2016 Kia Optima problems

• 1.7 CRDi U2 (D4FD, 115-141 hp, sold in Spain 2010-2018)

  115–141 hp · D4FD

  An engine with no documented catastrophic failure, but with a specific and persistent cold-weather problem (turbo, diesel filter, glow plugs) and the emissions-system (EGR, DPF) and injection (injectors, high-pressure pump) wear usual in a common rail diesel of its generation; it is worth checking the maintenance history for these items, especially if the car is used in winter or on short urban journeys.^[2][3]

  With caution

Faults that affect 2016 cars

• High severityFrequency: OccasionalInjectionInjectors that lose calibration with mileageThe 1.7 CRDi's common rail injectors can lose their factory calibration with mileage or because of poor-quality diesel, causing vibration at idle and black smoke from the exhaust; the unburned fuel that ends up diluting the oil also means oil change intervals need to be shortened.Repair (garage): €80–€350
• High severityFrequency: OccasionalFuelHigh-pressure fuel pump failureThe common rail system's high-pressure pump can fail at around 80,000-100,000 km, with hard cold starts, an uneven idle and power loss; if ignored, there is a risk of metal debris contaminating the rest of the injection system.Repair (garage): €650–€2,000Appears at around 80,000 km
• Medium severityFrequency: CommonTurboSeized turbo actuator (VGT) and power loss when coldIn cold weather (below 10-15 °C), the 1.7 CRDi can suddenly lose power and even stall; the engine restarts after a few seconds. A documented fault that combines the turbo's variable-geometry actuator with the diesel filter and the glow plugs.Repair (garage): €150–€1,200
• Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlEGR valve clogged with carbon depositsAs in most diesels of its generation, the 1.7 CRDi's EGR valve builds up carbon deposits with urban use and short cold journeys, which causes power loss and an uneven idle and can switch on the engine or emissions warning light.Repair (garage): €60–€350
• Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlParticulate filter (DPF) clogged in urban useIn cars used mainly on short urban journeys (under 15-20 km), the 1.7 CRDi's particulate filter never completes its regeneration cycle and becomes saturated with soot; according to the source consulted, it is the most common problem of this engine in the Hyundai ix35.Repair (garage): €250–€1,200

• 2.4 GDI (G4KJ, 188-192 hp, naturally aspirated, direct injection, 2012-2020)

  188–192 hp · G4KJ

  It shares a family with the engines in the US campaigns, but we have found no European campaign for the 2.4 GDI: the German guide to the Sorento III knows of no cases in Germany, although it does not rule them out, and recommends scrutinising the history closely, especially on US imports. It also has the carbon build-up typical of direct injection.^[5][6][7]

  With caution

• 2.0 T-GDI (G4KH, 245-280 hp, turbo, from 2016)

  245–280 hp · G4KH

  We have not located European campaigns or European sources documenting faults specific to this version. It shares a family with the rest of the Theta II and, being direct injection, is exposed to the intake carbon build-up described in the page: check the VIN and the maintenance history.^[5][8]

  With caution

Faults that affect 2016 cars

• Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalIntakeCarbon build-up on the intake valves of direct-injection Theta II enginesAs with any direct injection, petrol does not wash over the intake valves and deposits build up. A German guide to the Sorento XM 2.4 GDI associates them with loss of power and higher consumption and recommends using cleaning additives regularly.
• High severityFrequency: RareTimingTiming chain stretchThe chain can stretch if oil changes are stretched out or the car only does short trips. The German guide to the Sorento XM 2.4 describes it as a not widespread problem and the ix35 one finds no cases; if the chain jumps or breaks, the engine is damaged.

• Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalElectrical systemFault in the high-voltage battery management system of the plug-in hybrid OptimaYes: the British DVSA recorded in 2018 a recall (reference 181019) of 398 plug-in hybrid Optimas built between October 2015 and September 2017: the high-voltage battery may intermittently disconnect the electric motor while driving, causing a sudden loss of power. The battery management system is replaced.