6.5

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
20,800 miles
Total Complaints:
4 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (3 reports)
  2. turbo (1 reports)
2016 Kia Optima engine problems

engine problem

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2016 Kia Optima Owner Comments

problem #4

Feb 012018

Optima ES

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When accelerating from a complete stop, the engine shudders & hesitates. Have to be careful when pulling out into an intersection and make sure there is plenty of space re: oncoming traffic. Brought car to dealership, called Kia corporate office, and they say that vehicle is operating as it is designed to operate. I'm very disappointed.

- tomwildcat, Baton Rouge, US

problem #3

Jul 292021

Optima

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

Took my car for 60K service, and ever since then I feel the car is very sluggish on the take off. After I hit 65, it's smooth. I've also been hearing a little rattle when I start the engine.

Took the car back to my mechanic and he doesn't see anything wrong with it.

- Veronica V., Pico Rivera, US

problem #2

Oct 052016

Optima SX 2.0t

  • Automatic transmission
  • 9,634 miles

Bought my 2016 Optima SX Turbo brand new! Leased the vehicle, after about 18000 miles the vehicle started acting strange even after religiously maintaining the vehicle. Car one morning had no acceleration and engine light illuminated, drove vehicle straight to Kia in Raynham on RTE 44 turned vehicle off and restated it to pull into bay car acted normal no fault codes in computer. Drove home started doing again this time no acceleration as well as a FLASHING light, turned around dealer said multiple cylinder misfires were detected and Turbo Underboost codes. They handed me a loaner and started the diagnosis on the vehicle.

Got the car back after 3 damn weeks, the dealer replaced all 4 plugs and coils stating they were fouled out due to engine burning oil, and replaced a seal around the turbo charger. Drove home about 500 miles after the initial issue and sure enough the car started misfiring again even worse. Now the vehicle would not want to stay running or start at all. Drove to the dealership, and they had the vehicle for 3 MONTHS - yes MONTHS.

They had KIA corporate call in and had vehicle sent to another location with more technicians to look over, after 3 months of waiting even though KIA did pay my car payments and put me in a rental they gave the car back with again 4 new plugs, coils, turbocharger, intake manifold and catalytic converter due to it being damaged after driving for too long with misfire. I did not have to pay a dime thankfully, the car drove like brand new afterwards and currently have 278698 miles on it and runs perfectly. I only did an alternator and belts and tune up. Failure mileage 18500...

- Nicholas R., Norton, US

problem #1

Aug 132018

Optima EX 2.4L 4cl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,446 miles

This problem of hesitation is very annoying & sometimes very dangerous. When leaving a stop sign on the street & I think I have enough time I step on the throttle & nothing happens than the vehicle lunges forward & I than have to make a snap decision to either stop quickly or slam on the brakes. Kia Canada doesn`t seem to care about this problem. I also had a similar problem with an older Honda Accord.

- Dwight W., London, ON, Canada

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