10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
28,791 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2016 Kia Optima electrical problems

electrical problem

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2016 Kia Optima Owner Comments (Page 3 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #36

Aug 182021

Optima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

About 3 weeks ago my headlight Auto dash notification would flash on and off for probably 8 times. It was day time so I didn't think anything of it. Last week I was driving in the dark and my head lights turned off completely. I was able to get them back on. I started doing research and other people have had the same issue stating that it is the multifunction switch. Again this morning driving in the dark they turned off completely again. This is dangerous for not just the driver and passengers of the car but also other drivers if you can not be seen. This needs to be recalled and needs to be fixed sooner than later. Please help.

- San Marcos, TX, USA

problem #35

Apr 142021

Optima

  • 108,200 miles
My headlights have gone out 3 times in the last four months. I've never encountered this type of problem with any other vehicle. This car is S 2016 Kia Optima and had left me without headlights.I notice others have complained about the same exact problem. This safety issue needs to be investigated. Very dangerous to drive without headlamps. Someone please make note of this serious situation immediately!!!!

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #34

Mar 292021

Optima

  • 111,000 miles
2016 Kia Optima has an issue with the vehicle headlights. They are turning off by themselves while driving. Today was a close one for me, it was 9:10pm and I was going about 50mph and all the sudden my lights went out and I had to break rapidly, I couldn't see anything in front of me. This has been an ongoing issue with this car, and it seems to be a common issue for other owners. I asked my local dealership about fixing the headlights, they told me it was going to cost $400 and they are aware of this being a defective issue with other owners. I am not going to pay for something that is a manufacturer defect. Please take a look at this issue, every efforts should be made to make this a national recall issue.

- Bogart, GA, USA

problem #33

Jan 152021

Optima

  • 62,100 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Three of the window regulators failed at the same time and the forth two weeks later. I had them repaired for a almost $ 2000 since the the vehicle has 62K miles and the warranty was good till 60K miles.

- Punta Gorda, FL, USA

problem #32

Dec 032020

Optima

  • 91,000 miles
My oil pressure light continues to turn on and off even after replaced parts! burning at least 2 quarts of oil per week! brake lights stop working if headlights are on! had to start using super to eliminate a rattle while accelerating uphill! engine shakes!!

- Young Harris, GA, USA

problem #31

Sep 102020

Optima

  • 65,096 miles
All 4 of my windows will not go up or down. This happened within weeks of each other. There is no cheap solution. Kia wants $150 deposit and I was quoted $225 per window. This is insane. I am driving a car where the windows are all wedged up which is a safety hazard. I am not the only one with this problem. Are there any recalls for this?

- Daytona Beach, FL, USA

problem #30

Sep 242020

Optima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The cluster started blinking out while driving then eventually goes out completely. At the start of the problem it would go out at times then pop back on for about two weeks.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #29

Sep 152020

Optima

  • 88,000 miles
It began when we would try to start the car it seemed to have battery issues and have trouble starting, and finally the battery did drain but isn't holding charge but took it in to get checked and battery is fine. The headlights will randomly shut off while driving at night like if the sensor were in the day time. Now the engine light has came on while driving it and when you hit the gas it jerks the car after 20 mph. This happens on and off where it will be fine then suddenly start doing it all over again everything also happens in different occasions.

- Queen Creek, AZ, USA

problem #28

Oct 062020

Optima

  • 100,000 miles
Sometimes when I start the car it only runs at about 500rpm and the digital speedometer starts going up in numbers when I'm in park and I have no power steering. I can put the car in drive and park or open the door and it starts acting normal. It also acts like it's going to shut off when I come to a stop. I am aware that the rpms drop when you stop almost like a gas saver but with in the last 20 thousand miles it has gotten really rough. It burns oil like crazy the dealership is aware of this but can't do anything with the engine tell it throws a code and they can't duplicate any of my other issues, the front end has made awful noises for the last 50 thousand miles or so and has had the front suspension replaced but that didn't fix the issue. Iv has the knock sensor replaced but I'm convinced it was just a gimmick so the car won't throw codes anymore because it should be with the issues I'm having. Like when the electronic steering goes out I get no dash light. I wish Kia would own up to their issues

- Covington, VA, USA

problem #27

Feb 012020

Optima

  • miles
I'll start with the windows. Prior to covid my right rear passenger window motor and regulator went out. Citrus Kia fixed it. Right after covid was announced my front right passenger window went out and I couldnt get my car in. 2 weeks later my front left driver window went out. When I finally got my car in they told me I was 200 miles over on my warranty to fix it. I havent had the use of either of my front windows for months. They dropped randomly going down the road. If I dont leave something wedged in the window they drop so far I have to use duct tape to adhere to it and pull up enough to grab it. Its definitely a safety issue that I cannot use my windows. And I dont know what is going on with the drive train, axle and suspension but I am eating through brand new tires every couple months. The dealership blamed it on me and seriously asked me if I was jumping curbs. I have had so many issues with this car since the motor got replaced. Not to mention my heat doesnt work unless its in defrost mode. The dealership knows about all these ongoing issues. Karen is my service advisor. I even tried to trade my car in with them and they turned it down. This car is falling apart and I am only one month away from having it for 4 years. I am the only owner it has had

