Kia Optima Complaints (2016)

764 consumer complaints on file.

#11676220July 25, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While driving at approximately 45/50 mph, the right rear window suddenly dropped into the door panel without warning. This unexpected failure startled me and created a distraction while driving, as well as compromised my ability to hear and concentrate safely. My left rear window has also slipped into the door panel and is now being held up by shims and I have now discovered that the issue is due to a failed window regulator. This is a known issue in similar vehicles and poses a potential safety hazard, especially during adverse weather or high-speed driving. The Manufacturer has not issued a recall only a bulletin and the cost that was quoted to me from Hendrick Kia of Concord was over $900 dollars a regulator.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11675639July 23, 2025
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
Complaint Message – 2016 Kia Optima Engine Failure Without Oil Light Warning I am the owner of a 2016 Kia Optima (VIN: [XXX] ). My vehicle suffered complete engine failure due to oil starvation — without any prior oil warning light or indication. The engine died while driving, and it was only afterward that I discovered the engine oil was extremely low. The oil pressure light never illuminated at any point to warn me. I am aware that Kia previously recalled earlier model years (2011–2014) for similar engine issues under Recall SC147 and others, related to the Theta II engine and oil pressure-related failures. Many owners reported the exact same symptom — catastrophic engine failure without oil light warnings — that I am now experiencing in my 2016 Optima. Although my model year is not included in the existing recall, the failure pattern appears identical. I believe this presents a significant safety issue that should be investigated. A critical warning system (oil pressure light) failed to function properly, which directly led to engine damage. I am requesting that this issue be reviewed and investigated by NHTSA and Kia for potential expansion of the recall or warranty coverage to include the 2016 Optima. I have already contacted Kia and am pursuing further review through the dealership and customer support. Please note that other 2016 Optima owners have reported similar complaints online and in forums, and this issue may affect a broader number of vehicles than currently acknowledged. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11675447July 22, 2025
ENGINE
I’m experiencing severe oil consumption and spark plug fouling, which are known problems with the GDI engine. This is affecting driveability and may indicate piston ring or valve seal failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11675005July 21, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 56,276. and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 114,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11674420July 18, 2025
ENGINE
Engine issue, it’s knocking loud and misfires. Engine light flashing and Car went into limp mode , will not go over 60 mph . I have changed the spark plugs, knock sensor, and had an oil change nothing has fixed my issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11673169July 13, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1) Rear passenger window failed a couple months ago. I believe it was regulator, not 100% sure. Cost me a couple hundred to fix. Now, few months later, the driver side rear window has failed. I rarely use the windows so I believe the failing parts are Kia known manufacturing defect. The dealer acknowledged that it’s a known problem with the vehicles like mine and even suggested the other one is going to fail soon. Now it has. If the dealership is aware then it’s likely a Kia flaw. If it’s a know manufacturing flaw, shouldn’t Kia should be fixing them instead of making customers spend upwards of $1k+ to fix both windows? 2) cruise control cuts off or doesn’t set and menus won’t go back to speedometer. While trying to set cruise control, it gets into the menu and won’t go back to the speedometer. Sometimes I have to pull over and stop to get the cruise control to work again. It gets stuck in the menu and can’t see the speedometer. Might get stuck on the trip screen, or the range. This has been happening since about 75k miles. It also doesn’t work with the pedal to set sometimes. Messing with it while driving can be a real hazard and sometimes I need to have cruise control to work. It’s deforming more than just inconvenient
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11672313July 9, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I own a 2016 Kia Optima EX with VIN [XXX] . The engine failed at 85,763 miles due to a rod bearing seizure. This matches the known defect in Kia’s 2.4L GDI engines, which has been the subject of recalls and service campaigns in the past. Despite being covered under Kia’s extended engine warranty, Kia America denied my engine replacement claim. They cited "vehicle reconditioning" and "multiple ownership" as reasons — neither of which are valid grounds to void warranty coverage, especially for a known defect. A certified Kia dealership (Mark Kia in Scottsdale, AZ) approved my vehicle for warranty replacement, and submitted the request. Kia corporate denied it. This creates a serious safety concern and shows that Kia may be wrongfully avoiding responsibility for this defect. Please investigate. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11672345July 9, 2025
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
Several safety-critical systems failed on this vehicle. The engine (Theta II 2.4L GDI) failed due to rod bearing wear, causing sudden power loss on the highway. The vehicle entered limp mode, once at 50 mph in 2018 and again at 70 mph in 2025, and had to be pulled over quickly to avoid collision. Additional issues: all four windows failed at different times, leaving them stuck open and creating safety risks in weather or emergencies. The trunk latch failed, causing unsecured cargo risk. ABS, TPMS, and traction control warning lights illuminated repeatedly, indicating possible loss of critical safety systems. A loose wiring harness caused the turn signal bulb to burn out repeatedly, reducing visibility and signaling. The dealership performed the KSDS software update after I reported engine trouble but did not resolve the issue. The engine soon failed completely while driving. Other issues, such as the fuse box blowing fuses from a standard USB charger have also been documented by a Kia dealership but not always fully repaired. The most recent engine failure and electrical defects are being inspected by a Kia dealership, and Kia Consumer Affairs is reviewing the warranty claim. Prior to the engine failure, I smelled burning oil and topped it off monthly due to excessive consumption. The oil level light and check engine light only appeared during limp mode right before the failure. These repeated safety-critical defects, particularly sudden engine failure at highway speed, created a significant safety hazard for myself and others on the road. At the time of this report, I am in the process of seeking warranty coverage for the catastrophic engine failure through Kia. The failure behavior (limp mode, flashing check engine light, and rod knock) is consistent with the safety defect described in the Theta II engine settlement. I am concerned that despite this being a known issue, there may be delays or denials in honoring the safety-related warranty repair.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11670036June 29, 2025
ENGINE
The vehicle went into limp power mode while driving
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11669700June 27, 2025
VISIBILITY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving in inclement weather on several occasions, all four windows of the vehicle became intermittently inoperable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11668063June 20, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3 of windows do not roll up.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11665959June 10, 2025
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
A month in after purchasing the check engine light came on. My car did not want to accelerate, started shaking and having jerking movement while driving on the freeway with my newborn and 3 other children in the car with me. Got stranded 3 hours away from home. Car has been in the shop going on 30 days. Spark plugs changed, coolant thermostat changed and now the engine was reported that it has failed. Still in the shop currently.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11665961June 10, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
My paint has begun bubbling up and feeling out of nowhere. I’ve always taken good care of my car yet spots are beginning to pop up along the passanger side. The paint continues to peel more as time goes on. I’ve found many complaints online of people saying they’ve had the same issue with their kia in the Snow White Pearl color I have, but there’s no recall and kia refuses to pay for it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11663406May 28, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
All 4 of the window regulator motors blew in my windows at the same time, only about 9 years into the vehicle's life. The little plastic pulleys that move the cables degrade over time and then ruin the rest of the window motor when they break, and since they decided not to make this an easily repairable part it requires the entire window regulator assembly which is half of the door to be replaced, not just this plastic part. I had to replace all 4 of them out of my own money, KIA REFUSED to replace something that is completely 100% their fault and it cost me over $3,500 to repair all four windows that went out pretty much at the same time. It's insane silly that anyone's windows can just break at anytime and be stuck in the down position. I can't just put up trash bags and then not be able to see a thing while I wait to get it fixed if it happens again. I was lucky enough to be in a position to get it looked at quickly, but it is absolutely insane that KIA would refuse to cover such a defect. There is already a class-action lawsuit over this I believe but they haven't even attempted to remedy the situation. Not everyone has time to wait for a lawsuit to settle. There should absolutely be some kind of recall/extended warranty on their windows. My engine blew at 57,400 miles only a few months later which is separate and was replaced but it's just insane that I was promised a car but got a piece of trash that consistently breaks while all I can get is a replacement engine with the same exact problem and no confirmation that the same thing won't just happen again while they continue to use the same defective engine over 10 model years. I want them to fix their issues not slap a band-aid over them and hope for the best. This company has been knowingly selling cars built to end up in a landfill within 10 years and they don't care.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11663410May 28, 2025
STEERING
MDPS failing when driving randomly. Steering locks up and vehicle is uncontrollable, while the vehicle is moving. This has occurred at varying speeds, while turning and while driving straight. Dealer has unsuccessfully got the issue to replicate, but independent service center was able to replicate it and found the extended warranty and recommended dealership visit since issue is covered. Vehicle has been inspected by dealership and the first recommended battery replacement, but this did not remedy the issue. EPS warning light is illuminated while issue is occurring but due to safety, car needs to be restarted to gain control of the vehicle and light turns off.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11661791May 19, 2025
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Engine failed at 52.350 miles due to excessive oil consumption confirmed by a Kia dealership. Car was driving fine on 5/1/25, on 5/2/25, car started to stall with loud clicking noise, and wouldn't move fast, which then activated the check engine light.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11661385May 16, 2025
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
I went to the Garden Grove Kia to get my new 2016 kia optima repaired for their knock sensor settlement repair. By their own terms of the agreement all original and subsequent ow ers can get vehicles repaired. They took my vehicle information, I gave them all details of my ownership of the vehicle and they said they would fix it. The next day I rented a trailer to take the vehicle to get repaired (vehicle still runs but don't think it's safe to drive like that) and upon arriving, a worker comes out and tells me that they will not repir the vehicle because I just purchased the vehicle. Craig, the manager, also refused to see ownership documents but gave me 2 things; legal advice saying that I should sue where I bought the vehicle from and a paper that said they will not fix cars owned by dealers and auctions. I am neither am neither nor. Craig, also stated that Kia wont cover the repairs.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11661523May 16, 2025
POWER TRAIN, STEERING
While driving vechile shakes violently between 35-45 mph. I was informed the right axle needed replacement. There is a recall for 2016 optima axle replacement but Kia says my car doesn’t fall under it even though is the exact issue as the recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11661093May 15, 2025
ENGINE
The check engine light came on in the car. Upon having it checked at a local automotive shop, we discovered that the thermostat assembly is malfunctioning. This can cause the engine to overheat and shut off at any time which of course would be a severe danger. Additionally, a bad thermostat assembly in Kia vehicles can lead to engine overheating or overcooling, potentially causing engine damage and even a fire risk. Upon searching, this appears to be a common issue with the 2016 Kia Optima.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11658753May 4, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Have a shake during accelerating 35-40 mph and then again at 70 mph. There is an axle, recall on 2016 kia optima. for certain months, my is not included. how is the recall determined. Have not had it checked out yet. It seems to be getting worst, will check soon.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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