Model year
2016 Kia Optima
NHTSA lists 5 recalls and 759 complaints for the 2016 Kia Optima (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 0 recalls and 4 complaints under OPTIMA HYBRID and OPTIMA PHEV. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are ENGINE (426), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (121), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (101). NHTSA lists 3 investigations. NHTSA rated 2 variants 5 stars overall. EPA rates it 25–37 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $1,800–$2,700, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2001 143 complaints
- 2002 107 complaints
- 2003 141 complaints
- 2004 225 complaints
- 2005 144 complaints
- 2006 155 complaints
- 2007 167 complaints
- 2008 144 complaints
- 2009 116 complaints
- 2010 75 complaints
- 2011 594 complaints
- 2012 920 complaints
- 2013 1,386 complaints
- 2014 590 complaints
- 2015 1,009 complaints
- 2016 759 complaints
- 2017 257 complaints
- 2018 233 complaints
- 2019 212 complaints
- 2020 151 complaints
Recalls
23V594000 · Aug 24, 2023
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…
18V907000 · Dec 19, 2018
ENGINE; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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…
17V007000 · Jan 6, 2017
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.
16V705000 · Oct 3, 2016
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Optima vehicles manufactured November 13, 2015, to April 23, 2016 and equipped with a 2.4l engine. The right front axle driveshaft may crack and fail.
16V231000 · Apr 21, 2016
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Optima vehicles manufactured November 10, 2015, to February 12, 2016. In these vehicles, a chemical enhancer required for the for the second stage deployment of the driver's frontal air bag was not loaded,…
Complaints
759 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 27, fire flag on 20, injury field 21, deaths field 1. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| OPTIMA HYBRID | 0 | 4 |
| OPTIMA PHEV | 0 | 0 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| EA19001 | Electrical overstress · AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE | Apr 19, 2019 | Sep 19, 2024 |
| DP21003 | Throttle control system vulnerabilities · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:THROTTLE | Nov 12, 2021 | Jun 20, 2023 |
| DP22003 | Loss of Motive Power · ENGINE | Sep 12, 2022 | Dec 12, 2023 |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR FWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 · possibility 0.098 | NHTSA photo |
| Hybrid 4 DR FWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 · possibility 0.096 | — |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optima Hybrid · 2.4L · Automatic (AM6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · Hybrid | 35 | 38 | 37 | — | — | $1,800 |
| Optima Hybrid EX · 2.4L · Automatic (AM6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · Hybrid | 35 | 38 | 36 | — | — | $1,850 |
| Optima · 1.6L · Automatic (AM7) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 28 | 37 | 31 | — | — | $2,150 |
| Optima · 2L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 22 | 31 | 25 | — | — | $2,700 |
| Optima FE · 2L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 22 | 31 | 25 | — | — | $2,700 |
| Optima · 2.4L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 | 34 | 28 | — | — | $2,400 |
| Optima FE · 2.4L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 25 | 36 | 29 | — | — | $2,300 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2016 Kia Optima at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.