The 2016 Kia Optima is associated with 758 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 5 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Engine, accounting for 271 reports (36% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 7 certified vehicle configurations spanning 1.6l 4-cyl, 2.4l 4-cyl, 2l 4-cyl, and 2.4L 4-Cyl hybrid configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 25 to 37 MPG combined.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 758 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 5 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Engine (271 / 36%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 27 crash / 20 fire / 17 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 25–37 MPG (7 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| Optima | 1.6L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM7) | 28 MPG | 37 MPG | 31 MPG | — | $2,000 / yr |
| Optima FE | 2.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 25 MPG | 36 MPG | 29 MPG | — | $2,100 / yr |
| Optima | 2.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 24 MPG | 34 MPG | 28 MPG | — | $2,200 / yr |
| Optima | 2L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 22 MPG | 31 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $2,450 / yr |
| Optima FE | 2L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 22 MPG | 31 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $2,450 / yr |
| Optima Hybrid Hybrid | 2.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM6) | 35 MPG | 38 MPG | 37 MPG | — | $1,650 / yr |
| Optima Hybrid EX Hybrid | 2.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM6) | 35 MPG | 38 MPG | 36 MPG | — | $1,700 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| 4 DR FWD | | | | | 9.8% |
| Hybrid 4 DR FWD | | | | | 9.6% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2016 Kia Optima models.
View complete 2016 Kia Optima crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2016 Kia Optima problems & component breakdown (120 categories) →
Affected Component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH
Defect Summary: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Rio, 2016-2018 Optima, 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. The trunk latch base may crack, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base subassembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC278.
Affected Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Defect Summary: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
Affected Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Defect Summary: Kia Motors America (Kia) has recalled one 2016 Optima vehicle. In this vehicle, the end seal for the driver's frontal air bag inflator may not have been properly installed, possibly resulting in reduced inflation of the frontal air bag in the event of a crash.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: The affected vehicle was remedied on January 10, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC143.
View all 2016 Kia Optima recalls & campaign history (5 campaigns) →