Kia Optima 2016–2020
4th generation · JF
NHTSA data through 13 August 20262,275 complaints, 717 with mileageMethod
- Reports with mileage
- 717
- Median of reported failures
- 57,000 mi
- Most-reported system
- Engine (39.3%)
- Recalls
- 7
Before-you-buy checklist ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 22,450 and 94,000 miles.
Figure 1 · Kia Optima 2016–2020 · 717 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 10,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 99 complaints.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 2 complaints (0.3%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 5,000
- 25%
- 22,450
- Median
- 57,000
- 75%
- 94,000
- 90%
- 120,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 99 | 13.8% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 62 | 8.6% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 43 | 6.0% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 62 | 8.6% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 53 | 7.4% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 52 | 7.3% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 53 | 7.4% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 60 | 8.4% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 29 | 4.0% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 50 | 7.0% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 49 | 6.8% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 33 | 4.6% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 25 | 3.5% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 18 | 2.5% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 10 | 1.4% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 6 | 0.8% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 7 | 1.0% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 4 | 0.6% |
| 200,000+ | 2 | 0.3% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 2,275 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016–2020 Kia Optima, and 717 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 22,450 and 94,000 miles. The median is 57,000 miles.
The most-reported areas are the engine (39.3% of complaints, typically around 77,000 miles), problems owners could not categorise (10.9% of complaints, typically around 26,000 miles), the electrical system (8.4% of complaints, typically around 45,000 miles).
7 recall campaigns cover this generation.
If you arrived asking “is it reliable?” — this page answers the version of that question the data can support: which problems owners reported, and at what mileage.
How many miles does a 2016–2020 Kia Optima last?
Half of the failure reports on the 2016–2020 Kia Optima were filed by 57,000 miles and 90% by 120,000 miles — figures drawn from 717 NHTSA complaints that record an odometer reading, so they time reported failures, not the cars whose owners never filed one.
2 reports (0.3%) came in past 200,000 miles — each one proof a Optima reached that mileage, not that it died there.
Before you buy a 2016–2020 Optima: the 3-minute check
Generated from 717 mileage-tagged complaints, 7 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 7 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Check engine on 2016–2019 cars. Theta II 2.4L and 2.0T connecting-rod bearing failure continues into this generation; recall and extended-warranty coverage runs through the 2018-2019 model years depending on engine and build plant.
- Check transmission on 2016–2020 cars. 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (1.6T) shudder, hesitation from a stop, and clutch actuator failure.
- Check engine/fire on 2016–2018 cars. Non-collision engine compartment fires, subject of NHTSA investigation PE18-019 covering Kia Optima and Sorento and Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe of this era.
- Complaint reports are not spread evenly across model years here — see the by-model-year table below before you settle on a year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 22,000 and 94,000 miles, with a median of 57,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the engine and problems owners could not categorise are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. Problems owners could not categorise in particular shows a median failure mileage of 26,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
What fails, and when
Figure 2 · Kia Optima 2016–2020
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Brakes69 reports21,0009,000–42,000Brakes: 69 reports, median 21,000 miles, middle half 9,000 to 42,000 miles.
- Problems owners could not categorise247 reports26,00011,000–51,000Problems owners could not categorise: 247 reports, median 26,000 miles, middle half 11,000 to 51,000 miles.
- Transmission and driveline151 reports35,00013,000–67,000Transmission and driveline: 151 reports, median 35,000 miles, middle half 13,000 to 67,000 miles.
- Electrical system192 reports45,00020,000–88,000Electrical system: 192 reports, median 45,000 miles, middle half 20,000 to 88,000 miles.
- Exterior lighting79 reports56,00035,000–70,000Exterior lighting: 79 reports, median 56,000 miles, middle half 35,000 to 70,000 miles.
- Fuel and propulsion system111 reports73,00058,000–101,000Fuel and propulsion system: 111 reports, median 73,000 miles, middle half 58,000 to 101,000 miles.
- Engine893 reports77,00045,000–104,000Engine: 893 reports, median 77,000 miles, middle half 45,000 to 104,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 893 | 39.3% | 77,000 | 45,000–104,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 247 | 10.9% | 26,000 | 11,000–51,000 |
| Electrical system | 192 | 8.4% | 45,000 | 20,000–88,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 151 | 6.6% | 35,000 | 13,000–67,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 111 | 4.9% | 73,000 | 58,000–101,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 79 | 3.5% | 56,000 | 35,000–70,000 |
| Brakes | 69 | 3.0% | 21,000 | 9,000–42,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 68 | 3.0% | 22,000 | 1,000–58,000 |
| Body structure | 67 | 2.9% | 21,000 | 8,000–52,000 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 66 | 2.9% | 20,000 | 7,500–54,000 |
Where your car sits
Failure reports by the odometer reading they were filed at. Pick the anchor nearest your car — or type the exact mileage: your marker lands on this curve and on the timing chart above.
