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
756 reports, newest first.
Engine, Jul 18, 2023
The car was diagnosed with a knock sensor problem in the engine. At that time I was told it was a recall regarding that matter. 2 months ago I took it to Kia Mall of Georgia in Buford, GA. At that time they said they fixed the sensor within 3 hours. The car wasn’t accelerating past 50 mph, the engine light was on and in struggled going up hills. After I got the car back, the next 3 days the engine light came back on and the car starting doing the exact same thing again! I called and told them and they told me to bring it back to them. So I took it back to them. After my car being there for 2 1/2 almost 3 weeks they told me they would have to replace the engine with a new one. At this time no one offered to get me some type of loaner car. On the third week they claim they were still working on it but the mechanic didn’t show up for 2 days. He left on Friday June 30th, 2023 and didn’t come back until Monday July 3rd! When he left on Friday I was told by Andrew Aycock that the car would be ready that Saturday, July 1st 2023. No one called so I ended up calling them Saturday and I was told the mechanic didn’t come to work so the car would be finished on Monday July 3rd. Of course that was a lie as well. I asked about a loaner they said they would get me one, that they had to call Hertz rental. They called me back and told me they couldn’t provide me with a loaner. So I still NEVER got a loaner and they had my car right at a month!! They called me Friday July 7th and told me the car was ready. I picked the car up on Friday. They said they put a new engine in it. Today is July 18th and it’s been a little over a week and the engine light came back on today!!. The same problem again. I have been so inconvenienced throughout this entire ordeal. It’s very hard to get in touch with anybody up there regarding my vehicle. Now I have to take it back up there, but something needs to be done asap! If it’s not the engine maybe it’s the car itself also I need a loaner Immediately!
Power train, Engine, Jul 15, 2023
In April, 2022, while driving on a major highway enroute to work, my 2016 Kia Optima started knocking and completely shutdown in the middle of high-speed traffic. I had the vehicle towed and was told that the recall for the engine knock sensor replacement hadn't ever been done which resulted in the engine to shutdown.
Engine, Jul 14, 2023
I have had zero, I mean zero issues with my Optima before today. I’ve maintained the vehicle since I purchased new in 2016 from Auffenberg Kia in Illinois. I had made it about halfway home when the vehicle started making a shuttering noise and began hard to drive. The first part of my drive was highway, no issues. The second part of my drive was country roads so a little slower speed when this began. The hard drive feeling went away briefly but was then followed by a flashing check engine light, still feeling okay to drive & maintaining a consistent speed. After I had slowed to go around corners is when it began again. I accelerated and the car accelerated as well but the rpms weren’t going over a thousand. Kept driving fine with no shuttering. Once I stopped at the stop sign and accelerated I couldn’t get over 30mph without the front end rattling and a faint squealing sound. I putted home and there it sits. A friend of mine is a mechanic and came with his diagnostic reader. Long story short, engine failure. I’m frustrated all over again because this seems to be an ongoing issue with the Optima’s with no resolution. I just hit 111k miles, which is not high miles for this to happen considering the vehicle is in good condition. Next is to get towed to the junk yard because it’s not worth putting a new engine in it & hopefully for a resolution from Kia.
Other or unspecified, Jul 10, 2023
The window regulator in all four windows gave out back to back with little use of windows to begin with. Apparently Kia knows of issue but won’t recall part.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 10, 2023
Unknown. My oil light started to turn on while I was still 1200 miles before my next oil change. I check the level of my oil and it was completely empty.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 8, 2023, fire
On July 4th, my vehicle lost engine power and flashed a quick prompt of "engine warning" before turning off completely, smoke from under the hood which resulted in a fire. I was able to extinguish it fortunately. I have since discovered there are three open recalls, which I received no notification about. I frequently check for recalls and all sites say there are none.
Engine, Jul 7, 2023
I have to put 4 quarts of motor oil in every 2 weeks (approximately 600 miles) no black spots at all on the concrete drive at all. So it’s definitely burning it.
Visibility, Jul 3, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the sunroof fractured without impact. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the sunroof needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact learned of a lawsuit regarding the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 2, 2023
This will be the second time this has happened to my vehicle my vehicle just randomly stopped while driving and will not start back up. It keeps showing on the dashboard “check hybrid system stop car and turn off engine” this happen 4 years ago and then a safety recall came out for it to get fixed this should have been fixed from the safety recall and never happened again unfortunately it happened again. The dealership is booked with appointments so my car will not get fixed for about a month or two. It is very dangerous for the car to just caught off in the middle of the road.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 21, 2023
My kia Burns lots of oil. I'm having to refill oil every 300 miles. And the oil isn't on the ground. It's burning out on my sparkplugs and oil pac coil. It's even shut off engine light came on. Got it towed to SONS of Kia. Had it diagnosis and Was told it's needed sparkplugs and coil pac replacement. Full tune-up. Oil change. Later. Having the same issues. Having to continue replenish oil. Over and over. Where is it going. Oil sputtering out of my tail pipe. Oil and water from tail pipe. Took it to Amoco Transmission. For diagnosis and was told that this need to be reported to kia. A major recall. Oil is burning from engine issues. My sparkplugs are loaded with oil and coil pac. Why I've always got my oil changed every due time. Later after 300-400 miles. I'm having to add oil again. Something wrong with this. I travel and my wife have to check oil consumption every week to make sure oil is in the car. She's very stressful about this situation. The car be studder when this happens. And some time want crank. It's nothing of her end. It's the manufacturer of the car. Burning oil consumption. AND NOW ITS AT AMOCO TRANSMISSION WAITING ON WHAT'S NEXT. TRULY WILL LOVE KIA TO DO THE RIGHT THING. MY WIFE LOVE'S HER KIA. AND ARE THINKING ABOUT BUYING A SUV FROM KIA IN THE FUTURE. My other paper work are in the car. Will update more information later.
