Recall 16V231 affects 17 2016 Kia Optima vehicles for a driver's air bag second-stage deployment defect. Repair is free at any franchised Kia dealer.
Kia is recalling 17 2016 Optima sedans because the driver's frontal air bag was built without the chemical enhancer needed for second stage deployment. If the second stage does not deploy in a crash that needs it, the risk of injury or death increases; Kia dealers will fix the driver's frontal air bag free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The driver's frontal air bag in the 2016 Kia Optima is mounted in the steering wheel. Its job is to inflate during a frontal crash and help keep the driver from striking the wheel or instrument panel. This air bag uses a staged inflator, which means it has a first deployment stage and a second stage for crashes that need more inflation force.
On the recalled Optimas, the supplier-built inflator was assembled without the secondary chemical enhancer needed for that second stage. The first stage is not the problem described here. The defect is that the second stage does not deploy when the crash calls for it, so the air bag does not perform as designed.
There is no warning sign before failure. The missing enhancer is inside the air bag inflator, so an owner will not hear, feel, or see this defect during normal driving.
Who's affected?
| 2016 Kia Optima | front air bag |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 17 |
Not every 2016 Kia Optima is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
A driver's frontal air bag that fails to deploy its second stage gives less crash protection and increases the risk of injury or death. If your VIN is included, schedule the driver's air bag module replacement soon and follow the dealer's guidance until the appointment. Repair is free at any franchised Kia dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016 Kia Optima is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Kia dealer to schedule the free driver's frontal air bag module replacement that restores second-stage deployment.
- Bring the recall notice if Kia sent one, and reference recall number 16V231 when you call.
- Call Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542 if you need help finding a dealer or confirming repair status.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Kia technician replaces the driver's frontal air bag module covered by recall 16V231. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. The repair campaign began on May 6, 2016, so the dealer repair is available now. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the existing warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, since all covered vehicles are under warranty. Ask the Kia service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| April 21, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 22, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| April 22, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 22, 2016 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| April 22, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| May 6, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V231?
Recall 16V231 covers 17 2016 Kia Optima vehicles with a driver frontal air bag module missing the chemical enhancer needed for second-stage deployment in certain crashes. If that second stage does not deploy, injury or death risk increases. Kia dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module for free.
What should I do if my 2016 Kia Optima is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Optima is included in recall 16V231. If it is included, contact a franchised Kia dealer to schedule replacement of the driver's frontal air bag module. Reference recall number 16V231 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Kia dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module free of charge. Kia's number for this recall is SC131.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is that the driver's frontal air bag second stage does not deploy in crashes that need it. That increases the risk of injury or death. Confirm your VIN, then schedule the free air bag module replacement with a franchised Kia dealer if your vehicle is included.
What if I bought my Kia Optima used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your Optima is included, then contact a franchised Kia dealer and reference recall number 16V231 when you schedule the repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V231000 |
|---|---|
| Kia customer service | 1-800-333-4542 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V231 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V231000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →