Kia Optima Complaints (2016)

764 consumer complaints on file.

#11657291April 28, 2025
ENGINE
Valve 3 does not have compression sent to private mechanic. Sent to KIA was told this is not covered under warranty for new engines went to say that intrest rates are down for new used cars. After some research this could be caused by engine recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11656322April 23, 2025
ENGINE
Car has been consuming way more oil than usual which caused engine failed and I’ve filed several complaints with Kia America few years before engine failure with concerns of how much money I was spending in oil
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654466April 14, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owned a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while coming to a stop, the vehicle leaned forward as if the engine had moved abnormally too far forward out of position. The contact stated that her boyfriend attempted to roll down the passenger’s side window; however, the window failed to open as intended. No warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact attempted to take the vehicle to the local independent dealer where it was purchased; however, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power. The vehicle was towed to the local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine was blown and there was a hole in the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. In addition, the contact diagnosed the failure and related the failure to the motor mount, alternator bracket, and in need of an intake manifold replacement. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by the local dealer. The vehicle was given back to the local independent dealer and the vehicle was repaired and put up for sale. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,086. The VIN was not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654571April 14, 2025
ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The car caught on fire while I was driving. No warning lights came on and the car didn't show it was running hot. I tried to engage the brakes, and they malfunctioned. I coasted the car to the side of the highway, where the fire and smoke plumed from under the car. I immediately exited the car and ran. As I was running from the car the grass was on fire. The car was totally destroyed by fire. The car has not been inspected by my insurance or Kia. Kia has a class action settlement for car fires the year, make, and model of mine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11653514April 8, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SEATS
Unknown
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11652949April 5, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
paint peeling, chipping, and bubbling.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11652078April 1, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
The antenna fin flew off while I was driving on the highway.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651376March 28, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving on the highway at 65 MPH, the vehicle began to jerk excessively, and the contact was forced to pull over to the side of the road. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the fuel injectors and valve cover gasket were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 112,260.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651140March 27, 2025
ENGINE
1. Burning Oil Issue: I began noticing excessive oil consumption in my vehicle at approximately [130,000], with the need for frequent oil top-offs. I made multiple visits to my local dealership and reported the issue, but no lasting solution was offered. This burning issue is a known issue due to position ring failure. 2.Catalytic Converter Failure: Due to the excessive oil burning, the oil eventually began to damage the catalytic converter. This caused significant issues with the performance of my vehicle, including [specific symptoms such as loss of power, poor acceleration, engine misfire, etc.]. 3.Engine Failure: As the oil-burning issue continued, the damage to the catalytic converter worsened, leading to a total engine failure. I am left with a car that is no longer operational, and I believe that these issues are the result of a persistent defect in the engine that should have been addressed under warranty or a recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651159March 27, 2025
ENGINE
I was driving on 295 and my engine light came on. My car started shaking when I was accelerating and when I don’t accelerate it stops. When I come to a complete stop the car jerks back and forth acting like it wants to stall… I’m waiting on a call back from my mechanic on their diagnostic results
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11650603March 25, 2025
AIR BAGS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
There is a clean slit on my dashboard where the passenger airbags are it’s started to form a complete square around the air bag placement and I’m worried it might have a problem with the airbags and its not just cosmetic. When I googled the issue there are tons of kia drivers with the same clean sit appearing over the passenger air bag. I contacted Kia dealership and they said I’d have to pay for a diagnostic fee to determine if it’s a problem but there’s clearly a problem with the 2016 kia so I’m sure all of us owners would appreciate it being recalled
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11648706March 17, 2025
ENGINE
Vehicle has been burning oil excessively for the last 3 years until engine finally went out
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11647038March 7, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owned a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed smoke coming from under the hood. The contact stated that the passenger, who was seated in the rear passenger's seat, advised the contact to stop the vehicle. The contact stopped and parked the vehicle. The contact and the passenger exited the vehicle. The contact stated the engine was on fire. The Fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. A Fire report was filed. No police report was filed. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The vehicle was condemned as a total loss. In addition, the contact stated that two days before the failure, the vehicle was serviced by an independent mechanic. The independent mechanic replaced the engine sensor and the valve cover gasket. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11646501March 5, 2025
ENGINE, VISIBILITY
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to operate properly. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local Good Year Service Center where it was diagnosed and determined that the battery, alternator, and drive belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, several miles later the engine seized. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. In addition, the contact stated that all four windows shattered, and the window regulators were replaced several times. The contact stated that the front driver’s and front passenger’s side windows had shattered, and moisture entered the cabin of the vehicle during inclement weather. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to an undisclosed NHTSA recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 48,889.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11645985March 3, 2025
ENGINE
Engine started making a knocking noise. Took the car to a machine that agreed this is the same issue that other Kia's have had. Those Kia's engines were on recall but for my year, it is not on recall. Even though it's the same exact issue. Car maintenance is up to date.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11646096March 3, 2025
ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND LOST ENGINE POWER WHILE ENTERING TRAFFIC ON THE FREEWAY, ALMOST GOT REARENDED BUY A VEHICLE FROM BEHIND, VERY SCARRY! CAR IS AT THE KIA DEALER GETTING DIAGNOSED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11645034February 26, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing an excessive oil consumption. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was advised to complete an oil consumption test. The contact declined. The contact stated that upon driving approximately 500 miles after the oil change was performed on the vehicle, there was no oil left in the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that oil was leaking onto the spark plug. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11645080February 26, 2025
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Vehicle went into emergency mode while in the highway system completely locked could not drive lost power and was forced to pull over and have vehicle towed, mechanic took a look indicated new alternator was required there for we purchased new alternator and new battery car turned on and same issue happened with in 20 minutes of test driving vehicle, this happened twice and could have cost our life’s! I am extremely disappointed and frustrated I have no means to fix the vehicle we used out saving to finally replace what we though was the issue but I’ve come across many same issues from other parties who experienced the same issue. The vehicle is paid off and we need assistance in fixing this issue it appears the engine or electrical issue at this point but I am scared to get on the road we have tried charging it back on but steering wheels locks up and dies a few minutes after please help
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11644061February 21, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have requested that this recall be repaired and updated with the NHTSA, however I've made an appointment, taken this vehicle to the dealership, and called Kia corporate, but they have yet to update this repair so that it shows repaired in the system. In addition to this, when I took the vehicle to have the recall fixed, there were other important recalls that I wasn't notified about, this includes the vehicle anti-theft software for this particular model, make, and year and another product improvement as I was also told by another Kia associate that this one may be regarding the ECU on this engine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11643100February 17, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Driver front side window, Passenger front side window, Rear Driver side window. All windows not going up and down. I had to put door wedges down in the panel to keep windows from falling. I was informed that the regulator and motor in panels that control the switches for movement of windows are burned out. I was also informed from the mechanic this could of been a fire hazard. I was informed from the mechanic. No one around our area had these parts. If I were to purchase them from KIA dealership it would cost $1300 to fix all three windows. I don't have that kind of money for repair. Especially when I am not the only person that is dealing with these issues. The list goes on unsatisfied Kia optima owners that is having the same issue with windows.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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