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2016 Kia Optima: common problems and reliability
One of the worst Optima years.
One of the Kia Optima years to avoid. All Optima years
761 owner complaints, most about engine. 5 recalls.
Should I buy a 2016 Optima?The 2016 Kia Optima has 761 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and electrical system.
Safety record for the 2016 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2016 Kia Optima vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Optima years only. How we score it
Is 2016 a good year for the Optima?
Across the 20 Optima model years we track, complaint volume runs from 75 (2010) to 1,440 (2013). With 761 complaints, the 2016 Optima sits above the model's median of 225.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2016 Optima
fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Campaign 18V907000Kia 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 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.
air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Campaign 17V007000Kia 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.
power train:axle assembly:axle shaft
Campaign 16V705000Kia 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.
air bags:frontal
Campaign 16V231000Kia 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, resulting in the second stage not deploying in necessitating crashes.
Show 1 more recall
latches/locks/linkages:trunk lid:latch
Campaign 23V594000Kia 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 requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
What owners say across generations
Mixed sentiment with a strong generational divide. Long-term owners of earlier models (pre-2011) report exceptionally high reliability and satisfaction, with examples reaching over 270,000 miles with minimal maintenance beyond oil changes.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Optima. See the full Optima owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Optima listings typically run $8,155–$12,889 across 2011 to 2020 model years.
Other Optima model years
Compare every Optima year side by side to see how 2016 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Optima against its rivals
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