Engine, Jun 21, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing an abnormal oil consumption. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was diagnosed as an engine combustion failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.
Engine, Jun 13, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the local dealer. The local dealer stated that there was no engine oil in the oil pan, which caused the engine to seize. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,000.
Power train, Jun 5, 2023
The vehicle hesitated to move after a stop. I have escaped hitting the incoming vehicles when taking a left turns as my car drives very slow after a stop and there are chances of hitting with the vehicles coming from other direction.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jun 4, 2023
2016 Kia Optima was towed to Kia Dealer after it became inoperable; on 10/22/22 diagnostic done and found engine failure. Kia Motors denied claim for repair/replacement. Not sure why not covered under class action settlement, and/or extended warranty, or subsequent technical bulletins regarding Kia's defective engines.
Steering, Electrical system, Jun 4, 2023
My steering wheel locked while I was on my way to work early Monday, March 28,2022. I was driving down county road Park Avenue around 30MPH and suddenly, I was unable to move the steering at all. Luckily, I was already in the right lane =; however, it was very challenging to steer to get off the road. I called the local dealership and they suggested I bring the car in for inspection to determine what the cause is. I took the car to the dealership and I was informed the vehicle was not drivable because the Steering Wheel Column Assembly and ECU needs repair. They also informed there was no recall on the vehicle. The mileage at the time was 67,400 miles which was very surprising. I received a letter from Kia Motors in February 2022 (6 years after the car was manufactured about the recall however, most cars at this point were out of warranty and Kia was aware no car met the warrantee qualifications). I was told by Kia Motors customer service that my vehicle was out of warranty at the mileage. I paid $3386 for repairs which should have been covered years in 2019 and 2020 according to other reports of the same incident occurring to other 2016 Kia Optima models.
Engine, Jun 3, 2023
This car has less than 60,000 miles on it. One night a few weeks ago the engine died on the freeway leaving my step-daughter stranded on a dangerous freeway. We towed it to Kia where they said the engine was blown but this particular VIN was not part of the major recalls for bad engines. They want $13,000 to put in a new engine! We don’t have the money, and my step-daughter is under 25 so can’t rent a car. We had a 2012 kia optima this same thing happened to, and Kia replaced the engine. We ask that kia add this as part of the recall and replace the engine asap before our daughter loses everything. The $22,000 car is sitting worthless while she has to try to find a job that doesn’t take a car just to make payments on it and try to pay rent.
Engine, Jun 1, 2023
Engine started making knocking noise and then started stalling took it to Kia dealership and they are refusing to replace it under lifetime warranty even with ksds recall installed. The consumer tried several times to get the recalls fixed but the Kia dealership refuses to fix them.
Engine, May 26, 2023
The vehicle has 64155 miles. Sense about 40000 miles the car cannot make it 3000 miles without needing oil with dry dip stick. I see there is alot of complaints of this. NTSA please issue a recall.
Structure, May 26, 2023
Pearl White paint on hood is flaking/delaminating.
Engine, May 24, 2023
My vehicle is a 2016 Kia Optima, I keep regular oil changes. In between oil changes I have to add 5 to 8 quarts of oil because of loss. There is no dripping, no smoking. I am told it is a engine problem in all Kia models. But this is getting expensive and tiresome. I hope someone can resolve this issue.
Engine, May 24, 2023
Even following recall procedures, our 2016 Kia Optima EX is experiencing all of the issues outlined by other owners with massive oil consumption, all four windows failing, along with our antenna fin flying off on a highway post inspection. No recall on a 2000$ repair job to replace the window motors? Kia letting everyone pass 100k on their Optimas before claiming no warranty to fix the engine they broke? Help!
Engine, May 19, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shifted into LIMP Mode and decelerated with the check engine warning light activated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the knock sensor code was present. The code was cleared and later while driving the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 99,340.
Engine, May 19, 2023
This car we still owe 20000.00 on and the rings are no good we took the car to kia who said the engine is no good but our extended warranty place denied the claim. The oil consumption is a problem in all kia's. I know we are not the only owners complaining about this issue.
Engine, May 15, 2023
Several times, while driving, the vehicle light panel starts flashing, the car looses power & starts shutting down. The car was taken to the dealer and they said it has to do with oil being low, it a way to protect the engine. This has happened several times, they have done an oil consumption test & they SAY it is within specs. However, the last time the DEALER completed the oil & it was "full" it was at 77121. Now, the mileage is 78360 and the oil it 2 quarts low. This oil issue has been going on for 2 years & they refuse to accept any responsibility and will not repair or replace anything.
Engine, May 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 2 MPH, the vehicle shuddered with an abnormal sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the mechanic found no failure. The contact stated that the shuddering had been an issue for the past three years. The contact stated that most recently the vehicle had been shuddering with an abnormal ticking sound upon starting the vehicle, and while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the failure was an internal engine failure and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The contact stated that the manufacturer advised them to call the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.