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 1 of 17)

problem #322

Jun 232024

Optima

  • 86,500 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, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started to jerk and then decelerated while shifting into LIMP Mode. The vehicle was later examined by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the NOX sensor and Glow plugs were faulty. The vehicle was not repaired and later towed to the local dealer. No further information was available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,500.

- Smyrna, GA, USA

problem #321

Jul 012024

Optima

  • miles
Check engine light came on and has a loud knocking sound in the engine. When attempting to be driven, the vehicle losses power

- Dublin, VA, USA

problem #320

Mar 152024

Optima

  • miles
Excessive oil consumption, loss of power, knocking, oil pressure light on, but has oil. vehicle has 72,000 miles. Available for inspection. Possible engine lockup if oil pressure drops during driving. may cause accident. It has not been confirmed, but i have read many problems associated with this problem on the internet. I will be taking the vehicle for Kia to inspect. problem started about 4 months ago noticed that the vehicle needed oil. added oil and had an additional oil change about 2 weeks ago. Oil pressure light started to blink and stay on.

- Canovanas, PR, USA

problem #319

Apr 292024

Optima

  • miles

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

Car check engine light turn on and started to shake really bad while driving like its going to turn off, and shakes even more when I make a stop and looses power to continue driving. Also it burns out oil really fast I have to keep putting oil almost every two weeks

- Norwalk, CA, USA

problem #318

Jun 192024

Optima

  • miles
Check engine light came on and car started shaking pretty back than completely turned off.

- Hamtramck, MI, USA

problem #317

Aug 292023

Optima

  • miles
My vehicle is consuming excessive oil. I have to keep oil in my trunk to replace oil regularly. My car is a 2016 Kia Optima and has about 58,000 miles on it. I have reached out to Kia on several occasions including consumer affairs and voiced my safety concerns about the vehicle and potential of the engine seizing due to oil loss and concern of a potential vehicle accident as a result of an engine seizure while driving. I asked for an oil consumption test to be performed on the vehicle because of its excessive consumption and was told that the oil consumption test only applies to the 1st owner.

- Casselberry, FL, USA

problem #316

Jun 122024

Optima

  • 102,175 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 an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the engine was overheating. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 60 MPH, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,175.

- Center, TX, USA

problem #315

Jun 122024

Optima

  • 129,104 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle was shuddering and making a loud clanking sound. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the diagnostic test result was undisclosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 129,104.

- Monee, IL, USA

problem #314

Feb 012024

Optima

  • miles
Car was at about 70,000 upon purchase. Once driving it regularly, I immediately noticed a faint knocking noise upon acceleration. Also, when coasting the speed adjusted on its own intermittently, both up & down, not by much but enough that I felt it on the gas pedal. Other times it fails to accelerate when pushing on the gas pedal. I have to release the pedal & try again, sometimes more than once before it finally accelerates. Despite doing regular oil changes, my engine burns through oil long before next oil change is due, so I have to add 1 - 2 quarts of oil in-between changes. I was barely at 80,000 miles when engine started seizing & the following day the check engine light came on. It had to be towed to be serviced. They said the fuel injector or pump (not sure which) was allowing fuel to flood my engine which caused its damage. Even with what the warranty covered I had to pay $500 out of pocket so there were a lot of repairs. I can get a detailed print out of service if needed. When I do oil changes there's oil under the oil pan somehow, but its not leaking because there is no oil where I park. As of lately, even though all fluids are good, when the car is idle with a/c on, the temperature starts to go up until the car is in motion again, then the temperature goes back down quickly. It has only overheated once, which was the first time I noticed the problem because I was parked at a gas station on a hot day checking my phone & the a/c started blowing warm & dash said, "engine overheated". Only happen the one time because I have been cautious about watching the temperature to avoid it happening again. I recently passed emissions & had AutoZone do code reader check & nothing came back. In order to figure out problem I'd have to get diagnostics test that requires I leave the car for at least 2 days so it hasn't been something I can manage yet. My car is available for inspection if needed & I'm happy to provide detailed print out of repairs if requested.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #313

Jun 032024

Optima

  • miles
Engine compression problem only had the vehicle for no longer than 3yrs and my engine need to be replaced

- Columbus , GA, USA

problem #312

Jun 052024

Optima

  • miles

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

engine burns excessive oil that comes out the tail pipe. dash will not illuminate when there is insufficient oil and that could cause damage to engine. safety issue as it has it could leave or stranded with no working car in middle of no where. several independent oil and mechanic organization's have told me these models burn excessive oil. vehicle has been inspected by car manufacturer during oil changes. car rattles from lack of oil confirmed from a local mechanic. engine burns excessive oil due with no light indicator on dash. several mechanic and oil shops have told me this model has issues with this.

- Palmdale, CA, USA

problem #311

Jun 032024

Optima

  • 124,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there was a loud knocking sound coming from the engine, with the check engine, oil, and battery warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the contact noticed that all four windows failed to function properly and failed to roll up. The dealer was contacted; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.

