2016 KIA Optima Electrical System Problems
Owners have filed 104 complaints with NHTSA about electrical system problems on the 2016 KIA Optima, 14% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 66,500 miles. The words owners use most often: “four windows” (7% of reports).
- 104electrical system complaints
- 66,500median miles at failure
- 7mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- 43%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Four windows: mentioned in 7 of 104 complaints (7%)
- Window regulators: mentioned in 7 of 104 complaints (7%)
At what mileage do electrical system problems happen?
Based on 37 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 104 complaints, 7 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 1 an injury.
KIA Optima electrical system complaints by model year
| Model year | Electrical System complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Optima | 14 | 9% | — |
| 2019 Optima | 23 | 11% | 18,000 |
| 2018 Optima | 33 | 14% | 39,463 |
| 2017 Optima | 25 | 10% | 24,000 |
| 2016 Optima | 104 | 14% | 66,500 |
| 2015 Optima | 135 | 13% | 81,250 |
| 2014 Optima | 60 | 10% | 71,500 |
| 2013 Optima | 146 | 11% | 86,900 |
| 2012 Optima | 122 | 13% | 79,000 |
| 2011 Optima | 63 | 11% | 85,650 |
| 2010 Optima | 13 | 17% | 75,000 |
| 2009 Optima | 16 | 14% | 66,500 |
| 2008 Optima | 15 | 10% | 97,000 |
| 2007 Optima | 14 | 8% | 89,500 |
| 2006 Optima | 23 | 15% | 65,150 |
| 2005 Optima | 29 | 20% | 99,000 |
| 2004 Optima | 45 | 20% | 85,000 |
| 2003 Optima | 25 | 18% | 78,769 |
| 2002 Optima | 14 | 13% | 72,000 |
| 2001 Optima | 17 | 12% | 9,500 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (0)
No safety recall lists electrical system for the 2016 KIA Optima. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
I am reporting a serious safety concern involving my 2016 Kia Optima, purchased from CarMax in 2024 and financed through CarMax Auto Finance. On or about October 5, 2026, I returned to my parked vehicle and discovered extensive black soot/smoke residue throughout the interior. Wiring and interior…
3 times windows different ones has stopped rolling up/down. 3 motors purchased and installed.
Vehicle was purchased in 2023. AC blower failure occurred for the first time in June 2024 and was repaired by PepBoys. On 4/2/2025 the ve3hicle had an active recall event when the engine seized on the highway because of a faulty oil pump/filter, Engine was replaced 4/17/2025 under that recall. Kia…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2016 KIA Optimas have electrical system problems?
No. NHTSA has 104 owner complaints about electrical system for the 2016 KIA Optima (14% of the 759 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2016 KIA Optima electrical system?
No recall currently lists electrical system for this vehicle.
At what mileage do electrical system problems start?
The median reported mileage is 66,500 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about electrical system problems on the 2016 KIA Optima?
The most frequent phrase is “four windows”, in 7 of 104 complaints, followed by “window regulators” (7).
Other 2016 KIA Optima problems
See all 2016 KIA Optima problems or electrical system problems across all Optima years.