2013 Kia Optima

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Engine is the leading concern among 1,383 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 20 Optima model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 1,383

Of the 2013 reports, 48 involved a crash and 114 involved a fire. 36 people were injured and 4 people died.

Primary concernEngine612 reports · 44% of complaints
Owner complaints1,383Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship9 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Engine612
  2. Steering213
  3. Other or unspecified186
  4. Electrical system146
  5. Structure127
  6. Service brakes115
  7. Fuel/propulsion system93
  8. Power train64

Recalls and investigations

  1. Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideSep 25, 2023

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

    An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

    Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.

    Campaign 23V652000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Structure, body, roof and pillarsAug 1, 2022

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Optima vehicles. The right and left headliner plates may not be secured properly, which can result in the plates detaching in the event of a side curtain air bag deployment.

    A plate that detaches during a crash may strike an occupant, increasing their risk of injury.

    Dealers will secure the headliner plates, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 26, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC245.

    Campaign 22V560000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsFeb 17, 2022

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Optima vehicles that were previously repaired under NHTSA recall number 20V-100. The low pressure fuel hose may be damaged, or missing heat-protective tape, which can result in a fuel leak.

    A fuel leak can increase the risk of a fire.

    Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel hose, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 2, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-33-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC228.

    Campaign 22V093000 on NHTSA.gov

  4. Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideMay 10, 2021

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles previously recalled under recall 20V-519. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.

    An electrical short in the HECU increases the risk of a fire while parked or driving.

    Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will install a new multi-fuse, and inspect the HECU for leaks, replacing the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 2, 2021. This recall supersedes previous NHTSA recall number 20V-519. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC212.

    Campaign 21V331000 on NHTSA.gov

  5. Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideAug 27, 2020

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.

    If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.

    Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the HECU for leaking brake fluid and replace the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. The recall began October 20, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC197.

    Campaign 20V519000 on NHTSA.gov

  6. Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsFeb 21, 2020

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Optima vehicles equipped with 2.4L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) or 2.0L GDI Turbo engines. The low pressure fuel hose may deteriorate and crack over time due to heat generated within the engine compartment.

    If the fuel hose cracks, a fuel leak can occur, increasing the risk of a fire.

    Kia will notify Owners, and Dealers will inspect the low pressure fuel hose for damage or leaking, replacing it as necessary. If no damage or leaking is found, a heat-protective tape will be installed. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began June 12, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC187.

    Campaign 20V100000 on NHTSA.gov

  7. Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsDec 19, 2018

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.

    A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

    Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.

    Campaign 18V907000 on NHTSA.gov

  8. Air bags, air bag/restraint control moduleJun 1, 2018

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.

    If the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.

    Kia will notify owners. For model year 2011 Sedona vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to verify the ACU part number and, if necessary, install an extension wire harness kit between the ACU Connector and the Vehicle Harness Connector. For all other affected vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to install the extension wire harness kit. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC165.

    Campaign 18V363000 on NHTSA.gov

  9. Engine and engine cooling, engineMar 31, 2017

    Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.

    Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.

    Campaign 17V224000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: engine

650 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Steering, Engine, Feb 23, 2021

    TL* THE CONTACT'S GIRLFRIEND OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS GIRLFRIEND WAS DRIVING 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED TO THE LEFT INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER CONTINUED DRIVING TO HER DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO METRO KIA OF MADISON (5442 WAYNE TERRACE, MADISON, WI 53718, (608) 443-5700) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE ECU SOFTWARE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED IN JULY OF 2020. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 132,000.

