10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 12
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
27,269 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2016 Kia Optima Owner Comments (Page 11 of 17)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #122

Nov 252021

Optima

  • 200,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The contact also stated that she smelled an abnormal gasoline odor. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that an engine cylinder had failed. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could not repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V907000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine) unless the engine was knocking. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the engine was misfiring while driving and the vehicle would not exceed 40 MPH. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine was misfiring and oil was leaking onto the spark plugs. The dealer informed the contact that she had to pay a repair fee for spark plug replacements, and then the dealer would determine whether the engine should be replaced under the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000. The VIN was not available.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #121

Jul 062022

Optima

  • miles
Driving down the highway and lost power. check engine light came on the engine shut down and had to coast a mile down hill no shoulder to pull off to. came to a spot to pull over and tried starting it and it started but made a heck of a noise. took it to the dealership and it needs a new engine 60,234 miles on it no warning at all. just paid it off and received the title to it. in the mail the day before in the mail. lost power steering braking had too put it in neutral and coast down hill for a mile. this is mechanical engine failure and a safety issue. 2.4 liter GDI engine.

- Hillsboro, TN, USA

problem #120

Dec 022019

Optima

  • miles
We purchased car used on 11/27/19. Within 3 days it was chugging, engine light started blinking, and we were broke down on side of the road. Federico Kia in Wood River IL had us tow car to service and told us then that there was an issue with these engines and they would be -??replacing a part, and if it does this again, we would qualify for new engine. Would have been nice to know about issue with fires in engine prior to buying an 18000 car. After paying $400 for rental car they said it was fixed. Drove ok for another 9 months and then same thing happened yet this time we could smell something burning under hood. We were by dealership when this happened and due to it chugging and engine light, we took and dropped off again. We were then told spark plugs and needed oil change again after we had just changed ourselves 2 months prior. Said they were -??flushing out engine-??. Total cost was over $200 for us for oil change and flush. They said technically we were over our warranty time. SMH. It hasn-??t been right since we bought it. We can-??t afford to make their service dept rich, so we were told they would have to charge from them. We have had to replace same spark plugs 6 times as of today. We were just driving it after oil changes every 3 months even if miles driven were under 2000, and it-??s chugging again and smoke and smell from under hood again. This engine is going to catch fire i fear. I won-??t drive past 10 miles from my home because I have engine that chugs and overheats. Oil is not cheap and we put 2 qts in every 2 weeks or so. Dealership said there were no oil leaks they could see and yet puddle under car many times. Can someone please help us?

- Alton, IL, USA

problem #119

Sep 012019

Optima 4-cyl

  • miles

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

My name is E........ M........ and I'm writing this email/complaint in hopes it can be resolved or you can pass this email along to the appropriate person or persons to have this matter looked into. We purchased a used 2016 Kia Optima a few years back and have had nothing but trouble, from electrical issues, recalls, transmission issues, oil consumption, and smoke coming through the air vents!!!! and there's more, the last time we had an issue and took it to a dealer for problems shifting, hard shifts, loss of power, and smoking, we were told the dealer could not duplicate the problems while driving it and that was that, not a damn thing fixed because apparently everyone is stupid or blind and I was more than pissed. On 7/13/22 the car has been at the dealer again (for almost two weeks now, but they were so busy they just got to it today) so the car is there for the same exact things listed before only this time they state the turbo turbine is bad and it's gonna be $4000 to fix it. First off NO, and secondly NO, I will not let this happen! BTW, please pay close attention to the part of smoke coming through the air vents!!!! Currently, the car is at a KIA dealer still, the general manager was to call me on the 14th and NEVER DID today is the 19th, I called today and they are acting like they don't even know me. NO warning lamps, the car can be completely out of oil, and still no engine or oil light will come on. The fact that this car has smoke coming through the air vents is of most concern, I need help dealing with this issue and will contact a lawyer if needed or if you advise me to. BTW I emailed all head people at Kia corporate and NO response from them as well. Thank you The consumer stated the general manager has the approval to move forward with the repairs and would like to rescind the complaint.

