{"id":"2016_kia_optima","make":"Kia","make_slug":"kia","model":"Optima","model_slug":"optima","year":2016,"url":"/kia/optima/2016/","pts":["hev","gas"],"configs":[{"id":36469,"model":"Optima Hybrid","pt":"hev","drive":"Front-Wheel Drive","trany":"Automatic (AM6)","cyl":4,"displ":2.4,"eng":"","turbo":false,"super":false,"start_stop":true,"city":35,"hwy":38,"comb":37,"cityA":0,"hwyA":0,"combA":0,"kwh100":null,"range":null,"range_city":null,"range_hwy":null,"erange":null,"phev_comb":null,"charge240":null,"charge240b":null,"charger":"","charger_b":"","motor":"270V Li-Ion","fuel":"Regular","vclass":"Midsize Cars","co2":242,"fe_score":9,"ghg_score":9,"fuel_cost":1700,"save_spend":2750,"guzzler":false,"mfr_code":"KMX","modified":"Wed Apr 05 00:00:00 EDT 2017"},{"id":36470,"model":"Optima Hybrid EX","pt":"hev","drive":"Front-Wheel Drive","trany":"Automatic (AM6)","cyl":4,"displ":2.4,"eng":"","turbo":false,"super":false,"start_stop":true,"city":35,"hwy":38,"comb":36,"cityA":0,"hwyA":0,"combA":0,"kwh100":null,"range":null,"range_city":null,"range_hwy":null,"erange":null,"phev_comb":null,"charge240":null,"charge240b":null,"charger":"","charger_b":"","motor":"270V Li-Ion","fuel":"Regular","vclass":"Midsize Cars","co2":247,"fe_score":8,"ghg_score":8,"fuel_cost":1750,"save_spend":2500,"guzzler":false,"mfr_code":"KMX","modified":"Wed Apr 05 00:00:00 EDT 2017"},{"id":37000,"model":"Optima","pt":"gas","drive":"Front-Wheel Drive","trany":"Automatic (AM7)","cyl":4,"displ":1.6,"eng":"SIDI","turbo":true,"super":false,"start_stop":false,"city":28,"hwy":37,"comb":31,"cityA":0,"hwyA":0,"combA":0,"kwh100":null,"range":null,"range_city":null,"range_hwy":null,"erange":null,"phev_comb":null,"charge240":null,"charge240b":null,"charger":"","charger_b":"","motor":"","fuel":"Regular","vclass":"Large Cars","co2":286,"fe_score":8,"ghg_score":8,"fuel_cost":2000,"save_spend":1250,"guzzler":false,"mfr_code":"KMX","modified":"Wed Apr 05 00:00:00 EDT 2017"},{"id":37032,"model":"Optima FE","pt":"gas","drive":"Front-Wheel Drive","trany":"Automatic (S6)","cyl":4,"displ":2.4,"eng":"SIDI","turbo":false,"super":false,"start_stop":false,"city":25,"hwy":36,"comb":29,"cityA":0,"hwyA":0,"combA":0,"kwh100":null,"range":null,"range_city":null,"range_hwy":null,"erange":null,"phev_comb":null,"charge240":null,"charge240b":null,"charger":"","charger_b":"","motor":"","fuel":"Regular","vclass":"Large Cars","co2":308,"fe_score":7,"ghg_score":7,"fuel_cost":2150,"save_spend":500,"guzzler":false,"mfr_code":"KMX","modified":"Mon Sep 26 00:00:00 EDT 2016"},{"id":37003,"model":"Optima","pt":"gas","drive":"Front-Wheel Drive","trany":"Automatic (S6)","cyl":4,"displ":2.4,"eng":"SIDI","turbo":false,"super":false,"start_stop":false,"city":24,"hwy":34,"comb":28,"cityA":0,"hwyA":0,"combA":0,"kwh100":null,"range":null,"range_city":null,"range_hwy":null,"erange":null,"phev_comb":null,"charge240":null,"charge240b":null,"charger":"","charger_b":"","motor":"","fuel":"Regular","vclass":"Large Cars","co2":320,"fe_score":7,"ghg_score":7,"fuel_cost":2250,"save_spend":0,"guzzler":false,"mfr_code":"KMX","modified":"Mon Sep 26 00:00:00 EDT 2016"},{"id":37001,"model":"Optima","pt":"gas","drive":"Front-Wheel Drive","trany":"Automatic (S6)","cyl":4,"displ":2.0,"eng":"SIDI","turbo":true,"super":false,"start_stop":false,"city":22,"hwy":31,"comb":25,"cityA":0,"hwyA":0,"combA":0,"kwh100":null,"range":null,"range_city":null,"range_hwy":null,"erange":null,"phev_comb":null,"charge240":null,"charge240b":null,"charger":"","charger_b":"","motor":"","fuel":"Regular","vclass":"Large Cars","co2":360,"fe_score":6,"ghg_score":6,"fuel_cost":2500,"save_spend":-1250,"guzzler":false,"mfr_code":"KMX","modified":"Mon Sep 26 00:00:00 EDT 2016"},{"id":37002,"model":"Optima FE","pt":"gas","drive":"Front-Wheel Drive","trany":"Automatic (S6)","cyl":4,"displ":2.0,"eng":"SIDI","turbo":true,"super":false,"start_stop":false,"city":22,"hwy":31,"comb":25,"cityA":0,"hwyA":0,"combA":0,"kwh100":null,"range":null,"range_city":null,"range_hwy":null,"erange":null,"phev_comb":null,"charge240":null,"charge240b":null,"charger":"","charger_b":"","motor":"","fuel":"Regular","vclass":"Large Cars","co2":355,"fe_score":6,"ghg_score":6,"fuel_cost":2500,"save_spend":-1250,"guzzler":false,"mfr_code":"KMX","modified":"Mon Sep 26 00:00:00 EDT 2016"}],"vclass":"Large Cars","segment":"Large car","recalls":[{"campaign":"23V594000","component":"LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH","mfr":"Kia America, Inc.","reported":"2023-08-24","owner_notified":"2023-10-19","units":319436,"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.\"","consequence":"A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.","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.","notes":"Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.","park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":false,"mfr_campaign":"SC278","initiated_by":"MFR","variants":[],"severity":"moderate"},{"campaign":"18V907000","component":"FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS","mfr":"Kia Motors America","reported":"2018-12-19","owner_notified":"2019-01-17","units":71653,"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.","consequence":"A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.","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.","notes":"Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.","park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":false,"mfr_campaign":"SC172","initiated_by":"ODI","variants":[],"severity":"critical"},{"campaign":"17V007000","component":"AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE","mfr":"Kia Motors America","reported":"2017-01-06","owner_notified":"2017-01-10","units":1,"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.","consequence":"In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate fully increases the risk of injury.","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.","notes":"Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.","park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":false,"mfr_campaign":"SC143","initiated_by":"MFR","variants":[],"severity":"high"},{"campaign":"16V705000","component":"POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT","mfr":"Kia Motors America","reported":"2016-10-03","owner_notified":"2016-11-30","units":12214,"summary":"Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Optima vehicles manufactured November 13, 2015, to April 23, 2016 and equipped with a 2.4l engine.  The right front axle driveshaft may crack and fail.","consequence":"If the driveshaft cracks and separates from the vehicle, it will not be able to move forward.  Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied upon exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll.  Either scenario can increase the risk of a crash.","remedy":"Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle driveshaft, free of charge.  The recall began November 2016.  Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542.  Kia's number for this recall is SC139.","notes":"Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.","park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":false,"mfr_campaign":"SC139","initiated_by":"MFR","variants":[],"severity":"high"},{"campaign":"16V231000","component":"AIR BAGS:FRONTAL","mfr":"Kia Motors America","reported":"2016-04-21","owner_notified":"2016-05-06","units":17,"summary":"Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Optima vehicles manufactured November 10, 2015, to February 12, 2016.  In these vehicles, a chemical enhancer required for the for the second stage deployment of the driver's frontal air bag was not loaded, resulting in the second stage not deploying in necessitating crashes.","consequence":"If the second stage air bag does not deploy it increases the risk of injury or death.","remedy":"Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge.  The recall began on May 6, 2016.  Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542.  Kia's number for this recall is SC131.","notes":"Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.","park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":false,"mfr_campaign":"SC131","initiated_by":"MFR","variants":[],"severity":"high"}],"recall_count":5,"critical_count":1,"park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":false,"score":55,"grade":"F","complaints":{"count":758,"crash":27,"fire":20,"injured":21,"deaths":1,"comps":[["Engine",426],["Unspecified",121],["Electrical System",104],["Power Train",75],["Fuel/Propulsion System",53],["Exterior Lighting",48]],"by_year":{"2016":3,"2017":20,"2018":30,"2019":65,"2020":60,"2021":67,"2022":109,"2023":162,"2024":121,"2025":77,"2026":44},"excerpts":[["2025-10-21","Electrical System","Dear NHTSA, I am writing to formally report a serious safety incident involving my 2016 Kia Optima Hybrid, which caught fire and was completely destroyed on October 5, 2025. Incident Summary: While driving on a highway at approximately 65 mph, I noticed that the vehicle was not entering Hybrid Mode, which is abnormal f\u2026"],["2021-09-16","Exterior Lighting","Headlights, set in AUTO, randomly will briefly go dark at night while the vehicle is in motion, putting driver at risk of night-time crash. Headlights can be re-illuminated by turning the lights off and back on. This issue has not been by dealer, service tech, or any other party. The issue occurred twice 9/15/2021, and\u2026"],["2021-09-14","Air Bags","A straight line crack about 4 inches long appeared suddenly on my dash. Upon doing some online research, I found that the crack is directly over the dash mounted airbag. I took the vehicle to the local KIA dealer and they said it was not covered by the warranty. My concern is that the crack may impede the deployment of\u2026"]]},"investigations":[{"action":"DP22005","component":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM","opened":"2023-01-27","closed":"2023-08-07","campaign":"22V063000","subject":"Pedestrian alert sounds","summary":"NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt"},{"action":"DP22003","component":"ENGINE","opened":"2022-09-12","closed":"2023-12-12","campaign":"","subject":"Loss of Motive Power","summary":"The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are "},{"action":"DP21003","component":"VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:THROTTLE","opened":"2021-11-12","closed":"2023-06-20","campaign":"","subject":"Throttle control system vulnerabilities","summary":"The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defec"},{"action":"EA19001","component":"AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE","opened":"2019-04-19","closed":"2024-09-19","campaign":"20V024","subject":"Electrical overstress","summary":"The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.\u00c2\u00a0 During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW. \u00c2\u00a0The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with "}],"ncap":[{"desc":"4 DR FWD","overall":5,"frontal":5,"side":5,"rollover":5,"rollover_risk":0.098,"seats":5,"fcw":"Optional","ldw":"Optional","aeb":"No","esc":"","backup_cam":"","variant":null},{"desc":"4 DR FWD","overall":5,"frontal":5,"side":5,"rollover":5,"rollover_risk":0.096,"seats":5,"fcw":"No","ldw":"No","aeb":"No","esc":"","backup_cam":"","variant":"hev"}],"popularity":999,"headline":{"range":null,"mpg":37,"ncap":5,"complaints":758},"presskit_trims":[],"generated_at":"2026-09-11 05:01 UTC","sources":["EPA fueleconomy.gov","NHTSA recalls","NHTSA complaints","NHTSA NCAP","NHTSA investigations"]}