Is the 2016 Kia Optima a bad year?
761 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 444, 34× a quiet Optima year.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2016 Kia Optima were filed between 66k and 110k miles. You're at 91,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2016 Optima owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 91,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 444 (58%) | 66k–110k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 62 (8%) | 67k–120k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Electrical system | 103 (14%) | 37k–103k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Brakes | 24 (3%) | 38k–122k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 74 (10%) | 18k–87k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Exterior lightingSTANDS OUT | 47 (6%) | 38k–70k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Body structure | 41 (5%) | 35k–64k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 38 (5%) | 48k–89k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 29 (4%) | 34k–88k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Air bags | 24 (3%) | 24k–67k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Steering | 24 (3%) | 22k–80k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Seats | 9 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Stability control | 9 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 5 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 91,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 761 complaints: 27 mention a crash · 20 mention a fire · 17 report an injury · 56 say the car was towed.
61 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
On july 26 2019 I took my 2016 Kia Optima in the valley hi Kia for a product improvement campaign and performed a software update to the ecu.
On 1/12/2020, I was driving my car 2016 Kia Optima from alpharetta to decatur to attend church. I pulled into the parking lot of the church and parked.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 91,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2016 Kia Optima: 5
The trunk latch base may crack, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
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. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
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. In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate fully increases the risk of injury.
The right front axle driveshaft may crack and fail. If the driveshaft cracks and separates from the vehicle, it will not be able to move forward. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied upon exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll.
In these vehicles, a chemical enhancer required for the for the second stage deployment of the driver's frontal air bag was not loaded, resulting in the second stage not deploying in necessitating crashes. If the second stage air bag does not deploy it increases the risk of injury or death.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Kia: 153
Repair instructions Kia sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2016 Kia Optima. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Product improvement campaign: engine replacement instructions for DTC P1326 (PI1802Y/Z)
SC205_stkr: voluntary emissions service campaign completion sticker
Voluntary emissions service campaign: theta 2.0L t-gdi ulev logic improvement for emissions (SC205)
Injector harness routing for PI1802Y/Z and PI1803Y/Z engine replacements
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Loss of Motive Power
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
Electrical overstress
Neighbouring years
2015 Optima: 1,011 complaints, consider selling · 2017 Optima: 257 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Kia Optima year
2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · All Optima years side by side
Other Kia models: Kia Amanti · Kia Cadenza · Kia Carnival · Kia EV6 · Kia EV9 · Kia Forte · Kia K5 · Kia Niro · Kia Optima Hybrid · Kia Rio · Kia Rondo · Kia Sedona · Kia Seltos · Kia Sephia · Kia Sorento · Kia Soul · Kia Spectra · Kia Sportage · Kia Stinger · Kia Telluride. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2016 Kia Optima a bad year?
761 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 444, 34× a quiet Optima year. At 91,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2016 Kia Optima were filed between 66k and 110k miles. You're at 91,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Kia Optima?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (444), fuel system (62), electrical system (103), brakes (24), transmission and drivetrain (74). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 66k–110k miles.
How many recalls does the 2016 Kia Optima have?
5 recall campaigns list this model year: Latches and locks (NHTSA 23V-594), Fuel system (NHTSA 18V-907), Air bags (NHTSA 17V-007), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 16V-705) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.