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ProblemsByVin File / 2016-KIA-OPTIMA
2016 · kia

kia Optima problems

3 safety recalls. 733 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
5.8 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

1
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

engine
309 reports · avg $3,100
moderate
electrical
78 reports · avg $850
severe
powertrain
64 reports · avg $2,500
moderate
lighting
38 reports · avg $250
moderate
body
33 reports · avg $1,500
severe
steering
24 reports · avg $700
severe
visibility
21 reports · avg $350
moderate
cruise control
19 reports · avg $600
severe

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2016 Optima · cruise control
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE FUEL CONSUMPTION IN THE MOTOR WOULD BOG THE ENGINE DOWN TO WHERE IT WOULD BARELY GO OVER 40 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. AT THIS TIME THE ENGINE TROUBLE INDICATOR LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND NOT GO OFF. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP IN MT. HOPE,…
12/31/2019 · NHTSA ODI #11292234.0
2016 Optima · other
I purchased this vehicle about a year ago upon purchasing vehicle I noticed I was having to get an oil change every other week and when I would go in I would have no oil. Fast forward to now I am buying 5g oil from Advance Auto parts every week my car is burning through oil…
12/30/2022 · NHTSA ODI #11499590.0
2016 Optima · engine
In Sept the car oil light came on. The car was out of oil. Took it to shop and they could not find a leak. The car was filled with oil. Less than 1,000 miles later in Oct the same situation occurred again. The car was inspected an no leak was found but the oil was gone. In Dec…
12/30/2021 · NHTSA ODI #11445663.0
2016 Optima · body
While driving on the highway, the roof antenna assembly flew off our car. Inspection of the area shows that the screws that were supposed to hold the antenna on had all become sheared off. It looks like there is a recall for this exact issue covering 2016 Kia Optimas produced…
12/27/2024 · NHTSA ODI #11632732.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 3 of 3

critical NHTSA 16V231000 21/04/2016

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Optima vehicles manufactured November 10, 2015, to February 12, 2016

If the second stage air bag does not deploy it increases the risk of injury or death.

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 17V007000 06/01/2017

Kia Motors America (Kia) has recalled one 2016 Optima vehicle

In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate fully increases the risk of injury.

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 16V705000 03/10/2016

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

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.

Fix: 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.

Common questions

Is the 2016 Kia Optima reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 5.8 out of 10 based on 733 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Kia Optima has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

What's the most common problem on the 2016 Kia Optima?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 309 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Kia Optima has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2016 Kia Optima?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 733 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 13 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with kia. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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