Does the 2016 Kia Optima have any recalls?

5 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: latches/locks/linkages, engine, fuel system, gasoline, air bags, power train. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.

How do I check if my 2016 Kia Optima recall has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Kia dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2016 Kia Optima?

754 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.

2016 Kia Optima recalls

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

5 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026

For the 2016 Kia Optima. These apply to the model and year, not to one particular vehicle: check your VIN to see whether yours is included and whether it has been repaired.

Has your Kia been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

Check your VIN with NHTSA

NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A Kia dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.

2016 Kia Optima recalls, newest first

August 24, 2023NHTSA 23V594000319,436 vehicles potentially affected

Latches/locks/linkages › Trunk lid › Latch

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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

December 19, 2018NHTSA 18V90700071,653 vehicles potentially affected

Engine

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.
Components: Engine; Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

This recall on nhtsa.gov

January 6, 2017NHTSA 17V0070001 vehicles potentially affected

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

October 3, 2016NHTSA 16V70500012,214 vehicles potentially affected

Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft

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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

April 21, 2016NHTSA 16V23100017 vehicles potentially affected

Air bags › Frontal

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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Owner complaints

Owners have filed 754 complaints about the 2016 Kia Optima with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public; NHTSA uses them to decide what to investigate.

Crashes reported: 27
Fires reported: 19
Injuries reported: 21
Deaths reported: 1

Most complained-about components

Engine424
Unknown or other121
Electrical system99
Power train72
Fuel/propulsion system53

Other Kia Optima years

Other 2016 Kia models

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All of 2016’s most recalled vehicles

Questions

Does the 2016 Kia Optima have any recalls?: 5 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: latches/locks/linkages, engine, fuel system, gasoline, air bags, power train. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.
How do I check if my 2016 Kia Optima recall has been fixed?: Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Kia dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2016 Kia Optima?: 754 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.