2016 Kia Optima Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 41about this part
- Share
- 5%of 760 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 34,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 41 complaints about the body and structure of the 2016 Kia Optima, 5% of the 760 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 34,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“We have owned the car about 2.5 years. 2 days ago I took it through a touch less car wash. Today I noticed the antenna cover/ shark fin is missing. I'm not sure if it came off during the wash or when I was driving. It appears the plastic screw holes have all broken off. The circuit board for the antenna is exposed. Looks to be a big flaw in manufacturing.”
NHTSA complaint #11196807, filed 2019-04, 34,000 miles“I was rear ended while stopped in breakdown lane of a secondary highway (40 MPH) problem that I would like to address is the inadequate cushioning in the headrests of this car and probably many others. Suffered a concussion the effects of which are still ongoing. I think that there needs to be standards applied to headrests to have energy absorbing cushioning.”
NHTSA complaint #11121826, filed 2018-08, 8,000 miles“There was a new vibration sound when we started driving our car yesterday. It sounded like a panel was a little loose or something. Within 15 minutes of driving it on the interstate we heard an explosion and it was the sunroof bursting into pieces. Freaked us out with the loud noise. We”
NHTSA complaint #11290817, filed 2019-12, 68,000 miles“As driving the driver's door popped open (as not fully closed) and the open door light appeared on a dash. This has happened twice while driving. Once during normal driving and on the second occasion when I hit a pothole. I also noticed when opening the door, it doesn't open as smoothly. As I pull the door handle, the door basically pops open as if there was a force pushing it to open. Had the car for 3 years , no accidents and the problem started to appear just now”
NHTSA complaint #11338177, filed 2020-07, 34,000 miles“On 1/12/2020, I was driving my car 2016 Kia Optima from alpharetta to decatur to attend church. I pulled into the parking lot of the church and parked. A few seconds after I parked, I began seeing lots of smoke coming from the right passenger side of the car. The police men who were in the parking lot directing traffic asked me to get out of the car quickly and began attempting to quench the fire with a fire extinguisher. Shortly after, the dekalb fire dept arrived and fought to put out and contain the fire. It was then towed to the tow yard. …”
NHTSA complaint #11309450, filed 2020-02, 110,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11034003Jun 8, 2026TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin has been revised to include…
- 11028908Feb 19, 2026TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin has been revised to include…
- 11026825Dec 18, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin provides information to install a…
- 11026980Dec 17, 2025CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (CS2312) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting Customer Satisfaction Campaign. A software…
- 10201529Sep 13, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this…
- 10173245Mar 19, 2020TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PANORAMIC SUNROOF BUZZING NOISE REPAIR - This bulletin provides information on some 2016MY Optima (JFa) vehicles, produced from September 28, 2015 to…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 14 | 7% |
| 2018 | 7 | 3% |
| 2017 | 5 | 2% |
| 2016 | 41 | 5% |
| 2015 | 76 | 8% |
| 2014 | 48 | 8% |
| 2013 | 127 | 9% |
| 2012 | 39 | 4% |
| 2011 | 21 | 4% |
| 2010 | 2 | 3% |
| 2009 | 4 | 3% |
| 2008 | 5 | 3% |
| 2007 | 4 | 2% |
| 2006 | 12 | 8% |
| 2005 | 22 | 15% |
| 2004 | 42 | 19% |
| 2003 | 25 | 18% |
| 2002 | 30 | 28% |
| 2001 | 35 | 24% |
Other parts of the 2016 Kia Optima
426 complaintsOther or unknown
123 complaintsElectrical system
104 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
74 complaintsFuel system
62 complaintsExterior lighting
47 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