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 8 of 17)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #182

Feb 172023

Optima

  • 101,000 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 approximately 65 MPH and various other speeds, the contact stated that the "engine oil" light flickered on and off. The contact stated that when he checked the dip stick the oil level was not showing. The contact stated that he checked for oil leaks but saw no evidence of an oil leak. The contact stated that the exhaust pipe was coated in a heavy black crust. The contact stated that he had been adding oil several times and that the failure persisted. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 101,000.

- Chandler, IN, USA

problem #181

Feb 202023

Optima

  • 104,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle began to hesitate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and the contact was informed that the knock sensor detection system (KSDS) was defective. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not under recall or warranty. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer and was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.

- East Saint Louis, IL, USA

problem #180

Feb 052023

Optima

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, there was a knocking noise coming from the engine compartment and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that he was able to restart the vehicle; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle failed to restart, and no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained with the independent mechanic awaiting the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #179

Sep 012022

Optima

  • miles

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

Was driving car and started knocking and shutting down. Engine light came on and car was acting weird. Stopped to check oil and fluids which were full. Started car to try to get to a safe spot but car would not move. Took to a independent mechanic and he stated car had throwing a rod and motor was no good. All maintenance was done on time and accordingly. There is a faulty motor problem

- Garden City, KS, USA

problem #178

Feb 132023

Optima

  • miles
The 2016 Kia optima lx 1.6t has so many issues. First off, The power windows all stopped working within a week of each other. On the way home from work the check engine light came on and as I tried to accelerate the car started stuttering to go, it ended up jerking as if I was pressing the gas and then brake. I had to get it towed home. There has been oil spilling into other parts of the engine like the intercooler and the throttle body which could mix with gas which is a huge fire hazard. The high pressure fuel pump needs to be replaced. The car will no longer drive, the throttle position sensor needs to be replaced as well. The oil burns so fast, after a brand new oil change it doesn-??t even last a week. We have over 5 codes popping up when they did a scan and they are all misfires and fuel pump related.

- Clayton, NC, USA

problem #177

Feb 182023

Optima

  • miles
Number 3 Fuel Injector, burning oil and have no idea where its going, gas mileage affected, VCT solenoid

- Pine Apple, AL, USA

problem #176

Oct 122016

Optima

  • miles

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

I purchased a brand new 2016 Kia Optima and have been experiencing a really bad rattling noise that is coming from the motor. I have taken my car back and forth from the Kia dealership and each time they inspect my car, they tell me that they can-??t hear any rattling. As a mentioned earlier, the rattling noise is still there. I have been to the Kia in Durham, North Carolina and the Cary, North Carolina Kia dealership and still nothing has been done. I believe that my head gaskets or something like that in the more was defects when I purchased my vehicle. I also feel that the Kia dealership knew that my car had a defective motor and failed to inform me of that information. I would be glad to have my vehicle available for inspection upon request. How my safety and the safety of others are put at risk, is because the car could suddenly catch fire, it may stall in traffic, etc. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center but I do know that something is wrong with my car and has been since I purchased it brand new in 2016. Kia Motors did a quick look at my car and stated that they heard not rattling noises coming from the car. Other than that no other component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? There are no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the problem and it occurred over 2 months after I purchased the Kia Optima. If you are uncertain, simply state UNKNOWN, I am not sure as to why the vehicle rattles when taking off, but it is and have been loud enough for me to notice and my passengers as well. Therefore, I hope that this is something that you would look into and get some type of remediation. Thank You,

- Fuquay Varina , NC, USA

problem #175

Jan 012023

Optima

  • 0 miles
The contact's daughter owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the oil level was checked every other day. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that there was oil and fuel in cylinder #4. The O-rings, spark plugs, valve cover, oil, and filter were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the same local dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel injector was stuck open and spraying fuel. The O-rings and spark plugs were replaced but the failure persisted. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called the manufacturer but failed to receive a response. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Lagrange, GA, USA

problem #174

Jan 232023

Optima

  • 96,454 miles
Car burns oil before oil changes, no warning light comes on. Technician at jiffy lube stated that this model vehicle has issues burning the oil with no warning light coming on. Have taken the car several times to get oil change services and they warn me of the same issue every time. no oil leaks coming from the engine itself. Car engine burns the oil which can cause issues with the engine if left unchecked.

- Palmdale, CA, USA

problem #173

Feb 062023

Optima

  • 98,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

- Bellwood, IL, USA

problem #172

Jan 202023

Optima

  • miles

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

engine has seized. incident happened while driving. engine also burns excessive amounts of oil which require adding oil every 1-2 weeks.

- Kingston, GA, USA

problem #171

Jan 202023

Optima

  • miles
While driving vehicle on the freeway there is a sudden lots of power. Excited freeway and tried driving slowly on streets. Check engine light came on. Vehicle knocks and losses power during acceleration and while driving at speed. Problem diagnosed as bad knock sensor. Had knock sensor replaced in November, 22. Two days ago exact same problem. Mechanic believes that it's engine malfunction. How's it's covered by Kia recall, otherwise recommends engine replacement, but cautions used engine might have similar malfunction.

