2016 Kia Optima · symptom sheet
Engine stalls or loses power while driving
- 125owner reports
- 80,000median miles
- $5,500median quote
- 5involved a crash
Newest report Sep 28, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
547 of the 756 complaints on this car are about the engine. 125 of those describe stalling. Only engine failure is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 125 reports
Stalling 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. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2019, 2020.
What this problem usually is
Stalling reports are some of the most alarming on the site. The engine quits while the car is moving, sometimes on a highway and sometimes at a stop. Many owners say it restarted right away and the dealer found no stored code, which is part of why these complaints pile up before anything gets fixed.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (15 reports), the battery (12 reports) and the ignition coil or plugs (11 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the engine cover 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.
The right front axle driveshaft may crack and fail.
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.
Transmission shift cable detachment. Closed apr 5, 2011, led to recall 11V-153.
What owners paid
11 of the 125 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $3,000 to $7,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 45,000 and 110,000 miles, from the 61 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“UNKNOWN ISSUE: Car shut off while driving and would not crank back up. In fact it didnât respond to the key turn at all. SENSOR reads the code p0014 which can mean costly repairs.”
Filed Jul 11, 2024 · 178,088 miles
“While driving down major highway the engine failed and the electrical system started blinking and I lost all power. No warning, dashboard just lit all up and engine seized up.”
Filed Mar 10, 2023
“Engine stalled while driving on main highway. It is available for inspection Safety: was on major highway when vehicle stalled other cars on highway had to swerve around me to avoid hitting me. no it has not been confirmed no it has not been inspected no there were no warning light”
Filed Oct 25, 2022
“Car has been burning oil since purchased. Over a quart in 1000 miles. Engine rattled during acceleration and sometimes stalls at red light. Every time I take it into Kia they state nothing is wrong. They performed an engine cleaning around 80,000 miles but wonât help me now that my car has 107,000 miles.”
Filed Sep 29, 2022 · 1,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 5 of 125 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 Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 201 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