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.
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.
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.
Exterior lighting, Sep 10, 2020
THE HEADLIGHTS TURN ON WHEN ON AUTO ON THERE OWN ON A BRIGHT SUNNY DAY. THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ON, THE PASSENGER BRAKE LIGHT GOES OUT. WHEN I TURN THE HEADLIGHTS OFF THE BRAKE LIGHT WORKS AGAIN. THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN ALL THE TIME BOTH WHEN DRIVING AND PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Sep 8, 2020
THE HEADLIGHTS WILL RANDOMLY TURN THEMSELVES ON AND OFF IN DAY AND NIGHT TIME. THIS ONLY HAPPENS IN THE 'AUTO' OPTION FOR THE HEADLIGHTS. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS OTHER REPORTS ON THIS ON HERE. IN ADDITION TO THAT THE CAR DOESN'T RESPOND TO THE KEY FOB MOST OF THE TIME EVEN WITH BRAND NEW BATTERY IN THE FOB. STEP DAD HAS THE SAME CAR WITH SAME ISSUES WITH THE KEY FOB.
Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Sep 6, 2020
WHILE IN MOTION THE HEADLIGHTS TURN ON BY THEMSELVES AT RANDOM TIMES DURING THE DAY. ABS WARNING LIGHT, BSD WARNING LIGHT, AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ALL CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME. ON THE WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY ALL WENT OFF. THE TECHNICIAN SAID HE SEES THAT THE WARNING LIGHT WERE ON, BUT THEIR COMPUTER IS NOT DETECTING A PROBLEM. IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN BRING IT BACK. WELL, THEY'RE ON AGAIN. THE CAR HAS BEEN STATIONARY SINCE FRIDAY AFTERNOON, SUNDAY EVENING MY SON SENDS ME A PIC OF MY CAR, THE LIGHTS ARE ON!
Electrical system, Sep 6, 2020
IN JUNE 2020 AFTER ORDERING FOOD AT A FAST FOOD DRIVE THROUGH MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WOULD ROLL BACK UP. I DIDN'T THINK MUCH THOUGHT MAYBE THE WINDOW WAS OFF TRACK. ABOUT A WEEK OR SO LATER WHILE DRIVING ON A LOCAL STREET IN MY TOWN MY DRIVER SIDE BACK PASSENGER WINDOW SLID DOWN I BEGAN HEARING AND FEELING WIND COME THROUGH THE WINDOW I CALLED MY DAD WHO LIVES IN MIAMI HE TOLD ME TO PUT A FLAT HEAD SCREWDRIVER DOWN IN THE WINDOW TO KEEP THE WINDOW FROM SLIDING DOWN AND POSSIBLE BREAKING AND TO CALL THE DEALERSHIP. I CALLED THE KIA DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE WINDOWS LOOKED AT. (WHICH I DID) A COUPLE DAYS LATER WHILE PICKING MY DAUGHTER UP FROM WORK I WAS BACKED INTO A PARKING SPOT. I ROLLED THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW DOWN TO LET HER KNOW I WAS THERE SINCE SHE WAS MORE TO THE BACK SIDE OF THE CAR THEN THE FRONT AND ALL BEHOLD THE WINDOW WOULD NOT GO BACK UP. I CALLED KIA 1ST THING THE NEXT MORNING AND WAS TOLD MY CAR HAD A RECALL FOR THE ELECTRICAL BUT THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT MY WINDOWS UNLESS I PAID OUT OF POCKET BECAUSE THE RECALL DID NOT COVER THE WINDOWS. I'M UPSET BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE MONEY TO FIX 3 WINDOWS HAD I NOT HAD THAT ELECTRICAL PROBLEM MY WINDOWS WOULD STILL BE WORKING.
Power train, Sep 4, 2020
FROM A STATIONARY POSITION, UPON ACCELERATING THE CAR HESITATES, VIBRATES, FEELS AS IF IT MIGHT STALL BUT DOES NOT STALL. CAR, WITHIN A SECOND OR SO WILL CATCH AND ACCELERATE AS IT SHOULD. DRIVER IS VERY AWARE OF THE VIBRATION HESITATION. THE PASSENGER CAN ALSO FEEL THE HESITATION. SKIPPING SENSATION HAPPENS AT ANY STOPPED LOCATION, AT AN INTERSECTION OR STOP SIGN ETC. I T SEEMS TO HAPPEN ABOUT 75% OF THE TIME. OCCASIONALLY THERE WILL NOT BEEN A HESITATION EXPERIENCE. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN AT LEAST 2 TIMES TO DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND WAS TOLD THY COULD FIND NOTHING TO ACCOUNT FOR THE PROBLEM AND EVEN SUGGESTED THAT I USE A HIGHER GRADE FUEL. FUEL MILAGE IS GREAT, ALL OTHER DRIVING ASPECTS OF TH KIA ARE PERFECT.
Steering, Suspension, Sep 3, 2020
DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE CAR HAS VERY TIGHT STEERING AND CAR DRIFTS ALL OVER LANE. I AM ALWAYS MAKING CORRECTIONS. FEEL LIKE RACK AND PINION IS FAILING. CAR ONLY HAS 31,000 MILES ON IT.
