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.
Other or unspecified, Electrical system, May 15, 2023, crash
We received a recall notice for our KIA Optima to get the software upgrade to restrict operation of the vehicle without a key. We took the car to the dealership on 5/5/2023 for the recall and picked it up on 5/5/2023 from the dealership at 3:30pm. On 5/8/2023 our car was stolen out of our driveway. It was recovered on 5/12/2023 by our local police dept. and it was stolen by using a USB cord and starting it without the key. Obviously the recall does not work. There is now damage inside and out of my car. I did notify KIA corporation last week that it had been stolen and have not heard from them. I also sent an email this morning letting them know that the car was returned and confirmed that they stole it they way the recall was suppose to fix so that it could only be started with the key in the ignition. Obviously that did not work.
Engine, May 14, 2023
The engine on my vehicle failed while driving it. I was in the middle of the freeway when it seized up. It was also around a bend so it put my life and others at risk. It is sitting out front of my house and can be inspected at anytime. It has been confirmed by an independent service center that my vehicle is not drivable until the engine is replaced. There was no warning lamps until the vehicle was seizing up while driving. It first appeared that day only.
Engine, May 13, 2023
2016 kia optima lx 2.4l 4cyl got car brand new started using a qt.of oil at about 50000 miles at every 800-1000 miles took to dealership they did there testing and said it needed a new motor free because it was under 100000 warrant now with new motor same problem about 65000 a qt. or more every 1000 miles i take very good maint. on my car on time by the book including oil changes every 4000 mile.I think is a waste money when i' adding a qt. every 1000 mile . being they all ready replace the motor once do i still fall under a new warrant or lemon law being its the same problem any and all help will be greatly appreciated.
Other or unspecified, May 11, 2023
Shortly after I purchase this vehicle, my driver side window stopped going up and down. I was disappointed but it was what it was there in about a month and a half later the rear passenger side, the rear driver side stop going up and down and then a week after that, the driver side front step going up and down if I knew it, none of my windows would go up and down if my air conditioner goes out, I am, in trouble I live in Florida I cannot drive without air-conditioning or through the windows being able to go up and down. I made a complaint to Kia. They hung up on me neither Kia nor Honda where I purchased his car wants to do anything to assist me I have read the door multiple complaints regarding the windows and his cars. Why isn’t anything being done ?
Engine, May 10, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact stated that the vehicle was consumer 3 quarts of oil every 1,000 miles. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
Engine, May 9, 2023
Vehicle is using excessive amounts of oil and only has 80000 miles and KIA dealership says it is probably due to bad rings.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 9, 2023
1. The engine seized and went into Limp Mode. I was driving and randomly the power to my vehicle was low and had to drive slowly to my house (1 mile) going 20mph. It is available for inspection upon request. 2. I was driving off the highway going 40mph off the ramp at the time with cars in front and behind. I was truly scared and worried that I would end up in an accident due to the vehicles performance. 3. KIA Dealership confirmed the issue is the engine, but is trying to blame me for the issue due to oil issue with the car. This doesn't make sense as I have had the car serviced at 79k miles for an oil change, and the dealership is saying that there wasn't oil in the vehicle. The vehicle was at 82k miles at the time of this incident. How did the car go through all the oil in 3k miles? On top of that, the oil light never went off once, as a consumer I should be able to rely on the vehicle to tell me when issues are coming up so I can do this to fix said issue. 4. If KIA Dealership counts as manufacturer, then yes, if not, then no. 5. No, the first issue of warning lamp was when the Check Engine Light started flashing the same time my car seized and went into Limp Mode. With all this happening, KIA is saying that it is not their responsibility and not covered under the warranty of the engine of the vehicle and want me to pay $13k for a new engine. This is ridiculous. The car is worth the same as a new engine?
Engine, May 8, 2023
I have been having problems with my vehicle since 2020 (when it was still under warranty). My engine is burning oil and there has always been carbon build up on the engine parts. I followed their recommendation and did the combustible engine clean and was never given a pass or fail result. Since 2021, I have replaced cylinder 4 spark plug 7 times. My warranty was up in December 2021 and now the problems are just getting worse. I have been told that I have a bad engine but until a knock sensor comes on or my engine fails, Kia will not do anything about it. I am driving an unsafe car as I have no way of knowing when the engine will fail. When my spark plug fouls, I am unable to drive the vehicle and have to have the car towed to the dealer (which has now been five times). I am now replacing the same spark plug (cylinder 4) every three days because of carbon buildup. The dealership has no solution or fix for this problem besides replacing the engine. My engine is still burning oil and they have no solution for that either, besides replacing the engine. Kia is doing nothing about this problem, when they know that these engines are bad.
