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NHTSA model-year recall report

2016 Kia Optima Recalls

5 campaigns in our verified NHTSA snapshot, with source consequences, remedies, and VIN-specific next steps.

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5

NHTSA campaigns

5

Affected systems

0

Urgent advisories

Aug 24, 2023

Latest campaign date

At a glance

What the record says

This model year's count is above the Kia Optima average of 3.3 campaigns per listed year. That is context only—not proof that this year is safer or less safe.

The most frequent affected category is Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings, appearing in 1 campaign.

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  3. 3

    Repair

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Source campaign records

All 2016 Kia Optima recall campaigns

Shown newest first. NHTSA summary, consequence, and remedy text is preserved without truncation.

NHTSA campaign 23V594000

Latches / Locks / Linkages › Trunk Lid › Latch

Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.

Reported Aug 24, 2023

What is recalled

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."

Safety consequence

A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Campaign history does not confirm applicability or repair status for one VIN.

Campaign details

NHTSA campaign 18V907000

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings

Manufacturer: Kia Motors America

Reported Dec 19, 2018

What is recalled

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.

Safety consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Campaign history does not confirm applicability or repair status for one VIN.

Campaign details

NHTSA campaign 17V007000

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module

Manufacturer: Kia Motors America

Reported Jan 6, 2017

What is recalled

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.

Safety consequence

In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate fully increases the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Campaign history does not confirm applicability or repair status for one VIN.

Campaign details

NHTSA campaign 16V705000

Power Train › Axle Assembly › Axle Shaft

Manufacturer: Kia Motors America

Reported Oct 3, 2016

What is recalled

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Campaign history does not confirm applicability or repair status for one VIN.

Campaign details

NHTSA campaign 16V231000

Air Bags › Frontal

Manufacturer: Kia Motors America

Reported Apr 21, 2016

What is recalled

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.

Safety consequence

If the second stage air bag does not deploy it increases the risk of injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Campaign history does not confirm applicability or repair status for one VIN.

Campaign details

Other Kia Optima model years

Compare campaign histories within the same model. Counts are descriptive, not a safety grade.

20191 campaign20182 campaigns20173 campaigns20165 campaigns20154 campaigns20147 campaigns20139 campaigns20125 campaigns20115 campaigns20101 campaign
View all model years

Other 2016 Kia recall reports

2016 Kia Sorento8 campaigns2016 Kia Sedona4 campaigns2016 Kia Soul Ev4 campaigns2016 Kia K9003 campaigns2016 Kia Cadenza2 campaigns2016 Kia RIO2 campaigns

2016 Kia Optima recall questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Kia Optima have?

This verified dataset contains 5 NHTSA campaigns associated with the 2016 Kia Optima. A campaign can apply to some, not all, vehicles of the same model year.

Does this confirm an open recall for my 2016 Kia Optima?

No. This page is a model-year campaign history. Use NHTSA's official lookup or an authorized dealer to confirm whether a campaign applies to your exact VIN and whether the repair remains open.

Are vehicle recall repairs free?

When a safety recall campaign applies to your VIN, the manufacturer remedy is generally provided at no charge through an authorized dealer. Confirm eligibility and scheduling with the manufacturer or dealer.

Source: NHTSA. Dataset includes campaigns through Jul 30, 2026. Last processed Aug 8, 2026. Methodology