The starter in the 2016 kia optima is located underneath the intake manifold stay. if you're looking to perform a replacement, you'll be pleased to know that the job is quite easy once you have meaningful access. however, the bad news is that you've got to remove a whole host of components in order to gain that access; to wit, most amateur automotive enthusiasts will leave this job to the professionals. if you want to go it alone, you'll need to remove the engine cover, disconnect the negative battery terminal, remove the air cleaner assembly (breather hose, recirculation hose, brake booster vacuum hose, air intake hose), and remove the etc module, maps sensor, and iats sensor, before popping off the intake manifold stay. if this sounds too intimidating, you can typically get the job done by a mechanic for right around $ 400, parts and labor included.
The starter can be found between the engine and the transmission in the 2016 kia optima.