2016 Kia Optima Recalls & Safety Report
The following open safety recalls are on record with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2016 Kia Optima. Recalls apply to specific VINs and build ranges. Check your VIN to confirm which affect your vehicle.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH Safety
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."
Risk: 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.
NHTSA campaign # 23V594000 · Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc. · Reported: 2023-08-24 · Latches/Doors
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS Critical safety
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.
Risk: 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.
NHTSA campaign # 18V907000 · Manufacturer: Kia Motors America · Reported: 2018-12-19 · Engine/Fuel
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE Critical safety
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.
Risk: 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.
NHTSA campaign # 17V007000 · Manufacturer: Kia Motors America · Reported: 2017-01-06 · Airbag
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT Critical safety
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.
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.
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.
NHTSA campaign # 16V705000 · Manufacturer: Kia Motors America · Reported: 2016-10-03 · Powertrain
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Critical safety
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.
Risk: 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.
NHTSA campaign # 16V231000 · Manufacturer: Kia Motors America · Reported: 2016-04-21 · Airbag
Recall summary
This 2016 Kia Optima has 5 open recalls on record with the U.S. NHTSA.
By affected component
- LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH — 1 recall
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS — 1 recall
- AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE — 1 recall
- POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT — 1 recall
- AIR BAGS:FRONTAL — 1 recall
By severity
- Safety — 1
- Critical safety — 4
Most recent recall reported: 2023-08-24.
Recall data is sourced from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2016 Kia Optima have open recalls?
Yes — there are 5 open NHTSA safety recalls on record for the 2016 Kia Optima. Recalls apply to specific VIN and build ranges, so check your exact VIN to confirm which affect your vehicle.
How do I check if a recall applies to my exact VIN?
This page lists recalls at the model level. Enter your 17-character VIN on our free VIN lookup to see which recalls apply to your specific car and to monitor it for new ones.
Who pays for a recall repair?
Safety recall repairs are performed free of charge by a franchised dealer for the affected make — the manufacturer covers the cost. Start by confirming your VIN is affected, then contact a dealer.
About this report
SaveVIN surfaces open recalls published by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A model-level page lists every recall reported for the model; your specific VIN determines which apply to your car. Enter your VIN above for a VIN-precise report and to monitor it for new recalls.
Data source: U.S. NHTSA (nhtsa.gov). SaveVIN surfaces public recall data and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NHTSA.