  2. Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 22, 2021, fire

    ON FEBRUARY 19, 2021 AT AROUND 12:50 A.M., A FRIEND AND I WERE DRIVING HOME IN MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID EX ON A CITY STREET AND WE WERE A LITTLE MORE THAN HALF-WAY HOME WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON CAME ON. I STARTED LOOKING FOR AN OPEN GAS STATION SO I COULD STOP AND CHECK IF THERE WAS ANYTHING VISIBLY WRONG WITH MY CAR. BEFORE I COULD REACH A GAS STATION, I HEARD A TICKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND UPON LOOKING IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR I SAW SMOKE BILLOWING OUT OF THE BACK OF THE CAR AND SAW AND SMELLED SMOKE INSIDE THE CABIN ALSO. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. THE CAR THEN COMPLETELY FILLED WITH SMOKE, SO MY FRIEND AND I GOT OUT OF THE CAR QUICKLY. THE ENGINE AREA BURST INTO FLAMES. I CALLED 911 AND REPORTED IT TO THE POLICE AND WAITED FOR THEM TO COME. THE CAR EXPLODED A COUPLE OF TIMES BEFORE THEY GOT TO ME AND THE FIRE QUICKLY ENGULFED THE CAR REACHING INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE STREET HAD TO BE COMPLETELY BLOCKED OFF FROM ALL TRAFFIC. IT WAS A VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE AS WE BARELY MADE IT OUT OF THE CAR BEFORE IT BURST INTO FLAMES AND HOW RISKY IT WAS BEING IN THE CAR BEFORE IT CAUGHT FIRE. AS FAST AS EVERYTHING HAPPENED WE FEEL LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. IT TOOK THE FIRE CREW ABOUT AN HOUR TO PUT THE CAR OUT. EVERYTHING INSIDE THE CABIN WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. AFTER GETTING A RIDE HOME FROM THE POLICE I STARTED RESEARCHING ONLINE THE ISSUE I HAD JUST GONE THROUGH AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS MANUFACTURER RECALL #SC200TE, NHTSA RECALL #20V750 FOR MY VEHICLE WHICH SEEMED TO FIT THE EXPERIENCE I HAD WITH MY CAR.

  3. Engine, Feb 22, 2021

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO A FRIEND'S HOUSE NEARBY. THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

  4. Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Feb 21, 2021

    MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA ON THE FN INTERSTATE AND THE CAR STALLED!! I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALLS UNTIL SOMEONE THAT ASSISTED HER TOLD HER THIS! I AM DURING YOU! SHE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT! THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF

  5. Engine, Feb 16, 2021

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V750000 (ENGINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER KIA OF VACAVILLE LOCATED AT 651 ORANGE DR, VACAVILLE, CA 95687 WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE SOFTWARE NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE SOFTWARE NEEDED WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

  6. Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 14, 2021

    LOSS OF POWER UPON ACCELERATING. TURBO SEEMS TO BE AFFECTED. PROBLEM STOPS/RESETS SOMETIMES AFTER I TURN OFF THE CAR AND TURN IT BACK ON AGAIN. WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE UP TO 40MPH, THE ENGINE DOESN'T RESPOND APPROPRIATELY. I CAN HAVE MY PEDAL PUSHED TO THE GROUND AND IT WILL STILL TAKE AT LEAST 1-2 MINUTES TO GET UP TO 40 MPH. AFTER IT GETS TO AROUND 40-45 MPH IT SEEMS TO RESPOND BETTER TO ACCELERATION, BUT IT STILL LAGS. COMPUTER THREW CODE P2562.

  7. Engine, Feb 3, 2021, fire

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED FIRE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 209,000.

  8. Engine, Feb 1, 2021

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE MESSAGE (PULL OVER SAFELY) WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER MENTOR KIA (9090 MENTOR AVE, MENTOR, OH 44060, (440)953-1000) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SUBJECTED TO REPAIR UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V750000 (ENGINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS HAD EXCEEDED THE WARRANTY MILEAGE LIMIT AND THERE WOULD BE NO ASSISTANCE PROVIDED IN REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 155,000.

  9. Engine, Jan 26, 2021

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND VIBRATE WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED BEFORE GOING INTO LIMP MODE AND STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER SOUTH HILLS KIA LOCATED AT 3644 WASHINGTON RD, MCMURRAY, PA 15317 WHO REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

