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2016 Kia Optima Recalls

2016 Kia Optima Recalls
Updated Jun 10, 2026·Ethan Miller4 Critical Recalls

Recall Summary

The 2016 Kia Optima has 9 recalls recorded by NHTSA.

4 High Risks Found — View Now

Total Recalls

9
4 High Risks

Source: NHTSA Campaign Data

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How to Handle Recalls

Check your VIN

Locate your 17-character VIN on the dashboard or driver's door jamb.

Verify Status

Visit the NHTSA Recall Website or the manufacturer's official page.

Schedule Repair

Contact a franchised dealership. Recall repairs are always free of charge.

Document It

Keep records of the repair for your vehicle history file to maintain value.

Note: Unrepaired recalls can affect vehicle safety and resale value. We recommend checking for open recalls at least once a year.

Recall Summary

What the recall count means for the 2016 Kia Optima

The 2016 Kia Optima has 9 recall campaigns on record. Yes, buyers should pay close attention. The 2016 Kia Optima has 4 serious recalls touching safety-critical systems, so a VIN-specific remedy check should happen before you buy.

Which systems are affected?

The main systems named in recall filings for the 2016 Kia Optima include AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, ENGINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH.

What should buyers check before purchase?

Run a VIN recall lookup, confirm dealer remedy completion, and compare the recall themes against the maintenance and complaints reports before committing.

What is the most serious recall on the 2016 Kia Optima?

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.

Read the full buyer guideMaintenance costs and intervalsOwner complaints by system2017 Optima recalls2015 Optima recalls2018 Optima recalls
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Data and Methodology

MethodologyHow we score →

Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.

FAQ

How many recalls does the 2016 Kia Optima have?

There are 9 recall campaigns for the 2016 Kia Optima.

Recall rows are tied to NHTSA campaign-level source references.

Review recall campaigns

Are there safety critical recalls for the 2016 Kia Optima?

There are 4 which have high risk. Prioritize campaigns affecting brakes, steering, airbags, fuel systems, or fire risk, then confirm remedy availability with VIN lookup.

Recall response workflow is provided next to the data table.

Show high risk recalls
Recall campaigns
9
Primary source
NHTSA recall filings and campaign references
Workflow
Count, campaign details, remedy status, and VIN verification

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Start here for the 2016 Kia Optima

Start here

Buyer guide

Full ownership breakdown

Maintenance guide

Costs + intervals

Owner complaints

Issue volume + categories

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Subscribe to Recall Alerts

Get notified when a new recall or important ownership update lands for the 2016 Kia Optima.

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In this guide

  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Action Plan
  3. 03Should Buyers Worry?
  4. 04NHTSA Recalls
  5. 05Data and Methodology

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Recalls for 2016 Kia Optima Buyer's Guide

9 total campaigns, 4 marked high risk

High Riskcritical
ID: 16V231000

Air Bags

Frontal

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.

low
ID: 16V705000

Power Train

Axle AssemblyAxle 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.

High Riskcritical
ID: 17V007000

Air Bags

FrontalDriver SideInflator Module

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.

High Riskcritical
ID: 18V907000

Engine

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.

High Riskcritical
ID: 18V907000

Fuel System, Gasoline

DeliveryHoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

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.

moderate
ID: 23V594000

Latches/Locks/Linkages

Trunk LidLatch

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."

moderate
ID: 23V594000

Latches/Locks/Linkages

Trunk LidLatch

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."

moderate
ID: 23V594000

Latches/Locks/Linkages

Trunk LidLatch

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."

moderate
ID: 23V594000

Latches/Locks/Linkages

Trunk LidLatch

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."