2016 Kia Optima Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 38about this part
- Share
- 5%of 760 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 38 complaints about the visibility of the 2016 Kia Optima, 5% of the 760 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving about thirty miles per hour in traffic I heard a bang and my sunroof exploded. Thankfully the sun shade was closed or shards of glass would have hit me. The car behind me swerved probably to avoid the glass. It was scary and I initially thought an accident had occurred. The manufacturer needs to figure out how this happened and change the design to prevent it.”
NHTSA complaint #11387342, filed 2021-01, 56,000 miles“The right rear window suddenly rolled down while driving. Checks reveal that the motor that controls the upward/downward movement was inoperable. I took it to the dealer and they confirm the motor needed changing. I explained to them that I am the only user of the car and the back seat has never been used, they still charged $650 to replace the motor. Six months later the same thing happened to the rear left window. I am not in a position to pay another $650, so I tried to place paper in the space to hold the glass in place. Now today the right front glass just rolled down while driving. …”
NHTSA complaint #11396979, filed 2021-02, 56,000 miles“When the car encounters a hill and needs to downshift, either to climb or to hold back the speed when it descends, the cruise control remembers the downshift and will not return to high gear until a) it is manually overridden, but will still downshift up to 2 gears, when the lever is placed back to automatic or, b) when the cruise control is turned off. The cruise control also belatedly reacts to loss of speed control and overcorrects with too much power, resulting in a crude ride, as well. …”
NHTSA complaint #11067114, filed 2018-02, 7 miles“All 4 of my windows regulators went out within a week without any warning the two front windows went down and I can’t get them back up the two back windows are up but I have something holding them up which is dangerous because I can’t put the child lock on for my children because I can’t let the windows in case I have to get them out”
NHTSA complaint #11612950, filed 2024-09“Window falls into the door. The rear two windows have been repaired 3 times. They are currently both broken again along with the front drivers side. I currently have three windows being help up by tape. They are taped to the frame of the door to stop the window from falling into the door. I don't know why this wasn't a recall. I see there is a TSB BOD300. The dealership repaired once but never informed me about the known defect.”
NHTSA complaint #11756816, filed 2026-08Related service bulletins
- 11009492Oct 22, 2024TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: HEATING, VENTILATION, AND AIR CONDITIONING (HVAC) BLOWER MOTOR FUSE RELOCATION - This bulletin provides the procedure to relocate the Heating…
- 10189544Mar 24, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WINDOW REGULATOR DRUM GEAR REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the window regulator drum gear on some 2016-2017MY Optima…
- 10181986Oct 6, 2020PITSTOP: CORRECT PROCEDURE FOR RAISING WINDSHIELD WIPERS - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated…
- 10160612May 16, 2019PITSTOP: OUTSIDE MIRROR GLASS CONTROL INOPERATIVE - This Pitstop provides information on the repair procedure for an inoperative mirror glass on the outside door mirrors for…
- 10145150Sep 19, 2018PITSTOP - CORRECT PROCEDURE FOR RAISING WINDSHIELD WIPERS - When servicing the windshield wipers on the listed vehicles below during PDI, make sure to use the procedure outlined…
- 10143403Jul 30, 2018PITSTOP - CORRECT PROCEDURE FOR RAISING WINDSHIELD WIPERS - When servicing the windshield wipers on 2015MY~ K900 (KH), 2016MY~ Optima (JFa/JF), and 2018MY~ Stinger (CK) vehicles…
- 10109855Mar 21, 2017TSB: DEFOGGING LOGIC ? NORMAL OPERATION, DISABLING, AND ENABLING - Starting with 2010MY, all Kia vehicles, except Rio (JB), incorporate a defogging logic to prevent the interior…
- 10109881Feb 21, 2017TSB: SERVICE ACTION: PANORAMIC SUNROOF INSPECTION AND REPAIR (SA270) - This bulletin provides information on some 2016MY Optima (JFa) vehicles, produced from September 28, 2015…
- 10109765Nov 15, 2016TSB: SUNROOF BUZZING NOISE - This bulletin provides information on some 2016MY Optima (JFa) vehicles, produced from September 28, 2015 to June 20, 2016, which may exhibit a…
- 10089585Aug 25, 2016Tsb: sunroof popping noise repair - this bulletin provides information on some 2016my optima (jfa) vehicles, produced from september 28, 2015 to february 23, 2016, which may…
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 3 | 1% |
| 2018 | 1 | 0% |
| 2017 | 4 | 2% |
| 2016 | 38 | 5% |
| 2015 | 9 | 1% |
| 2014 | 12 | 2% |
| 2013 | 21 | 2% |
| 2012 | 28 | 3% |
| 2011 | 11 | 2% |
| 2010 | 2 | 3% |
| 2009 | 2 | 2% |
| 2008 | 14 | 10% |
| 2007 | 33 | 20% |
| 2006 | 13 | 8% |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% |
| 2003 | 5 | 4% |
| 2002 | 2 | 2% |
| 2001 | 5 | 4% |
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 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