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, Jul 26, 2019
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT OR DURING THE DAY AT RANDOM TIMES THE EXTERIOR HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OFF AND SOMETIMES COME BACK ON WITHOUT ANY CHANGES FROM DRIVER. THE SETTING FOR MY HEADLIGHTS ARE SET TO AUTO. IN ORDER FOR LIGHT TO COME ON AT NIGHT ONCE THEY HAVE AUTOMATICALLY TURNED THEMSELVES OFF I HAVE TO SWITCH THE CONTROL TO ON. THIS IS CONTINUING TO HAPPEN AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE DRIVING.
Engine, Jul 12, 2019
I BOUGHT A 2016 KIA OPTIMA FROM AIRPORT KIA IN 12/16. BEGINNING ON 5/24/19, WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON A BUSY ROAD THE SPEED FELL FROM 45 TO 35 IN LESS THAN A MINUTE AND BEGAN TO JERK. I HAD IT TOWED TO GALEANA KIA (G.A.) SERVICE DEPT, DUE TO PREVIOUS ISSUES WITH AIRPORT KIA'S NEGLIGENCE AND REFUSAL TO FIX DEFOGGING ISSUES I HAD ON A PREVIOUS 2014 KIA OPTIMA THAT ALSO HAD SAFETY ISSUES. G.A. MADE REPAIRS TO MY VEHICLE FOR THAT VISIT. ON 6/24/19, IT WAS TOWED AGAIN TO G.A. FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THE MILES DROPPED FROM 45 TO 35 WHILE DRIVING AND BEGAN TO JERK FORCEFULLY AGAIN. BOTH TIMES ALMOST RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS TIME G.A.'S DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE DIDN'T PULL UP ANY ISSUES WITH MY 2016 OPTIMA. THEY OPENED UP A CASE WITH THE KIA CONSUMER TECHNICAL DEPT. WHEN I CALLED G.A. A FEW DAYS LATER, THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS SUGGESTED THEY CHANGE OUT THE KNOCK SENSOR. ON 6/28/19, THE REGIONAL ANALYST CONTACTED ME. I VOICED MY CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE AND THAT AIRPORT KIA GAVE ME ANOTHER DEFECTIVE CAR THAT PUTS MINE, MY CHILD'S LIFE AND THOSE AROUND ME IN JEOPARDY. I STRESSED HOW THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE ISN'T EVEN PICKING UP THE ISSUE OF MY VEHICLE SO BASICALLY THE ENGINEERS ARE GOING BASED ON HYPOTHETICAL'S AND CAN'T GUARANTEE SAFETY OF THE CAR. HER RESPONSE WAS THAT SHE'S 100% CONFIDENT THIS WILL FIX THE PROBLEM AND TO BUILD TRUST IN MY CAR. ON 7/9/19 THE REGIONAL ANALYST FROM KIA CONSUMER E-MAILED ME NOW CHANGING THE SERVICE TO BE DONE TO MY CAR STATING THAT THEY HAVE THE ENGINE ORDERED FOR MY VEHICLE AND THE HARNESS. WHEN I ASKED FOR INFORMATION AS TO WHAT CAUSED THE CHANGE SHE DID NOT PROVIDE INFORMATION ANSWERING MY QUESTION. G.A. WAS HONEST IN LETTING ME KNOW THAT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED AT ALL IN REGARDS ANY ENGINE OR HARNESS REPLACEMENTS AND THE LAST THEY HEARD FROM THEM ONLY INVOLVED CHANGING THE KNOCK SENSOR.
Steering, Jul 7, 2019
MULTIABLE OCCASIONS OF POWER STEERING LOSS AT LOW SPEEDS (15MPH OR LESS). THE POWER STEERING UNIT APPEARS TO STOP WORKING WHICH RESULTS IN THE INABILITY TO TURN THE WHEEL. I HAVE DRIVEN CARS WITHOUT POWER STEERING AND THIS CONDITION WITH THE KIA OPTIMA RESULTS IN A NEAR COMPLETE LACK OF STEERING, NOT JUST DIFFICULTY TURNING. THE CONDITION APPEARS TO BE PRECEDED WITH A STICKING OR CLICKING CONDITION THAT INCREASES IN FREQUENCY UNTIL THE SYSTEM FAILS. TURNING OFF THE CAR THEN RESTARTING IT APPEARS TO CLEAR THE ISSUE AND STEERING RETURNS TO NORMAL FOR A DECREASING PERIOD OF TIME BETWEEN EACH EPISODE. THE CAR HAS SPENT OVER TWO WEEKS AT THE LOCAL KIA SERVICE DEPARTMENT WITHOUT THEM BEING ABLE TO RECREATE THE ISSUE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 3, 2019
THE DRIVERS SIDE RUNNING LIGHT WENT OUT ONE DAY AND MY CAR ALERTED THAT IT WAS OUT. I CHANGED THE BULB AND THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE FUSE APPEARED OK, HOWEVER I REPLACED IT JUST TO BE SURE. THERE WAS STILL NO CHANGE. CHECKED THE POWER TO THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AND I HAVE POWER ALL THE WAY UP UNTIL IT ENTERS THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AND THEN THERE IS NO POWER TO THE RUNNING LIGHT ONLY. THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR A WHOPPING $360.
