2016 Kia Optima Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 104about this part
- Share
- 14%of 760 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 66,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 104 complaints about the electrical system of the 2016 Kia Optima, 14% of the 760 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 66,500 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved and 6 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“All 4 of my windows will not go up or down. This happened within weeks of each other. There is no cheap solution. Kia wants $150 deposit and I was quoted $225 per window. This is insane. I am driving a car where the windows are all wedged up which is a safety hazard. I am not the only one with this problem. Are there any recalls for this?”
NHTSA complaint #11365157, filed 2020-10, 65,096 miles“My rear driver's side window started falling down all of a sudden. I had to replace the regulator and the motor. Now, just a few months later, the passenger rear window is doing the same thing. This seems like a defect. I never had to replace a window motor in my 1997 toyota 4runner that I just traded in in july of 2018.”
NHTSA complaint #11311331, filed 2020-02, 103,000 miles“My headlights have gone out 3 times in the last four months. I've never encountered this type of problem with any other vehicle. This car is s 2016 Kia Optima and had left me without headlights .I notice others have complained about the same exact problem. This safety issue needs to be investigated . Very dangerous to drive without headlamps. Someone please make note of this serious situation immediately!!!!”
NHTSA complaint #11408214, filed 2021-04, 108,200 miles“Sometimes when I start the car it only runs at about 500rpm and the digital speedometer starts going up in numbers when I'm in park and I have no power steering. I can put the car in drive and park or open the door and it starts acting normal. It also acts like it's going to shut off when I come to a stop. I am aware that the rpms drop when you stop almost like a gas saver but with in the last 20 thousand miles it has gotten really rough. …”
NHTSA complaint #11363294, filed 2020-10, 100,000 miles“My car stalled while waiting at a stoplight. When going to accelerate I was unable to. However, I looked at the current recalls for my car. The year, model, manufcature date meet the criteria for the axel recall. But my VIN # doesn't show any existing recalls.”
NHTSA complaint #11242159, filed 2019-08, 43,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11030390Mar 17, 2026VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC340 FLIGHT 104 ) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions…
- 11029979Mar 6, 2026TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSION SECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340 REV 4) - This bulletin has been revised to include…
- 11024469Oct 23, 2025Sc340_stkr: voluntary emissions service campaign completion label/sticker
- 11024468Oct 23, 2025VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER (SC340) - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the…
- 11024467Oct 23, 2025Voluntary emissions service campaign: sc340_poc: proof of correction card
- 11024462Oct 23, 2025VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (SC340) - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service managers advising that Kia…
- 11024445Oct 23, 2025VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (SC340) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary…
- 11001594Jun 5, 2024TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2303) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information…
- 10252085Mar 22, 2024TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI1802Y/Z) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional…
- 10245265Nov 9, 2023TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: INHIBITOR SWITCH REPLACEMENT (SA317B/C) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 14 | 9% |
| 2019 | 23 | 11% |
| 2018 | 33 | 14% |
| 2017 | 25 | 10% |
| 2016 | 104 | 14% |
| 2015 | 135 | 13% |
| 2014 | 60 | 10% |
| 2013 | 146 | 11% |
| 2012 | 122 | 13% |
| 2011 | 63 | 11% |
| 2010 | 13 | 17% |
| 2009 | 16 | 14% |
| 2008 | 15 | 10% |
| 2007 | 14 | 8% |
| 2006 | 23 | 15% |
| 2005 | 29 | 20% |
| 2004 | 45 | 20% |
| 2003 | 25 | 18% |
| 2002 | 14 | 13% |
| 2001 | 17 | 12% |
Other parts of the 2016 Kia Optima
426 complaintsOther or unknown
123 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
74 complaintsFuel system
62 complaintsExterior lighting
47 complaintsBody and structure
41 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
38 complaintsVehicle speed control
29 complaintsAir bags
24 complaintsBrakes
24 complaintsEngine cooling
24 complaintsSteering
24 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Kia Optima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology