2016 Kia Optima Recalls

NHTSA lists 5 open recalls for the 2016 Kia Optima. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer, however old the vehicle is.

Recall data as of Oct 17, 2026 — NHTSA. For a live answer, run the check yourself, or see the latest recalls.

Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

What's wrong:
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.
Risk:
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
What to do:
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.

NHTSA campaign 18V907000 — quote this at the dealer.Reported Dec 19, 2018.

Driver Side Inflator Module

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

What's wrong:
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.
Risk:
In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate fully increases the risk of injury.
What to do:
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.

NHTSA campaign 17V007000 — quote this at the dealer.Reported Jan 6, 2017.

Axle Assembly Axle Shaft

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT

What's wrong:
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.
Risk:
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.
What to do:
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.

NHTSA campaign 16V705000 — quote this at the dealer.Reported Oct 3, 2016.

Air Bags Frontal

What's wrong:
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.
Risk:
If the second stage air bag does not deploy it increases the risk of injury or death.
What to do:
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.

NHTSA campaign 16V231000 — quote this at the dealer.Reported Apr 21, 2016.

Trunk Lid Latch

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH

What's wrong:
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."
Risk:
A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
What to do:
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.

NHTSA campaign 23V594000 — quote this at the dealer.Reported Aug 24, 2023.

Owner complaints

759filed with NHTSA · 61 in the last 12 months
Filed by yearpeak 2023
151617181920212223242526
Engine
426
Electrical System
104
Power Train
74
Fuel/Propulsion System
53

27 involved a crash · 20 a fire · 21 injuries · 1 death

Reported by owners to NHTSA and not verified. Complaints often surface a problem months before a recall.

See the complaints at NHTSA

Other Kia Optima years

Every year links to that vehicle's full recall page.

20202019201820172016201520142013201220112010

Kia Optima, every year

How recall repairs work

  • Repairs are free at any franchised Kia dealer — regardless of the vehicle's age or whether you bought it new.
  • Bring the NHTSA campaign number; it's printed on each recall above and on the sheet you can print here.
  • Call ahead: some recalls are announced before parts are available, and the dealer can tell you when yours are in.
  • Your VIN tells the dealer whether your exact vehicle is affected — the free check accepts one and never stores it.

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