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.
Suspension, Wheels, Service brakes, Jun 30, 2019
I RENTED A VEHICLE FROM FAIR/UBER UNDER A CALIFORNIA PROMOTION. IN THE UNDERSTANDING THE VEHICLE WAS UBER READY. THREE WEEKS INTO USING THE CAR SQUEEZING BRAKES LET ME TO THE AUTHORISED SHOP FOR MAINTANENCE. IT WAS INSPECTED AND WHAT WAS FOUND MADE THIS VEHICLE UNSAFE. I COULD NOT USE IT FOR ITS PURPOSE. TO DRIVE IT FOR UBER. I HAVE SNAP SHOTS OF THE CONDITION OF THE BRAKES AND ROTORS. THE SHOCKS OR STRUTS ARE ALSO SHOT AND THE COOLANT RESIVIOR WAS CLOSE TO EMPTY. THE TWO FRONT TIRES ALSO WERE RECOMENDED TO BE REPLACED AS THEY WERE CUPPING. THIS VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED PRIOR TO THERE RELEASING IT TO ME FOR ANY SAFETY ISSUES PRIOR AND WHEN THE INVOICE WAS SENT TO DONLEN, 3 TIMES, WHICH TOOK A WHOLE DAY, WAS FULLY DENIED. REFUSAL TO CORRECT THIS SAFETY ISSUE. THIS CAR IS STILL IN THIS CONDITION. IT WAS REMOVED FROM PEP BOYS ON MISSION GEORGE BY MYSELF. THE NEXT DAY AT 5:06 PM I RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM FAIR SUGGESTING I TAKE IT TO ANOTHER APPROVED SHOP. I REALISED THAT THIS WAS NOT MY DUTY OR MY PROBLEM. I COULD JUST RETURN THE VEHICLE. I WAS I AM DONE WITH THIS COMPANY. IT WAS GOING TO BE A 3 DAY JOB IN THE SHOP. AND FAIR TOLD ME REPEATEDLY THAT THEY HAD NO ABILITY TO PREVENT ME FROM HAVING TO PAY FOR THE WEEK IT WAS DISABLED. OBSURD. I'LL ATTACH SPECS AND PICS. THANK YOU.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jun 26, 2019
ENGINE RUMBLES LIKE IT IS ABOUT TO DIE INTERMITTENTLY WHEN I LET OFF THE BRAKE AND BEFORE I PRESS THE GAS AFTER BEING STOPPED IN TRAFFIC ON CITY STREETS. I OFTEN HAVE TO PRESS THE GAS PEDAL HALF WAY DOWN TO GET IT TO GAIN SPEED ON CITY STREETS, IT FEELS SLUGGISH, AND SHIFTING DOES NOT FEEL VERY SMOOTH.