  10. Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 25, 2021

    DURING A COMMUTE TO WORKSITE THE CAR WAS DRIVING NORMALLY FOR THE FIRST 10 MILES. NO SOUNDS, NO DASH LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. NO SIGNAL THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG. AS I DROVE NORMALLY THROUGH THE ROUTE, I ENTERED THE HIGHWAY AND ACCELERATED TO NEARLY 65 MPH. AFTER A MOMENT OR SO OF DRIVING THE CAR SUDDENLY FELT AS IF THE ENGINE HAD NO POWER. I PULLED MY FOOT OFF THE GAS, THEN I CHECKED THE DASH LIGHTS, I MADE SURE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROPER AUTOMATICS MODE AND NOT MANUAL (IT FELT LIKE IT WAS THROWN INTO NEUTRAL OR A LOWER GEAR), I ALSO VERIFIED CRUISE CONTROL WAS OFF. EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE. I PRESSED THE GAS TO ACCELERATE BACK UP TO SPEED AND THE CAR BEGAN SHAKING VERY VIGOROUSLY. THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. BECAUSE I WAS NOT IN A SAFE AREA TO STOP, I TRIED TO COAST TO THE NEAREST EXIT. I IMAGINE I WAS COASTING AND ACCELERATING INTERMITTENTLY (FOR ONLY A FEW SECONDS AT A TIME) FOR ANYWHERE FROM ONE-HALF TO TWO MILES BEFORE THE NEXT EXIT. IT IS HARD TO GUESS THE DISTANCE BECAUSE IT WAS DARK DURING THE INCIDENT. ONCE I MADE IT TO THE EXIT, THE ENGINE WAS NO LONGER PROVIDING POWER AT ALL - MEANING I WOULD PRESS THE GAS AND NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT EVEN REV. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER SAID THAT BECAUSE THE CAR DID NOT HAVE A CODE OF P1326 THAT THE ISSUE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER KIA'S EXTENDED ENGINE WARRANTY. I AM TRYING TO FIGHT FOR THEM TO HONOR THE WARRANTY. NO LUCK SO FAR. THEY QUOTED A $7500 REPAIR. CAR IS PERFECTLY MAINTAINED. I JUST PUT NEW SPARK PLUS AND A NEW SERPENTINE BELT ON 9 WEEKS AGO (AT THE KIA DEALERSHIP OF COURSE- ONLY PLACE I DO MAINTENANCE AT).

  11. Engine, Jan 22, 2021

    MY CAR STARTED MAKING A SLIGHT KNOCKING SOUND ON THE MORNING OF 1/21/21 ON KEMP BLVD WHICH IS JUST A CITY STREET AND WITHIN LESS THAN A MILE, IT STOPPED RUNNING AND HAD ME ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES. I WAS ONLY ABOUT 2 STREETS FROM MY HOUSE, I GOT IT TO START AND GOT IT BACK HOME BUT THEN IMMEDIATELY TURNED IT OFF AND IT HAS BEEN PARKED THERE SINCE. I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND WAS NOTIFIED THAT IT WAS FAILURE OF THE ROD BEARING AND THAT I WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE

  12. Engine, Jan 18, 2021

    FIRST MY CAR HAS 80,000 MILES AND I DO ALL HIS REGULAR SERVICES ON TIME. I OWN THIS CAR 5 YEARS AGO,I DO EVEN EXTEND THE WARRANTY AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE BUT I NEVER USE IT BECAUSE THE CAR WAS GIVING ME NO PROBLEMS AT ALL. TODAY I WAS DRIVING TO THE STORE USING THE FREEWAY AND AFTER 10 MINUTES THAT I LEAVE MY HOUSE I STARTED HEARING A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR THE ENGINE AND INCREASES LITTLE BY LITTLE.I JUST TAKE THE CLOSEST EXIT AND PULL OVER BECAUSE THE NOISE WAS TOO MUCH FOR CONTINUE DRIVING.I JUST PARKED MY CAR ON DAVIS STREET IN SAN LEANDRO AND I TRY TO CALL SOMEONE TO HELP ME ..I DECIDE NO TO DRIVE MY CAR BACK HOME I JUST TOWED TO MY HOME. I'M SO UPSET BECAUSE THE CAR IT'S PRETTY MUCH LOW MILES TO GIVE THAT KIND OF PROBLEMS ..THANK YOU

  13. Engine, Jan 10, 2021

    DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60MPH ON EXPRESSWAY, GAVE A LITTLE MORE GAS TO PASS SOMEONE AND ENGINE STALLED WHILE SWITCHING LANES AT HIGH SPEED. INFORMED BY KIA DEALERSHIP THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE OF THE CONNECTING ROD BEARING/S.

  14. Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Jan 8, 2021

    STARTING MAKING A NOISE IN SHUT OFF

  15. Electrical system, Engine, Jan 4, 2021

    2013 KIA OPTIMA IN AUGUST 2019 STARTING STALLING OUT AND WOULDN'T START. THEN MY ENGINE STARTING KNOCKING. MY CAR WOULD STILL START BUT WOULD ONLY GO 20-30 MPH WHILE MAKE KNOCKING ENGINE NOISES. TOOK MY KIA OPTIMA TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED THE ENGINE DUE TO RECALL. BUT DIDN'T REPLACE THE STARTER, AFTER I GOT MY CAR BACK MY STARTER WENT OUT COMPLETELY! MY CAR WON'T START. DEC 2020 TOOK MY KIA TO KIA DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS MY STARTER. I HAVE TO PAY $800 FOR STARTER REPLACEMENT. I TOLD THEM I HAD THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE ENGINE RECALL. FOUND OUT KIA REPLACED 5 OUT 7 STARTERS WHEN THEY REPLACED THE ENGINE DUE TO RECALL. BUT THEY WON'T REPLACE MY STARTER BECAUSE IT'S BEEN OVER A YEAR FROM THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. I TOLD THEM MY CARS BEEN PARKED THE ENTIRE YEAR 2020 DUE TO COVID AND I THOUGHT I JUST NEEDED A BATTERY. I BOUGHT A BATTERY BUT MY CAR STILL WOULD START. I KNOW MY STARTER WAS DAMAGED DUE TO MY ENGINE AND OIL LEAK DUE TO RECALL & KIA SHOULD REPLACE THE STARTER UNDER THE ENGINE WARRANTY FOR THE RECALL. MY CARS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP AND I DON'T HAVE $800 TO FIX THE STARTER. MY STEERING WHEEL WAS SHAKING AND MAKING NOISES, I PAID KIA TO FIX IT 2020 NOW I FOUND THERE'S A CUFF LINK RECALL AND KIA WILL REIMBURSE ME. I KEEP HAVING TROUBLE WITH 2013 KIA OPTIMA! I WILL NEVER BUY A KIA AGAIN! BUYER BEWARE!

  16. Engine, Jan 3, 2021

    CAR STARTED VIBRATING AND MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE WHILE BEGINNING DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY. THE KNOCKING GOT WORSE AND THE ENGINE STALLED SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. PULLED OVER ON HIGHWAY SHOULDER AND SMELLED BURNT OIL AFTER CAR STOPPED. CHECKED OIL LEVELS AND TEMPERATURE WERE WITHIN ACCEPTABLE RANGES. ENGINE APPEARED TO BE SIEZED AFTER ATTEMPTING TO TURN ON THE VEHICLE AGAIN. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AWAY FROM HIGHWAY.

  17. Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jan 2, 2021

    I LEFT WORK ONE NIGHT AND STARTED FINE AND WAS DRIVING NORMAL FOR ABOUT 10-15 MILES THEN EVERY SINGLE LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH BOARD THEN COULDN'T ACCELERATE ANYMORE! IT DROPPED IN LIKE 15MPH INCREMENTS UNTIL IT FINALLY ROLLED TO A STOP! I CUT THE CAR OFF AND EVER SINCE IT CUT OFF IT HASN'T CUT BACK ON SINCE ME AND COUSIN LOOKED AND SEEN NO OBVIOUS PROBLEMS BUT THINK THE MOTOR LOCKED UP COMPLETELY!

  18. Engine, Jan 2, 2021

    THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE STALLED & SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING, WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. IT GAVE ZERO PRIOR WARNING, THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO SPUTTERING, NO INDICATION OF AN ISSUE. AT THE TIME, IT HAD A QUARTER TANK OF GAS (AT LEAST THE GAUGE SAID SO). AAA FILLED THE TANK AND WE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, WITHOUT ISSUE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP OUT OF CONCERN IT MAY HAPPEN AGAIN (ON THE FREEWAY WHERE IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT), AND THEY SAID IT'S A FAULTY TURBO CHARGER CAUSING A "LOSS OF POWER." GIVEN THERE WERE NO ISSUES WHILE DRIVING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, I'M NOT SURE I AGREE WITH THE "LOSS OF POWER." BUT REGARDLESS, IF THE TURBO IS BAD, IT'S AMONG THOUSANDS OF OTHER 2013 KIA OPTIMAS WITH TURBO & ENGINE ISSUES THAT ARE ALL WAY TOO SIMILAR TO BE COINCIDENCE. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS ALMOST 4K TO REPLACE IT, WITHOUT ANY GUARANTEE IT'LL ACTUALLY FIX THE ENGINE STALLING ISSUE.

