2016 Kia Optima electrical problems
105 of the 760 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Kia Optima name the electrical system (NHTSA’s “Electrical System” heading — wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading). Filed under the same heading: 128 manufacturer bulletins, 1 NHTSA investigation. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the electrical system
Source: NHTSA complaint database7 of the 105 reports a crash · 6 a fire · 1 injury. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2017: 2 · 2018: 6 · 2019: 8 · 2020: 17 · 2021: 10 · 2022: 9 · 2023: 17 · 2024: 15 · 2025: 13 · 2026: 8
Half of the 37 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the electrical problem between 37,000 and 103,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
760 complaints in all about the 2016 Kia Optima, 8 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Electrical System” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Kia Optima electrical problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the electrical system. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
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.
I AM having an issue with the second window motor on this vehicle. From reading reviews, it's a common problem
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that all four window regulators failed. The contact was unable to get the windows to move upward and close. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided authorization to repair the rear windows.
My car stalled while waiting at a stoplight. When going to accelerate I was unable to. However, I looked at the current recalls for my car. The year, model, manufcature date meet the criteria for the axel recall. But my VIN # doesn't show any existing recalls
The drivers side running light went out one day and my car alerted that it was out. I changed the bulb and that did not fix the problem. The fuse appeared ok, however I replaced it just to be sure. There was still no change.
What is on file about the electrical system
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsNHTSA investigation
- DP22005 Pedestrian alert soundsopened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023
- 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 ele…
128 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
The 0 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
P1326 B1695 C1356 C2243 P0705 P1B25 P1B70 P1B77
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2016 Kia Optima names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2016 Kia Optima
Source: the same files- engine problems 451 complaints
- transmission and drivetrain problems 75 complaints
- fuel system problems 62 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre electrical problems common on the 2016 Kia Optima?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 105 owner complaints naming the electrical system on this model year (14% of everything owners filed about it), and 128 manufacturer bulletins, 1 NHTSA investigation are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the electrical system on the 2016 Kia Optima?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading for this model year (there are 5 filed under other headings). A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do electrical problems show up on the 2016 Kia Optima?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 66,500 miles; half of them between 37,000 and 103,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Electrical System" heading cover?
Wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.