2016 Kia Optima problems and complaints
Owners have filed 759 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Kia Optima. The most-reported areas: Engine (426), Unknown Or Other (121), Electrical System (104).
Key takeaways
- 759 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
- 27 involve a crash, 20 a fire, 21 reported injuries.
- Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 426 | 56% |
| Unknown Or Other | 121 | 16% |
| Electrical System | 104 | 14% |
| Power Train | 74 | 10% |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 53 | 7% |
| Exterior Lighting | 47 | 6% |
| Structure | 40 | 5% |
| Visibility | 30 | 4% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 29 | 4% |
| Service Brakes | 24 | 3% |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 24 | 3% |
| Steering | 24 | 3% |
One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Kia Optima 4 DR FWD | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Latest complaints, as filed
Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.
Visibility/Wiper - filed 2026-10-15
Concerning my Optima KIA's OEM front windshield. At certain times of the day when the sunlight is shining on a certain angle it is difficult to see through the windshield due to the glare which creates a visual impairment. There were a quite a few instance's where I almost got into serious accidents. With my observatio...
Power Train,engine - filed 2026-10-10
Severe engine defect (Theta II 2.4L GDI). Sudden total loss of power, metallic knocking, severe oil consumption, and imminent catastrophic failure while driving, creating a high safety risk. Vehicle is currently out of service in [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 55...
Electrical System - filed 2026-10-07
I am reporting a serious safety concern involving my 2016 Kia Optima, purchased from CarMax in 2024 and financed through CarMax Auto Finance. On or about October 5, 2026, I returned to my parked vehicle and discovered extensive black soot/smoke residue throughout the interior. Wiring and interior components appeared me...
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More for the 2016 Kia Optima
Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.