Skip to content
Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2016 Kia Optima Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
74about this part
Share
10%of 760 total for the year
Median mileage
50,000miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 74 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2016 Kia Optima, 10% of the 760 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“After 2nd transmission was installed, 2 days after I received a diagnostic warning of a possible motor control unit error. , I received a prompt so it could report it back to Kia, I then received an email with error code p0c17 brought car back to Kia, they stated the calibration was off, and needed to be re calibrated”

NHTSA complaint #11255947, filed 2019-09, 55,000 miles

“My car was manufactured on novenber 13, 2015 the same date for the recall number sc139 for the powertrain axle but wasn't included on the recall. My axle is starting to make noise like if it is fail just as the recall states I'm towing it to the dealer to get fixed but was my car suppose to be apart of that recall?”

NHTSA complaint #11193360, filed 2019-04, 34,000 miles

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #11109510, filed 2018-07, 5,000 miles

“After the Kia dealership replaced the transmission the first time. Due to a mcu failure. 2 weeks later car was due for oil change, jiffy lube stated my transmission was leaking. I took it back to Kia. After 2 days of it bei n.v g in the shop. I went to Kia on the 3rd day, to check it on the car and was told the dealership was waiting on approval from Kia automotive to replace the transmission a 2nd time do to the leaking of the first transmission”

NHTSA complaint #11255060, filed 2019-09, 54,000 miles

“I've been having an issue with the vehicle jerking upon take off as if the transmission struggles to engage, it's caused me several near accidents due to the car not going when it's supposed to, how it's supposed to.. This happens at start up when first shifting into gear, and after stoping then attempting to go. I have taken it to Kia 3 times. The last time I took it they felt the issue, then claimed it was due to the vehicle being equipped with a double clutch. Not letting me take the paperwork that describes this double clutch. …”

NHTSA complaint #11206453, filed 2019-05, 8,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20202718%
2019178%
2018198%
2017218%
20167410%
2015495%
2014203%
2013645%
2012546%
2011254%
20102432%
20093328%
20081813%
2007138%
2006149%
200532%
200484%
200386%
200266%
2001128%

Other parts of the 2016 Kia Optima

Engine
426 complaintsOther or unknown
123 complaintsElectrical system
104 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 29, 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