  19. Engine, Jan 2, 2021

    MY CAR IS TICKING AND BATTERY KEEPS GOING DEAD IT CUT OFF ON THE HIGHWAY HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED HOME

  20. Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 31, 2020

    WHEN I WAS DRIVING ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON ON THE DASHBOARD AND I COULDN'T ACCELERATE AT ALL THEN IT CUT OFF AND HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO JUMP IT OFF OR ANYTHING! WE'VE LOOKED TO SEE IF WE COULD FIND OUT WHY BUT IT'S JUST DIED AND I THINK THE MOTOR LOCKED UP!

  21. Electrical system, Engine, Dec 27, 2020

    IT STARTED WITH THE HEAD LIGHTS GOING OUT THEN SHORTLY AFTER THAT WAS FIXED THE CAR WOULD SHUDDER START. THE CLOCK WOULD SHOW 000 AS IF THE CAR WAS BRAND NEW AND NEEDED THE TIME PLACED ON THE CLOCK THE SAME THING WAS HAPPENING TO THE SPEEDOMETER. THEN THE CAR JUST WOULDN'T NOT START AT ALL. THE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON IT WOULD ALSO CLICK BUT NOT TURN OVER. WE TRIED JUMPING THE CAR THAT WORKED FOR A WHILE BUT NOW THE NO START IS STARING TO BE CONSISTENT.

  22. Engine, Dec 17, 2020

    THERE IS A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WHEN PLACED IN GEAR, THE KNOCK IS NOT HEARD WHILE IN PARK. BECAUSE NO SENSOR HAS GONE OFF, THE REPAIR TECH SAID THERE IS NOTHING HE CAN DO. I DO HAVE A THE MOTOR THAT WAS RECALLED, AND IT WAS REPLACED

  23. Steering, Engine, Dec 15, 2020

    I WAS GOING DOWN A ROAD IN MY TOWN LPGA IN DAYTONA BEACH, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD THIS WEIRD SOUND THEN MY ACCELERATING STOPPED EVEN THOUGH I HAD MY FOOT ON THE GAS. THE CAR ENGINE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE EVEN THOUGH I HAD MY FOOT ON THE GAS IT FINALLY SLOWED DOWN WHERE I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP GOT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ALL OF MY ENGINE SENSOR LIGHTS CAME ON AND MY CAR ENGINE WILL NOT ROLL OVER OR EVEN START MY BATTERY JUST TURNS ON. IT'S AS IF IT'S JUST STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY NO ONE HAS GIVEN ME A ANSWER THE TOW DRIVER IS THE ONE WHO TOLD ME THAT KIA OPTIMAS WERE HAVING RECALL ISSUES ON THEY'RE CARS WITH EXACT PROBLEMS LIKE MINE. I LOVE MY OPTIMA I TAKE REALLY GOOD CARE OF IT SO IT REALLY HURTS THAT THERE ISN'T MUCH I CAN DO ABOUT MY CAR.

  24. Fuel system, Gasoline, Engine, Dec 14, 2020

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHCILE STALLED AND FAILED TO RESTART. THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING FROM VEHICLE. THERE WAS ABNORMAL ODOR OF FUEL DETECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA OF ORANGE PARK (6373 BLANDING BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32244, (904) 758-2612) BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V907000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

  25. Engine, Dec 13, 2020

    ON DEC 5, 2020. I WAS DRIVING ON 78 WEST WHEN SUDDENLY MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA EX BEGIN TO DECREASE IN SPEED.WITHIN 5 MINUTES I HAD TO PULL OVER WHERE MY CAR JUST TURNED OFF. DEC 12, 2020 I WAS TOLD THAT MY ENGINE WASN'T TURNING OVER AND THE MOTOR WAS GONE. JUST LIKE THAT. I WAS VERY CONFUSED AND DISAPPOINTED AS I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING FOR THIS TO HAPPEN.