2015 Kia Optima vs 2016 Kia Optima
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Sep 21, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2015 Kia Optima | 2016 Kia Optima |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 1,007 | 754 |
| Recall campaigns | 4 | 5 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 200 | 226 |
| Investigations | 4 | 3 |
| Crash reports | 31 | 27 |
| Fire reports | 74 | 19 |
| NCAP overall rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 24–37 | 25–37 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 80,318 mi | 70,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Kia Optima | Kia Optima |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 621 | 424 |
| Electrical System | 135 | 102 |
| Power Train | 49 | 73 |
| Structure | 76 | 40 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 46 | 53 |
| Steering | 69 | 24 |
| Service Brakes | 49 | 22 |
| Exterior Lighting | 23 | 47 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 155 | 77 |
| Check engine light | 102 | 102 |
| Clunking / rattling | 70 | 41 |
| Loss of power | 60 | 51 |
| Oil consumption | 32 | 117 |
| Rust / corrosion | 27 | 0 |
| Won’t start | 25 | 0 |
| Vibration / shaking | 22 | 49 |
2015 Kia Optima
2016 Kia Optima
Compare all Kia Optima vs Kia Optima years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.