2016 Kia Optima Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2016 Kia Optima has a Complaint Index of 80, the 4th worst of 16 model years, and NHTSA rates it Avoid. Engine problems make up 60% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 68,043 miles, backed by 5 recalls including an axle driveshaft and airbag inflator issue.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 80/100
- #4 of 16 Optima years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 754
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 27
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 19
- Injuries
- 21
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 28
- 24 city / 34 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 21 / 1
Top 2016 Kia Optima problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine450 (60%)
- Electrical System140 (19%)
- Other122 (16%)
- Transmission & Powertrain73 (10%)
- Fuel System62 (8%)
- Structure & Body51 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers36 (5%)
- Brakes33 (4%)
- Steering24 (3%)
- Airbags23 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some engines have stalled or surged to 6,000-7,000 rpm on their own, sometimes with a burning smell and oil leaking.
- Vehicles have caught fire after being parked, in one case exploding in a driveway roughly 15 hours after being parked, pointed to electrical failure.
- Engines have smoked and then caught fire while the car was being driven around 50 mph.
- Airbags have failed to deploy in multiple frontal and rear-end crashes, including one where the front passenger seat detached from its hinge.
- A driver reported the engine shutting off and restarting on its own along with the radio and interior lights cutting out unexpectedly.
- One owner described a loud explosion sound from under the hood and a jack-hammer noise when pressing the ignition button, with the car lurching backward.
2016 Kia Optima recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V594000Aug 24, 2023Structure & Body319,436 vehicles
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 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.
- NHTSA 18V907000Dec 19, 2018Engine71,653 vehicles
Engine
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.
- NHTSA 17V007000Jan 6, 2017Airbags1 vehicles
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 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.
2016 Kia Optima fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 24 MPG
- Highway
- 34 MPG
- Combined
- 28 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,300
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2016 compared with other Optima years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Kia Optima reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2016 Optima ranks 4th worst out of 16 model years with a Complaint Index of 80, and carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Optima years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2016 Kia Optima?
- Engine problems are the top issue, making up 60% of complaints (450 of 754), with a median mileage at failure of 68,043 miles.
- Does the 2016 Kia Optima have engine fire recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2016 Optima, including a fuel pipe inspection/replacement tied to prior engine work, a front axle driveshaft crack recall, and two airbag-related recalls.
- How many complaints and recalls does the 2016 Kia Optima have?
- NHTSA has logged 754 complaints and 5 recall campaigns for the 2016 Optima, including 19 fire reports and 27 crash reports.
- Which Kia Optima years are worse than 2016?
- The 2012, 2013, and 2015 Optima all carry higher Complaint Index scores (87, 100, and 93) and also carry Avoid verdicts, while 2010 is rated Best among Optima years.