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2016 Kia Optima

HybridGas
Large Cars
7 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
F
Safety Signal
55 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls1 critical5
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA758
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA37 mpg
20202019201820172016

The 2016 Kia Optima is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas large car with 7 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Optima Hybrid, is EPA-rated at 37 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 758 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Optima HybridHybridFWD2.4L 4-cyl + 270V Li-Ion353837$1,700
Optima Hybrid EXHybridFWD2.4L 4-cyl + 270V Li-Ion353836$1,750
OptimaGasFWD1.6L 4-cyl turbo283731$2,000
Optima FEGasFWD2.4L 4-cyl253629$2,150
OptimaGasFWD2.4L 4-cyl243428$2,250
OptimaGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo223125$2,500
Optima FEGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo223125$2,500

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 36469, 36470, 37000, 37032, 37003, 37001, 37002.

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Recalls (5)

Source: NHTSA recall database
●moderate

Latches/Locks/Linkages

SC278
319,436 vehicles
ProblemKia 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."RiskA person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 23V594000reported Aug 24, 2023Kia America, Inc.
!critical

Fuel System, Gasoline

SC172
71,653 vehicles
ProblemKia 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.RiskA fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.FixKia 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.
NHTSA campaign 18V907000reported Dec 19, 2018Kia Motors America
▲high

Air Bags

SC143
1 vehicles
ProblemKia 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.RiskIn the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate fully increases the risk of injury.FixThe 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.
NHTSA campaign 17V007000reported Jan 6, 2017Kia Motors America
▲high

Power Train

SC139
12,214 vehicles
ProblemKia 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.RiskIf 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.FixKia 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.
NHTSA campaign 16V705000reported Oct 3, 2016Kia Motors America
▲high

Air Bags

SC131
17 vehicles
ProblemKia 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.RiskIf the second stage air bag does not deploy it increases the risk of injury or death.FixKia 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.
NHTSA campaign 16V231000reported Apr 21, 2016Kia Motors America

NHTSA defect investigations

Electrical System:Propulsion System — Pedestrian alert sounds closed

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

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · action DP22005

Engine — Loss of Motive Power closed

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

Opened Sep 12, 2022 · closed Dec 12, 2023 · action DP22003

Vehicle Speed Control:Throttle — Throttle control system vulnerabilities closed

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

Opened Nov 12, 2021 · closed Jun 20, 2023 · action DP21003

Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module — Electrical overstress closed

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.  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.  The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with

Opened Apr 19, 2019 · closed Sep 19, 2024 · action EA19001

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
758complaints filed

27 involved a crash · 20 a fire · 21 injuries · 1 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2016: 3 · 2017: 20 · 2018: 30 · 2019: 65 · 2020: 60 · 2021: 67 · 2022: 109 · 2023: 162 · 2024: 121 · 2025: 77 · 2026: 44

Most-cited components

Engine426
Unspecified121
Electrical System104
Power Train75
Fuel/Propulsion System53
Exterior Lighting48

What owners describe

“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…”Oct 21, 2025 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report
“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…”Sep 16, 2021 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA owner report
“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…”Sep 14, 2021 · Air Bags · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★10%
4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★10%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other Optima model years

A

2020 Kia Optima

0 recalls · 146 complaints

A

2019 Kia Optima

1 recalls · 207 complaints

C

2018 Kia Optima

3 recalls · 242 complaints

F

2017 Kia Optima

4 recalls · 304 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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