Engine and engine cooling, May 5, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle started making an abnormal metal to metal squealing sound. The contact pulled the vehicle off the roadway and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering and braking functionality during the failure. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed back to her residence. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
Engine, May 2, 2023
Burning oil at a rate of 4 quarts per 300 miles. The vehicle has had all the required oil changes and has even had a $400 top clean to help the oil burning problem, nothing has helped. Now the car is malfunctioning while driving wo codes.
Engine, Tires, May 2, 2023
The contact's daughter owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the TPMS warning light illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who informed the contact's daughter that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.
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.
Electrical system, Structure, Apr 25, 2023
Soonroof/Moonroof closed rattle noise. When the Soonroff/Moonroof is closed at highway speeds or windy weather it make a rattle noise to inside of the car, i try to do their reset method and nothing worked, i being looking in kia forums and most of the people had complained about this issue, and that kia doesnt wants to fix. I will like an investigation of this issue and if you can start a repair campaign recall due this soonroof parts are really pricey. And i think is a manufacturer problem.
Engine, Apr 23, 2023, fire
I got the car oct 2022, car drove fine for months. Got oil changes regularly. On or about late Dec my car started getting this code "check active air flap" it didn't stay on it was quickly flashed on my dash and went away. So I thought it wasnt important, then it came on again really quick and disappeared again. So then I start to worry and start searching what exactly was a air flap. I found out it was something that allows air flow to the engine. So I parked my car and didn't use it so I could get them money to take it in to have it looked at. On Jan 4h me and my 2 sons were on our way to have it looked at and while on the way there my car was making a weird like ticking noise which I didn't know what it could be so I am still driving just being more cautious and Bam my car is on fire! Freaking out cause no one would let me over to safely pull off the road. No check engine light ever came on no oil light nothing but air flap check.
Engine, Apr 20, 2023
I have been continuously having the car checked because it burned oil and all mechanics even outside of dealership brushed it off. turns out it was a cylinder leak from the exhaust valve and now a new engine is needed. given Kia's history with Engine problems on the Optima i wanted to report this as this seems like it could have been a caused because of engine block, crankshaft, and bearings, connecting rods and bearings, and pistons issues that then ultimately led to the exhaust valve issue. But of course my issue falls right out of the lifetime warranty
Engine, Apr 17, 2023
The engine failed as I was driving and the car stopped accelerating and slowed to a stop on a busy road at night. I purchased the vehicle from Parkside Kia in Knoxville in December 2020. I was notified in March 2021 by my personal mechanic to take the car to Kia for high oil consumption rates and future engine failure but Kia told me nothing was wrong with it. I had the KSDS update in June 2022 after it went into creep mode/stopped accelerating on the highway when I was out of town in Asheville, NC, and the spark plugs went bad a few months later because of the same faulty oil consumption issue. Kia is manufacturing bad engines and putting their customer’s safety at risk. They ignore when asked and act like they don’t know anything about the engine settlements. They are playing dumb and not being forthcoming with information or safety notices. Parkside Kia in Knoxville sold me a lemon which was a safety risk from the moment they sold it to me in December 2020, after the recalls and updates were issued to the first owners. I never was notified and found out by an unsafe situation driving alone on a busy highway.
Engine, Apr 14, 2023
After just purchasing this car from dealer. I was driving on Christmas Eve to my mother-in-law's. I noticed the car was smoking. I had checked the oil before we left been about a 45-40 minute drive. Went to pull off the road and it would had to be towed back to my house. I had both my children in the car and my fiance and the smoke was coming through the cabin. It had not been running correctly for a while and went to take it to the mechanics to find out that the engine had seized.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 11, 2023
I submitted a report on this already but haven't had any response and it's a huge safety concern. I see 388 others have reported issues with this vehicle as well and most seem to pertain to the engine like mine so not sure how many need to file before a recall or Kia is held accountable for making an engine that burns oil and locks while driving. I've received zero support from them and they are denying replacing engine which had an oil change 6 weeks prior and only 109k miles on it. With all the complaints and prior class action suit which requires them to cover engine up to 150k I'm very confused how they can deny this and how this vehicle with these engines are safe for the road.
Engine, Apr 7, 2023
Engine is rapidly burning oil. At a sudden stop or on an sharp incline I noticed the 'oil warning light' come on. I checked the dipstick and it was showing no oil. If the engine seized and stopped the vehicle on a highway this could be a safety issue. It appears others have had the same issue, yet Kia does not offer any help. It is listed as an issue with premature O-ring failure. Vehicle has under 59,000 miles on it.
