Model year guide

2016 Kia Optima

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2016 Kia Optima is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 48 on record.

2016 Kia Optima — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2016 Kia Optima at a glance

Safety recalls5
Owner complaints744
Combined28 mpg
Typical price$15,278

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2016 Kia Optima recalls 5

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings NHTSA Campaign #18V907000 · 19/12/2018

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 repl…

Fix: 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.

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #17V007000 · 06/01/2017

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.

Fix: 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.

Power Train:axle Assembly:axle Shaft NHTSA Campaign #16V705000 · 03/10/2016

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.

Fix: 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.

Air Bags:frontal NHTSA Campaign #16V231000 · 21/04/2016

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.

Fix: 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.

Latches/locks/linkages:trunk Lid:latch NHTSA Campaign #23V594000 · 24/08/2023

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."

Fix: 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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2016 Kia Optima common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 744 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

2016 Kia Optima MPG & running costs

Combined28 mpg
City25 mpg
Highway34 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,217

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2016 Kia Optima worth?

Low
$11,675
Typical price
$15,278
High
$18,897

From 37 comparable 2016 Kia Optima listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2016 Kia Optima costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$11,085
Depreciation (5 yrs)$4,650
Total$15,735
Per mile$0.21

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($15,278) with the same model 5 model-years older ($10,653), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2016 Kia Optima trims & engines on record

Trims
GL · GLS, JSL · LX · HGS · TOP
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 2.0L 4-cyl · 2.4L 4-cyl 185 hp · 1.6L 4-cyl

2016 Kia Optima vehicles on record

Other Kia Optima model years

2016 Kia Optima — frequently asked questions

Does the 2016 Kia Optima have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for the 2016 Kia Optima. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Kia Optima?

Based on 744 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine, power train, fuel/propulsion system.

What gas mileage does the 2016 Kia Optima get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2016 Kia Optima at about 28 mpg combined (25 city / 34 highway).

How much is a 2016 Kia Optima worth?

Comparable 2016 Kia Optima listings run roughly $11,675–$18,897, typically around $15,278 (from 37 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.