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 6 of 17)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #222

Jul 042023

Optima

  • miles

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

On July 4th, my vehicle lost engine power and flashed a quick prompt of "engine warning" before turning off completely, smoke from under the hood which resulted in a fire. I was able to extinguish it fortunately. I have since discovered there are three open recalls, which I received no notification about. I frequently check for recalls and all sites say there are none.

- Lithonia, GA, USA

problem #221

Apr 122023

Optima

  • miles
I have to put 4 quarts of motor oil in every 2 weeks (approximately 600 miles) no black spots at all on the concrete drive at all. So it-??s definitely burning it.

- Bitely , MI, USA

problem #220

Jul 012023

Optima

  • miles
This will be the second time this has happened to my vehicle my vehicle just randomly stopped while driving and will not start back up. It keeps showing on the dashboard -??check hybrid system stop car and turn off engine-?? this happen 4 years ago and then a safety recall came out for it to get fixed this should have been fixed from the safety recall and never happened again unfortunately it happened again. The dealership is booked with appointments so my car will not get fixed for about a month or two. It is very dangerous for the car to just caught off in the middle of the road.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #219

Jun 212023

Optima

  • miles

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

My kia Burns lots of oil. I'm having to refill oil every 300 miles. And the oil isn't on the ground. It's burning out on my sparkplugs and oil pac coil. It's even shut off engine light came on. Got it towed to SONS of Kia. Had it diagnosis and Was told it's needed sparkplugs and coil pac replacement. Full tune-up. Oil change. Later. Having the same issues. Having to continue replenish oil. Over and over. Where is it going. Oil sputtering out of my tail pipe. Oil and water from tail pipe. Took it to Amoco Transmission. For diagnosis and was told that this need to be reported to kia. A major recall. Oil is burning from engine issues. My sparkplugs are loaded with oil and coil pac. Why I've always got my oil changed every due time. Later after 300-400 miles. I'm having to add oil again. Something wrong with this. I travel and my wife have to check oil consumption every week to make sure oil is in the car. She's very stressful about this situation. The car be studder when this happens. And some time want crank. It's nothing of her end. It's the manufacturer of the car. Burning oil consumption. AND NOW ITS AT AMOCO TRANSMISSION WAITING ON WHAT'S NEXT. TRULY WILL LOVE KIA TO DO THE RIGHT THING. MY WIFE LOVE'S HER KIA. AND ARE THINKING ABOUT BUYING A SUV FROM KIA IN THE FUTURE. My other paper work are in the car. Will update more information later.

- Hampton , GA, USA

problem #218

Feb 152023

Optima

  • 102,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing an abnormal oil consumption. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was diagnosed as an engine combustion failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

- Cranston, RI, USA

problem #217

Jun 022023

Optima

  • 78,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the local dealer. The local dealer stated that there was no engine oil in the oil pan, which caused the engine to seize. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,000.

- Worcester, MA, USA

problem #216

Oct 172022

Optima

  • miles

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

2016 Kia Optima was towed to Kia Dealer after it became inoperable; on 10/22/22 diagnostic done and found engine failure. Kia Motors denied claim for repair/replacement. Not sure why not covered under class action settlement, and/or extended warranty, or subsequent technical bulletins regarding Kia's defective engines.

- Roanoke, VA, USA

problem #215

Apr 272023

Optima

  • miles
This car has less than 60,000 miles on it. One night a few weeks ago the engine died on the freeway leaving my step-daughter stranded on a dangerous freeway. We towed it to Kia where they said the engine was blown but this particular VIN was not part of the major recalls for bad engines. They want $13,000 to put in a new engine! We don-??t have the money, and my step-daughter is under 25 so can-??t rent a car. We had a 2012 kia optima this same thing happened to, and Kia replaced the engine. We ask that kia add this as part of the recall and replace the engine asap before our daughter loses everything. The $22,000 car is sitting worthless while she has to try to find a job that doesn-??t take a car just to make payments on it and try to pay rent.