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #118

Jun 132022

Optima

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to push the vehicle to the side of the road with the assistance of a police patrol. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the contact failed to complete an unknown independent recall prior to the failure. However, the contact stated that she had not received the recall notification. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

- Kennesaw, GA, USA

problem #117

Jul 132022

Optima 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 123,281 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle decelerated independently. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate the vehicle was vibrating abnormally. The oil level warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was previously taken to the dealer due to excessive oil consumption. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer and diagnosed with total engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 123,281.

- Centralia, IL, USA

problem #116

Jul 102022

Optima

  • miles

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

check engine light lit up when I was driving on a freeway, causing vehicle stalling. knocking noise was present when it occurred.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #115

Jul 122022

Optima

  • miles
140000 miles motor will not start. Oil leak has been an issue and having to stick a quart of oil in every 1000 miles. Vehicle went into safe mode and wouldnt go faster than 35 mph. Then vehicle proceeded to cut off mid drive and will not start back.

- Troy, AL, USA

problem #114

Jul 082022

Optima

  • miles
Using a qt or more of oil every 1000 miles or less. Kia told me that was normal. There are no puddles or spots where I park but it's obvious there's about problem. Has had plugs replaced 3 times in last year and today I had a flashing check engine light come on and lost power with a suspected misfire. Car will need to go to dealership again. I have lost all trust in Kia and their engines. With all these these problems there should be some kind of resolution to get these cars fixed at no charge. I currently have 112099 miles. I have been to the dealership many times prior to car going out of warranty with them telling my oil consumption was normal.

- Chattanooga , TN, USA

problem #113

Oct 212021

Optima

  • 132,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption. The contact stated that she had been adding oil in the vehicle every 1,000 miles. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who performed an oil consumption test and diagnosed that the vehicle was burning an excessive amount of oil. The contact stated while driving 55 -65 MPH, the vehicle went into safe mode and decelerated to 25-35 MPH. The oil pressure warning light was illuminated. The accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle failed to respond and failed to exceed 35 MPH. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that there was black smoke coming from the tail pipe. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not cover the repair of the vehicle due to the mileage. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.

- Sheffield Village, OH, USA

problem #112

Jul 052022

Optima

  • miles

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

Purchased my 2016 Kia Optima EX om 10/20/20 with 82,000 miles and right away had issues with the car going into limp mode and check engine light on. Not knowing that there was already an oil issue, we took the car in to a repair shop where they told us the car was out of oil so they did an oil change. A few months later the check engine light was back on, so we took it back to the shop and diagnostics indicated an engine issue, so we took it to a Kia dealership. They had the car for 6 days then called and told us to pick up the car because it was running fine and the check engine light was no longer on. Check engine light came back on a few months later, took it back to Kia they said it needed spark plugs/wires and an engine cleaning which was $600. About 8 months later, the check engine light was back on, brought it back into Kia, they said we needed spark plugs/wires, transmission cleaning and break line cleaning, which was $450. 4 months later, got a regularly scheduled oil change, 10 days later, oil light came on and car was out of oil. Brought it to Kia, they did a combustion cleaning for $350. Did the 1000 mile test, which the car failed. Now Kia is saying I need a new engine which will be around $8500, and of course I'm no longer under warranty. My car has been using 6 qts of oil every 600 miles. Even if I could afford a new engine, I no longer trust the safety of my family in this vehicle. Plus there is no guarantee that a new engine wouldn't have this same issue. We are a one-car family, so this has also cost us in rental car fees and inconvenience. How has this engine not been recalled"?" Kia should do the right thing and take responsibility for this engine problem.

- Shepherdsville, KY, USA

problem #111

Jun 202022

Optima

  • 102,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken for diagnostic testing and the contact was informed that the knock sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted but was unable to schedule an appointment to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the VIN was not under recall. The contact was referred to NHTSA. The failure mileage was 102,000.

- Lithonia, GA, USA

problem #110

Jun 302022

Optima

  • miles
Excessive oil consumption shaking of vehicle oil light not turning on. Vehicle shutting off not starting.

- Fillmore, CA, USA

problem #109

Jun 112022

Optima

  • miles
Car is at Kia dealership waiting from an approved from Kia manufacturer due to car having issues with oil in radiator and reservoir coolant, engine damage, car mileage is 91567 Location kia downtown Car unsafe to drive? I have complained to kia so many times and it looks like my records disappeared from ever getting to NHTSA or the manufacturer due to save money or not trying to fix the issue

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #108

May 012022

Optima

  • miles
We have had numerous problems with the engine. There was a recall on these engines for 2011 - 2014 models. The problems have not been corrected. We've now been told we need a new engine. Do we have any recourse/relief since KIA continues to sell cars with engine problems" What can be done"

- Clarkesville , TN, USA

problem #107

May 302022

Optima

  • miles
On May 30 2022 this incident happened. I have 160,000 miles on my 2016 Kia Optima Hybrid and was running just fine in the morning and later in the day motor seized up with no warning no lights from the dash. I heard while driving a quick squeal and puff of smoke from the belt breaking it was done. I was able to drive under the Electric motor side back to my house. I did not look under the hood until the next day and that is when I found the belt was broken. I did not know the motor has seized up until the dealership informed me and was told this motor is now discontinued.

- Kalamazoo, MI, USA

problem #106

Apr 112022

Optima

  • miles
I purchased a used 2016 Kia Optima EX (89,000 miles) from a dealership in NC on March 12, 2022. On April 11, 2022, the car had to be towed to a Kia dealership due to misfiring. It turned out the sparkplugs needed to be replaced. The Kia dealership refused to cover any costs but the dealership I purchased the car from covered the bill. It was later confirmed that the oil was spilling into the sparkplugs. The car is burning/using oil at a rapid rate. I can confirm there are no leaks noticed under the car. I was told by a local mechanic as well as a service representative from Fred Anderson Kia of Raleigh that this is a known issue. The only way to fully fix this issue is to replace the engine but because the car is no longer under warranty, I'll need to pay to have a new engine installed in a car that I've had less than 3-months. I feel like this is a manufacturer's issue and should be considered a recall.

- Roxboro, NC, USA

problem #105

Jun 052022

Optima 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,798 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the engine seized and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the power steering, brakes, and accelerator pedal became inoperable. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in a warranty repair however, parts were not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 84,798. The consumer stated the vehicle was repaired at the owners expense but remains unsafe. Also, the consumer stated she was guaranteed reimbursement by Kia over 7 months ago, and consistently trying to recoup the cost of the repairs, but to no avail.

- Providence, UT, USA

problem #104

May 222022

Optima

  • miles
Car was stolen off of the street. No alarm went off, keys were with my person. Back window was busted on the ground and all that was left. From video evidence, we can see that all it takes to steal a Kia is a screwdriver and a usb cord. Kia-??s stolen are driven recklessly and harmfully to pedestrians (see #kiaboyz on tik tok or instagram). Problem has NOT been acknowledged by Kia or Hyundai. Insurance providers are aware of the situation.

- Buffalo Grove, IL, USA

problem #103

May 182022

Optima

  • miles
Car has been burning an excessive amount of oil, first reported by my oil tech. Took to the dealership and they requested an oil consumption test, which I had to pay for. This is at 85000 miles. Drove for a little over a 1000 miles and returned it for a second round, the dealership said it had used a considerable amount of oil and would be escalated directly to the manufacturer. It has no leaks, smokes considerably, and hesitant upon acceleration. We will see where it goes from here, have been told that this is common in these vehicles. No oil light or check engine light ever came on. Just glad it didn-??t lock up or blow up with my family in the car.

- Waldron, AR, USA

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