2016 Kia Optima: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed May 29, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · ME

The Kia had a problem with the check engine light coming on and it gently went into limp mode. I had it repaired at Darlings Ford and it worked for about 600 miles. I had it repaired again and it worked for about 7,000 miles. The light recent came on and the car immediately hard banged andwent into limp mode. My wife was driving and shaking when she got home. The light went out and everything was fine. A couple of days later, on 5/27/26, we were on the interstate in traffic travelling 70 mph and it Violently hard bumped, the Cel came on and it went into limp mode. It was as if we hit deep pot holes with both front tires which we didn't as we were on a smooth highway. The light is still on and it's in limp mode.

Filed Mar 5, 2026 · Engine · TX

2016 Kia Optima engine locked up, vehicle stalled on interstate,heard a rod bearing sound, left me in limp mode trying to get out the way of 18 wheelers traveling behind me. Towed into Kia dealership which confirmed the engine locked up which has a recall #PI1802B KSDS, but denied to cover it because I didn't have this recall done. I also called Kia Customer Service, they denied me too and just gave me a case #[XXX]. I explained to them that I never received notice of this recall. So how could I prepare for something like this to happen while traveling from Texas to Louisiana to visit my grand kids. The dealership gave me a Quote of $9735 for parts and labor, which I don't have, I am still making payments on this vehicle. Now I am stuck in Louisiana with my vehicle, also it's going to cost me even more to have it towed back to Texas. Please help me understand why the dealership won't stand behind a safety recall or what one person I spoke with called a campaign recall, which ever! That I never received notice about this recall. I hope the "President" or the "President of the Company" will step up and help, after all we as Citizens don't have a problem spending our hard working money on purchasing these vehicles from the dealerships, to have things like this to happen out of our control. Thanks for at least Listening. GOD BLESS...INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 9, 2026 · Engine · VA

Car is burning a lot of oil, took to dealer went through several tests and they claim burning 1.5 quarts was within limit for 1000 miles. Then started getting misfire codes and car went into limp mode a couple of times. They said to replace spark plugs because they were fouled and clean injection. Performed those requested actions, then 45k later getting misfire codes again, took to another dealer they said plugs are fould and clean injection again. Asked them to provide a permanent fix for the issue so the car does not keep fouling out the plugs and they said the only way to fix was to replace the motor. I asked, since you have no guaranteed fix why don't you replace the defective motor under warranty. They said because it is not locked up or throwing a specific code detecting a knock in the motor. So I said the motor will have to completely fail before a replacement would be approved they said yes (basically suggesting I somehow blow up the motor). This is wrong, a product under warranty from manufaturer and cannot be fixed without replacing the part should be covered. I do not know what my options are at this point, the milage warranty has run out and they will not do anything to fix it, just bandaids until it dies. the dealers would not put it in writing only verbally telling me.

Filed Jul 18, 2025 · Engine · FL

Engine issue, it’s knocking loud and misfires. Engine light flashing and Car went into limp mode , will not go over 60 mph . I have changed the spark plugs, knock sensor, and had an oil change nothing has fixed my issue.

Filed Jul 9, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · FL

Several safety-critical systems failed on this vehicle. The engine (Theta II 2.4L GDI) failed due to rod bearing wear, causing sudden power loss on the highway. The vehicle entered limp mode, once at 50 mph in 2018 and again at 70 mph in 2025, and had to be pulled over quickly to avoid collision. Additional issues: all four windows failed at different times, leaving them stuck open and creating safety risks in weather or emergencies. The trunk latch failed, causing unsecured cargo risk. ABS, TPMS, and traction control warning lights illuminated repeatedly, indicating possible loss of critical safety systems. A loose wiring harness caused the turn signal bulb to burn out repeatedly, reducing visibility and signaling. The dealership performed the KSDS software update after I reported engine trouble but did not resolve the issue. The engine soon failed completely while driving. Other issues, such as the fuse box blowing fuses from a standard USB charger have also been documented by a Kia dealership but not always fully repaired. The most recent engine failure and electrical defects are being inspected by a Kia dealership, and Kia Consumer Affairs is reviewing the warranty claim. Prior to the engine failure, I smelled burning oil and topped it off monthly due to excessive consumption. The oil level light and check engine light only appeared during limp mode right before the failure. These repeated safety-critical defects, particularly sudden engine failure at highway speed, created a significant safety hazard for myself and others on the road. At the time of this report, I am in the process of seeking warranty coverage for the catastrophic engine failure through Kia. The failure behavior (limp mode, flashing check engine light, and rod knock) is consistent with the safety defect described in the Theta II engine settlement. I am concerned that despite this being a known issue, there may be delays or denials in honoring the safety-related warranty repair.

