2016 Kia Optima engine problems
450 complaints about engine have been filed for the 2016 Kia Optima, which is 41% of all its NHTSA complaints. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 450 41% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 91,000 miles 149 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 4 and 16
- Injuries and deaths
- 5 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When engine problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 12 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 8 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 15 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 27 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 26 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 28 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 16 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 10 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 6 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 1 |
What the data shows
Of the 149 engine complaints that report mileage, the median is about 91,000 miles, and 23% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 4 crashes, 16 fires, 5 injuries.
What owners wrote
5/9/23 appointment for 4 recalls -completed 2 and ask if we could bring back next day to finish and we said no because granddaughter in school so service manager said important to get it back in and finish and sent granddaughter home with car 5 days later while driving car caught on fire and lost brakes and transmission and swerved into vacant parking lot smoke and flames coming into car and girls had to jump while car was still moving both girls checked on sight for smoke inhalation.
My vehicle started stalling when accelerating two days ago. My rpm's jump when shifting gears and it stalls and jerks when taking off from a complete stop. I took it to advanced auto parts and the code "p1326" showed on their code reader. Knock scensor is under the code and I've read where multiple people with this make and model of car have had the same issue and had their whole motor replaced.
Other problems reported for the 2016 Kia Optima
- Electrical system 105 complaints
- Drivetrain & axles 74 complaints
- Fuel system 62 complaints
- Lighting 47 complaints
- Body & structure 41 complaints
- Wipers, windshield & visibility 40 complaints
- Cruise control 29 complaints
- Air bags 24 complaints