The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the knock sensor needed to be installed prior to the failure for the engine replacement to be covered under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.
2016 Kia Optima: shudder or vibration when accelerating
12 of the 762 complaints about the 2016 Kia Optima describe shudder or vibration when accelerating.
- owner complaints
- 12
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- typical mileage
- 112,000
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 16 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Shudder or vibration when accelerating by model year
What owners say
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at various speeds on several occasions, the vehicle was shuddering with a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that a message "Do not drive - Tow to Dealer" was displayed, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that a loosened turbo hose needed to be tightened. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to another dealer where it was diagnosed that the high-pressure fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated before gaining motive power. The vehicle was also shuddering and vibrating. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but became a recurring failure. Additionally, the gear shift lever was difficult to shift into reverse(R). The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and then the gear shifter was able to be shifted into reverse(R). The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle shuddered. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the rod bearings were knocking. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was relating the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, neither the VIN nor the model year was included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle was shuddering and making a loud clanking sound. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the diagnostic test result was undisclosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 129,104.
The Car has been to the dealer several times for a transmission judder update under TSB: TRA 083 and Recently TSB TRA 098 - Both Times they have done a Anti-Judder Logic Improvement. The Car still Judders and Its a big safety concern. Many times I will go to pull out into oncoming traffic and the judder can be so bad the car wont take off. This happens several times a month. I have complained about this since I bought the car and primarily they blamed it on being a Dual clutch transmission. Years later they have now 2 TSB and the issue is not solving the problem. The imparticular dealer that I use has told me they have never had to change out the clutch on this car and dont have the tools. They also said the way that kia uses software to monitor the judder never warrants a change in the dual clutch. I believe that Kia should take responsibility and install their new updated transmission into this car.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle decelerated and went into LIMP Mode. The vehicle failed to go over 2,000 RPM. The vehicle was shaking and shuddering violently. There was a loud knocking sound detected at 1,500 RPM. There was an abnormal odor detected from the exhaust pipe. The check engine warning light was illuminated and flashing. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The engine was replaced on three occasions. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer, who replaced the engine and catalytic converter. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Kia Coughlin of Lancaster (784 N Columbus St., Lancaster, OH 43130), where it was diagnosed and determined that an engine replacement was needed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the local dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 144,635.
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.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 2 MPH, the vehicle shuddered with an abnormal sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the mechanic found no failure. The contact stated that the shuddering had been an issue for the past three years. The contact stated that most recently the vehicle had been shuddering with an abnormal ticking sound upon starting the vehicle, and while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the failure was an internal engine failure and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The contact stated that the manufacturer advised them to call the federal safety agency Hotline to file a complaint. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
Intermittently car will shudder (jerk forward and slow, jerk forward and slow) many times when accelerating, either from a stop or while accelerating from low speeds (less than 45mph) it seems possible gear changing is not smooth. And can be dangerous when attempting to merge into traffic as car does not accelerate as it should. Have taken the car to kia who report that nothing was wrong with car when they test drove it. Problem seems worse when it is hot or cold outside.
When accelerating from a complete stop, the engine shudders & hesitates. I must allow extra time & space for oncoming traffic, when pulling out into an intersection. This is an ongoing problem. Kia says the vehicle is performing as it was designed to. I think a recall should be considered, as I have seen numerous, similar complaints on various websites regarding this problem.
This vehicle suffers from a hesitation during take off. According to kia this hesitation come from a 7 speed dual clutch transmission(dct). Which causes the vehicle the driver to feel a shudder sensation. This vehicle has a double clutch. I have taken my 2016 kia optima dealers for repair to this problem without any solution. Runs rough.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Transmission fluid application guide
- This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity...
- Inhibitor switch replacement (SA317B/c)
- Transmission fluid application guide
- 7-SPEED DCT judder inspection and dual clutch assembly replacement
- 7-SPEED dual clutch transmission (DCT) anti-judder logic improvement
- 7-SPEED DCT judder inspection and dual clutch assembly replacement
- - Transmission fluid application guide
Related recalls
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft
- 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 shudder
Is shudder or vibration when accelerating a common problem on the 2016 Kia Optima?
12 of 762 owner complaints about the 2016 Kia Optima (2%) mention shudder or vibration when accelerating. The model year with the most reports is 2016.
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 19Adaptive cruise 10Overheating 9Sunroof shattered 9No deployment 8Steering lock-up 7Warning lights 7Fuel pump 6Transmission failure 6ABS 5Door locks 5Harsh shifting 5
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