Electrical system, Aug 30, 2020
FOURTH WINDOW REGULATOR TO STOP WORKING IN THE PAST YEAR. THE WINDOW ROLLED DOWN AND WOULD NOT ROLL UP.
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
Electrical system, Visibility, Aug 28, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR WINDOWS STARTED TO ROLL DOWN INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ROLL THE WINDOWS BACK UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER RICK CASE KIA LOCATED 14500 W. SUNRISE BLVD, SUNRISE, FL 33323, (954) 715-7580, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE WINDOW REGULATORS TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED BUT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,222.
Power train, Engine, Aug 28, 2020
WHEN I TRY TO START MY CAR IT'LL TURN ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ON BUT NOT MY ENGINE. I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO POWER STEERING WHEN THIS OCCURS. CAR WILL GO INTO GEAR BUT I CANNOT ACCELERATE. HAPPENS MORE OFTEN THAN NOT.
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
Exterior lighting, Jul 26, 2020
MY HEAD LIGHTS HAVE TURNED OFF AND ON BY THEMSELVES THREE TIMES IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION. EACH TIME IT'S HAPPENED HAS BEEN IN DIFFERENT AREAS IN THE CITY I LIVE IN. I ALWAYS KEEP MY CAR'S HEADLIGHTS ON AUTO. THE FIRST TIME WAS AT NIGHT WHEN THEY RANDOMLY TURNED OFF BY THEMSELVES. I LOOKED AT THE DASHBOARD AND THE SCREEN FOR THE HEADLIGHT FUNCTION WAS SWITCHING FROM AUTO TO OFF BY ITSELF, SO I JIGGLED THE TRIGGER FOR THE HEADLIGHTS AND THEY CAME BACK ON. SAME THING THE LAST TWO TIMES. SCARY FOR ME BECAUSE MY ROUTE HOME FROM WORK IS PRETTY SCARCE WITH STREET LIGHTS.
Power train, Jul 17, 2020
WHENEVER DECELERATING THE CAR JERKS TERRIBLY HARD ENOUGH THE THROW YOUR HEAD FORWARD. IT FEELS AS IF YOUR HITTING YOUR BREAKS REALLY HARD!
Exterior lighting, Jul 14, 2020
WHILE DRIVING DURING THE DAY THE LIGHTS RANDOMLY GO OFF BY THEMSELF WHILE IN AUTO MODE. I'VE ALWAYS LET IT GO UNTIL I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT AND THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT ALSO WHILE IN AUTO MODE. IF YOU SWITCH TO MANUAL IT WORKS PROPERLY, BUT IN AUTO IT'S TOTALLY RANDOM. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN THIS HAPPENS AT NIGHT ON BUSY ROADS. I ALSO NOTICED THAT ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WENT OUT TOO WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. I'VE SEEN WHERE OTHERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM
Service brakes, Jul 8, 2020
AB S SENSORS FAILURE
Structure, Jul 8, 2020
AS DRIVING THE DRIVER'S DOOR POPPED OPEN (AS NOT FULLY CLOSED) AND THE OPEN DOOR LIGHT APPEARED ON A DASH. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE WHILE DRIVING. ONCE DURING NORMAL DRIVING AND ON THE SECOND OCCASION WHEN I HIT A POTHOLE. I ALSO NOTICED WHEN OPENING THE DOOR, IT DOESN'T OPEN AS SMOOTHLY. AS I PULL THE DOOR HANDLE, THE DOOR BASICALLY POPS OPEN AS IF THERE WAS A FORCE PUSHING IT TO OPEN. HAD THE CAR FOR 3 YEARS , NO ACCIDENTS AND THE PROBLEM STARTED TO APPEAR JUST NOW
Exterior lighting, Jun 22, 2020
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS GO OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jun 22, 2020
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 9:40PM AND MY HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF BY THEMSELVES. THEY WERE SET TO AUTO. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THEM TO ON AND THANKFULLY THEY STAYED ON UNTIL WE MADE IT HOME. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS! I HAD MY SON IN THE CAR. WE ARE LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. *TR
Engine, Jun 15, 2020
MY ENGINE WENT OUT ON MY CAR EVEN THOUGH I HAVE OIL IN MY CAR AND I HAVE MAINTAIN EVERYTHING ON THE CAR. THE MECHANIC FOUND METAL SHAVINGS IN MY OIL. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 7, 2020
SMELLS LIKE GASOLINE . MAYBE A DELIVERY HOSE .CAN SMELL GASOLINE RANDOMLY WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jun 7, 2020
THE DRIVER DOOR LOCK DOES NOT WORK. IT IS THE ONLY DOOR THAT WILL NOT LOCK SOMETIMES. OTHER TIMES IT IS THE ONLY DOOR THAT WILL NOT UNLOCK. THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT ALWAYS WANT TO WORK. IT WILL SAY CRUISE BUT WILL NOT LET ME SET IT.
Engine, Jun 1, 2020
CODES P1326 P0011 P0012. *TR