I have a 2016kia optima EX and I had a problem with it. I used to take it to the Kia dealership for oil change and services. So recently I have done the transmission fluid and oil change.! After that I have weird transmission problems like it finding hard to accelerate and even when I am changing the gear from park to drive or reverse it makes weird noise like clutching. I spoke with the dealership and they say we have changed the transmission fluid then it shouldn’t be the problem.! They don’t even find the exact problem.! I have been spending a lot on my car . Kia is messing up with the recalls.!
2016 Kia Optima engine complaints
Page 8 of 16: complaints 191 to 220 of 445, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I brought the car may 13 2023 and July 11th the car caught fire on the eway around 9-10am. I was trapped in the car due to the doors not unlocking and had to get help by others around. The car didn't have any problems. No check engine light no nothing. Happened unexpected
I bought my car in 2016 brand new. It now has 47,000 miles on it. I took it in in 2018 to address a recall. I took it in 2019 when it had 19, 776 miles on it because of lack of power and they determined the VCMA motor was faulty. The car is now rattling and consuming oil extremely fast. An oil change is only lasting 2 weeks before I have to top it off. I’ve had my spark plugs replaced. My mechanic (not Kia) has told me there may be an issue with the piston rings. The cost of repairing a car with less than 50,000 miles on it is getting ridiculous.
I bought my car in August of 2022 with roughly 66,000 miles on it. It now has 71,000 miles on it which per the manual would only needed one oil change. I’ve had to do three and top off my oil every 500-700 miles with 1.5-2qt of oil each time. Which is way over the criteria for KIA’s “normal” oil consumption. This has caused my spark plugs to foul out costing me more money in repairs. I have only put 5,000 miles on this car in the whole year I have owned it.The oil consumption rate of this car is insane.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he had scheduled a service appointment for an unknown recall repair on the fuel pump. The contact stated that the dealer informed him that the recall repair could not be completed until the fuel neck was repaired. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 77,700.
The engine was has blown twice the first day 95000 miles and again at under 6000 miles. And there is still a bad knock and major vibration and ticking noise coming from the car. We told the car we no longer have faith in this car and didn't want it no more and all he did was see if he could get us another loan to trade it in. We're now scared to really ride in to and can't get no one to help us on this my man is about to lose his job over this car
Vehicle purchase July 20th 2023 with new oil change per Carvana. On August 7th 2023, check engine light appears. Car was taken to a local shop. No oil and some other issues found. "Issues fixed.". On September 13th oil light comes on. Again, taken to car shop, no oil. Oil topped off again. Car is not maintaining oil.
My car has been consuming oil and has locked up and will not operate. This issue has been reported to the manufacturer by several other customers, and my car is not a part of the recent recalls. This issue could have caused me serious harm, had I been on a highway, or busy intersection. My car engine now doesn't work.
Oil started leaking from the car and checking underneath it looked as though it was leaking from the plug so i replaced the plug, which did not fix the issue, and accidentally forgot to put the gasket back on. took it to the local shop was given a gasket and an oil change. the car started leaking oil worse than before so i took the car back. The oil pan had a little over an inch long crack on the corner/edge where the oil pan plug is. Mechanic told me he’d never seen or heard of a steel oil pan cracking before. $400 for a new oil pan made from below par steel.
My 2016 Kia Optima has been consuming oil every 1.5months. I have multiple times had to replace my oil because my oil light kept coming on. I’ve checked it every single time and it is barely anything there. I have my breaks mess up and not work as properly with my safety and others being comprised. I have brought this up to my Kia dealership but they have just brushed it off and charged me for an oil change. I have seen and heard many cases like mine and it has happened worse to them to the point where the car stops in the middle of the highway. My car has been checked by others and they have all noticed the same thing - the oil levels extremely low only after 1 and a half months or way prior to when my next oil change should be made. Having this happen is expensive and life threatening when the brakes don’t work as they should or when my could possibly bust. I have received no help and would like to make this known .
This 2.4ltr engine burns 1 quart per 1000 miles! 53769 miles, Kia claims not under warranty and wants over 600 dollars for an engine flush! KIA OF PORT CHARLOTTE FL. They filled my oil too much! It is at least a half a quart above full! They also filled the Kia with 5-30, I do understand that from book and temp. Ranges. Found PCV valve partially defective and replaced that... Can you help me understand why I have no warranty under 54,000 miles and why engine is not covered under 100,000 miles? Also, is this defect acceptable to the NTSB? It has caused multiple accidents due too engine failure and seizing Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Knock sensors
Crack in dash along outline of airbag. Burns oil so it has to be refilled monthly Now mechanic says compression and combustion are problems Can’t get into Kia until February when warranty will probably be expired
The 2016 Optima SX Ltd is consuming oil, but no leak can be found by the mechanics. It is available for inspection upon request. Had the motor seized, I would have been stranded on the side of the road. I have all the CarFax Service records. It is serviced IAW Mfg recommendations. The oil light flickers and turns off at starting. A service engine in 30 days light came on. Took it to change the oil and there was NO oil in the vehicle. The oil and filter were changed, the engine cleaned and no leak could be detected. One week later the engine oil light flickered on and the oil was checked. It had consumed 1.5 quarts of oil in one week. There are zero oil stains in my driveway where the vehicle is parked every single day. This problem has been reported on multiple complaints the federal safety agency ID#s 11539081, 11538898, 11538679, 11538029...since August 1. Kia should issue a recall or investigate why the vehicles are consuming so much oil that leads to engine damage/failure with occupants stranded on the side of the road. Why is the oil light just flickering on and then off and not staying on if the oil is low? Please help.
