2016 Kia Optima Fuel/propulsion System Problems
NHTSA component category: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How fuel/propulsion system ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 748 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2016 Kia Optima overview page.
What owners report
“EVER SINCE I HAD MY CAR SERVICED ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO MY CAR HAS BEEN SLUGGISH AND ACCELERATION HAS WEAKENED, ALSO I'M GETTING POORER GAS…”NHTSA complaint 11252838 — filed 09/03/2019
“CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS BLINKING, THERE IS A NOTICEABLE DECREASE IN POWER, AND IT JERKS OUT OF FIRST GEAR. TOOK IT TO AUTOZONE FOR A…”NHTSA complaint 11252716 — filed 09/01/2019
“THE CAR STUMBLES TO START AND WHEN I ACCELERATE IT FLUTTERS UNTIL PICKING UP SPEED. THIS HAPPENED ON HIGHWAY 43.”NHTSA complaint 11154465 — filed 11/28/2018
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Fuel/propulsion System complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2016 Kia Optima have fuel/propulsion system problems?
Fuel/propulsion System is the #5 most-reported problem area on the 2016 Kia Optima: 53 of 748 complaints on file (7.1%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2016 Kia Optima have in total?
748 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 26 involved a crash, 19 involved a fire, 21 reported injuries, and 1 reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's fuel/propulsion system category include?
NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.
