Kia Optima transmission and drivetrain problems, 2016–2020
166 of the 1,667 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Kia Optima 2016–2020 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). The loudest years: 2016 (75), 2020 (28), 2017 (26). Filed under the same heading across these years: 1 manufacturer bulletin, 1 recall campaign. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Kia Optima transmission and drivetrain problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 28 | 19% | — | 10 TSBs | the year → |
| 2019 | 17 | 8% | — | — | the year → |
| 2018 | 20 | 8% | — | 32 TSBs | the year → |
| 2017 | 26 | 9% | — | 37 TSBs | the year → |
| 2016 in depth | 75 | 10% | 50k | 37 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the transmission and drivetrain. Nothing here is a rate.
When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 1 · 2017: 5 · 2018: 7 · 2019: 21 · 2020: 10 · 2021: 8 · 2022: 19 · 2023: 20 · 2024: 19 · 2025: 36 · 2026: 20
Across the model years, half of the 48 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 18,000 and 67,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain, from the model years with the most to say. 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
My engine has failed. This is the second car I’ve had from Kia that the rod barring has failed
The vehicle experiences a dual-clutch transmission shudder in low gears and at low speeds. This issue causes a sudden loss of speed in situations such as merging onto a highway, leaving a parking spot, or while driving at approximately 30 mph. The shudder occurs randomly and poses a serious safety concern.
This car is registered under my sons name, . I helped him buy the car as we paid cash for it ( Money was provided by my ex-wife). We bought it on XXX and was sold as-is but then the seller said theres no problem with it. A week after we bought it as my son was driving it on it drove it suddenly loss power then it stop.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaign filed under this heading, any model year
- 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.
1 manufacturer bulletin filed under this heading, any model year
- Apr 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
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Kia Optima
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Kia Optima problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Kia Optima years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?
2016, 75; 2020, 28; 2017, 26. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2020 (19%).
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the Kia Optima?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading across these model years: 16V705000 (2016). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the Kia Optima?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 36,500 miles across the model years; half of them between 18,000 and 67,000. 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.