Recalls, complaints, and safety data from NHTSA
The 2016 Kia Optima has 5 recalls, 726 complaints, and a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.
5
Recalls
726
Complaints
★★★★★
Safety Rating
Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated April 8, 2026
18V907000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine r...
17V007000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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 b...
16V705000
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Optima vehicles manufactured November 13, 2015, to April 23, 2016 and equipped with ...
16V231000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Optima vehicles manufactured November 10, 2015, to February 12, 2016. In these vehi...
23V594000
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH
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 l...
Overall
★★★★★
Front Crash
★★★★★
Side Crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rating for: 2016 Kia Optima 4 DR FWD
| Date ↓ | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 24, 2026 | VISIBILITY | The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, ther... |
| Mar 20, 2026 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Car is not holding oil it acts like it's gonna cut off while driving and it jerking was diagnosed wi... |
| Mar 2, 2026 | ENGINE | Engine oil light doesn’t work. Oil light flashed a couple of times in separate instances. Checking... |
| Feb 21, 2026 | ENGINE | engine light start blinking out of no where and speed started to reduce while on the highway. my fix... |
| Feb 20, 2026 | ENGINE | 2016 Kia Optima engine locked up, vehicle stalled on interstate,heard a rod bearing sound, left me i... |
| Feb 13, 2026 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ENGINE | The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle sta... |
| Feb 11, 2026 | ENGINE | The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, t... |
| Feb 4, 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | In order to repair the recalled equipment on the vehicle the dealerships and Kia want us to pay for ... |
| Feb 1, 2026 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | These cars have a known issue for burning oil the motor thats in my car was recalled for same issue ... |
| Jan 31, 2026 | ENGINE | The engine stalled without warning while I was pulling out of my driveway into the street, creating ... |
| Jan 31, 2026 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING,ENGINE | The engine is a problem and all I’m ever told us “ this vehicle is know to have engine problems. Thi... |
| Dec 30, 2025 | ENGINE | My vehicle’s engine was previously approved for replacement under the lifetime engine warranty assoc... |
| Dec 17, 2025 | ENGINE | While driving my 2016 Kia Optima, the vehicle experienced a sudden and complete loss of engine power... |
| Dec 16, 2025 | ENGINE | The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, a kn... |
| Dec 2, 2025 | ENGINE | Car is burning a lot of oil, took to dealer went through several tests and they claim burning 1.5 qu... |
| Nov 23, 2025 | ENGINE | The engine lost cylinder 3, piston came loose and broke the spark plug. This happened because the ro... |
| Nov 17, 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | Vehicle: 2016 Kia Optima LX Turbo – Approx. 114,155 miles** This complaint concerns ongoing systemi... |
| Nov 14, 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | While driving, the vehicle suddenly developed a loud knocking noise from the engine. Within one bloc... |
| Nov 10, 2025 | ENGINE | My engine blew up and started smoking while driving |
| Nov 4, 2025 | ENGINE | Car stop accelerating when I went to get my oil change the shop reported my engine eating up my oil ... |