PITSTOP - BRAKE CALIPER LEAK INSPECTION - This PITSTOP provides information related to a brake caliper fluid/oil substance found on some Kia vehicles, due to possible excess assembly oil applied during assembly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Kia Optima brakes problems
severe Owners of the 2016 Kia Optima have filed 12 NHTSA complaints about the brakes at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Optima | 61 |
| 2013 Optima | 84 |
| 2014 Optima | 22 |
| 2015 Optima | 58 |
| 2016 Optima (this page) | 12 |
| 2017 Optima | 3 |
| 2018 Optima | 8 |
| 2019 Optima | 12 |
| 2020 Optima | 7 |
1fire
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 12 brakes complaints filed for the 2016 Kia Optima, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: IBAU SYSTEM REPAIR FOR NOISE AND AIR BLEEDING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides the repair procedure for the Integrated Brake Actuation Unit (iBAU) system on some 2014-2019MY EV/Hybrid/Plug-In Hybrid vehicles listed (see table), which may exhibit a "honking" (Hissing) noise due to air remaining in the brake fluid system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: COMBINATION TSB / SERVICE ACTION: IDLE STABILITY & SHIFT QUALITY IMPROVEMENT (SA294A) - This bulletin provides the procedure to improve the logic of the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) and the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) on some 2016MY Optima (JFa) vehicles, produced from September 3, 2015 through October 6, 2016, which may experience a vibration and/or hesitation when releasing the brake pedal after coming to stop, and/or a shift quality concern, such as a harsh downshift, upshift, and/or shift delay. To correct this concern, apply the improved logic to the ECU and TCU using KDS download as described in this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: COMBINATION TSB/SERVICE ACTION: IDLE STABILITY & SHIFT QUALITY IMPROVEMENT (SA294) - This bulletin provides the procedure to improve the logic of the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) and the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) on some 2016MY Optima (JFa) vehicles, produced from September 3, 2015 through November 22, 2016, which may experience a vibration and/or hesitation when releasing the brake pedal after coming to stop, and/or a shift quality concern, such as a harsh downshift, upshift, and/or shift delay. To correct this concern, apply the improved logic to the ECU and TCU using KDS download as described in this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗PITSTOP: VARIANT CODING INTEGRATED BRAKE ACTUATION UNITS (IBAU) - WHEN REPLACING THE INTEGRATED BRAKE ACTUATION UNIT, IT IS NECESSARY TO PERFORM VARIANT CODING OF THE NEW MODULE. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RELATED TO VARIANT CODING CLICK THE VARIANT CODES LINK ON THE KGIS HOME PAGE. (SEE PAGE 2 FOR SAMPLE SCREEN SHOT.)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report brake failures on 2016 Kia Optimas across a range of scenarios and mileages. Several describe the brake pedal feeling firm or unresponsive at moderate speeds (35 mph, unknown speeds in rain), requiring harder pressure or longer distance to stop. One owner reports complete brake loss during a highway incident where the vehicle caught fire and lost both brakes and transmission. Another describes brake pedal firmness with delayed stopping at 40,000 miles, requiring the driver to maneuver over a curve to slow the vehicle.
Brake-related warning displays include one report of an "automatic brake disabled" message appearing after routine service, along with check-engine and unknown warning lights. One owner reports an ABS warning lamp activation. Several owners note the dealership was unable to diagnose or reproduce the failures, and some repairs involved unrelated adjustments (transmission adjustment noted in one case). One owner references an unrepaired brake concern that recurred after tire replacement, suggesting the issue was unrelated to tire condition.
A fire incident involving brake loss and transmission failure is documented with 911 records, witness accounts, and hospital records for injuries sustained. Owner complaints cite concerns about Kia recalls being incomplete or unimplemented.
Same Kia Optima brakes reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Brake pedal unresponsiveness / delayed stopping
Brake pedal depressed but vehicle fails to stop immediately or requires significantly harder pressure to decelerate; occurs at various speeds and mileages.
When: 40,000 miles; 92,000 miles; various unknown mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal feels firm but vehicle does not respond immediately; Requires harder pedal pressure to stop vehicle; Vehicle continues moving when brakes applied, hydroplaning in rain conditions; Vehicle required alternative maneuvers (swerving, driving over curve) to stop
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to diagnose in multiple cases; transmission adjustment made in one case without addressing brake concern; one instance required tire replacement (did not resolve issue); vehicle not repaired in other cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Field inspector sent to dealership in one case; no other manufacturer response documented; owner references unimplemented recall (NHTSA ID 23V-652000)
Complete brake loss with vehicle fire
Vehicle caught fire while driving; brakes and transmission both failed simultaneously; resulted in occupant injuries and emergency response.
When: 5 days after incomplete recall service completion
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle caught fire; Complete loss of brakes; Transmission failure; Smoke and flames entering cabin; Vehicle swerved into parking lot
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not repaired; incident documented with 911 tapes, witness statements, photos, video, and medical records (occupants treated for smoke inhalation and road rash)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No documented response; service department had not completed scheduled recalls before releasing vehicle
Automatic brake disabled warning message
Warning message displayed indicating automatic brakes disabled; vehicle would not start; occurred after routine oil change and tire maintenance.
When: Approximately 149,020 miles, after scheduled maintenance
Symptoms owners cite: Clunking sound from engine; Vehicle fails to start; Check engine warning light illuminated; Automatic brake disabled message displayed; Multiple unknown warning lights illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership diagnosed but declined to repair; independent mechanic not consulted; vehicle not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not contacted
ABS warning lamp activation
ABS (anti-lock brake system) warning lamp illuminated; owner reports braking seems to be functioning normally otherwise.
When: Mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning lamp illuminated; Braking appears to function normally
Repairs/costs cited: No repair information provided
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that after having a routine oil change and tire maintenance, the vehicle began making an abnormal clunking sound. The vehicle failed to start. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The message that the automatic brake was disabled was displayed. Additionally, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact called an…
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop immediately. The contact depressed the brake pedal harder and the vehicle stopped. The vehicle was taken to the dealer the following day and the dealer was not able to identify a failure with the vehicle brakes although the transmission was adjusted. The…
Had brakes trouble with your 2016 Kia Optima?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2016 Kia Optima?
It's a meaningful issue. 12 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 12 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 102,371 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Kia/Optima.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.