- Lexington, SC, USA

problem #310

May 082024

Optima

  • miles
I brought this car [XXX] and the next day it broke down didn-??t start at all I been saying I wanted my money back from day he didn-??t take no for answer basically held me hostage until I paid everything. I brought this car and been without a car since this is totally unfair. The Clean state motors is a bad service communication place to buy car it was totally the opposite before I gave money for car. Once I gave money they all got mean and had attitudes was saying they was ready to leave instead of giving my money back kept going down finding different prices for car insurance reason why I really brought car I was mentally force and I-??m mentally going threw a lot of things because of this. I don-??t have no car and the car dealer shop called me and told me I couldn-??t get no rental so I can stop calling. I need a new car. A rental. I have missed out on Money work and I have 2 kids going on [XXX] old this month on [XXX] these people do not care they took my money and still forcing me to pay 1000 and car note 284 when I haven-??t had the car but for one day the next day the car broke down. I am sewing will hear from my lawyer He said I had 30 days to come get my Monet back the next morning I called for my money back they said no this unfair I turn in all information paid insurance 795 which is to high I just need my money back I didn-??t even get to keep car a week literally next day car did not start he never said car was being brought as is if so I would have not brought it and I didn-??t sign all those papers Delewin had to forfeit my signature this was fraud scam to me I need a car the engine broke down car batter was linking and white acid was everywhere inside front car and I wasn-??t suppose to look at that car is was a white Kia 2019 This not right this unfair please help me on fixing this I deserve a car INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

problem #309

Mar 202024

Optima

  • miles
Camshaft bearings wore out and failed causing a knocking condition. 1.6L (T-GDI GAMMA) Not covered under class action.

- Waianae, HI, USA

problem #308

Feb 012024

Optima

  • 107,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle was vibrating abnormally. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that after taking the vehicle for several routine oil changes, the contact became aware that the vehicle was consuming and excessive amount of oil. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. However, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000. The VIN was not provided.

- Douglasville, GA, USA

problem #307

Jan 042021

Optima

  • miles
Vehicle uses about 4 quarts of oil every 1000 miles. I have to get oil changes every 1500 miles and add oil every 1000 miles. The car is not reliable and oil light comes on every 1000-1500 miles after oil change. Today the emissions light came on and I could not drive over 60 mph, after taking it to mechanic it was over 3.5 quarts low of oil but no oil light came on. The mechanic put 3.5 quarts of oil in and I had to pay for oil and labor, also to put the car on the computer to see the issue. I will never buy a Kia again. There should be a recall on this 2016 Kia Optima.

- Town Creek, AL, USA

problem #306

May 172024

Optima

  • miles
I was on [XXX] and had already traveled over 300 miles with no previous issues at all on the trip. I had just stopped at a gas station and there were no odd smells or sounds. There also no warning light on the dash. Suddenly, I lost all power and at the same time my engine light and oil light came on. Before I could make it from the inside lane across two lanes of 70-80 mph traffic at a rapidly declining speed, my motor started knocking. My engine is seized up because of lack of oil when I just had an oil change less than 1,000 miles ago. I'm lucky [XXX] traffic didn't run me over before I could get out of the way. How is this same issue not a recall yet when people are at risk. Had someone not been paying attention to people In front of them my lack of ability to drive my car could have caused a horrible accident! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Adamsville, TN, USA

problem #305

Apr 012024

Optima

  • 95,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle was jerking abnormally. The vehicle was restarted several times; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with oil leaking into the spark plugs causing an engine misfire. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

- Woodbury, NJ, USA

problem #304

Mar 082024

Optima

  • miles
I was told that my engine had a recall on it so I had an upcoming appointment with Kia in like 2 weeks for them to check my engine but the car didn-??t make it. I was driving my car on interstate 20 my car had began to have a bad chemical smell and started smoking so I pulled over on the interstate and my car was in flames. Me and my daughter was in the car we could have lost our lives thank God we were able to make it out just in time. The fire department came and made a report on the incident. It wasn-??t any engine light on at the time. I have contacted Kia about the tragedy that has happened but nothing has been resolved yet.

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

problem #303

Apr 292024

Optima

  • 115,743 miles
Was on highway, engine seized, flashing engine light and knlocking noise, car went into limp mode, took to dealership code p1326 was thrown which is engine failure, I have had the knock sensor installed thru kia prior which put me in lifetime warranty for the engine, kia dealership did a diagnostic BCT, which is a 4 to 5 hour job at the most, kia called me in less than 2 hours and told me is passed the BCT ! there is no way they did the testing in less than 2 hours, and no way it passed with engine light blinking and knocking, that's what the sensor detects is engine failure, they are refusing to honor my warranty for the new engine, picked up my car from. Dealership, soon as I hit the end of the parking lot engine seized and loud knocking noise, was barely drivable but yet the lied on the paperwork and said it drives as designed and was fine, put in a new knock sensor which they already did a month ago! went right back in to dealership and they told me because it supposedly passed there was nothing they could do! R u kidding me!" They were rude and not wanting to help or honor my engine replacement, so here I am with a seized engine and they tell me nothing they can do till it fails the BCT! THE DAM CAR IS IN ENGINE FAILURE! In the last 3 months I have put 3k in this car! What is it gonna take for them to honor the new engine? Gonna take me, my kids, or someone else getting hurt before they do what they said they would do" I have been in contact with corporate as well and they have yet to get a return phone call from the dealership, they have left several messages and called bullshit as well, and believed I was treated poorly because I'm a female.....Little do they know, my father was a mechanic, he has passed on but I grew up around cars and know what's safe and what's not and know how long it takes to do a BCU test! Basically kia told me to drive it till the engine blows completely! I just want them to honor the warranty of the engine.

- Findlay, OH, USA

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