- Homosassa, FL, USA

problem #26

Jul 092020

Optima

  • 46,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2016 Kia Optima bursted into flames while stationary in front of my home.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #25

Sep 072020

Optima

  • 106,000 miles
The headlights will randomly turn themselves on and off in day and night time. This only happens in the 'auto' option for the headlights. I have seen numerous other reports on this on here. In addition to that the car doesn't respond to the key fob most of the time even with brand new battery in the fob. Step dad has the same car with same issues with the key fob.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #24

Jul 152020

Optima

  • miles
In June 2020 after ordering food at a fast food drive through my driver side window would roll back up. I didn't think much thought maybe the window was off track. About a week or so later while driving on a local street in my town my driver side back passenger window slid down I began hearing and feeling wind come through the window I called my dad who lives in miami he told me to put a flat head screwdriver down in the window to keep the window from sliding down and possible breaking and to call the dealership. I called the Kia dealership I was told to make an appointment to have the windows looked at. (which I did) a couple days later while picking my daughter up from work I was backed into a parking spot. I rolled the back passenger side window down to let her know I was there since she was more to the back side of the car then the front and all behold the window would not go back up. I called Kia 1st thing the next morning and was told my car had a recall for the electrical but they could not do anything about my windows unless I paid out of pocket because the recall did not cover the windows. I'm upset because I do not have money to fix 3 windows had I not had that electrical problem my windows would still be working.

- Riviera Beach, FL, USA

problem #23

Aug 292020

Optima

  • 111,440 miles
Fourth window regulator to stop working in the past year. The window rolled down and would not roll up.

- Woodstock, GA, USA

problem #22

Jun 132019

Optima

  • 37,222 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, the driver's and passenger's side rear windows started to roll down independently. The contact was unable to roll the windows back up. The vehicle was taken to local dealer rick case Kia located 14500 w. sunrise blvd, sunrise, fl 33323, (954) 715-7580, where it was diagnosed with needing the window regulators to be replaced. The vehicle had been repaired but continued to experience the failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was 37,222.

- Miramar, FL, USA

problem #21

Feb 232019

Optima

  • 55,000 miles
The driver door lock does not work. It is the only door that will not lock sometimes. Other times it is the only door that will not unlock. The cruise control does not always want to work. It will say cruise but will not let me set it.

- Muskegon, MI, USA

problem #20

Apr 252020

Optima

  • 31,000 miles
The wiring in this vehicle is soy-based and is attractive to rodents. I have experienced rodent damage twice now totaling about $3000 in damages. I have contacted Kia and they suggested making a claim on insurance. The first time damage occurred was in 11/2019 we made a claim on insurance. This time we will pay out of pocket because of the fear insurance might drop us for making continued claims. This seems to be a known fact about the soy-based wiring, yet Kia is not willing to assist.

- Globe, AZ, USA

problem #19

Nov 042019

Optima

  • 54,000 miles
Three out of four windows have stopped working. It started with the rear passenger window about 6 months ago, then the rear driver 3 months ago, and now the front passenger about a month ago. Did some research to find it's a pretty common problem on Kia's for the regulators to break. I didn't have the money at the time to fix the first one, was saving up and then second one stopped working. Definitely didn't have money for two, when third quit. Now just waiting for the last one to keel over. I don't know the exact problem, but I don't have money to fix all four windows at one time on a car that's only four years old.

- Foley, AL, USA

problem #18

Mar 112020

Optima

  • 107,110 miles
3rd window motor that has failed in just a few months! first my back two window motors and housings needed to be replaced and now my front driver side window is down and will not roll up. On the way to work this morning it stopped working and now my car is sitting outside at work unsecured. Kia contacted me regarding my last complaint and is working to see if I can be reimbursed for the second window. I am waiting for a response now to my email and call this morning regarding this third window.

- Lake Wales, FL, USA

problem #17

Sep 012019

Optima

  • 103,000 miles
My rear driver's side window started falling down all of a sudden. I had to replace the regulator and the motor. Now, just a few months later, the passenger rear window is doing the same thing. This seems like a defect. I never had to replace a window motor in my 1997 Toyota 4runner that I just traded in in July of 2018.

- Lake Wales, FL, USA

Read the next 16 complaints »

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