2016 Kia OPTIMA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
754 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
68,043 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 282 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 424 of 754 complaints (56.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 74 | 9.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 52 | 6.9% |
| Braking behavior | 48 | 6.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 35 | 4.6% |
| Steering behavior | 32 | 4.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 13 | 1.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 424 |
| Unknown Or Other | 121 |
| Electrical System | 99 |
| Power Train | 72 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 53 |
| Exterior Lighting | 44 |
| Structure:Body | 39 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 28 |
Engine: 424; Unknown Or Other: 121; Electrical System: 99; Power Train: 72; Fuel/Propulsion System: 53; Exterior Lighting: 44; Structure:Body: 39; Vehicle Speed Control: 28
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 47 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 45 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 71 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 45 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 62 |
| 150,000 and above | 12 |
Under 25,000: 47; 25,000 to 49,999: 45; 50,000 to 74,999: 71; 75,000 to 99,999: 45; 100,000 to 149,999: 62; 150,000 and above: 12
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (71). 472 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 19 |
| 2018 | 30 |
| 2019 | 63 |
| 2020 | 60 |
| 2021 | 67 |
| 2022 | 109 |
| 2023 | 162 |
| 2024 | 121 |
| 2025 | 76 |
| 2026 | 44 |
2016: 3; 2017: 19; 2018: 30; 2019: 63; 2020: 60; 2021: 67; 2022: 109; 2023: 162; 2024: 121; 2025: 76; 2026: 44
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 74 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 52 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 48 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10837282 · 2016-02-20 (February 20, 2016)
I WAS INVOLVE IN A BAD ACCIDENT WITH 10K IN FRONT END DAMAGE AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND HALF OF THE AIR BAG SENSOR CAME APART IN THE DAMAGE
Owner-reported narrative. 800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10837282 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10934131 · 2016-12-09 (December 9, 2016)
WHEN STARTING FROM A DEAD STOP, THE CAR HESITATES UP TO 6 OR 7 SECONDS. I THINK IT HAS STALLED, THEN IT STARTS AGAIN BY ITS SELF. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN PULLING OUT INTO AN INTERSECTION. IT DOES THIS CONSTANTLY.
Owner-reported narrative. 25 miles reported. Look up ODI 10934131 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10937252 · 2016-12-23 (December 23, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE ENGINE RPMS DRASTICALLY INCREASED TO 6 OR 7. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE ENGINE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CVT VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NUMBER 75 ON THE WAITING LIST FOR THE REPAIRS AND PROVIDED A LOANER VEHICLE. T…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10937252 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10939963 · 2017-01-05 (January 5, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 KIA OPTIMA. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR 15 HOURS, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE WAS BELIEVED TO BE DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,700. UPDATED 03/17/17*LJ UPDATED 08/29/2017*JS
Owner-reported narrative. 10,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10939963 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10944457 · 2017-01-11 (January 11, 2017)
WAS HIT HEAD ON BY A SLIDING VEHICLE WITH BALD TIRES. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND SEAT BELTS DID NOT HOLD US IN PLACE.WE WERE DOING ABOUT 15 MI.PER HOUR OR LESS ON A MT PASS BECAUSE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS DOING ABOUT 45 MI. PER HOUR OR MORE WHEN HIT US. HIGHWAY PATROL INVESTIGATED ACCIDENT.
Owner-reported narrative. 22,960 miles reported. Look up ODI 10944457 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10958641 · 2017-03-04 (March 4, 2017)
FROM A DEAD STOP DRIVING AROUND, RELEASING THE BRAKE PETAL FROM A STOP AND GETTING READY TO GET GOING, THE CAR SHUTTERS A BIT AND/OR BOTH THE ENGINE FEELS LIKE IT'S GONNA STALL. HESITATION TO GET GOING.. DOES IT IN ALL 3 DRIVE MODES. DEALERS SAYS NPF.. OF COURSE AND SAID MAYBE QUALITY OF GAS, I USE TOP TIER GAS ONLY.
Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10958641 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10959736 · 2017-03-09 (March 9, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A FEW SECONDS DELAY IN ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A SENSOR DELAY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10959736 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10965957 · 2017-03-14 (March 14, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN EXPLOSION. THE CONTACT PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE SUN ROOF HAD SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,039.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,039 miles reported. Look up ODI 10965957 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
16V231000 · Air Bags:Frontal
Reported: 2016-04-21 (April 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.
Consequence: If the second stage air bag does not deploy it increases the risk of injury or death.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V705000 · Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft
Reported: 2016-10-03 (October 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V007000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2017-01-06 (January 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.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate fully increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V907000 · Engine | Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 2018-12-19 (December 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.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V594000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Trunk Lid:Latch
Reported: 2023-08-24 (August 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."
Consequence: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