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 13 of 17)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #82

Sep 232021

Optima

  • miles

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

Since purchasing this car I-??ve had to have electrical repairs done every year. If it-??s not the seat it-??s the window. If it-??s not the window it-??s the dash. A couple of days ago my husband said he noticed that the oil in the car was running low really fast. We had just done an oil change on the car not even 30 days prior to this. We were driving late at night back from a work trip when al of a sudden the check engine light came on and the motor started to shake and a thudding noise was getting louder. We were able to pull over and saw that there was literally no oil in the car. No warning nothing. Again we had just had an oil change not even 30 days prior. My father had to come tow us home an hour and a half away because he was worried with the sounds it was making that it might blow. There was smoke coming from the exhaust and the motor was shaking like it had no control. I-??ve read multiple issues just like this one and of course my car just passed warranty. I-??m not even done paying the car off. This should be an issue Kia has to fix by now with so many similar complaints. It-??s dangerous and fraud. I-??m just lucky the car was able to pull over safely as my husband and our 8 month old were in the car with me. Please help get this fixed. I-??m now out of a car that-??s only 5 years old and not paid off.

- Spreckels, CA, USA

problem #81

Sep 222021

Optima

  • miles
2016 Optima with 111K miles: 7/17/19 car received ECU upgrade for the KSDS system. After upgrade, on 5/23/2020 at 90K miles, the car started to shake/knock, engine light came on, car went in to limp mode, car was taken back to the Kia dealer, code was recorded as P1326, another update was performed, and due to excessive damage bearings were replaced. Car performed ok until 9/22/21, again the car started to shake violently (bucking), loud knocking sound, engine light came on, went into limp mode, was pulled over immediately, dealership contacted, car driven directly there (3 miles). Notified at 4:30pm "there was a complete failure of the 'Fuel Injector System' and needed replacement". Was told that the "entire fuel injector system failed allowing fuel to soak and flood into the cylinder and spark plugs". This was ALARMING. Luckily, we knew to pull the car over and keep the RPMs below 1500, and only traveled a few miles. Had we been driving for a while, or the engine had been hot I do not think a rupture of the entire fuel injection system that again is located in the cylinders of the engine would have ended well. Kia Service now telling me the "Lifetime Warranty" on engine is not applicable bc a code did not get captured. The fact that my car previously captured that code speaks to the fact that the engine was faulty on production, misaligned, allowing damage to occur from mile 1 on. ECU upgrades and replaced bearings do not remove the damage that was previously sustained by the migration of metal shavings throughout the engine compartment for the 90,000 miles before it was detected and repairs were made. While the "Lifetime Warranty" speaks to engine replacement and engine repairs the original class action suit was due to engine fires, which you all (NHTSA) determined in its reporting that the exact cause of the fires in all cases was -??undetermined-??; noting dealers should be looking at fuel and or oil leaks within the engine. This is alarming to say the least.

- Ocala , FL, USA

problem #80

Aug 282021

Optima

  • miles
As I was driving on the highway my vehicle started to decelerate without warning. I was able to move to shoulder and when the car came to a stop the temperature gauge immediately went from cold to hot and the engine light came on and the dash displayed engine overheating. While researching what to do if your engine overheats, I came across the issues Kia has been having with their engines. I had the car towed to the dealership for inspection and was told my vehicle would not be covered because I didn-??t do the product replacement which I had no knowledge of. After calling the manufacturer and talking to several reps I was ultimately blamed for the defect and not knowing about the problem so therefore it-??s not Kia-??s responsibility to fix my vehicle. One rep told me that Kia sent out notices according to DMV records, which means I should have received a notice. Another rep discovered that they did not have a correct address for me on file and said that it was my fault because I am supposed to update my address when I purchased the vehicle. I was also told by a supervisor that customers that buy new cars get priority in being contacted and that used car costumers are supposed to notify the manufacture when they buy a car so that-??s why I received no notification of the recalls or product replacement. I received less than adequate customer service, and being blamed for a problem that resulted for Kias negligence is totally unacceptable.

