Vehicle Recall IndexVIN decoding & NHTSA recall records

Model year 2016 · Kia

2016 Kia Optima recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 5 safety recall campaigns for the 2016 Kia Optima. The most recent was reported on August 24, 2023. Campaigns are matched by the model names in NHTSA's records: OPTIMA.

NHTSA data through October 6, 2026 · How these pages are built

Campaigns at a glance

Recall campaigns for the 2016 Kia Optima, newest first
NHTSA numberReportedComponent
23V594000August 24, 2023Latches/Locks/Linkages › Trunk Lid › Latch
18V907000December 19, 2018Engine
17V007000January 6, 2017Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module
16V705000October 3, 2016Power Train › Axle Assembly › Axle Shaft
16V231000April 21, 2016Air Bags › Frontal

Systems involved: Air Bags (2) · Engine (1) · Fuel System, Gasoline (1) · Latches/Locks/Linkages (1) · Power Train (1)

Recall records

NHTSA 23V594000Manufacturer no. SC278

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Trunk Lid › Latch

Report received by NHTSA
August 24, 2023
Owner notification
October 19, 2023
Recall initiated by
Manufacturer
Units potentially affected
319,436 (whole campaign)
Model names in the NHTSA record
OPTIMA

Defect summary

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 risk

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

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.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 23V594000, filed by Kia America, Inc.. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 18V907000Manufacturer no. SC172

Engine

Report received by NHTSA
December 19, 2018
Owner notification
January 17, 2019
Recall initiated by
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Units potentially affected
71,653 (whole campaign)
Build dates listed for the 2016 Kia Optima
August 12, 2010 – December 22, 2016
Model names in the NHTSA record
OPTIMA

Components: Engine; Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

Defect summary

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 risk

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

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.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 18V907000, filed by Kia Motors America. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 17V007000Manufacturer no. SC143

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module

Report received by NHTSA
January 6, 2017
Owner notification
January 10, 2017
Recall initiated by
Manufacturer
Units potentially affected
1 (whole campaign)
Build dates listed for the 2016 Kia Optima
August 28, 2016 – August 28, 2016
Model names in the NHTSA record
OPTIMA

Defect summary

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 risk

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

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.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 17V007000, filed by Kia Motors America. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 16V705000Manufacturer no. SC139

Power Train › Axle Assembly › Axle Shaft

Report received by NHTSA
October 3, 2016
Owner notification
November 30, 2016
Recall initiated by
Manufacturer
Units potentially affected
12,214 (whole campaign)
Build dates listed for the 2016 Kia Optima
November 13, 2015 – April 23, 2016
Model names in the NHTSA record
OPTIMA

Defect summary

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 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.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 16V705000, filed by Kia Motors America. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 16V231000Manufacturer no. SC131

Air Bags › Frontal

Report received by NHTSA
April 21, 2016
Owner notification
May 6, 2016
Recall initiated by
Manufacturer
Units potentially affected
17 (whole campaign)
Build dates listed for the 2016 Kia Optima
November 10, 2015 – February 12, 2016
Model names in the NHTSA record
OPTIMA

Defect summary

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 risk

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

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.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 16V231000, filed by Kia Motors America. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

Records reproduce NHTSA's published text for each campaign. Last record date for this page: August 25, 2023.