2016 Kia Optima · symptom sheet
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing
- 201owner reports
- 80,000median miles
- $6,000median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Sep 24, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
442 of the 756 complaints on this car are about the engine. 201 of those describe engine failure, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2016 Optima.
Narrower sheets: Engine knocking or ticking (84 reports) · Engine seized (40 reports)
Tick what matches of 201 reports
Engine failure 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 are the reports nobody wants to file. The engine started knocking or ticking, the oil light came on, and then it seized or had to be replaced. Some owners had the replacement covered under warranty or an extension, and plenty were told they'd pay. Several narrower sheets split this group into knocking, seized engines and rod bearing failure.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (183 reports) and the turbo (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the engine covers the 2016 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
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.
Scope and timeliness. Closed dec 22, 2021, led to recall 17V-224.
What owners paid
24 of the 201 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 55,196 and 108,000 miles, from the 104 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 19 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.
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI1802Y/Z) This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published PI1802 titled "Knock Sensor Detection System - ECU Logic Improvement"; equipped w/THETA II engine.
PITSTOP: INJECTOR HARNESS ROUTING FOR PI1802Y/Z AND PI1803Y/Z ENGINE REPLACEMENTS This bulletin provides information to address a no-start or hard start with poor running condition after engine replacement under PI1802Y/Z or PI1803Y/Z. Some replacement long blocks may come with pre-installed fuel rail, injectors, and injector wiring ...
ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI1802Y/Z) This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published PI1802 titled "Knock Sensor Detection System - ECU Logic Improvement" equipped w/THETA II engine.
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT TSB_PI1802_R2 - Knock Sensor Detection System - ECU Logic Improvement - This bulletin provides information related to a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to install the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) in order to protect the engine from ...
15 more on the 2016 Kia Optima page.
What owners wrote
“I see there is recall on some Kia Optima with the oil being loss and knocking of the engine. I keep up the maintenance on my car and this particular issue is happening with my car. Why is there only some optimas recall for this issue.”
Filed Feb 4, 2024 · 149,356 miles
“Code P1326 (Knock Sensor Detection System) appeared on scanner after knocking and jerking randomly occurred one night. When researched was performed on if there have been recalls in the past, saw there was a recall for Knock Sensor Detection System back in 2021. Recall issues donât appear to be fixed with the KSDS despite prior recalls on this part.”
Filed Jan 8, 2023
“Too much oil consumption. Consuming 3 quarts of oil in 3000 miles. No leaks. Did oil consumption testing through Kia dealership. Kia dealer says it needs a new engine and the vehicle is only 6 years old with 73k miles. Still under extended warranty and Kia dealer will not cover the cost of the engine.”
Filed Dec 6, 2022 · 3,000 miles
“My car is experiencing excessive oil consumption, engine knocking and shifting delays, grinding or jumping during acceleration, the car jerking on the road.”
Filed Sep 27, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 201 reports involved a crash. 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 Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 125 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 124 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