Engine, Jun 25, 2019
MY KIA OPTIMA 2016 HAS AN ISSUE ON 03/31/2019: CHECK ENGINE BLINKING,LACKS POWER(NO MORE THAN 50 MPH). TOOK IT TO DEALER TOWBIN KIA, THEY FOUND A KNOCK SOUND IN ENGINE, SO THEY SAID THEY WITH NO RISK TO REPAIR AND THEY WOULD CHANGE ENGINE. AFTER 17 DAYS CAR DOWN IN DEALER, GOT A PHONE CALL TO PICK UO THE CAR BUT NO ENGINE CHANGED, INSTEAD KIA MOTORS (KMA)ORDER CHANGE WIRING HARNES.CAR WORKED GOOD FOR 10 DAYS. ON SATURDAY 04/27/2019 SAME ISSUE, DROPPED THE CAR 04/29/2019 TO DEALER, MORE TESTS AND KMA ORDERED TO HOOK A FLYING RECORD TO RECORD ERROR CODES WHEN ISSUE SHOWS UP. DEALER STAFF DROVE CAR FOR 300 MILES WITH DEVICE HOOKED UP, NO ISSUES. I WAS CALLED TO SIGN AN AGREEMENT TO DRIVE THE CAR MYSELF WITH DEVICE CONNECTED. I DROVE CAR FOR 3 WEEKS AND NO ISSUES. ON 06/04/2019 DEALER DISCONNECTS DEVICE AND 06/07/2019 DRIVING TO WORK SAME ISSUE CAMES BACK. 3RD TIME DROPPED CAR TO DEALER, ON 06/14/2019 CALLED TO PICK CAR UP, KMA ORDERED TO CHANGE SENSORS. ON 06/21/2019 SAME ISSUE CAME BACK, CAR DROPPED TO DEALER SAME DAY. ON 04/01/2019 DEALER TOLD ME THAT KMA ISSUE A LIFETIME WARRANTY ON ENGINES OF KIA OPTIMA DUE TO DEFECTIVE PARTS. THAT IS WHY DEALER WANTED TO CHANGE ENGINE. ON 06/24/2019 DEALER TOLD ME THAT KMA IS WORKING IN AN UPDATED REFLASH WHICH MEANS REPROGRAMING SOFTWARE TO CAR. I CAN SEE THAT KMA DOES NOT WANTS TO HONOR LIFETIME WARRANTY TO CHANGE ENGINE. I AM WATCHING AN ATTORNEY TOGET ADVICE FOR LEGAL ACTIONS.
Visibility, Jun 14, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, A LOUD EXPLOSION WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE GLASS SUN ROOF HAD EXPLODED AND SHATTERED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000. *BF *TR
Engine, Jun 11, 2019
ON MARCH 21, 2019, I BROUGHT MY CAR IN TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP BECAUSE MY OWN PERSONAL MECHANIC SAID THAT THE ENGINE WAS BURNING TOO MUCH OIL. KIA DEALERSHIP DID AN OIL TEST AND SAID THAT THEY NEED TO FIX MY ENGINE DUE TO A RECALL. IT HAS BEEN OVER 2 MONTHS AND I STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVE MY CAR YET. MADE MULTIPLE CALLS TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP AND KIA CORPORATE AND NOTHING WAS RESOLVED.
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Engine, Jun 10, 2019
I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR A MONTH AGO AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO WORK IN IT AS A LYFT DRIVER BECAUSE THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING WRONG WITH IT IT'S BEEN IN THE SHOP MORE THAN I'VE DROVE IT IT MAKES A KNOCKING NOISE AND I'M NOT SAFE IN THE VEHICLE I DID A HISTORY CHECK ON IT AND COME TO FIND OUT THEIR ARE A BUNCH OF RECALLS ON IT CAN ANYONE HELP ME PLEASE?I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AND HIGHWAYS.
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
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 31, 2019
ON THE EVENING OF MAY 17, I NEEDED A JUMP AFTER WORK. I WENT HOME, TURNED OFF MY CAR BUT WAS UNABLE TO START IT AGAIN SO I REPLACED THE BATTERY. I THOUGHT I HAD FIXED THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE NEXT DAY WHEN I WAS DRIVING 65MPH ON A LOCAL INTERSTATE WITH MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR, ALL MY DASH LIGHTS CAME ON, I LOST NAVIGATION & RADIO AND MY POWER STEERING LOCKED UP. I WENT TO TURN ON MY HAZARDS AND THOSE DID NOT WORK EITHER. I CHECKED MY MIRRORS TO MAKE SURE NO ONE WAS GOING TO HIT ME AND I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY AND PULL ONTO THE SHOULDER. I WAS EXTREMELY FEARFUL AS I HAD MINIMAL STEERING CAPABILITY & WAS UNABLE TO NOTIFY OTHER MOTORISTS OF MY DISABLED VEHICLE AS MY HAZARD LIGHTS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW ALTERNATOR FOR MY 3 YEAR OLD CAR. WHILE MY MILEAGE WAS AT 66,500 MILES, I DEFINITELY HAD NOT ANTICIPATED NEED TO REPLACE THAT PART OF A WHILE. DESPITE THAT, I WAS MORE UPSET THAT I LOST FUNCTION OF MY CAR AND WAS NOT ABLE TO WARN OTHER CARS WITH WORKING HAZARD LIGHTS.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, May 29, 2019
I'VE BEEN HAVING CAR PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR FOR A OVER A YEAR, THE STEERING WHEEL GET STUCK, MY BRAKES WASN'T WORKING GOOD, SO I GOT NEW BREAKS, HOWEVER MY CAR STILL DOESN'T MAKE A QUICK COMPLETE STOP, I'M ALSO HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, MY HEADLIGHTS BULB HAVE TO BE CHANGED ONCE A WEEK, I ALSO HAVE TO CHANGED MY OIL EVERY WELL, TODAY MY CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP WAITING ON A ENGINE, IT'S BEEN THERE FOR OVER THREE MONTHS.
