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2016 Kia Optima: harsh or hard shifting

5 of the 762 complaints about the 2016 Kia Optima describe harsh or hard shifting.

owner complaints
5
of this car's complaints
1%
recalls
1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 16 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Harsh or hard shifting by model year

What owners say

Filed Dec 17, 2024 · Brakes, Engine · 149,020 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that after having a routine oil change and tire maintenance, the vehicle began making an abnormal clunking sound. The vehicle failed to start. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The message that the automatic brake was disabled was displayed. Additionally, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact called an independent mechanic and was referred to the dealer. The contact called the local dealer, and the vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where an unknown diagnosis was made. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer declined to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 149,020.

Filed Sep 17, 2023 · Body, Transmission · GA

Pearl white paint peeling in chunks of hood. All four window regulators went out within six months. Transmission had to be replaced Hard shift rear end Motor replaced

Filed Aug 23, 2023 · Transmission · PA

I have already had to have motor and transmission replaced once under warranty. The replaced transmission was worse than the original problem. The original problem was hard shifting. Now I have intermittent hard shifting, occasional lunging forward, occasional shuddering while pressing accelerator, and feeling like there is hesitation to change gears. I have not taken it back to the dealer yet. I always get the excuse that they cant replicate the problem. It took me 2-3 years to get it acknowledged the first time.

Filed Jul 19, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · CA

My name is E........ M........ and I'm writing this email/complaint in hopes it can be resolved or you can pass this email along to the appropriate person or persons to have this matter looked into. We purchased a used 2016 Kia Optima a few years back and have had nothing but trouble, from electrical issues, recalls, transmission issues, oil consumption, and smoke coming through the air vents!!!! and there's more, the last time we had an issue and took it to a dealer for problems shifting, hard shifts, loss of power, and smoking, we were told the dealer could not duplicate the problems while driving it and that was that, not a damn thing fixed because apparently everyone is stupid or blind and I was more than pissed. On 7/13/22 the car has been at the dealer again (for almost two weeks now, but they were so busy they just got to it today) so the car is there for the same exact things listed before only this time they state the turbo turbine is bad and it's gonna be $4000.00 to fix it. First off NO, and secondly NO, I will not let this happen! BTW, please pay close attention to the part of smoke coming through the air vents!!!! Currently, the car is at a KIA dealer still, the general manager was to call me on the 14th and NEVER DID today is the 19th, I called today and they are acting like they don't even know me. NO warning lamps, the car can be completely out of oil, and still no engine or oil light will come on. The fact that this car has smoke coming through the air vents is of most concern, I need help dealing with this issue and will contact a lawyer if needed or if you advise me to. BTW I emailed all head people at Kia corporate and NO response from them as well. Thank you The consumer stated the general manager has the approval to move forward with the repairs and would like to rescind the complaint.

Filed Aug 12, 2019 · Engine · 71,862 miles · NJ

Motor mounts bad at 71862 miles. Told by kia it is not covered under warranty. Car clunks very badly and shakes. Was told it can still be driven. 2/3 motor mounts I was told were bad. Does not make sense that they could already be bad at that mileage. Do not feel safe driving car the way it is. Shakes while driving, clunks while taking off on road.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Power train: axle assembly: axle shaftReported October 3, 2016 · 12,214 vehicles affected
What is 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.
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.

Recall number 16V705000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2016 Kia Optima harsh shifting

Is harsh or hard shifting a common problem on the 2016 Kia Optima?

5 of 762 owner complaints about the 2016 Kia Optima (1%) mention harsh or hard shifting. The model year with the most reports is 2012.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2016 Kia Optima?

There is 1 recall and 16 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2016 Kia Optima

Oil consumption 140Check engine light 135Engine failure 134Knocking 104Stalling 71Power windows 57Headlights 48Loss of power 41Fire or smoke 35Misfire 31Jerking 29Hesitation 22Won't shift 21Won't start 19Shudder 12Adaptive cruise 10Overheating 9Sunroof shattered 9No deployment 8Steering lock-up 7Warning lights 7Fuel pump 6Transmission failure 6ABS 5Door locks 5

All model years of the Kia Optima

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