
Closest available photo (2018 model year); you're viewing the 2016.
Overview
- Body
- Large CarsEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel DriveEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- Transmission
- Automatic (AM7)EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- Powertrain
- GasEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- Fuel
- RegularEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Engine & performance
- HP
- 178
- Power to weight
- 0.055 hp/lb
- Axle ratio
- 3.17
- Cyl
- 4EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- Aspiration
- TurbochargedEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- Start-stop system
- NoEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Efficiency
- MPG Hwy
- 37 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- MPG City
- 28 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- MPG Comb
- 31 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- Fuel $/yr
- $2,000EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- CO₂
- 286 g/miEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- Eco Score
- 8/10EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- Smog score
- 5/10
- Elec. Range
- 0 miEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- SmartWay certified
- Yes
Dimensions & capacity
- Length
- 191 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
- Width
- 73 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
- Height
- 58 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
- Wheelbase
- 111 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
- Curb Weight
- 3,225 lbNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
- Pass. Vol
- 105 ft³EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- Cargo Vol
- 16 ft³EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Safety NHTSA, model year
- Overall crash rating
- ★★★★★
- Rollover rating
- ★★★★★
- Stability control (ESC)
- Standard
- Forward-collision warning
- Optional
- Lane-departure warning
- Optional
- Recalls
- 5
- Owner complaints
- 742
- Reported injuries
- 21
Feature availability
Which features come standard, cost extra, or are locked to a pricier trim arrives with the next data phase. Standard equipment shows here today.
Reported problems NHTSA owner complaints, model year
- ENGINE40%
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER11%
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9%
- POWER TRAIN7%
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM5%
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING4%
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, 1,058 total.
Kia Optima: best and worst yearsFederal investigations NHTSA defect investigations, model year
DP22005opened Jan 27, 2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM
Pedestrian alert sounds
DP22003opened Sep 12, 2022ENGINE
Loss of Motive Power
DP21003opened Nov 12, 2021VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:THROTTLE
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
EA19001opened Apr 19, 2019AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE
Electrical overstress
Known issues manufacturer service bulletins, model year
284 service bulletins filed with NHTSA for this model year
Apr 4, 2026ENGINESC340_TSB_R5
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSIONS: ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340 REVISION 5) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to upgrade the Electronic Control Module ‘ECM’ system software for certain 2016-2020MY Optima, 2016-2020MY Sorento, 2017-2022MY Sportage vehicles equipped with 2.4L Theta II engines listed in the table
Mar 18, 2026ELECTRICAL SYSTEMPI2104_OWNR_501
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2104 FLIGHT 501) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2014-2016 MY Optima Hybrid vehicles equipped with 2.4-liter MPI engines to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage. The update will be done free of charge and will only involve the addition of newly developed computer software for the Engine Control Unit (“ECU”).
Mar 17, 2026ENGINESC340_OWNR_JF&JFA_104
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC340 FLIGHT 104 ) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign to improve the emissions software logic in the Electronic Control Module (ECM) for certain 2016-2020 MY Optima vehicles equipped with 2.4L Gas Direct Injection (GDI) engines to ensure compliance with emissions regulations.
Mar 6, 2026ELECTRICAL SYSTEMSC340_TSB_R4
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSION SECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340 REV 4) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to upgrade the Electronic Control Module ‘ECM’ system software for certain 2016-2022MY vehicles equipped with 2.4L Theta II engines listed in the table below. Kia has become aware
Feb 19, 2026STRUCTURE:BODYTSB_CS2312_R1
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 20, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whole Integr
Dec 19, 2025ENGINESC340_OWNR_JF103
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC340 FLIGHT 103 / JF) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign to improve the emissions software logic in the Electronic Control Module (ECM) for certain 2016-2020 MY Optima vehicles equipped with 2.4L Gas Direct Injection (GDI) engines to ensure compliance with emissions regulations.
Dec 18, 2025STRUCTURE:BODYTSB_CS2312
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 19, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whose Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) / Body Control Module (BCM) did receive the Anti-Theft Software Logic upgrade under CS2301/02/03/04/05/06/07/08/09 TSBs. In
Dec 17, 2025STRUCTURE:BODYCS2312_OWNR
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (CS2312) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting Customer Satisfaction Campaign. A software upgrade that addresses the social media theft method has been made available to owners of eligible Kia model vehicles free of charge at authorized Kia dealers since 2023. In addition to the anti-theft software, a new zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protector hardware upgrade has been developed and can be installed at th
- and 276 more
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).
Warranty manufacturer terms, by make
- Basic
- 5 yr / 60k mi
- Powertrain
- 10 yr / 100k mi
- Roadside assistance
- 5 yr / 60k mi
- EV battery
- 10 yr / 100k mi
Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.