Visibility, May 22, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE THE RESIDENCE, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO CLASSIC KIA CARROLLTON (2920 N INTERSTATE 35E, CARROLLTON, TX 75007), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,500.
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, May 20, 2019
INTERMITTENTLY CAR WILL SHUDDER (JERK FORWARD AND SLOW, JERK FORWARD AND SLOW) MANY TIMES WHEN ACCELERATING, EITHER FROM A STOP OR WHILE ACCELERATING FROM LOW SPEEDS (LESS THAN 45MPH) IT SEEMS POSSIBLE GEAR CHANGING IS NOT SMOOTH. AND CAN BE DANGEROUS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC AS CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE AS IT SHOULD. HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO KIA WHO REPORT THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH CAR WHEN THEY TEST DROVE IT. PROBLEM SEEMS WORSE WHEN IT IS HOT OR COLD OUTSIDE.
Engine, May 13, 2019
SO I GOT THE SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR THE ENGINE RECALL. ON THE 24TH, ENGINE LIGHT CANE ON. WAITED FOR AN ENGINE REPLACE FOR 2 MONTHS, THEN THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE KNOCK SENSOR WIRE HARNESS. THEY REPLACED THAT AND GAVE ME BACK MY CAR. 1 WEEK LATER, SAME ENGINE LIGHT. TOOK IT IN THEY WIPED OFF THE ENGINE LIGHT, DROVE IT FOR A WEEK AND TILD ME NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. SPEAKLESS ON THE WAY KIA HAS HANDLED THIS.
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.
Steering, Apr 24, 2019
STEERING WHEEL LOCKS WHILE DRIVING. INITIALLY HAPPENED 1 YEAR AGO WHILE DRIVING. HAD TO USE SEVERE FORCE TO TURN THE WHEEL. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP, WHO SAID THEY DID SEE SOMETHING ON DIAGNOSTICS; HOWEVER, THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, SO THEY COULD NOT FIX THE CAR. THEY KEPT & DROVE THE CAR. THEY CHECKED THE COUPLING UNIT & CONTACTED KIA HOTLINE BUT STILL COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, SO THEY RETURNED THE CAR TO ME. ON APRIL 14TH, WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE, THE WHEEL AGAIN LOCKED UP. I JIGGLED THE WHEEL AND IT RELEASED, SO I PULLED OUT & PROCEEDED TO DRIVE. I REACHED THE END OF MY STREET & WANTED TO TURN & COULD NOT MOVE THE WHEEL. LUCKILY, I WAS STILL IN MY DEVELOPMENT WITH A 25MPH ZONE, SO I TURNED OFF THE CAR. WHEN I STARTED IT AGAIN, I COULD MOVE THE WHEEL, SO I RETURNED IT TO PARKING SPOT & HAD IT TOWED INTO THE DEALERSHIP ON APRIL 15TH. THE DEALER HAD THE CAR FOR 8 DAYS, DROVE IT FOR 340 MILES & STILL COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE, SO THEY COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY RETURNED THE CAR TO ME & SAID IF THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE, THEY CANNOT FIX IT. SO I AM NOW DRIVING A CAR IN FEAR THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN & POSSIBLY WHEN ON A HIGHWAY & AT HIGHER SPEED.
Structure, Apr 16, 2019
WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR ABOUT 2.5 YEARS. 2 DAYS AGO I TOOK IT THROUGH A TOUCH LESS CAR WASH. TODAY I NOTICED THE ANTENNA COVER/ SHARK FIN IS MISSING. I'M NOT SURE IF IT CAME OFF DURING THE WASH OR WHEN I WAS DRIVING. IT APPEARS THE PLASTIC SCREW HOLES HAVE ALL BROKEN OFF. THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE ANTENNA IS EXPOSED. LOOKS TO BE A BIG FLAW IN MANUFACTURING.
