The Lemon Index2016 Kia Optima.
The 2016 Kia Optima is about average by owner complaints: 118 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 87, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 25 to 37 mpg combined. The best Kia Optima year is 2017.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 763 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Kia Optima year. 2016 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 35K to 100K miles on the car (284 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 54K–110K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 34K–104K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 8K–84K miles
Recalls 5
- latches/locks/linkages 2023
The trunk latch base may crack, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside.
- fuel system, gasoline 2018
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.
- airbags 2017
Kia Motors America (Kia) has recalled one 2016 Optima vehicle.
Show all 5 recalls
- transmission & drivetrain 2016
The right front axle driveshaft may crack and fail.
- airbags 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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Kia told dealers about
Kia sent dealers 226 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Oil intrusion into e-cvvt cover - when diagnosing a dtc related to the e-cvvt system, remove
- Smart pedal feature - the smart pedal is an integral part of the engine management system (ems)
- E-cvvt cover and motor plug replacement - this bulletin provides information about the…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedLoss of motive power2022–2023
- ClosedThrottle control system vulnerabilities2021–2023
- ClosedElectrical overstress2019–2024
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Optima 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Kia Optima Hybrid 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1750–2550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
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.
2016 Kia Optima owner · NHTSA complaint 11196710
More owner reports
Takata recall car starts to stall and idle when on the road and in traffic. Car starts to back up and reverse without notice or warning. Engine, battery comes on automatically and I have to turn off ignition and restart vehicle.
NHTSA complaint 11025159
The transmission has a very harsh downshift upon coming to a stop. Sometimes so bad that it will push all passengers heads forward harshly.
NHTSA complaint 11140233
Quick answers
Is the 2016 Kia Optima reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew 1.1× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 87; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Kia Optima year by this measure is 2017.
What are the most common 2016 Kia Optima problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (35%), transmission & drivetrain (23%) and electrical (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 Kia Optima have?
5 safety recalls (latest: latches/locks/linkages). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Kia Optima get?
25 to 37 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2016 Kia Optima safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2016 Kia Optima problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 35,700 and 100,000 miles. The middle report was at 67,600 miles, from 284 complaints.
Does the 2016 Kia Optima have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 23% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2016 Kia Optima cost in fuel a year?
About $1750 to $2550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2016 Kia Optima have?
1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
What Kia Optima year is better than the 2016?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2017, 2019 and 2020.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works