RELATED TO THE TIRES. IT IS HARD TO TAKE FOR A DIAGNOSE BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING VIBRATING UNDER THE HOOD. I CHECKED AND EVERYTHING IS INTACT. THIS ISN'T A ONE TIME THING, IT HAPPENS OFTEN.
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.