Flashing Engine Light/Loss of Power

Asked by Scott Aug 11, 2019 at 09:52 PM about the 2016 Kia Optima LX

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I bought my 2016 Optima FE (miles 51,212)
June 10,2019. On the 19th, I was on the
highway and the engine light came on solid.
Then began to flash. I lost power only being
able to maintain 62mph. Roadside assistance
was called and car was taken to the Kia
dealership where purchased.
They had it for 1/2 day and provided me with
a rental and said the part was ordered. The
codes pulled up showed a wiring harness
issue. It was replaced and I had my Optima
back on June 27.
On July 18, 2019.. same thing on the
highway. It is once again towed to the
dealership. After two days, I’ve inquired
about a rental. I was told, “Kia has not yet
approved a rental nor do they know if it’s a
harness issue again or if the engine will be
replaced” I’m thinking ok...I’ve driven 2,113
miles since I purchased the car. It’s in the
shop for the 2nd time, and “we are not sure if
we can get you transportation” ? Luckily, a
Service Manager spoke up and said, I’ll take
you home. ( turns out we live in same town
35 miles away).
  The next day, he contacts me and has a car
rental set up!! Thank You Ron!! But I still have
not heard back from the Service Guy or
mechanic as I was originally told I would be.
(Not Ron)
It is August 11 and I’m in my second rental
and (which the dealership or Kia is covering)
but now my payment is due. I’ve made two
on a car I’ve only been in possession of for
less than 30 days. I’m just venting this I’m
case anyone else has run into this. Any ideas
or assistance on what steps from here? I’ve
been told the dealership should replace it
with a comparable car and the finance
company will accept it only changes the car
info not costs.

29 Answers

220

I am having the same issues with my 2016 kia optima. Did they finally fix the problem? My situation is very similar to yours on my first service repair I was told that some wires were burnt an had to be oreded and replaced. It hasn't been 3 weeks I'm back at the service department with the same flashing engine light and not being able to go over 62mph.

18 people found this helpful.
220

We are currently having the same issue on our new 2018 KIA Optima. They don’t seem to know what the issue is. Has anyone been told what the root cause is?

22 people found this helpful.
200

Same issue with our 2016 Kia Optima. Bought it brand new and I've only had it for 3 years. They said it's the wiring garness. That was about two months ago and now we're having the same problem. Both times it was raining pretty good. Has anyone with this problem have successful resolution?

20 people found this helpful.
110

We just took our 2018 Kia Optima in for the same issues. It is being fixed under warranty. They recommended that we start using the highest grade of gasoline. Low grade gas makes the engine misfire which causes the damage to the engine.

11 people found this helpful.
270

Current have a Kia Optima that I purchased brand new, and now having the same problem as mentioned above. While reading these replies, I’m curious as to why KIA has not stepped in or up to the plate to resolve this or these issues. If the gasoline (in which they indicate, is regular unleaded also opposed to premium gas) is the issue, this needs to be communicated from the KIA company. Has any owner been notified as to whether there has been a recall on the vehicle to have the engine replaced? I’m thinking of trading in my car for a new something else. Any inquiries or answers would be welcomed and greatly appreciated. Thanks

10 people found this helpful.
20

Today march 15 2020 me an my family on our spring break vacation from ocala to Orlando. Same problem

2 people found this helpful.
180

I am having the same problem with my 2016 Kia Optima. this is my third time to the Carson Kia dealer in a little over month. KIA NEEDS TO GET IT TOGTHER

3 people found this helpful.
180

Can we all share our locations. I will be calling the headquarters with regards to this matter

15 people found this helpful.
50

Same issues on 2016 Kia optima. Taking it to dealer today. Has 75k

5 people found this helpful.
270

Good Morning, To all owners of the Kia Optima (2016) owners. I was so frustrated with the customer service that I received when I call the KIA warrant department, I decided to do some research on my own. It seems like KIA has acknowledged that there is a problem with this engine, and upon having a KIA service department diagnose the situation, it was determined that my engine had been faulty. So the dealership (as long as the car was under warranty), notified us and placed a call to KIA, and ordered a new engine. So, I would recommend that as long as your car is under warranty, take it to a KIA dealership and have them test the engine, and proceed with ordering a new one, if so warranted. I hope this helps. Good Luck and May God Bless.

17 people found this helpful.
70

Same problem. 16 optima with 67k. Bought it brand new and this will be the second time. I don't drive it too much. Trying to keep the miles low. First time was a harness issue. Filled the tank today and the engine light starts flashing.

7 people found this helpful.
220

Hello guys after two visits to the service department. They fixed the issue check light problem. The mechanic told me that it was an default oxygen sensor and wire harness. They also contacted the Kia technical group for diagnostic tested... So far no issues for 3 months.

4 people found this helpful.
30

Same exact problem with mine. 17 Optima with 39K miles. At the dealership for the 3rd time same issue. Lemon Law?

3 people found this helpful.
10

I have the exact problem. I have a 2016 Kia bought with only 15 miles now has 50,000. I took it to Freddy Kia dealership in Houston on Saturday waiting for the diagnostic test results..

1 people found this helpful.
30

We have a 2016 Optima and just experienced this very issue. Will be taking it to the dealer tomorrow to see what they say.

3 people found this helpful.
70

My car completely stopped on me. The nearest dealership is over an hour away. I was told that there is a recall on the engine. I’ve had my car 5 years so I pray that they will fix it even with the length of time I’ve had it

7 people found this helpful.
60

2015 optima, raining during first time, came up knock sensor, they replaced the motor around 85000 miles, at 92000 same scenario it was the wiring harness. Last night raining, light on today sitting at dealership. Does it not rain in Korea? Why does this only happen in the rain?

