40 of the 1,076 complaints about the 2016 KIA Optima are about the body and structure — 4% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 34,000 miles.
40
Complaints
4
Crashes
3
Fires
4
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
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UNKNOWN THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY WHEN THE CAR HIT OTHER DRIVER FROM BEHIND.
NHTSA complaint #11738585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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I am submitting a defect complaint regarding the paint on my vehicle, which has been progressively deteriorating. The issue begins as small bubbles in the paint, which eventually lead to peeling and complete paint loss in affected areas. This condition is currently present on the trunk, roof, and rear sides of the vehicle, and early signs are now appearing on the hood. This defect is more than cosmetic. As the paint peels, it exposes the underlying metal panels to environmental elements, increasing the risk of corrosion and rust. Over time, this can compromise the structural integrity of the vehicle. Additionally, significant peeling—particularly on surfaces like the roof or hood—can create glare or release debris, posing a potential safety hazard and distraction to both myself and surrounding drivers. I initially brought this issue to a Kia dealership, where the manager advised me to contact Kia Customer Affairs. Upon doing so, I was informed that the issue falls outside the warranty timeframe. However, after speaking with other Kia owners experiencing similar problems—especially with the same paint color—it appears this may be a widespread manufacturing defect rather than normal wear and tear. Furthermore, a professional paint specialist evaluated the condition and indicated that the bubbling and peeling are consistent with poor paint adhesion or a defective clear coat/mid-coat application during manufacturing.
NHTSA complaint #11733116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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White paint is chipping away excessively
NHTSA complaint #11694901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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The body paint is cracking and falling down. Since five years ago this problem started.
NHTSA complaint #11694035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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Dashboard shows a crack right where the passenger airbag is and Kia Motors wont change it, also the paint is flaking and noticed other Kia models with that same paint scheme that’s peeling off.
NHTSA complaint #11682167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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I have pictures
NHTSA complaint #11678323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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My paint has begun bubbling up and feeling out of nowhere. I’ve always taken good care of my car yet spots are beginning to pop up along the passanger side. The paint continues to peel more as time goes on. I’ve found many complaints online of people saying they’ve had the same issue with their kia in the Snow White Pearl color I have, but there’s no recall and kia refuses to pay for it.
NHTSA complaint #11665961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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paint peeling, chipping, and bubbling.
NHTSA complaint #11652949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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The antenna fin flew off while I was driving on the highway.
NHTSA complaint #11652078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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While driving on the highway, the roof antenna assembly flew off our car. Inspection of the area shows that the screws that were supposed to hold the antenna on had all become sheared off. It looks like there is a recall for this exact issue covering 2016 Kia Optimas produced through June 1, 2016 (SA272), but our Optima was produced on June 23, 2016 and is therefore not covered according to Kia.
NHTSA complaint #11632732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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All the window regulators continue to turn but the windows stay down and won't go up. Leading cause, the gear that connects to the motor and window regulator wires is plastic and erdes over time causing it to shred itself. Now my windows will not go up.
NHTSA complaint #11617321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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I apologize if this is not filed in the correct place. Issue: 2016 Kia Optima, peeling paint on the hood and quarter-panel. New areas are popping up and old areas are getting worse. Color Paint: Snow White Pearl
NHTSA complaint #11611711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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I was told that my engine had a recall on it so I had an upcoming appointment with Kia in like 2 weeks for them to check my engine but the car didn’t make it. I was driving my car on interstate 20 my car had began to have a bad chemical smell and started smoking so I pulled over on the interstate and my car was in flames. Me and my daughter was in the car we could have lost our lives thank God we were able to make it out just in time. The fire department came and made a report on the incident. It wasn’t any engine light on at the time. I have contacted Kia about the tragedy that has happened but nothing has been resolved yet.
NHTSA complaint #11587870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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I bought this car with just under 48k miles September 2023, it had a very small chip on the bumper that I assumed was from a rock. After driving this car for a while, I noticed that chip got bigger and eventually other parts of my bumper and hood started bubbling and chipping as well.90% of my bumper is now lacking paint and it’s starting to chip on my hood more. I’ve only driven it an additional 12k miles since I’ve bought it. Auto body shops are saying it’s delaminating and it’s common in this color.
NHTSA complaint #11562899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving in a heavy rainstorm, the vehicle experienced water intrusion causing the sub frame undercarriage to become damaged and unsecured. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 14,000.
NHTSA complaint #11555410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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2 of my windows drop when i go over a speed bump....i have already gotten the motors replaced for the windows (front driver, and back driver sides)....i don't even use the POWER up/down FOR the back windows AT ALL because i am the only one that drives my car (wondering why this is happening for this)....when i took my vehicle for these windows to be replaced, even my mechanic says there should be a recall on these windows and that this should not be happening....NOW my back passenger window is doing the same thing and again i don't even let the BACK WINDOWS down...someone can break in my car by just literally SLIDING the window down (OMG!!!!!!!!)....there are no warning lamps for this..i noticed this happening when KIA fixed one of my recalls
NHTSA complaint #11555457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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My 2016 Optima has the Pearl White paint. In April 2018 I noticed that it started peeling on the hood. The dealership told me that since I was past the 36k mile warranty (I was at 39k miles then) that I would have to cover the cost out of pocket. It's sad that the vehicle was not even 2 years old and that the paint was coming off and the dealership basically told me "oh well". I am now scared to hand wash the vehicle for fear of it getting any worse. If Kia knew/knows there was an issue with the paint, why don't they just make it right? It's now all over the car that it has peeled off, not just exclusively to the hood, and theres even rust that has started to show up in aomw of those paintless spots. I have always hand washed the vehicle, waxed, never taken to a car wash either. You can see from the pictures provided that this is not caused by rocks or pressure. You see on the rear driverside how it starts to form bubbles or air pockets before it cracks and then peels off from the frame of the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11553421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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The body shop later informed me that there is a recall for engine fire recently,but my year/make is not listedin the info obtained online. The car started stalling while driving down the off. Smoke started coming through the vents. I pulled over to the side of the highway. A passerby told me that the car was on fire. Called 911. To note I had just picked the car up from Jim marsh Kia for battery replacement and problems with steering after the car was stolen in July. I had no previous issues with my car other than routine maintenance which I have records for.
NHTSA complaint #11551378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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Three of the four windows stoped rolling up at the same time. One or two days apart to each other, the 4th one I’m not going to rolling down, it may stop working too.
NHTSA complaint #11547547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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Pearl white paint peeling in chunks of hood. All four window regulators went out within six months. Transmission had to be replaced Hard shift rear end Motor replaced
NHTSA complaint #11545021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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Window regulator replacement
NHTSA complaint #11535631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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Pearl White paint on hood is flaking/delaminating.
NHTSA complaint #11524003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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Soonroof/Moonroof closed rattle noise. When the Soonroff/Moonroof is closed at highway speeds or windy weather it make a rattle noise to inside of the car, i try to do their reset method and nothing worked, i being looking in kia forums and most of the people had complained about this issue, and that kia doesnt wants to fix. I will like an investigation of this issue and if you can start a repair campaign recall due this soonroof parts are really pricey. And i think is a manufacturer problem.
NHTSA complaint #11518806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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My car has now been broke into twice because of the "kia boys" I have now had to replace two windows, and clean my car out from glass.
NHTSA complaint #11510416 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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The trunk latch stopped working won’t lock
NHTSA complaint #11472636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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The paint is peeling or delaminating from the car. It is happening in many places. The paint is Snow White Pearl. The car now has about 110,000 miles. The paint warranted for only for 36 months. But it is obvious that this is a quality issue and latent defect. The paint shop says he has seen this a lot with Kias. The paint is not sticking to the primer. I keep hoping there will be a recall on the paint. Even the dealer says it is a problem but Kia corp will not pay to fix the cars with this issue.
NHTSA complaint #11469909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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I have a 2016 Kia Optima Pearl White and the paint on the hood just started peeling! It looks awful. What should I do to get this problem fixed?