- Palmdale, CA, USA

problem #170

Dec 152022

Optima

  • miles
1 month after purchasing the car we noticed it was having oil consumption Problems. In December of 2022 we took the car in and were told by the kia dealership that the rings in the car were no good but when the issue was reported to our extended warranty the denied the repairs trying to say it is something else. This cars engines should have recalls on its engine just like all the other cars. We owe $20000 on a car that's engine is no good.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #169

Dec 042022

Optima

  • miles
My 2016 kia is using a lot of oil I get a oil change and 100,000 miles later my oil light comes on and I have to put more oil in the car. I-??m told to check my oil every week an to get an oil changed every 150,000 miles. All my spark plugs have blown (I was told it-??s due to oil starvation) an my car started shaking real bad as I was driving. I was told to get spark plugs changed in order to get an oil changed and sometimes turned away twice because I had no oil in the car. Its not keeping enough oil in the car to keep it running smoothly which could cause a fire or even engine failure. I also noticed that there-??s a lot of smoke coming out of exhaust pipe when the car starts up in the back an that could be a problem one Macanic said. I was told to change my pvc valve to help with the increased oil consumption this didn-??t help but it was clogged up glad i changed it. This kia is starting to be to much money with me having to keep a 5 gallon oil bottle to ensure im never out of oil. Still making payments and keeping the thought in my mind that this kia could possibly break down with my child in the car. I need help with this fix I like the style an the look but the everyday drive and problems I can pass off on a Kia.

- Durham , NC, USA

problem #168

Dec 202022

Optima

  • miles
Knock sensor failure and misfiring

- Hamilton, NJ, USA

problem #167

Dec 122022

Optima

  • miles
I had a catastrophic engineer failure that was reporting a DTC to replace the spark plug/ignition coil. This failure is miss mapped and had no previous Indicator warning the customer of a engine failure that would potentially leave the customer in an unsafe condition stranded. I had to have my vehicle towed in for service and the dealer informed that the vehicle needed a new intake valve. The intake valve failure at 118k miles is a little outside of warranty but still considerably young for an engine. There could be a number of reasons for this failure, material quality could make the valve brittle, manufacturing so the retainers could not seat properly in the spring. All the reasons are not customer induced nor at the stage in engine life that would be appropriate. After reviewing the Kia main social media account and talking to several dealers this type of failure is not uncommon for this product line as early as 30k miles. I believe that the volume of failure is large enough population that Kia should investigate 1) the mapping of DTCs/Indicator warning to the customer and 2) the actual engine failure population is large enough it should be reviewed by the government.

- Chillicothe, IL, USA

problem #166

Nov 112022

Optima

  • 62,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the oil warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that there was no oil in the engine; oil was added. The contact stated that several weeks later, the oil warning light illuminated again. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic and the contact was informed that there was no oil in the engine. The mechanic found no oil leaks nor the cause of the failure. The dealer was contacted and stated that there was no recall on the VIN for the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there was no recall on the VIN for the failure. The failure mileage was 62,000.

- Inglewood, CA, USA

problem #165

Jan 082023

Optima

  • 73,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 74 MPH, the vehicle made abnormal metallic banging sounds. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle began to lose motive power. The contact veered to the side of the road and added engine oil to the vehicle. The contact drove to a nearby parking lot and parked the vehicle. The contact's friend, a certified mechanic, diagnosed that there were metal shavings in the oil, which led to engine failure. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as he failed to complete the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software update. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.

- Fallon, NV, USA

problem #164

Mar 162022

Optima

  • miles
vehicle is burning oil at a very speedy rate....much quicker than normal. Perhaps more than a quart per 1000 miles. The car is available for inspection. *Today was the second time that I was surprised to find that there was not enough oil to even register on the dip stick. I don't yet know if there was any permanent damage to the engine. My experience seems to be very similar to many other people who have posted online....a possible flicker of the oil light before finding out about the oil deficiency. It concerns me that others said that this led to their car faltering and/or freezing up while driving. That is certainly a safety risk for the drivers/passengers and other motorists. Some people indicated that their engine was ruined and needed to be replaced. was the Valvoline mechanic that told me today that there was an issue with these engines causing high oil consumption. have not yet had the engine inspected. I just emailed the Kia dealership to inform them and ask about a possible repair. Last year was the first of two instances where I experienced the low oil level. The first time, I had noticed the oil warning light flicker when I rounded a corner a few times during a week or so. I then took it in for an oil change. Today, I noticed one flicker and went right to Valvoline and there was almost not oil remaining. My second issue of concern is that my headlights have randomly turned off when I am driving at night. The first time I thought that I might have accidently touched the switch. However, it has happened two more times that I am aware of and I am sure that I did not touch the switch. I'm not sure if the headlights would have gone back on on their own because I turned the switch from on to off and back again and the lights went back on. There might have been more instances which I have not bee aware of. I just sent an email to Kia about both of these issues. This is item has not been inspected.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #163

Jan 012023

Optima

  • miles
I was driving my car and it just slowed down on the freeway and wouldn-??t go pass 60mph I went to my nearest autozone And received code p1326 I was told it was the knock sensor and got it changed. I checked my oil and noticed it was low even tho I got an oil change not even a month before. however the problem didn-??t change. I decided to go to the internet and notice many other kia have had these problems and have received a recall

- Fortworth , TX, USA

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