- Gilbert, AZ, USA

problem #79

Aug 142021

Optima

  • miles

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

Oil consumption 2 Quarts every 1000 miles /sudden engine failure/ miss firing cylinders/blue smoke/ very hot engine

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #78

Jul 262021

Optima

  • 111,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 40 mph, the vehicle would not accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed as engine failure. The dealer informed the contact that the manufacturer had not approved the vehicle for an engine repair because the software update had not been performed on the vehicle. The contact stated that she had not received a notice from the manufacturer for the software update. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and initially informed the contact that the engine would be repaired under the warranty coverage however, the manufacturer later informed the contact that because the software update was not performed, the warranty coverage would be declined. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #77

Jul 202021

Optima

  • miles
I have a flashing check engine light while driving my vehicle was not trying to give gas or anything

- Blueisland , IL, USA

problem #76

Jul 142021

Optima

  • miles

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

Burns oil, worn piston rings, bad gaskets! Engine replacement

- Young Harris, GA, USA

problem #75

Jun 242021

Optima

  • miles
My 2016 KIA was consuming 1 quart of oil every 500 miles in 2021. Called KIA dealer about oil consumption issue and they started 3-1000 mile oil consumption tests on 4/6/21 (miles 92,053). On the 1st 1000 mile test, 2 qts of oil were consumed. 2nd 1000 mile test 1.2 qts of oil were consumed. 3rd 1000 mile test 1.5 qts of oil were consumed. All results were reported to KIA. The 3rd oil consumption test was completed on 5/27/21 (miles 95,065) and I went home and checked the oil level on the dipstick, which was filled correctly to the full mark. On 5/28/21 the service mgr called to schedule an engine compression test on 6/8/21. On the morning of 6/8/21, I checked the engine oil and it was more than a qt low (miles 95,510) with only 445 miles since the oil was topped off. Delivered car to KIA for the engine compression test on 6/8/21, told service mgr of the 1 qt oil consumption in 445 miles, and he informed me that if the compression test is good, KIA will direct an engine cleaning procedure per KIA TSB 222. When TSB 222 was completed, they stated another 1000 mile oil consumption test had to be completed. On 6/9/21 I returned to the KIA dealer to pick up my car. Requested to check the engine oil level with the mechanic since this was the start of the 1000 mile test. The car was returned to the service floor, time was allowed for oil draindown, and the mechanic pulled the dipstick which indicated the oil was overfilled by approx 1/3 quart. Took a picture of the dipstick level. The service manager was told of the situation. No action was taken. They sealed the dipstick and I departed. Printed TSB 222 from NHTSA website. On 6/24/21 returned for 1000 mile check. I witnessed (took picture) mechanic check the oil and he said it was less than a qt. I showed service mgr the overfill picture. He change the consumption to 1 qt. Spoke with KIA mgr. He said another 1000 mile check was to be performed. Since TSB 222 states oil is to be filled to full mark, their test is invalid.

- Hagerstown, MD, USA

problem #74

Aug 072020

Optima

  • miles
In August 2020, my check engine light started blinking which means my engine went into limp mode. I had it towed to the Kia dealership in Birmingham Alabama. They did a reset due to knock sensor detection. In October 2020, the engine light came in again. I took it to the Kia dealership in Murfreesboro and they had to replace a head in my engine. My engine has been burning oil so much so that I can-??t even make it 3,000 miles between oil changes without having to add more oil. In June 2021, engine light is on again. This is the vehicle I use to transport my children to and from school and myself back and forth to work, this vehicle is unsafe due to the fact that an engine should not have this many issues and with a known recall Kia should replace the engines to prevent someone from being hurt or killed due to engine failure.