Engine, Apr 16, 2019
A MONTH AFTER DOING THE RECALL FOR THE ENGINE UPDATE, THE HARNESS HAS TO COMPLETELY REPLACED. I WAS ON THE EXPRESSWAY WENT IT STARTED SHAKING AND WOULD NOT GO OVER 63 MPH. THE ENGINE LIGHT KEPT BLINKING.
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?
Engine, Mar 22, 2019
AROUND THE FIRST WEEK OF FEBRUARY THIS YEAR. THEY DID A RECALL ON THE ENGINE ADJUSTMENT AND THE FOLLOWING WEEKEND THE ENGINE FAILED. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR INTO KIA NAPLETON CARMEL/INDIANAPOLIS THIS WAS FEBRUARY 11TH I BELIEVE. WITHIN TEN MINUTES THE OPERATIONS PERSON CAME BACK AND SAID THEY HAD A RENTAL COMING TO PICK ME UP. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE DO TO WHATEVER THEY DID TO THE CAR IN THE RECALL. I THOUGHT ABOUT THIS FOR AWHILE, I WAS GOING TO PURCHASE THE CAR AT THE END OF THE LEASE. THE LARGE WARRANTY IS JUST ABOUT UP IN TIME, AND SHOULD ANYTHING OCCUR OUTSIDE OF THE POWER TRAIN, IT IS ON ME. THAT MEAN IF IT TAKES MONTHS OR WEEKS TO FIX THE CAR, I NEED TO LEASE A CAR AND WAIT FOR THE PART. I BECAME VERY IRRITATED ON THE 15TH DAY OF WAITING. THAT WAS NOW ALL MOST A MONTH AGO. KIA NAPLETON HAS NOW HAD THE CAR FOR A TOTAL OF FIVE WEEKS AND NOT ENGINE IN SIGHT. ENTERPRISE TOLD ME MY RENTAL WAS EXTENDED TO APRIL 14TH WHICH KIA MOTORS IF PAYING. I HAVE COMPLAINED FROM THE DEALERSHIP TO KIA LEASE, TO KIA MOTORS AND BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. A LOT OF RUN-AROUND. FINALLY, THEY HAVE ISSUED A LETTER TO PERMIT ME TO PAY $19,040 TO BUY OUT THE LEASE OR AROUND $11,000 TO FIND A NEW LEASE OR JUST $3,000 FOR MY TROUBLES AND KEEP THE CAR. MY WORRY IS IF SOMETHING ELSE GOES WRONG, WHAT IF I AM WAITING FOR FIVE WEEKS OR LONGER FOR A PART TO ARRIVE FROM ASIA, AND WHAT IF IT HAPPENS ON THE OPEN ROAD. I WANT KIA TO TAKE ME OUT OF THE LEASE WITHOUT DAMAGES TO ME. I AM NOT PLEASED TO HAVE HAD KIA DESTROY THEIR OWN ENGINE AND NOW MAKE IT MY PROBLEM. KIA HAS CONTINUALLY REFERRED ME BETWEEN DEPARTMENTS AND ONE INDIVIDUAL TOLD ME TO CONTACT MY OWN INSURANCE AGENT. THEY CANNOT GUARANTEE ME THAT THE CAR WILL FAIL IN SOME FORM FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE LEASE WHICH IS JUST AROUND 16 MONTHS OUT. I TOOK THE LETTER FROM KIA OVER TO NAPLETON K
Electrical system, Air bags, Seat belts, Mar 8, 2019, crash
AS I BEGAN CROSSING THE INTERSECTION (HIGHWAY) I ENDED UP GETTING T- BONED HALFWAY THROUGH THE INTERSECTION BY A PICKUP. HE WAS SPEEDING GOING ROUGHLY 60MPH IN A 45MPH ZONE MY KIA OPTIMA SUSTAINED PASSENGER SIDE/ AND FRONTAL IMPACT DAMAGE. THE IMPACT OF THE ACCIDENT SENT ME SKIDDING ACROSS THE HIGHWAY AND NONE OF MY FRONTAL AIRBAGS ACTIVATED NOR DID THE SEATBELT LOCK UP. THIS LEAD ME TO SUSTAIN HEAVY CHEST INJURIES FROM THE IMPACT OF THE STEERING WHEEL. ALSO THE CAR COULD NOT BE SHUT OFF AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE STAYED RUNNING UNTIL EMT DISCONNECTED THE POWER TO IT.