2016 Kia Optima: jerking or lurching

Filed Mar 27, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · PA

Car is not holding oil it acts like it's gonna cut off while driving and it jerking was diagnosed with colitic converter p0604

Filed Nov 17, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · NJ

Vehicle: 2016 Kia Optima LX Turbo – Approx. 114,155 miles** This complaint concerns ongoing systemic defects affecting the electrical, braking, and engine management systems of the referenced vehicle. Despite multiple documented repair attempts, the failures persist, creating continuous and significant safety hazards. The vehicle has experienced repeated electrical system malfunctions, including multiple battery failures (three replacements within one year), sustained low-voltage conditions, and intermittent lighting loss. Notably, the headlights and exterior lighting have shut off unexpectedly during extended highway operation. The brake control system is also compromised. The electronic emergency brake has engaged spontaneously while the vehicle was in motion, causing abrupt deceleration without driver input. Additionally, the vehicle exhibits continuous fuel vapor and engine performance defects. The purge valve has been replaced four times, yet the failure recurs. The vehicle frequently hesitates upon acceleration, exhibits delayed throttle response, and jerks during takeoff, creating hazardous conditions when merging into traffic or crossing intersections. Given the repeated nature of these defects and the lack of resolution through standard repairs, I believe the vehicle may contain inherent design or manufacturing defects affecting the electrical charging system, ECU, fuel vapor management components, and electronic braking controls. I request that the federal safety agency conduct an investigation into these safety-related defects.

Filed Sep 26, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · NY

The car is burning oil rapidly causing potential issues with the transmission and engine. The oil burns and does not leak after a few hundred miles and has to be refilled continuously causing alot of money and potential issues with other components of the car. I notice jerking when accelerating and smoke if dont fill every 1 to 2 weeks.

Filed Jun 10, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · CA

A month in after purchasing the check engine light came on. My car did not want to accelerate, started shaking and having jerking movement while driving on the freeway with my newborn and 3 other children in the car with me. Got stranded 3 hours away from home. Car has been in the shop going on 30 days. Spark plugs changed, coolant thermostat changed and now the engine was reported that it has failed. Still in the shop currently.

Filed Mar 28, 2025 · Transmission · 112,260 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving on the highway at 65 MPH, the vehicle began to jerk excessively, and the contact was forced to pull over to the side of the road. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the fuel injectors and valve cover gasket were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 112,260.

Filed Mar 27, 2025 · Engine · FL

I was driving on 295 and my engine light came on. My car started shaking when I was accelerating and when I don’t accelerate it stops. When I come to a complete stop the car jerks back and forth acting like it wants to stall… I’m waiting on a call back from my mechanic on their diagnostic results

Filed Sep 30, 2024 · Acceleration, Engine · PA

While driving the car will not accelerate past 49mph in turbo mode and 61mph in regular mode and rpm will not go above 1800. And it jerks and studders. Blinking check engine light and consumes a ridiculous amount of oil even though regular maintenance performed. I have read several engine issues with this model and cannot find recall info

Filed Aug 7, 2024 · Engine · NJ

One day I'm driving on route 78 and when I reached 60 mph, my car began to spudder and jerk. This happens quite often as I'm driving on a dangerous road. I brought my car, 2016 Kia optima, to a local dealer where they diagnosed the problem of a blown head gasket! They said I needed a new engine at 108k miles in 4 years since I had the car. I had to get a second opinion and went to Bridgewater Kia and they to said I needed a new engine. Now this car had a GDI engine that burned off a lot oil. Heavy oil consumption and there was never a recall regarding the issue. I've read many similar incidents where owners of this exact make and model and year have experienced issues with their engine seizing, stalling, and just shutting off in the middle of traffic. This is clearly a safety issue that Kia continues to ignore. They say it's not their problem but yet you designed the defective and deficient engine so why should I have to pay for a brand new engine and not get fully reimbursed. I filled out claim form after claim form contacting Kia engine settlement.com help desk which were no help. I believe they're ignoring me for the obvious reasons. So now I'm on this smear campaign against KIA and trying to raise awareness. I'll do it alone if I have to but I'm not giving up.

Filed Aug 7, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · KY

The car had engine failure. The same issue that 1000s of the same make and model had a lawsuit for. Apparently my VIN isn’t one of them covered even though the exact issues stated in the engine failure lawsuit are the same issues I had. It’s under 80,000 miles I get synthetic oil and all other maintenance done when recommended. I was driving one day and the car started jerking and the engine would just stall out there was also a lot of smoke and very loud noises. I have tried contacting Kia and they say that it’s not one of the VIN numbers covered. If it’s the same issue how could they know if it was going to happen to my specific VIN or not. This is a huge safety issue because I am concerned the engine will blow up or catch on fire. I have had a mechanic come look and he started the engine and said to immediately turn it off. This is clearly a safety issue that’s not being handled well at all.

Filed Jul 25, 2024 · Engine · 138,000 miles · UT

Complete engine failure on July 13th. While driving at on the interstate the car lurched and began to smoke. Oil light, engine light and battery light all came on. We turned on hazard lights and pulled off the freeway onto the off-ramp. As we stopped at the light the car completely died in traffic. Smoke was coming from the hood and the car wouldn’t no longer start. We were in traffic and had to wait for help to get our car safely pushed off the road. We had the car towed to a car lot. The engine had a recall but we were never informed of this or sent any letters about it. We received a recall About a trunk safety issue so we know they had our correct address. We have owned the car less than a year so previous owners never took care of the problem and we were not informed. Kia is denying helping pay for a new engine even though they have a lawsuit and have admitted to engine problems.

Filed Jul 2, 2024 · Engine · 86,500 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started to jerk and then decelerated while shifting into LIMP Mode. The vehicle was later examined by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the NOX sensor and Glow plugs were faulty. The vehicle was not repaired and later towed to the local dealer. No further information was available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,500.

Filed May 9, 2024 · Engine · 95,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle was jerking abnormally. The vehicle was restarted several times; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with oil leaking into the spark plugs causing an engine misfire. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.