10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
10,294 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2016 Kia Optima:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #32

Aug 292021

Optima

  • miles
While driving at night with the "auto" function for the headlights on they turn off at random. This has happened numerous times during the past year. Very dangerous on dark roads. Dealer could not replicate situation to repair. No warning lights appeared.

- Norwalk, CA, USA

problem #31

Aug 072021

Optima

  • miles
All 4 of my windows have stoped working and fall down while driving it started pouring down my driver window fell down and I almost wrecked I see a lot of people having the same issue

- Thomaston , GA, USA

problem #30

Aug 252021

Optima

  • miles
Having trouble with my driverside window it let's down but will not let back up i called kia and they want over $200 to diagnose it plus labor to fix it from what I have been reading online alot of people are having the same issue

- Macon, GA, USA

problem #29

Mar 172021

Optima

  • miles
All four of my car windows fall down unexpectedly due a defect in the window regulator part, and window motor. The windows do not respond to door controls and I've now had to spend approx. $3500. and many trips to the dealer repair shop to get these windows fixed. I live in Florida, and when a window opens unexpectedly in the middle of a severe rain storm and cannot be closed, this is a safety hazard. I've had to pull over when there is very limited visibility on the road, and try, usually unsuccessfully, to close the window. The glass windows are fairly heavy and my attempts to tape them shut do not work. I've contacted KIA consumer affairs and have filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, but so far KIA has done nothing and has not responded to the BBB (according to the last BBB email I received). The 4th window is being fixed today at the dealer, and another window is getting re-repaired, I don't know if any of the repairs will last, as every few months another window breaks.

- Winter Park, FL, USA

problem #28

Jun 052021

Optima

  • miles
The cars headlights turn off while driving under normal conditions. This has happened at least four times in a one month period. This is extremely dangerous as some areas are not well lit or an oncoming car may not see us. I have looked online and I see that this very same issue is occurring with this make and model dating back 6 or more months. It makes no sense that the bulbs would be defective since all lights go off and come back on randomly.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #27

Apr 272021

Optima

  • 35 miles
Burning oil

- Richland Center, WI, USA

problem #26

Jan 152021

Optima

  • 62,100 miles
Three of the window regulators failed at the same time and the forth two weeks later. I had them repaired for a almost $ 2000 since the the vehicle has 62K miles and the warranty was good till 60K miles.

- Punta Gorda, FL, USA

problem #25

Aug 282020

Optima

  • 0 miles
I started having problems with the oil disappearing not long after I got the new car Kia Optima year about February 2017 I keep pouring everyday more and more oil as I drive but it disappears. On or about August 28,2020, I received an email for a Kia engine class action settlement federal court that advises suffer from a defect that can cause engine seizure, stalling engine failure and fire etc. And that the engine can be dangerous Kia have been found liable for these claims. They said they gave me extra warranty but if it catches on fire or explodes then they would not help me and by then it is too late!! I told them that I am scared since I am a girl and keep adding oil and you never know what the engine machine malfunction can do. I could check the oil before going some where but you never know when the oil will all of a sudden disappear completely it is unpredictable. I have called Kia manufacture phone at 1-855-951-0807 and they are giving me the round around I am afraid to drive the car that one day it may do something and catch on fire. Please I would appreciate another car that will not catch on fire and be dangerous. See attached Kia engine settlement class action

- Ashburn, VA, USA

problem #24

Jan 102021

Optima

  • 65,000 miles
I was just getting on to the highway and my sunroof exploded! it took me a second to realize thats what had happened it sounded like a very loud pop or gun shot almost I pulled over and seen my entire sunroof had exploded

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #23

Dec 032020

Optima

  • 91,000 miles
My oil pressure light continues to turn on and off even after replaced parts! burning at least 2 quarts of oil per week! brake lights stop working if headlights are on! had to start using super to eliminate a rattle while accelerating uphill! engine shakes!!

- Young Harris, GA, USA

problem #22

Jun 152020

Optima

  • 50,000 miles
When car comes to a stop it shakes and it feels like your driving over uneven pavement..

- Oakland, CA, USA

problem #21

Sep 242020

Optima

  • miles
The cluster started blinking out while driving then eventually goes out completely. At the start of the problem it would go out at times then pop back on for about two weeks.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #20

Jun 132019

Optima

  • 30,034 miles
The windows fall on their own and not operative while driving. It has happened to me twice so far and took the car to dealer. I am trying not to lower my windows at all for now. It is serious when it rains & water gets inside the car, I live in Florida and it rains a lot. Any solution ?

- Miramar, FL, USA

problem #19

Oct 152019

Optima

  • 37,222 miles
Since I bought 2016 Kia Optima ex, there has being windows problem on this model. Either window regulator or module panel or some thing else cause windows to drop down while your driving, or malfunction does not operate at all. At least 4 times I took to dealer to fix it, but in short period of time happens again, it is not one window happens to all of them. I am sick & tired of going to dealer to waste my time. It is serious problem with Kia and should redesign the operating window system.

- Miramar, FL, USA

problem #18

Aug 292020

Optima

  • 76,337 miles
Air conditioning going out with possible breakdown at seventy thousand miles air conditioner turns on but don't blow air

- San Bernardino, CA, USA

problem #17

Jul 202020

Optima

  • 51,346 miles
My break service light keep coming on and it's making a noise like it's a Honda I took it back to ganas service and week later the break light back

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #16

Jan 152020

Optima

  • 18,500 miles
I was driving in the evening at 25-30mph on a city street. There were no parked cars, no oncoming traffic, no pedestrians or bicycles for three blocks ahead of me. Without any forward collision warning or road hazard, my car's autonomous emergency braking (aeb) system initiated and applied full braking force to my car for no reason. The car beeped continuously and flashed a red "emergency braking" notification in the dash console. The vehicle anti-locking braking system engaged in response to the applied braking from the aeb. I was unable to control or stop the braking during the event. Once the car was fully stopped, the red dash notification stopped, the beeping stopped and I was able to move my car to the side of the road so traffic behind me could proceed.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #15

Jan 092020

Optima

  • 0 miles
My driver side axle is clicking and pop when I turn and there is no way that has been taken care of and it clearly states on this site that all are recalls on the model is there anyway the recalls an be done now I bought this call at 2018 preowned with 38000 or more miles on it it now has 82000 miles on it and if a recall has not ended done why can't they do them now and I don't feel these vehicle is safe for me to be in and I'm disabled!!! I wanted to see if you all can help with these issues with the engine as well!!!all recalls on this model

- Greenwood, SC, USA

problem #14

Dec 222019

Optima

  • 68,000 miles
There was a new vibration sound when we started driving our car yesterday. It sounded like a panel was a little loose or something. Within 15 minutes of driving it on the interstate we heard an explosion and it was the sunroof bursting into pieces. Freaked us out with the loud noise.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #13

Nov 252019

Optima

  • 35,000 miles
I have had the steering go out multiple times - reported it to Kia where I lease from and a local shop. Just happened again today (11/25/19) - it has happened at least 3 times in the last year - I have had it towed to the place I leased from as well. Also, twice now - while driving the engine shuts off. Very scary. As I stated, I have taken in and the Kia dealerships say that they cannot not get it to duplicate, they treat me as I am making up. Now reading that it does happen to others, I think this is an issue. I will not lease or buy another Kia

- Swansea, IL, USA

Read the next 12 complaints »