KiaOPTIMA JFA2016Overview/kia/optima-jfa/2016/base/

2016 Kia OPTIMA JFA

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 Optima.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2016 Kia Optima JFA enters the record as a passenger car generating 748 owner complaints across five recalls, with engine-related issues representing the dominant category of reported failure. Situated within the model’s 2001–2020 production span, this model year falls between the 2010 low of 75 complaints and the 2013 high of 1,371. This placement establishes the 2016 variant in the moderate middle of the nameplate’s reliability history, distinct from both the most stable and most troubled years documented in the dataset.

Model year20202019201820172016201520142013

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 760 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 48 · 760 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnRIGHTOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215/55R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length191.3 in
Overall width73.2 in
Overall height57.9 in
Wheelbase110.6 in
Curb weight3225 lb
Track (front / rear)62.2 / 63 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Optima of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.8–7.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.80 sec — 2016 SX Turbo
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2016SX Turbo 2.0L Turbo I-46.80 sec15.20 sec245 hpFWD
2016SX Limited Turbo 2.0L Turbo I-47.10 sec15.40 sec245 hpFWD
2016LX 1.6T 1.6L Turbo I-47.30 sec15.80 sec178 hpFWD
2016SX Limited Turbo 2.0L Turbo I-47.30 sec15.60 sec245 hpFWD
2016EX 2.4L I-47.50 sec15.90 sec185 hpFWD
2016LX 1.6T 1.6L Turbo I-47.50 sec15.80 sec178 hpFWD
2017Hybrid EX 2.0L I-4 + Elec 1.6-kWh7.90 sec16.10 sec193 hpFWD
2017Plug-In Hybrid EX 2.0L I-4 + Elec 9.8-kWh8.00 sec16.20 sec202 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid75W-85 · GL-4
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.5-8.5
Brake FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4
Engine CoolantEthylene Glycol
Engine Coolant Capacity6.9
Engine CoolantEthylene Glycol
Engine Coolant Capacity7.4

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts36
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts22.0-33.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)530-730 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)540-740 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)540-740 rpm
Ignition Timing2 degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance10 degrees
Ignition Timing6 degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance10 degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.38-1.50 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.05-3.71 oz
Standard BCI Group Number48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance760 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)72-73 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)48-51 psi
Engine Compressionpsi 135-156 / max variation 15 psi
Engine Compressionpsi 171-192 max variation 15 psi
Intake Valve Lash0.0067-0.0090 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.0126-0.0150 in
Intake Valve Lash0.0067-0.0090 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.0106-0.0129 in

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront or rear: 16-23
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 58-; Rear: 47-
ABS Sensor Torque6
Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque16-23
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque58-72
Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque16-23
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 58-; Rear: 47-
Minimum Pad Thickness0.079 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not allow oil on cylinder head bolts. Apply Loctite 5900H or equivalent on the front edge of the cylinder head gasket. Both the upside and the down side. Assembly of the cylinder head must be completed within five minutes of applying the liquid gasket compound.

124.0-27.0 ft. lbs.24–27 ft. lbs
290 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 3,000 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 3,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 5,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Intake Duct (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Fuel Tank (add fluid conditioner)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Filter (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 37,500 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash)
At 105,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 2016 Kia OPTIMA JFA dominate in one area — the engine, 269 of 748 reports (36%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 5 recall campaigns target the engine, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 26 of the reports describe a crash and 19 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the engine pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
226
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
748
Owner complaints
26 involved a crash · 19 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 748 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine269
Unknown Or Other70
Exterior Lighting29
Power Train26
Structure24
Electrical System20
Engine & Engine Cooling17
Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System17

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V907000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And FittingsReported 19/12/2018

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor… Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer…

17V007000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 06/01/2017

Kia Motors America (Kia) has recalled one 2016 Optima vehicle. In this vehicle, the end seal for the driver's frontal air bag inflator may not have been properly installed, possibly resulting in reduced inflation of the… Remedy: The affected vehicle was remedied on January 10, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC143.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 226 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
CS2312_TSB_R22026-06-08StructureTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER…
SC340_TSB_R52026-04-03EngineVOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSIONS: ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT…
SC340_OWNR_JF&JFA_1042026-03-17Electrical SystemVOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC340 FLIGHT 104 ) - This…
SC340_TSB_R42026-03-05Electrical SystemTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI…
TSB_CS2312_R12026-02-18StructureTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Optima. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2016 Optima have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.