Recalls, complaints, and safety data from NHTSA
The 2016 Kia Optima has 5 recalls, 760 complaints, and a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.
5
Recalls
760
Complaints
★★★★★
Safety Rating
Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated October 25, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 6, 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | I am reporting a serious safety concern involving my 2016 Kia Optima, purchased from CarMax in 2024 ... |
| Aug 14, 2026 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | Severe engine defect (Theta II 2.4L GDI). Sudden total loss of power, metallic knocking, severe oil ... |
| Aug 10, 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Blower motor is drawing excessive electricity, which in turn burns the fuse and junction pin, which ... |
| Aug 4, 2026 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING | Vehicle was purchased in 2023. AC blower failure occurred for the first time in June 2024 and was re... |
| Jul 24, 2026 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | The engine assembly completely seized and the vehicle is currently stored at an independent repair s... |
| Jul 1, 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Code was on and off for a cylinder 2 misfire was off at this point (intermittent misfire) ecl was of... |
| Jun 15, 2026 | ENGINE | the engine. I was at a stop sign when the car stop responding to me pressing the accelerator and wou... |
| Jun 4, 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | The car returned P1326 and had multiple misfires and audible knocking, the dealers will indeed fight... |
| May 27, 2026 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | The Kia had a problem with the check engine light coming on and it gently went into limp mode. I had... |
| May 24, 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | While accelerating onto the highway in my 2016 Kia Optima 2.4L, the vehicle suddenly lost all engine... |
| May 23, 2026 | VISIBILITY | The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, the front driver’s... |
| May 9, 2026 | AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | UNKNOWN THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY WHEN THE CAR HIT OTHER DRIVER FROM BEHIND. |
| May 2, 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE | While driving at highway speeds on the freeway in San Diego, the engine of my 2016 Kia Optima catast... |
| Apr 29, 2026 | ENGINE | I purchased a Kia Optima 2016, in December of 2025. At the time the car wouldn't go over 60 mph. I h... |
| Apr 23, 2026 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE | The contact owned a 2016 KIA OPTIMA. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH occupied with h... |
| Apr 22, 2026 | STRUCTURE | I am submitting a defect complaint regarding the paint on my vehicle, which has been progressively d... |
| Apr 18, 2026 | ENGINE | The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the check engine w... |
| Apr 13, 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I had just stopped at stop sign and I turned right. My speed was approximately 40 mph and there was ... |
| Apr 13, 2026 | POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | Issue 1: High oil consumption in the engine due to poor engine design, according to the auto repair ... |
| Apr 7, 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | My rear passenger side window would not go up or down & the motor would run when the button was pres... |