2016 Kia Optima visibility & wipers problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Aug 13, 2026VAVisibility & Wipers

   Window falls into the door. The rear two windows have been repaired 3 times. They are currently both broken again along with the front drivers side. I currently have three windows being help up by tape. They are taped to the frame of the door to stop the window from falling into the door. I don't know why this wasn't a recall. I see there is a TSB BOD300. The dealership repaired once but never informed me about the known defect.

   NHTSA complaint #11756816 · source
2. Filed Jun 23, 2026107,000 miMDVisibility & Wipers

   The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, the front driver’s and passenger’s side windows lowered unintendedly. Neither the dealer nor an independent was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The rear driver’s and passenger’s side windows were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance since the VIN was not under…

   NHTSA complaint #11745895 · source
3. Filed Mar 25, 202624,500 miDCVisibility & Wipers

   The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, there was loud banging sound coming from the vehicle and there were shards of glass on the right elbow of the contact. No warning light was illuminated. Upon further inspection, the contact stated that the sunroof glass panel had shattered outward. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11727038 · source
4. Filed Oct 3, 2025TXVisibility & Wipers

   All window regulators failed before 100K miles. This does not allow for windows to open in case of emergency, This problem has been personally confirmed by dealer and also in service bulletin SA418. This is a common problem in this car make/model/year. This component has been known to the manufacturer for defect. No warning lights, just instant lack of window use.

   NHTSA complaint #11691183 · source
5. Filed Jun 27, 2025130,000 miTXElectrical SystemVisibility & Wipers

   The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving in inclement weather on several occasions, all four windows of the vehicle became intermittently inoperable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11669700 · source
6. Filed Mar 5, 202548,889 miFLEngineVisibility & Wipers

   The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to operate properly. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local Good Year Service Center where it was diagnosed and determined that the battery, alternator, and drive belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, several miles later the engine seized. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or…

   NHTSA complaint #11646501 · source
7. Filed Sep 30, 202469,600 miMDVisibility & Wipers

   The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that both the driver’s side and passenger’s side windows opened independently without the driver or occupant input, and the windows failed to roll up while depressing the window switches. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 69,600.

   NHTSA complaint #11617161 · source
8. Filed Sep 6, 2024TXVisibility & Wipers

   All 4 of my windows regulators went out within a week without any warning the two front windows went down and I can’t get them back up the two back windows are up but I have something holding them up which is dangerous because I can’t put the child lock on for my children because I can’t let the windows in case I have to get them out

   NHTSA complaint #11612950 · source
9. Filed Aug 21, 202485,000 miMSBody & StructureElectrical SystemVisibility & Wipers

   The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the front driver’s and passenger’s side windows and the rear driver’s side and passenger’s side windows were inoperable and would not open or close. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the window regulators for each window had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted regarding the failure. The contact…

   NHTSA complaint #11609924 · source
10. Filed Aug 1, 2024156,000 miFLDriver Assistance & Safety TechVisibility & Wipers

    The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the traction control, Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, and auto high-beam warning lights were illuminated. The contact also stated that the four windows failed to function as needed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure…

    NHTSA complaint #11605865 · source
11. Filed Jul 19, 202421,000 miTXElectrical SystemVisibility & Wipers

    The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that on four occasions while the vehicle was parked and the window switches were depressed on all the windows, the windows failed to roll up or roll down as intended. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the driver's side window regulator had become dismantled, allowing the glass to move up and down. The contact was informed that the window regulator and panel assembly needed to be replaced. The…

    NHTSA complaint #11603344 · source
12. Filed Jun 3, 2024124,000 miSCElectrical SystemEngineVisibility & Wipers

    The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there was a loud knocking sound coming from the engine, with the check engine, oil, and battery warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the contact noticed that all four windows failed to function properly and failed to roll up. The dealer was contacted; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was made aware of the failure. The…

    NHTSA complaint #11592256 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology