2016 Kia Optima · symptom sheet
Check engine light or misfire
- 124owner reports
- 92,000median miles
- $6,000median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Jun 16, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
514 of the 756 complaints on this car are about the engine. 124 of those describe misfire.
Tick what matches of 124 reports
Misfire on other Optima years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them.
What this problem usually is
These reports start with the check engine light. Many describe the engine running rough or shaking at idle, a P0300-series code, or a catalytic converter code. A worrying number say the light was flashing. Owners often list ignition coils or spark plugs already replaced, and the light coming back afterward.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the sensor (23 reports), the spark plugs (22 reports), the ignition coils (8 reports) and the catalytic converter (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the engine covers the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
All 5 recalls on the 2016 Kia Optima, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Optima
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.
Engine fires. Closed feb 5, 2024, led to recall 23V-877.
Non-crash vehicle fires. Closed dec 22, 2021, led to recall 20V-088.
Non-crash vehicle fires. Closed may 10, 2019, led to recall 18V-907.
Scope and timeliness. Closed dec 22, 2021, led to recall 17V-224.
What owners paid
8 of the 124 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $500 to $8,500.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 65,000 and 115,000 miles, from the 73 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 3 service bulletins or notices for the 2016 Kia Optima that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
COMBINATION TSB / SERVICE ACTION: AIR FILTER AND NVLD REPLACEMENT (SA447) This bulletin provides the procedure to perform an evaporative leak test and replace the Fuel Tank Air Filter, and, if necessary, the Natural Vacuum Leak Detector (NVLD) on some 11-16MY Kia vehicles listed in the table below, which may experience an ...
1.6T GDI ULEV MIL ON LOGIC IMPROVEMENT FOR P0128 This bulletin provides the procedure to improve the logic of the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) on some 2016-2017MY Optima (JFa) 1.6T GDI ULEV DCT vehicles, produced from September 28, 2015 through September 03, 2016, which exhibit a MIL (Malfunction Indicator ...
PITSTOP: MANUAL EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS TEST FOR HARD TO FIND/SMALL LEAKS If the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) is illuminated with DTC(s) P0442, P0455, P0456, or P0457 (Evaporative Emissions System-Leak detected) and the evaporative (EVAP) leak self-test resulted in NTF, a manual EVAP test is recommended.
What owners wrote
“Car is not holding oil it acts like it's gonna cut off while driving and it jerking was diagnosed with colitic converter p0604”
Filed Mar 27, 2026
“This car has developed P0010 code which stands for "A" Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit/open bank 1. Car idles roughly, shifts weirdly and has less power than before. I found that there is a TSB from KIA for the same issue but only for cars made in South Korea in 2016, mine was built in Dec. 2015 in Georgia plant so it doesn't qualify for this TSB and I'll have to pay out of pocket to fix this issue.”
Filed Sep 13, 2022
“check engine light lit up when I was driving on a freeway, causing vehicle stalling. knocking noise was present when it occurred.”
Filed Jul 17, 2022
“Got an oil change bout a month ago. 2 weeks ago my oil light started flickering. Miles on vehicle is 119842 next oil change due at 122,000 miles.just 2 days ago as i was coming to a stop at a stop sign my check engine light came on and my oil light came on and stayed on and car shut off. Car comes on but no longer starts. At the kia dealership now.”
Filed Apr 12, 2022 · 122,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 124 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Which lights mean pull over now? Warning lights by color and urgency
Other problems on this car
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 201 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 125 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 118 reports
- Headlights too dim or fail 38 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 36 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 25 reports