2016 Kia Optima Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 29about this part
- Share
- 4%of 760 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 37,028miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 29 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2016 Kia Optima, 4% of the 760 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 37,028 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Engine rumbles like it is about to die intermittently when I let off the brake and before I press the gas after being stopped in traffic on city streets. I often have to press the gas pedal half way down to get it to gain speed on city streets, it feels sluggish, and shifting does not feel very smooth.”
NHTSA complaint #11222725, filed 2019-06, 32,200 miles“Since I had the car in aug2016 brand new when I give it gas the valves ping and peak extremely bad not matter what fuel I use also the AC keeps loosing power it will blow fine then it almost goes off while still driving the same speed. Also sometimes when this happens I have a miss or hesitation in the engine. There has also been a pop noise in the back end when I stop or slow down since I have had the vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #11003963, filed 2017-07, 6 miles“Ever since I had my car serviced about 3 weeks ago my car has been sluggish and acceleration has weakened, also I'm getting poorer gas mileage. The recall that was fixed has greatly reduced the performance of my vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11252838, filed 2019-09, 35,555 miles“Mid september, 2020, I began to notice that my headlights would turn off as I was driving. They would cut off for no more than 15 seconds and turn back on. I didn't think anything of it, until I started having issues with other components of my 2016 Kia Optima. On 11/30/2020 I was driving at 30mph through a residential area. As I was approaching a stop sign, my engine light came on. When I tried to accelerate, the car began to jump and hesitate. No matter how far down I pushed the gas, the care was jumping/shaking and wold not accelerate over 20mph. …”
NHTSA complaint #11385158, filed 2020-12, 103,000 miles“While driving the car the fuel consumption in the motor would bog the engine down to where it would barely go over 40 MPH on the highway. At this time the engine trouble indicator light would come on and not go off. I immediately took it to the local Kia dealership in mt. Hope, wv.. The mechanic changed out the sensor that showed up on his meter and the engine seemed to do good while in the shop but when they backed it out of the shop bay, another sensor lighr came on. We had already paid the dealership $206, they would not return our money”
NHTSA complaint #11292234, filed 2019-12, 75,000 milesVehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 6 | 4% |
| 2019 | 10 | 5% |
| 2018 | 10 | 4% |
| 2017 | 13 | 5% |
| 2016 | 29 | 4% |
| 2015 | 36 | 4% |
| 2014 | 21 | 4% |
| 2013 | 39 | 3% |
| 2012 | 40 | 4% |
| 2011 | 19 | 3% |
| 2010 | 6 | 8% |
| 2009 | 11 | 9% |
| 2008 | 7 | 5% |
| 2007 | 5 | 3% |
| 2006 | 7 | 5% |
| 2004 | 5 | 2% |
| 2003 | 2 | 1% |
| 2002 | 2 | 2% |
| 2001 | 7 | 5% |
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 complaintsBody and structure
41 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
38 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 30, 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