2016 Kia Optima transmission and drivetrain problems
75 of the 760 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Kia Optima name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). Filed under the same heading: 37 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall. 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 transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA complaint database2 of the 75 reports a crash · 1 a fire · 0 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2016: 1 · 2017: 5 · 2018: 6 · 2019: 15 · 2020: 4 · 2021: 3 · 2022: 11 · 2023: 7 · 2024: 7 · 2025: 10 · 2026: 6
Half of the 30 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 13,000 and 87,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
760 complaints in all about the 2016 Kia Optima, 6 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 “Power Train” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Kia Optima transmission and drivetrain problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
After the Kia dealership replaced the transmission the first time. Due to a mcu failure. 2 weeks later car was due for oil change, jiffy lube stated my transmission was leaking. I took it back to Kia. After 2 days of it bei n.v g in the shop.
Vehicle, on multiple occasions, will shift unexpectedly from fifth gear into fourth very abruptly and dramatically. There is also a lapse in time when you press on the gas to accelerate and with for it to down shift into fourth gear or beyond
I started the car, which appeared normal, about 10 minutes into my trip, the dashboard display was flashing, " check hybrid system, stop vehicle and turn off engine " a dinging bell was going off, I was startled by it, so I immediately pulled over and stopped I let car sit for a minute the tried to start it again. No luck.
I've been having an issue with the vehicle jerking upon take off as if the transmission struggles to engage, it's caused me several near accidents due to the car not going when it's supposed to, how it's supposed to.. This happens at start up when first shifting into gear, and after stoping then attempting to go.
My car was manufactured on novenber 13, 2015 the same date for the recall number sc139 for the powertrain axle but wasn't included on the recall. My axle is starting to make noise like if it is fail just as the recall states i'm towing it to the dealer to get fixed but was my car suppose to be apart of that recall?
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall filed under this heading
- 16V705000 HighOct 3, 2016 · 12,214 vehicles
- 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.
37 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
- TSB_TRA046_R5 Service bulletinApr 17, 2025
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is
The 1 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
P0014 P0C17
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
- electrical problems 105 complaints
- fuel system problems 62 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre transmission and drivetrain problems common on the 2016 Kia Optima?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 75 owner complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain on this model year (10% of everything owners filed about it), and 37 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall 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 transmission and drivetrain on the 2016 Kia Optima?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading: 16V705000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the 2016 Kia Optima?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 50,000 miles; half of them between 13,000 and 87,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.