2016 Kia Optima · symptom sheet
Engine seized
- 40owner reports
- 57,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Aug 5, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
40 of the 201 reports of engine failure on the 2016 Optima describe engine seized.
Part of Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing (201 reports) · also: engine knock
Tick what matches of 40 reports
Engine seized 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: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (4 reports) and the rod bearing (4 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.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 5,000 and 79,000 miles, from the 21 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Driving vehicle down the highway and engine seized up without any warning. According to Kia cooperate the vehicle could have experience a "bent rod failure". This was confirmed by a nearby Kia dealership service tech.”
Filed Jan 26, 2025
“Engine is burning 2qts of oil every 500-900 miles. Risk of engine seizing during drive.”
Filed Feb 25, 2024
“engine has seized. incident happened while driving. engine also burns excessive amounts of oil which require adding oil every 1-2 weeks.”
Filed Jan 27, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 40 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