Filed Jul 29, 2024 · Engine · CA

Driving approx. 65 mph on highway when car started shaking, then engine light came on, then car went into limp mode. Safety was at risk due to the fact this happened in the fast lane on highway, had to maneuver vehicle onto right side of road for emergency parking. Dealership and independent auto shop diagnosed problem to be misfire on cylinder #4, performed compression test, found intake valve and piston damage. Estimated repairs to be between $6,000 to $8,000 to rebuild engine. Mileage 82,826. We still have the vehicle for inspection.

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 2, 2024 · Engine · 115,743 miles · OH

Was on highway, engine seized, flashing engine light and knlocking noise, car went into limp mode, took to dealership code p1326 was thrown which is engine failure, I have had the knock sensor installed thru kia prior which put me in lifetime warranty for the engine, kia dealership did a diagnostic BCT, which is a 4 to 5 hour job at the most, kia called me in less than 2 hours and told me is passed the BCT ! there is no way they did the testing in less than 2 hours, and no way it passed with engine light blinking and knocking, that's what the sensor detects is engine failure, they are refusing to honor my warranty for the new engine , picked up my car from. Dealership, soon as I hit the end of the parking lot engine seized and loud knocking noise, was barely drivable but yet the lied on the paperwork and said it drives as designed and was fine, put in a new knock sensor which they already did a month ago! went right back in to dealership and they told me because it supposedly passed there was nothing they could do! R u kidding me!? They were rude and not wanting to help or honor my engine replacement, so here I am with a seized engine and they tell me nothing they can do till it fails the BCT! THE DAM CAR IS IN ENGINE FAILURE! In the last 3 months I have put 3k in this car! What is it gonna take for them to honor the new engine? Gonna take me, my kids, or someone else getting hurt before they do what they said they would do? I have been in contact with corporate as well and they have yet to get a return phone call from the dealership, they have left several messages and called bullshit as well, and believed I was treated poorly because I'm a female.....Little do they know, my father was a mechanic, he has passed on but I grew up around cars and know what's safe and what's not and know how long it takes to do a BCU test! Basically kia told me to drive it till the engine blows completely! I just want them to honor the warranty of the engine .

Filed Apr 25, 2024 · Engine · CA

Vehicle first went into “limp mode” and dealer said high voltage recall needed to be done. Worked ok for a while then again “limp mode” dealer said knock sensor recall was happening and knock sensor was replaced. Few weeks ago limp mode again, all during car was moving in traffic. Car currently sitting at a Kia dealer, knock sensor again, haven’t heard from Kia regarding engine replacement

Filed Mar 15, 2024 · Engine · CA

My engine has been consuming oil since 30,000 miles. It consumes in excess of 1 qt per 500 miles. There's zero dripping oil from under my car, it's all being consumed. I've lost power and gone into limp mode because it's consumed too much oil and ran dry in between regular oil changes. Kia has not helped me. I've done more than 5 consumption tests with a Kia dealer. And now Kia says that it's a warranty event. However they will not accept my warranty event without evidence of every self oil change such as receipts for oil filters or oil. I don't have all of these records so Kia refuses to repair my vehicle.

Filed Jan 5, 2024 · Engine · 144,635 miles · OH

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.

Filed Jul 20, 2023 · Engine · CA

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.