2016 Kia Optima Body & structure Problems

UNKNOWN THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY WHEN THE CAR HIT OTHER DRIVER FROM BEHIND.

NHTSA ID

11738585

Incident

May 9, 2026

I am submitting a defect complaint regarding the paint on my vehicle, which has been progressively deteriorating. The issue begins as small bubbles in the paint, which eventually lead to peeling and complete paint loss in affected areas. This condition is currently present on the trunk, roof, and rear sides of the vehicle, and early signs are now appearing on the hood. This defect is more than cosmetic. As the paint peels, it exposes the underlying metal panels to environmental elements, increasing the risk of corrosion and rust. Over time, this can compromise the structural integrity of the vehicle. Additionally, significant peeling—particularly on surfaces like the roof or hood—can create glare or release debris, posing a potential safety hazard and distraction to both myself and surrounding drivers. I initially brought this issue to a Kia dealership, where the manager advised me to contact Kia Customer Affairs. Upon doing so, I was informed that the issue falls outside the warranty timeframe. However, after speaking with other Kia owners experiencing similar problems—especially with the same paint color—it appears this may be a widespread manufacturing defect rather than normal wear and tear. Furthermore, a professional paint specialist evaluated the condition and indicated that the bubbling and peeling are consistent with poor paint adhesion or a defective clear coat/mid-coat application during manufacturing.

NHTSA ID

11733116

Incident

Apr 22, 2026

White paint is chipping away excessively

NHTSA ID

11694901

Incident

Mar 11, 2022

The body paint is cracking and falling down. Since five years ago this problem started.

NHTSA ID

11694035

Incident

Jun 6, 2018

Dashboard shows a crack right where the passenger airbag is and Kia Motors wont change it, also the paint is flaking and noticed other Kia models with that same paint scheme that’s peeling off.

NHTSA ID

11682167

Incident

Aug 1, 2023

I have pictures

NHTSA ID

11678323

Incident

Apr 4, 2025

My paint has begun bubbling up and feeling out of nowhere. I’ve always taken good care of my car yet spots are beginning to pop up along the passanger side. The paint continues to peel more as time goes on. I’ve found many complaints online of people saying they’ve had the same issue with their kia in the Snow White Pearl color I have, but there’s no recall and kia refuses to pay for it.

NHTSA ID

11665961

Incident

Feb 4, 2025

paint peeling, chipping, and bubbling.

NHTSA ID

11652949

Incident

Apr 1, 2025

The antenna fin flew off while I was driving on the highway.

NHTSA ID

11652078

Incident

Apr 1, 2025

While driving on the highway, the roof antenna assembly flew off our car. Inspection of the area shows that the screws that were supposed to hold the antenna on had all become sheared off. It looks like there is a recall for this exact issue covering 2016 Kia Optimas produced through June 1, 2016 (SA272), but our Optima was produced on June 23, 2016 and is therefore not covered according to Kia.

NHTSA ID

11632732

Incident

Dec 27, 2024

All the window regulators continue to turn but the windows stay down and won't go up. Leading cause, the gear that connects to the motor and window regulator wires is plastic and erdes over time causing it to shred itself. Now my windows will not go up.

NHTSA ID

11617321

Incident

Oct 4, 2021

I apologize if this is not filed in the correct place. Issue: 2016 Kia Optima, peeling paint on the hood and quarter-panel. New areas are popping up and old areas are getting worse. Color Paint: Snow White Pearl

NHTSA ID

11611711

Incident

Jan 5, 2019

I was told that my engine had a recall on it so I had an upcoming appointment with Kia in like 2 weeks for them to check my engine but the car didn’t make it. I was driving my car on interstate 20 my car had began to have a bad chemical smell and started smoking so I pulled over on the interstate and my car was in flames. Me and my daughter was in the car we could have lost our lives thank God we were able to make it out just in time. The fire department came and made a report on the incident. It wasn’t any engine light on at the time. I have contacted Kia about the tragedy that has happened but nothing has been resolved yet.