The contact's son owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while his son was driving 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. Several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that his son was able to pull into the driveway. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an unknown dealer, where the failure could not be duplicated; however, the dealer informed the contact that the failure could be related to the engine rod bearing. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
My daughter was driving on the interstate and her car lost power while driving. This is a major safety issue. A car losing power in the middle of 80 or higher mph traffic could result in fatalities.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The engine consumed 5 quarts of oil for every 5,000 to 7,000 miles driven. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle accelerated quickly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for an oil change, and the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of oil and that there were no leaks found. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
There's an oil consumption problem... I'm burning through a quart of oil about every 300 miles. there are no leaks. Just burning the oil way too fast... There's been numerous people with this problem and no one has issued a recall... The car started doing this at around 60,000 miles. there's still plenty of life on this engine. It should in no way be burning this much oil... We need help. I was told it's part of an investigation already... We need this to be labeled a recall... This is not normal and thousands of people are having this problem with this model 2016 Kia Optima LX
5/9/23 appointment for 4 recalls -completed 2 and ask if we could bring back next day to finish and we said no because granddaughter in school so service manager said important to get it back in and finish and sent granddaughter home with car 5 days later while driving car caught on fire and lost brakes and transmission and swerved into vacant parking lot smoke and flames coming into car and girls had to jump while car was still moving both girls checked on sight for smoke inhalation. 15 year old had to go to emergency room for road rash and nerve issues. we have documents ,911 tapes, videos, text ,,,witnesses, pictures. very negligent on service dept. for sending car out without completing issues. we came ready to leave it but they sent it out.
2016 KIA Optima is burning excessive oil. Current mileage ~85K, under power train warranty. The KSDS S/W upgrade has been done. Took car to KIA dealership. Tested twice and confirmed 1/2 quart and 3/4 qt burned in 1000 miles. Limit for service was >1 qt in 1000 miles, so no action taken. Question #1. How/where was this limit established? Clearly hear a knocking sound and blue smoke out the tailpipe upon starting. A copy of video showing the tailpipe smoking was submitted to KIA. The internet references a class-action suit for this problem and NUMEROUS complaints. Question #2: Why has NO recall been initiated for this problem across numerous models and several years, anyone with a 4-cyl GDI engine? Maintenance interval is 7500 miles for each synthetic oil change. This means I will put in more than 5.5 quarts of oil between oil changes??? And this is NOT a problem??? Question #3: Why is this NOT an EPA pollution issue? Finally, the KIA dealership told me to come back in, if the problem exceeds the >1 qt per 1000 mile limit. I asked and there is NO extension of the 100K power train warranty, (in 15K miles) so after 100K, any engine repair/replacement would be at my cost. At 85K, my resale value has plummented and 2-3 nonKIA dealerships that I have spoken to about a trade-in are NOT interested in this car as a trade-in. Question #4: HOW does this NOT qualify as a RECALL? -1) Class action lawsuit on record? -2) Known problem over several years/models with the 4-cyl engine? -3) Engine seizing and shutting down due to oil loss seems like a safety issue to me? Final QUESTION: How do I get involved (after the fact) with the Class action lawsuit? I seem like I'm in suspended animation, e.g. won't fix it, can't trade it, WHAT A MESS!
Car has been consuming too much oil and burning spark plugs all the time since car was at 80k miles. Car was covered under a bumper to bumper 100k mile warranty. Now at 136k, dealership is now doing oil consumption test, but even if we fail this test, new engine will not be installed. Dealership is saying they “got in trouble” for replacing too many engines and now an inspector has to come out to inspect the engine, which is only once every 2 weeks. Kia will not pay for rental car and car has to stay on lot until inspected, and will only pay for rental car after inspector looks at car. We were also told that unless the car throws a knock sensor code, throws a rod, or locks up, engine will not be replaced and we will have to pay for all repairs. We are the sole owners of the car, and all updates/recalls have been done at dealership. Dealership even told us to “run the car with no oil, let the engine lock up, and then replace the oil before bringing it to dealership” and that doing this will ensure a replacement engine. We also have the lifetime warranty on the engine, but Kia will not honor it unless we throw a knock code, throw a piston/rod, or engine locks up. This is a HUGE safety hazard not only for us driving, but for others on the road as well. We add no less than 2 quarts of oil per week and change at least one spark plug a month.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH the vehicle lost motive power and decelerated to 5 MPH. The contact depressed the accelerator and the vehicle started to vibrate but failed to respond as needed. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to her residence at 5 MPH. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times and the vehicle was towed to a dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The dealer replaced the spark plugs and the battery. The vehicle was repaired; however, the dealer informed the contact that any repairs related to the recall would only be performed if the engine failed. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.
