2016 Kia Optima · symptom sheet

Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard

25owner reports
41,916median miles
0involved a crash

Newest report May 29, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

73 of the 754 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 25 of those describe transmission shudder.

Tick what matches of 25 reports

shudders or vibrates at low speed

slips or revs without pulling

bangs or clunks into gear

hesitates when I accelerate

a dealer did a software update

fluid was changed or flushed

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the clutch (3 reports).

Recalls and investigations

One recall on the transmission and drivetrain covers the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

16V-705Oct 3, 2016

Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Optima vehicles manufactured November 13, 2015, to April 23, 2016 and equipped with a 2.4l engine. The right front axle driveshaft may crack and fail.

Risk and remedy

Risk: If the driveshaft cracks and separates from the vehicle, it will not be able to move forward. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied upon exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll. Either scenario can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC139.

NHTSA investigations into the transmission and drivetrain on the Optima

PE10-046opened Nov 22, 2010

Transmission and drivetrain · model years 2006 to 2008

Transmission shift cable detachment. Closed apr 5, 2011, led to recall 11V-153.

NHTSA summary

During manufacture the automatic transmission shift cables in certain subject vehicles were installed incorrectly causing extra tension on the cable.This condition can cause the shift cable to detach from the gear shifter assembly's dowel pin preventing the transmission from being shifted.The shift lever can be moved into the Park (P) position while the vehicle transmission is still in the last used gear before detachment.If this were to occur, and if the driver leaves the vehicle without engaging the parking brake, the vehicle may inadvertently roll away thus creating the risk of a crash.Kia is conducting a safety recall (11V-153) to correct the subject problem in approximately 70,115 model year (MY) 2006 through 2008 Kia Optima vehicles produced from 9/29/2005 to 6/13/2007.Kia has stated that the early MY 2006 Optima vehicles built before 9/29/2005 had different automatic transmission shift cables and shift levers than the subsequent MY 2006 through early MY 2008 Optima vehicles built up to 6/13/2007.Beginning 6/14/2007, Kia changed the assembly process for the shift cables to ensure correct installation.As for the recall remedy, Kia dealers will inspect the shift cables for correct installation, and re-install them, if necessary.For more details on the recall, see NHTSA recall 11V-153.This investigation is closed.

None of these investigations covers the 2016 model year.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 8,000 and 110,000 miles, from the 12 reports that gave a mileage.

116

417

318

219

220

121

422

423

124

225

126

What owners wrote

“The car is burning oil rapidly causing potential issues with the transmission and engine. The oil burns and does not leak after a few hundred miles and has to be refilled continuously causing alot of money and potential issues with other components of the car. I notice jerking when accelerating and smoke if dont fill every 1 to 2 weeks.”
Filed Sep 26, 2025

“Pearl white paint peeling in chunks of hood. All four window regulators went out within six months. Transmission had to be replaced Hard shift rear end Motor replaced”
Filed Sep 17, 2023

“The vehicle hesitated to move after a stop. I have escaped hitting the incoming vehicles when taking a left turns as my car drives very slow after a stop and there are chances of hitting with the vehicles coming from other direction.”
Filed Jun 5, 2023

“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. 0 of 25 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.