NHTSA complaint #11454998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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THE ANTENNA COVER ON MY CAR FLEW OFF ON THE HIGHWAY. I'VE NOTICED AS I WASH(HANDWASH ONLY) WHEN I WIPE AROUND THE ANTENNA IT MOVES. THOUGHT THIS WAS ODD, BUT ASSUMED IT WAS NORMAL. I WAS DRIVING BACK TO WORK ON THE HIGHWAY(03/17/21) THE LEGAL SPEED LIMIT(65MPH)WHEN A TRACTOR-TRAILER PASSED ME CAUSING A WIND GUSH. I HEARD SOMETHING HIT THE HOOD OF MY CAR. WHEN I ARRIVED AT WORK, I SAW THAT THE ANTENNA COVER WAS COMPLETELY GONE. NOTICED THE PLASTIC AROUND THE MOUNTING SCREWS WERE ALL BROKEN OFF PARTIALLY OR COMPLETELY. I WENT ON THE INTERNET TO FIND A REPLACEMENT ANTENNA. I FOUND A GROUP CHAT WITH MANY KIA OWNERS COMPLAINING OF THE EXACT ISSUE. ONE OWNER POSTED A TSB(SA272) FOR 2016 KIA OPTIMA BEING RECALLED FOR DEFECTS IN THE ANTENNA FIN ASSEMBLY FOR SCREWS LOOSENING OR BREAKING. THE BULLETIN STATED THAT OWNERS OF SAID KIA OPTIMA COULD BRING THE VEHICLE TO A KIA DEALERSHIP AND THE ANTENNA WOULD BE REPLACE FREE OF CHARGE BY KIA MOTORS FOR PARTS AND LABOR. I CALLED TWO KIA DEALERSHIP AND LATER KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE. THE CSR SAID THAT SHE DID NOT PULL UP A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. I GAVE HER THE TSB NUMBER. A POSTER SAID HIS KIA DEALERSHIP REPLACED HIS 2016 KIA OPTIMA BROKEN ANTENNA WITHOUT CHARGE. THE CSR SAID THAT YOUR ORGANIZATION WOULD HAVE TO INITIATE/ORDER THE RECALL AND LIST MY MODEL OF THE 2016 KIA OPTIMA IN ORDER FOR THEM TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE ANTENNA AT NO COST. I HAVE THE EXPENSIVE MODEL, THE 2016 KIA OPTIMA(SXL TURBO) W/TECHNOLGY PACKAGE WHY WASN'T MY 2016 MODEL NOT LISTED WITH THE OTHER 2016 KIA OPTIMA? THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT COSTS OVER $500 TO REPLACE THE ANTENNA. SAID THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE REPLACED. A CHEAP PLASTIC ANTENNA COVER FOR $600? YOUR QUICK REPLY AND SOLUTION TO RESOLVE THIS SERIOUS ISSUE WITH KIA ANTENNA WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU [XXX] CELL : [XXX] WORK: [XXX](MON-THU) EMAIL : [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11403625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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I BOUGHT MY 2016 PEARL WHITE KIA OPTIMA IN MAY OF 2016. RECENTLY, I NOTICED THE PAINT CHIPPING AND PEELING OFF MY HOOD. IT STARTED OUT THE SIZE OF A PEA BUT NOW IS BIGGER THAN A QUARTER AND CONTINUES TO GET BIGGER BY THE DAY. I NOW HAVE ANOTHER SPOT THAT IS CHIPPING ON THE HOOD DUE FROM HEAVY RAIN THIS PAST WEEK. THE PAINT IS ALSO PEELING OR CHIPPING ON THE ROOF RIGHT ABOVE WHERE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD MEETS. I EXPECT NICKS AND CHIPS FROM DEBRIS WHEN HIT WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED, BUT NOT PAINT PEELING OFF AND CHIPPING WHILE IT SITS IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH NO THREAT OF DAMAGE.
NHTSA complaint #11390207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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WHEN I TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO THE CAR WASH, AS SOON AS I PULLED IN, I HEARD A SOUND THAT DIDN'T SOUND THE BEST. ONCE I GOT TO THE END OF IT, WHEN THE AIR WAS BLOWING OFF MY CAR, I SAW SOMETHING FLY OFF MY CAR. THIS WAS MY MANUFACTURE FIN SHARK ANTENNA THAT HAD SOME HOW BROKE OFF. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, I HAVE DISCOVER THIS COMMON OCCURRENCE WITHIN THIS VEHICLE. BOTH, MOST COMMONLY WHILE IN CAR WASHES AND WHILE DRIVING. SO, IT THIS COULD POSSIBLY BE INSPECTED AND RECALLED, THAT WOULD BE GREAT.
NHTSA complaint #11386849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.