NHTSA ID

11587870

Incident

Mar 8, 2024

I bought this car with just under 48k miles September 2023, it had a very small chip on the bumper that I assumed was from a rock. After driving this car for a while, I noticed that chip got bigger and eventually other parts of my bumper and hood started bubbling and chipping as well.90% of my bumper is now lacking paint and it’s starting to chip on my hood more. I’ve only driven it an additional 12k miles since I’ve bought it. Auto body shops are saying it’s delaminating and it’s common in this color.

NHTSA ID

11562899

Incident

Nov 10, 2023

2 of my windows drop when i go over a speed bump....i have already gotten the motors replaced for the windows (front driver, and back driver sides)....i don't even use the POWER up/down FOR the back windows AT ALL because i am the only one that drives my car (wondering why this is happening for this)....when i took my vehicle for these windows to be replaced, even my mechanic says there should be a recall on these windows and that this should not be happening....NOW my back passenger window is doing the same thing and again i don't even let the BACK WINDOWS down...someone can break in my car by just literally SLIDING the window down (OMG!!!!!!!!)....there are no warning lamps for this..i noticed this happening when KIA fixed one of my recalls

NHTSA ID

11555457

Incident

Oct 11, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving in a heavy rainstorm, the vehicle experienced water intrusion causing the sub frame undercarriage to become damaged and unsecured. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 14,000.

NHTSA ID

11555410

Incident

Aug 30, 2023

Mileage

14,000 mi

My 2016 Optima has the Pearl White paint. In April 2018 I noticed that it started peeling on the hood. The dealership told me that since I was past the 36k mile warranty (I was at 39k miles then) that I would have to cover the cost out of pocket. It's sad that the vehicle was not even 2 years old and that the paint was coming off and the dealership basically told me "oh well". I am now scared to hand wash the vehicle for fear of it getting any worse. If Kia knew/knows there was an issue with the paint, why don't they just make it right? It's now all over the car that it has peeled off, not just exclusively to the hood, and theres even rust that has started to show up in aomw of those paintless spots. I have always hand washed the vehicle, waxed, never taken to a car wash either. You can see from the pictures provided that this is not caused by rocks or pressure. You see on the rear driverside how it starts to form bubbles or air pockets before it cracks and then peels off from the frame of the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11553421

Incident

Apr 9, 2018

The body shop later informed me that there is a recall for engine fire recently,but my year/make is not listedin the info obtained online. The car started stalling while driving down the off. Smoke started coming through the vents. I pulled over to the side of the highway. A passerby told me that the car was on fire. Called 911. To note I had just picked the car up from Jim marsh Kia for battery replacement and problems with steering after the car was stolen in July. I had no previous issues with my car other than routine maintenance which I have records for.

NHTSA ID

11551378

Incident

Oct 20, 2023

Three of the four windows stoped rolling up at the same time. One or two days apart to each other, the 4th one I’m not going to rolling down, it may stop working too.

NHTSA ID

11547547

Incident

Sep 15, 2023

Pearl white paint peeling in chunks of hood. All four window regulators went out within six months. Transmission had to be replaced Hard shift rear end Motor replaced

NHTSA ID

11545021

Incident

Sep 22, 2021

Window regulator replacement

NHTSA ID

11535631

Incident

Jul 31, 2023

Pearl White paint on hood is flaking/delaminating.

NHTSA ID

11524003

Incident

May 26, 2023

Soonroof/Moonroof closed rattle noise. When the Soonroff/Moonroof is closed at highway speeds or windy weather it make a rattle noise to inside of the car, i try to do their reset method and nothing worked, i being looking in kia forums and most of the people had complained about this issue, and that kia doesnt wants to fix. I will like an investigation of this issue and if you can start a repair campaign recall due this soonroof parts are really pricey. And i think is a manufacturer problem.

NHTSA ID

11518806

Incident

Jan 25, 2023

My car has now been broke into twice because of the "kia boys" I have now had to replace two windows, and clean my car out from glass.

NHTSA ID

11510416

Incident

Mar 5, 2023

The trunk latch stopped working won’t lock

NHTSA ID

11472636

Incident

Jul 6, 2022