2016 Kia Optima. Advanced data.

Engines and drivetrains 4

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 35,700 and 100,000 miles. Median 67,600, from 284 complaints with a mileage.

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 5

• 23V594000 Aug 2023 Latches/Locks/Linkages / Trunk Lid / Latch

  Defect. 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."

  Risk. 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.

• 18V907000 Dec 2018 Fuel System, Gasoline / Delivery / Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

  Defect. 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.

  Risk. 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.

• 17V007000 Jan 2017 Air Bags / Frontal / Driver Side / Inflator Module

  Defect. 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.

  Risk. 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.

• 16V705000 Oct 2016 Power Train / Axle Assembly / Axle Shaft

  Defect. 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.

  Risk. 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.

• 16V231000 Apr 2016 Air Bags / Frontal

  Defect. 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.

  Risk. 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 investigations

Manufacturer communications 226

Kia filed 226 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

• 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…

Crash ratings by version

Safety equipment

Nearby model years