Excessive oil consumption, 1.5 quarts or more per ever 1,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the check engine warning light started flashing. The contact stated that smoke was coming from underneath the hood and an abnormal knocking sound was coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that he pulled over, stopped, and had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact had previously had a software upgrade for the knock sensor performed; however, the dealer stated that the engine had already suffered engine block damage and the vehicle did not qualify for an engine replacement. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 138,769.
2016 Kia Optima engine failed on freeway, ECU triggered limp mode had to get towed into dealer. Now dealer verifies engine failure issues but insists on having us drive it 1000 miles then come in to have engine oil consumption measured and do the same again for a total of 3000 miles before they honor engine replacement. Or engine completely fails within the 3000 miles. Car already shows heavy oil consumption, very dirty oil before mileage due to be changed, loss of MPG at least 5 miles per gallon after ECU upgraded. Car is sluggish and hesitates on acceleration, engine knocking noise. Bearing clearance test passes at this time. I feel I am driving a ticking time bomb getting ready to leave me somewhere stranded.
The car was diagnosed with a knock sensor problem in the engine. At that time I was told it was a recall regarding that matter. 2 months ago I took it to Kia Mall of Georgia in Buford, GA. At that time they said they fixed the sensor within 3 hours. The car wasn’t accelerating past 50 mph, the engine light was on and in struggled going up hills. After I got the car back, the next 3 days the engine light came back on and the car starting doing the exact same thing again! I called and told them and they told me to bring it back to them. So I took it back to them. After my car being there for 2 1/2 almost 3 weeks they told me they would have to replace the engine with a new one. At this time no one offered to get me some type of loaner car. On the third week they claim they were still working on it but the mechanic didn’t show up for 2 days. He left on Friday June 30th, 2023 and didn’t come back until Monday July 3rd! When he left on Friday I was told by Andrew Aycock that the car would be ready that Saturday, July 1st 2023. No one called so I ended up calling them Saturday and I was told the mechanic didn’t come to work so the car would be finished on Monday July 3rd. Of course that was a lie as well. I asked about a loaner they said they would get me one, that they had to call Hertz rental. They called me back and told me they couldn’t provide me with a loaner. So I still NEVER got a loaner and they had my car right at a month!! They called me Friday July 7th and told me the car was ready. I picked the car up on Friday. They said they put a new engine in it. Today is July 18th and it’s been a little over a week and the engine light came back on today!!. The same problem again. I have been so inconvenienced throughout this entire ordeal. It’s very hard to get in touch with anybody up there regarding my vehicle. Now I have to take it back up there, but something needs to be done asap! If it’s not the engine maybe it’s the car itself also I need a loaner Immediately!
In April, 2022, while driving on a major highway enroute to work, my 2016 Kia Optima started knocking and completely shutdown in the middle of high-speed traffic. I had the vehicle towed and was told that the recall for the engine knock sensor replacement hadn't ever been done which resulted in the engine to shutdown.
I have had zero, I mean zero issues with my Optima before today. I’ve maintained the vehicle since I purchased new in 2016 from Auffenberg Kia in Illinois. I had made it about halfway home when the vehicle started making a shuttering noise and began hard to drive. The first part of my drive was highway, no issues. The second part of my drive was country roads so a little slower speed when this began. The hard drive feeling went away briefly but was then followed by a flashing check engine light, still feeling okay to drive & maintaining a consistent speed. After I had slowed to go around corners is when it began again. I accelerated and the car accelerated as well but the rpms weren’t going over a thousand. Kept driving fine with no shuttering. Once I stopped at the stop sign and accelerated I couldn’t get over 30mph without the front end rattling and a faint squealing sound. I putted home and there it sits. A friend of mine is a mechanic and came with his diagnostic reader. Long story short, engine failure. I’m frustrated all over again because this seems to be an ongoing issue with the Optima’s with no resolution. I just hit 111k miles, which is not high miles for this to happen considering the vehicle is in good condition. Next is to get towed to the junk yard because it’s not worth putting a new engine in it & hopefully for a resolution from Kia.
Unknown. My oil light started to turn on while I was still 1200 miles before my next oil change. I check the level of my oil and it was completely empty.
On July 4th, my vehicle lost engine power and flashed a quick prompt of "engine warning" before turning off completely, smoke from under the hood which resulted in a fire. I was able to extinguish it fortunately. I have since discovered there are three open recalls, which I received no notification about. I frequently check for recalls and all sites say there are none.
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