Representative model. Photo: Mikoko82, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2016 Kia Optima recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2016 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 5
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 763
Latest campaign: Aug 24, 2023

Recall summary by component5

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Air bags	2	Jan 6, 2017	17V007000 16V231000
Latches/locks/linkages	1	Aug 24, 2023	23V594000
Fuel system, gasoline	1	Dec 19, 2018	18V907000
Power train	1	Oct 3, 2016	16V705000

Safety recalls5

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Aug 24, 2023Latest campaign


Aug 24, 202323V594000	Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid latch A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury. DetailsHide details for campaign 23V594000 What's wrong 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 requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release." Risk A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury. Remedy Dealers will replace the trunk latch base subassembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC278. Campaign NHTSA 23V594000 · Aug 24, 2023
Dec 19, 201818V907000	Fuel system, gasoline: delivery hoses, lines/piping, and fittings A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire. DetailsHide details for campaign 18V907000 What's wrong 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 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. Risk A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire. Remedy Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172. Campaign NHTSA 18V907000 · Dec 19, 2018
Jan 6, 201717V007000	Air bags: frontal driver side In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate fully increases the risk of injury. DetailsHide details for campaign 17V007000 What's wrong 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. Risk In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate fully increases the risk of injury. Remedy The affected vehicle was remedied on January 10, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC143. Campaign NHTSA 17V007000 · Jan 6, 2017
Oct 3, 201616V705000	Power train: axle assembly axle shaft If the driveshaft cracks and separates from the vehicle, it will not be able to move forward. DetailsHide details for campaign 16V705000 What's wrong 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. Risk 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. Either scenario can increase the risk of a crash. Remedy Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC139. Campaign NHTSA 16V705000 · Oct 3, 2016
Apr 21, 201616V231000	Air bags: frontal If the second stage air bag does not deploy it increases the risk of injury or death. DetailsHide details for campaign 16V231000 What's wrong 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, resulting in the second stage not deploying in necessitating crashes. Risk If the second stage air bag does not deploy it increases the risk of injury or death. Remedy Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on May 6, 2016. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC131. Campaign NHTSA 16V231000 · Apr 21, 2016

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Kia recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Owner complaints by component763

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

763Complaints filed

27Involving a crash

21Involving a fire

21Injuries reported · 1 death

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Engine	428	56	4	16	5
Unknown or other	121	16	5	4	2
Electrical system	105	14	7	7	1
Power train	76	10	2	1	0
Fuel/propulsion system	53	7	0	6	1
Exterior lighting	48	6	2	0	0
Structure	40	5	4	3	6
Visibility	30	4	0	0	0
Vehicle speed control	29	4	2	1	2
Service brakes	24	3	2	2	1
Engine and engine cooling	24	3	0	1	0
Steering	24	3	2	0	0
Air bags	23	3	13	0	12
Visibility/wiper	10	1	0	0	0
Fuel system	9	1	0	0	0

15 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number, merged from NHTSA model names Optima, Optima Hybrid.

Latest reports

Visibility/wiper
“Concerning my Optima KIA's OEM front windshield. At certain times of the day when the sunlight is shining on a certain angle it is difficult to see through the windshield due to the glare which creates a visual…”
Filed 10/15/2026 · ODI 11771350
Power train
“Severe engine defect (Theta II 2.4L GDI). Sudden total loss of power, metallic knocking, severe oil consumption, and imminent catastrophic failure while driving, creating a high safety risk.”
Filed 10/10/2026 · ODI 11770266
Electrical system
“I am reporting a serious safety concern involving my 2016 Kia Optima, purchased from CarMax in 2024 and financed through CarMax Auto Finance.”
Filed 10/07/2026 · ODI 11769490

Other Kia Optima model years

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2016 Kia Optima recall questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Kia Optima have?

NHTSA lists 5 safety recall campaigns for the 2016 Kia Optima. The most recent, 23V594000 (reported August 24, 2023), concerns latches/locks/linkages. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2016 Kia Optima recalls for?

The largest group is air bags, with 2 campaigns. Others: latches/locks/linkages (1), fuel system, gasoline (1), power train (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2016 Kia Optima?

Engine is the most-reported component, named in 428 complaints out of 763 filed with NHTSA (56%). Across all complaints, owners reported 27 crashs and 21 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2016 Kia Optima?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Kia recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Kia dealer.

Check a specific Kia by VIN

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