Figure 3 · Kia Optima 2016–2020 · 717 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 52% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 72% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 90% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it below
The staircase tops out at 100%: the remaining 0.3% of reports (2) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
At 60,000 miles
52% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 26,000 mi
- Brakes — median 21,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Engine — middle half 45,000–104,000 mi
- Electrical system — middle half 20,000–88,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — middle half 13,000–67,000 mi
- Fuel and propulsion system — middle half 58,000–101,000 mi
- Exterior lighting — middle half 35,000–70,000 mi
At 90,000 miles
72% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 26,000 mi
- Electrical system — median 45,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — median 35,000 mi
- Exterior lighting — median 56,000 mi
- Brakes — median 21,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Engine — middle half 45,000–104,000 mi
- Fuel and propulsion system — middle half 58,000–101,000 mi
At 120,000 miles
90% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Engine — median 77,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 26,000 mi
- Electrical system — median 45,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — median 35,000 mi
- Fuel and propulsion system — median 73,000 mi
- Exterior lighting — median 56,000 mi
- Brakes — median 21,000 mi
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 57,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The engine accounts for 39.3% of complaints (893 reports, 233 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 77,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 45,000 and 104,000 miles.
A single system taking 39.3% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 10.9% of complaints (247 reports, 50 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 26,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 11,000 and 51,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 8.4% of complaints (192 reports, 61 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 45,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 20,000 and 88,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 6.6% of complaints (151 reports, 46 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 35,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 13,000 and 67,000 miles.
The fuel and propulsion system accounts for 4.9% of complaints (111 reports, 16 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 73,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 58,000 and 101,000 miles.
The exterior lighting accounts for 3.5% of complaints (79 reports, 32 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 56,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 35,000 and 70,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2016 model year drew the most — 1,072 complaints — while 2020 drew the fewest at 202. The median year sits at 332.
That makes 2016 an outlier: roughly 3.2 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 7 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (2), latches and locks (1), forward collision avoidance (1). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 2,275 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 105 (4.6%)
- Fires
- 82
- Injury reports
- 63
- Fatality reports
- 2
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Documented problems
Engine 2016–2019
Theta II 2.4L and 2.0T connecting-rod bearing failure continues into this generation; recall and extended-warranty coverage runs through the 2018-2019 model years depending on engine and build plant.
Transmission 2016–2020
7-speed dual-clutch transmission (1.6T) shudder, hesitation from a stop, and clutch actuator failure.
Engine/Fire 2016–2018
Non-collision engine compartment fires, subject of NHTSA investigation PE18-019 covering Kia Optima and Sorento and Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe of this era.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1,072 | 393 |
| 2017 | 352 | 112 |
| 2018 | 332 | 106 |
| 2019 | 317 | 73 |
| 2020 | 202 | 33 |
Recalls (7) — is your car included?
Oct 2023 · 2016–2018 · Latches/Locks/LinkagesA person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
The defect. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Rio, 2016-2018 Optima, 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. The trunk latch base may crack, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
What can happen. A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the trunk latch base subassembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC278.
Aug 2019 · 2019 · Forward Collision AvoidanceImproper intervention of the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist can increase the risk of a crash.
The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2019 Optima vehicles equipped with Gamma 1.6L Turbo-GDI or Theta II 2.0L Turbo-GDI engines. A software error in the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) system may cause the braking assist function to not engage when a stationary vehicle is detected.
What can happen. Improper intervention of the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist can increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will update the FCA software, free of charge. The recall began August 27, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC179.
Jan 2019 · 2016–2017 · EngineA fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. 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.
What can happen. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The free fix. Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
May 2018 · 2017–2018 · Hybrid Propulsion SystemIf the VPD activates while the vehicle is being operated in Electric Vehicle (EV) mode, there may be a loss…
The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Kia Optima hybrid vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a Voltage Protection Device (VPD), designed to protect the high voltage battery module, that may activate inadvertently.
What can happen. If the VPD activates while the vehicle is being operated in Electric Vehicle (EV) mode, there may be a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will remove the VPD switch and install two newly designed Battery Management Systems (BMS) that contain Overvoltage Protection Devices (OPDs), free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC162.
Jan 2017 · 2016 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate fully increases the risk of injury.
The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) has recalled one 2016 Optima vehicle. In this vehicle, the end seal for the driver's frontal air bag inflator may not have been properly installed, possibly resulting in reduced inflation of the frontal air bag in the event of a crash.
What can happen. In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate fully increases the risk of injury.
The free fix. The affected vehicle was remedied on January 10, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC143.
Nov 2016 · 2016 · Power TrainIf the driveshaft cracks and separates from the vehicle, it will not be able to move forward.
The defect. 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.
What can happen. 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.
The free fix. 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.
May 2016 · 2016 · Air BagsIf the second stage air bag does not deploy it increases the risk of injury or death.
The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Optima vehicles manufactured November 10, 2015, to February 12, 2016. In these vehicles, a chemical enhancer required for the for the second stage deployment of the driver's frontal air bag was not loaded, resulting in the second stage not deploying in necessitating crashes.
What can happen. If the second stage air bag does not deploy it increases the risk of injury or death.
The free fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on May 6, 2016. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC131.
What owners reported
Since i had the car in aug2016 brand new when i give it gas the valves ping and peak extremely bad not matter what fuel i use also the ac keeps loosing power it will blow fine then it almost goes off while still driving the same speed. Also sometimes when this happens i have a miss or hesitation in the engine. There…
2016 · 6 miles · Engine
When the car encounters a hill and needs to downshift, either to climb or to hold back the speed when it descends, the cruise control remembers the downshift and will not return to high gear until a) it is manually overridden, but will still downshift up to 2 gears, when the lever is placed back to automatic or, b)…
2016 · 7 miles · Transmission and driveline
Built from 717 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-18 · open data · reproduce this page