2016 Kia Optima service brakes problems
22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the service brakes on the 2016 Kia Optima — 3% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“While driving at highway speeds on the freeway in San Diego, the engine of my 2016 Kia Optima catastrophically seized without warning. I instantly lost all power steering, brake assist, and electrical power, creating an immediate life-threatening emergency. The vehicle was towed to a Kia dealer…”
filed Aug 21, 2026
“For the past 3 years, ive been having problems relating to my engine burning oil to fast, engine shaking and not accelerating like its sppose to... You have a recall on 2016 optimas but only the hybrid (hev). Which we all know its not right. Why only do it for certain optimas knowing we are all…”
filed Apr 14, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Service Brakes problems in other Optima years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Optima | 7 | 5% |
| 2019 Optima | 18 | 9% |
| 2018 Optima | 17 | 7% |
| 2017 Optima | 6 | 2% |
| 2015 Optima | 49 | 5% |
| 2014 Optima | 25 | 4% |
| 2013 Optima | 59 | 4% |
| 2012 Optima | 52 | 6% |
| 2011 Optima | 26 | 4% |
| 2010 Optima | 4 | 5% |
| 2009 Optima | 17 | 15% |
| 2008 Optima | 2 | 1% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2016 Kia Optima
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.