- Escondido , CA, USA

problem #214

May 132023

Optima 4-cyl

  • miles
Engine started making knocking noise and then started stalling took it to Kia dealership and they are refusing to replace it under lifetime warranty even with ksds recall installed. The consumer tried several times to get the recalls fixed but the Kia dealership refuses to fix them.

- Erie, PA, USA

problem #213

May 012021

Optima

  • miles
The vehicle has 64155 miles. Sense about 40000 miles the car cannot make it 3000 miles without needing oil with dry dip stick. I see there is alot of complaints of this. NTSA please issue a recall.

- Killeen, TX, USA

problem #212

Jan 012023

Optima

  • miles

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

My vehicle is a 2016 Kia Optima, I keep regular oil changes. In between oil changes I have to add 5 to 8 quarts of oil because of loss. There is no dripping, no smoking. I am told it is a engine problem in all Kia models. But this is getting expensive and tiresome. I hope someone can resolve this issue.

- Greer, SC, USA

problem #211

Jun 062021

Optima

  • miles
Even following recall procedures, our 2016 Kia Optima EX is experiencing all of the issues outlined by other owners with massive oil consumption, all four windows failing, along with our antenna fin flying off on a highway post inspection. No recall on a 2000$ repair job to replace the window motors" Kia letting everyone pass 100k on their Optimas before claiming no warranty to fix the engine they broke" Help!

- Melbourne Beach, FL, USA

problem #210

Mar 032023

Optima

  • 99,340 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shifted into LIMP Mode and decelerated with the check engine warning light activated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the knock sensor code was present. The code was cleared and later while driving the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 99,340.

- Owings Mills, MD, USA

problem #209

Jan 012023

Optima

  • miles
This car we still owe $20000 on and the rings are no good we took the car to kia who said the engine is no good but our extended warranty place denied the claim. The oil consumption is a problem in all kia's. I know we are not the only owners complaining about this issue.

- Las Vegas , NV, USA

problem #208

May 112023

Optima

  • miles
Several times, while driving, the vehicle light panel starts flashing, the car looses power & starts shutting down. The car was taken to the dealer and they said it has to do with oil being low, it a way to protect the engine. This has happened several times, they have done an oil consumption test & they SAY it is within specs. However, the last time the DEALER completed the oil & it was "full" it was at 77121. Now, the mileage is 78360 and the oil it 2 quarts low. This oil issue has been going on for 2 years & they refuse to accept any responsibility and will not repair or replace anything.

- West Covina, CA, USA

problem #207

Sep 102020

Optima

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 2 MPH, the vehicle shuddered with an abnormal sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the mechanic found no failure. The contact stated that the shuddering had been an issue for the past three years. The contact stated that most recently the vehicle had been shuddering with an abnormal ticking sound upon starting the vehicle, and while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the failure was an internal engine failure and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The contact stated that the manufacturer advised them to call the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

- Rosamond, CA, USA

problem #206

May 282022

Optima

  • miles
The engine on my vehicle failed while driving it. I was in the middle of the freeway when it seized up. It was also around a bend so it put my life and others at risk. It is sitting out front of my house and can be inspected at anytime. It has been confirmed by an independent service center that my vehicle is not drivable until the engine is replaced. There was no warning lamps until the vehicle was seizing up while driving. It first appeared that day only.

- Gwynn Oak, MD, USA

problem #205

May 102020

Optima

  • miles
2016 kia optima lx 2.4l 4cyl got car brand new started using a qt.of oil at about 50000 miles at every 800-1000 miles took to dealership they did there testing and said it needed a new motor free because it was under 100000 warrant now with new motor same problem about 65000 a qt. or more every 1000 miles i take very good maint. on my car on time by the book including oil changes every 4000 mile.I think is a waste money when i' adding a qt. every 1000 mile. being they all ready replace the motor once do i still fall under a new warrant or lemon law being its the same problem any and all help will be greatly appreciated.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #204

Dec 152022

Optima

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact stated that the vehicle was consumer 3 quarts of oil every 1,000 miles. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #203

May 092023

Optima

  • miles
Vehicle is using excessive amounts of oil and only has 80000 miles and KIA dealership says it is probably due to bad rings.

- Denniston, KY, USA

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