6 people found this helpful.
460

*** Important info *** We are the 2nd owners of 2016 Kia Optima purchased at 41K mi, now at 64K mi. SAME THING HAPPENED. All of a sudden, RPMS dropped, car felt weird and wouldn’t drive more than 30 MPH or so - no engine / service lights on. Parked in garage and used other car for work - then tried driving around the block - engine light came on and started flashing. Took it to my local mechanic (2mi away) yesterday. They said they ran diagnostics And said code P1326 came up, which is related to engine replacement - told to take it to the dealer. I googled Kia Optima 2016 P1326 and found that there is a known major issue (to Kia) of engine problems with many years of Optimas and other Kias. There was a recall in 10/2018 to install a sensor to protect the engine from completely blowing, where they installed a sensor which - when engine trouble begins - puts the car into “LIMP HOME MODE” and restricts the car to 1800-2000 RPM to prevent catastrophic engine failure / damage. I read many people with this same problem - and have a copy of a Kia document stating that (if the dealer goes thru testing of the car with P1326 code and determines this engine problem IS the issue, Kia will cover a REPLACEMENT ENGINE for the LIFE of the car, for new or used purchase owners (photo attached). I called my local Kia dealership service department (who has serviced the car twice - once for this recall, once for new brakes and a new axle / CV boot (which was covered under the 60K warranty for used car owners). I told the service advisor about the code P1326 found my my mechanic and was told there are no open recalls on my car - that they had fixed the recall for this in 12/2018. Sounds like he was unaware or not forthcoming about this known engine problem - the recall fix they made in 12/2018 was to install this sensor which has now done its job by recognizing the engine issue and putting the car in Limp Home Mode to prevent further damage. I’m going to the dealer when they open today with the Kia service memo and the report from my local mechanic, documenting the P1326 code and recommendation to take to dealer for warranty check on engine issue. Praying they fix this and cover it under warranty! Including some of my research here: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2018/MC- 10147425-9999.pdf (notice LIFETIME WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THIS ISSUE mentioned toward the end of page 1) https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2019/kia -engine-warranty-extension-bearing.shtml https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC- 10154694-9999.pdf Someone in a Kia Optima forum discussion on this issue replied to me: “ Because of the poorly designed engine and the number that have gone bad, the engine is a lifetime deal for all owners. Hopefully the 1326 is not a false alarm as some have found, like above, but eventually, if the engine goes, fully covered along with a free loaner.” I hope this is the case! Will report back...

42 people found this helpful.
460

Another Kia doc I found on this issue: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC- 10154694-9999.pdf

4 people found this helpful.
90

I had this issue today while on the freaking highway. My car is a 2016 Optima ex with 37k miles on it. I have not had it long enough for the hard plates to come. I drove it back home taking only the back streets but after acceleration from stop lights it would jerk and then drive very slowly. I could only drive it maybe 30 mph at the most.

9 people found this helpful.
40

I’ve got a 2016 Kia Optima and the same thing happened along with engine knocking, has anyone else had the engine knocks

4 people found this helpful.
30

Bring you car to dealer - there's recall on Optima

3 people found this helpful.
20

I have a 2016 optima lx and for the past few months I have been losing power when I drive anywhere. I took it to the dealer and they said it was an issue with the turbo so I paid 4K to get it replaced and then 2 weeks later it does the same thing so I took it back and they said they can’t find any issues with the car and that there isn’t a recall on my vehicle. I called corporate and TERRY employee Id #1 whose been with Kia for 25 years literally yelled at me and said it’s not their problem (I recorded the call). At this point I’m going to take it to another Kia dealership to get another diagnostic to see if they can find the problem and if not I’ll be filing a lawsuits. I have a lawyer already but I need others that experienced the same problem to come forward as well so if anyone is experiencing loss of power please email me @ nia6benjamin@gmail.com

2 people found this helpful.
40

I have a 2018 optima with 105,000 miles. 3 weeks ago the engine light went on and the car would not go over 60 miles an hour. I noticed that when it first started to move it staggered and was not shifting norally. It was drivable so I thought it was the transmission. I took lit to a trans shop and he checked the engine code and it said P2600. He cleared the code and the car ran fine for 3 weeks. Now Its Back. Based on what I have read it sounds like Kia does not know what is going on and when I talk to service they seem like they do not know. It just happened so I have a tentative appt on sat for a diagnostic check..

4 people found this helpful.
60

I have had this situation occur multiple times in my 2017 optima hybrid. I took it to a really good mechanic and found the culprit was ignition coils. I've had to replace 3 out of the 4. I tried going to KIA but their repair departments in multiple dealerships were either incompetent, provided horrible customer service (i.e. wanting me to leave my vehicle with them for a minimum of 10 days for diagnostics and no loaner vehicle), or claimed they were too backed up with other repairs to get to my vehicle in a timely fashion. As much as I like the vehicle, I can't afford to get another KIA in the future.

6 people found this helpful.

We have had our 2016 Kia Optima since 2017. It was a great car, up until the well-known oil consumption issue, and the reduced power mode (limp mode). As others have said, the limp mode was brought on by Kia trying to protect the engine from known issues. This was also protecting them financially; if engines were blowing up more frequently than they already are, this would have caused quite the stir and a bit of red in their books. I have bought 2 Kias/Hyundais and will never buy another. Prior to these lemons, I had Hondas, which have both made it over 200k miles with no costs incurred, beyond the normal maintenance and a bad alternator (very common with all makes/models). Companies only understand black and red; don't buy another Kia or Hyundai.

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