- Murfreesboro , TN, USA

problem #73

May 052021

Optima

  • miles
My 2016 Kia is burning excessive oil. After, each oil change; 400-500 miles later; the oil dipstick show the oil is at, the low Mark on the dipstick. I took the vehicle into the Kia Dealership; where they performed an oil compression test. On, 05-028-2021. We were told to drive the vehicle for a thousand miles; and, return it back to the dealership to complete the oil compression test. The dealership claimed I need a new engine. Because, there's a problem with the barring in the engine. I was told a new engine would cost $8,000 to replace. Since; there's no extended warranty. We have mantain regular oil changes between 2-3 weeks. Or, every 300-400 miles. The vehicle was purchased at about,54000 miles. And, now has 71000 miles. To our knowledge; there are other Kia vehicles under recall; which, shared the same problem; and, is deem unsafe. Because of, a defect in the engine's design cause, metal shavings to build up and, circulate through the engine, causing; a blown engine. And, a potential safety issue.

- Reseda, CA, USA

problem #72

Jun 022021

Optima

  • 94,000 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 at various speeds, the vehicle sputtered. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer nor an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the local dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

- Four Oaks, NC, USA

problem #71

May 112021

Optima

  • 81,692 miles
My 2016 Kia Optima is using a quart of oil every 1000 miles.the dealership service department did a oil consumption test and confirmed the car was using that much oil and it was normal oil use according to Kia.I told them I didn't agree that it was normal and the service department man agreed it was a lot of oil to use but said he had to go by Kia's guidelines and I could file a complaint on the Kia website. I filed a complaint with Kia and was contacted 3 weeks later and told the same thing that 1 quart of oil every 1000 miles was within Kia specifications.the car is still under the 100,000 miles extension warranty and the dealership has done all oil changes

- Decatur, AL, USA

problem #70

May 072021

Optima

  • 90,000 miles
Vehicle consumes oil at high rate. Approximately 5 qts per 3000 miles driven sometimes more often. After new oil is added, acceleration will delay at times, usually when starting from a complete stop. When the vehicle begins moving forward a cloud of bluish/white exhaust will be created. The clouds of exhaust occurs more often just after an oil change or oil is added. Will continue for the first 1000 miles then will become less frequent as more oil is consumed and the amount remaining in the oil pan is lessened. Has occurred since I purchased the car.

- Columbiana, OH, USA

problem #69

Apr 272021

Optima

  • 35 miles
Burning oil

- Richland Center, WI, USA

problem #68

Apr 012021

Optima

  • miles
Requires numerous oil changes, loss of oil. Engine smokes if delays. Car hesitates often.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #67

Mar 142021

Optima

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the vehicle started to lose motive power. The contact pulled over and the drove the vehicle back to her residence. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the local dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 18V907000 (fuel system, gasoline, engine) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

- Raeford, NC, USA

problem #66

Mar 172021

Optima

  • 90,000 miles
Vehicle started burning oil, completed oil consumption test. Dealership stated that I have to get a new engine due to combustion rings problem.

- Herndon, VA, USA

problem #65

Mar 102021

Optima

  • 41,916 miles
Was exiting the freeway, came to a stoplight, and as continuing with driving the check engine light starts blinking and was not able to accelerate, as if it was slipping. Car would not go over around 30 mph until feeling the car not able to accelerate again. I used a code reader and got code P1326, which I had looked up and says it has something to do with a knock sensor detection system. Had bring my car in to get it checked out and was told my car had low oil, about 2 quartz. I do regular oil changes though and had done an oil change a few weeks prior. The shop I went to told me there may be a service campaign for the car. Was told specific years have had engine problems with oil, losing oil although no leaks or signs.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #64

Mar 022021

Optima 4-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking engine oil. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to ourisman chantilly Kia (4105 auto park cir, chantilly, va 20151, (703) 263-2500) but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and told the contact that she had to pay out of pocket for any repairs. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

- Sterling, VA, USA

problem #63

Feb 072021

Optima

  • 92,500 miles
Put gas in car and now engine light is blinking and my car is misfiring gears and jerking.

- Capitol Heights, MD, USA

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