Other or unspecified, Apr 4, 2023
The vehicle was sold to me with a known recall issues. I have taken it to the kia dealership close to me during the recall time period. They never told me about this issue coming up on their system. There was a certain time period that the recall was supposed to fixed, now kia is telling me that it's my financial responsibility to fix.
Engine, Apr 3, 2023
Heavy Oil consumption and adding oil every week
Engine, Apr 2, 2023
The car has had issues for a long time. It had gone into limp mode multiple times and they fixed it and then would do it again later. Not long ago, it was acting badly again like it was going to die and they had me spend over $1,000 on new coils and plugs. Then the oil light was coming on. Took it in for check and did oil change at valvoline. They said it was empty. It was under 3k miles or just at I believe. Then 3k miles or less light comes on again. I took it to Kia they did new oil change and said I had to do 1k mile test. I brought it back at 1k miles and they said it was 2 quarts low. Said I should spend 700 or more cleaning the engine. I said I just spent over 1k fixing it and no one mentioned anything about cleaning. I do all suggested maintenance and recalls and oil changes with synthetic at about 3k. So they said someone would call me and didn’t give me a paper. They also had said the engine was most likely bad. At the time I spoke with three employees one of which works in the garage. I never got a call. I emailed and messaged and never heard back- except to get the paper simply saying to check at 1k miles. It also had an employees name who I had not talked to. I took it back 1 k later and new guy said was quarter of a quart low. He showed me a dip stick with oil on it and said I should spend hundreds to clean it. Wouldn’t explain why suddenly oil fine. Now at about 800 miles oil out. Took it to valvoline and oil out. Last Kia I drove engine blew. This feels unsafe. I have no other car. I don’t trust them telling me there is oil and pushing more expensive needless things. The engine is obviously bad. It is just under 100k and have a letter saying engine extension until 120k. Original owner.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 31, 2023
On 2/24 I was driving on Ben Hill Griffin Parkway, I was in the middle lane going thru an intersection, when suddenly while attempting to accelerate to go thru the light, all of my dash lights came on and the gas petal stopped working completely. I had cars in front, behind and on sides of me and I was unable to move out of the way. I attempted to restart the car to no avail. This could have been an incredibly deadly and dangerous situation and was extremely scary. With help I was able to move my car out of the way, call a tow truck and have it taken to the nearest Kia Dealership (Galeana Kia, 14483 Tamiami Trail, Ft. Myers) who advised they would evaluate the car and get back to me the next day. Tuesday I got word that my engine had seized and there was less than 1 qt of oil in it. I couldn't believe this as I just had an oil change 6 weeks prior. The service advisor, Jeff, said when an engine seizes they report it to Kia to see if they will replace but that Kia tech team advised they were declining replacing my engine as I didn't take my car to Kia for service and there weren't enough carfax reports to show proper care. This made no sense as I get my oil changed every 5k and use syntenic oil. I proceeded to send many oil change receipts only for them then tell me "it's owners responsibility to check oil between oil changes" and they aren't going to assist in any way. Sharing this story with others led me to learn that Kia is supposed to warranty these engines to 150k due to this being a known issue and multiple class action lawsuits about the engines burning oil and seizing while driving. I was in the middle of an intersection, that could have cost me my life! I called Kia Corp and they told me to work with dealership and they couldn't do anything for me. This after just replacing 4 window regulators where the regulator dies and your windows fall down (another safety hazard.) I appreciate you looking into and addressing this safety injustice for me.
Engine, Mar 29, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the failure was related to the vehicle not receiving the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software installation. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 27, 2023
I purchased a 2016 Kia Optima LX in 2021, and have been having issues with excessive oil consumption and cylinder misfires. I get regular oil changes and have to top it off every week after, if I forget to check, it will be completely dry. This is hazardous and unsafe to drive not knowing when it will be completely dry to cause serious problems. I've taken it to a Kia dealership and all they did was reset the ECU/EUC (whatever). Now, I've been told at my place for oil changes they can't service the vehicle until the issue has been fixed because it is too dangerous to be driving with the car burning too much oil. My car is at the dealership now to get combustion cleaning done. I had a 2013 Kia Optima in 2018 (and not knowing this issue about the oil consumption even after regular oil changes) the engine seized on that car while on the highway. The car lost power and would not start back up. On both cars, the warning light for oil never comes/came on. After purchasing my current vehicle (2016 Kia Optima), the car gave me trouble every 3 months and the car only had 65,000 miles on it. These vehicles are not safe and are a safety hazard. These vehicles need to be recalled for their engines. IT IS NOT SAFE AND GETS COSTLY to keep having to keep the oil in. It barely reaches 1000 miles and it consumed almost half of the oil after an oil change.