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.
Of the 2013 reports, 48 involved a crash and 114 involved a fire. 36 people were injured and 4 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Engine, May 13, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,405.
Engine, May 10, 2020
ALL ELECTRICS WORK. ENGINE WILL NOT WORK. STARTER IS NEW. ALTERNATOR IS NEW. BATTERY IS NEW. *TR
Engine, May 8, 2020
I WILL BE DRIVING AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE CAR LOSES POWER. I'LL BE GOING 55 IT DROPS INSTANTLY TO 25. THE RPMS STOP WORKING. THIS FIRST HAPPENED ON I81 HIGHWAY MY CAR JUST LOST POWER NOW THIS IS A 3 LINE HIGHWAY. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BY A TRACTOR TRAILER. YOU PUSH THE GAS AND GOES NO FASTER THAN 20/25.THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL YEARS. I'VE REPORTED THIS TIME AND TIME AGAIN. A RECALL CAME OUT AND MY VEHICLE WAS ON IT FOR A NEW ENGINE. WAS TOLD NO BECAUSE MY CHECK ENGINE LATE DIDN'T COME. THIS HAPPEN AT LEAST 5 TIMES ALL REPORTED. NOW KIA REFUSES TO TOW MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE MANAGER AT KIA SAID IT'S A CERTIFIED VEHICLE PLUS IT'S A RECALL. NOPE STILL DID NOTHING. IT HAPPENED TO MYSELF , MY HUSBAND AND ALSO WHEN OUR DAUGHTER DROVE IT. IT'S NOT SAFE.. IF MY VEHICLE IS LISTED ON THE RECALL WHY ARE THEY NOT FIXING IT. SHE TYPED IN MY VIN AT OUTTEN KIA AND SHE SAID WOW YOU ARE THE FIRST PERSON THAT HAS AN OPTIMA THAT?S ON RECALL FOR AN ENGINE. I HAVE 13 KIA OPTIMA THAT THEY WILL NOT STAND BY. PLEASE HELP. WHAT CAN I DO? THE LAST TOME IT HAPPENED WAS MARCH OF 2020. IT'S DOCUMENTED AT THE DEALERSHIP EVERY TIME IS WAS DOWN THERE. *TR
Engine, May 5, 2020
WHILE DRIVING I-10 MY CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER AFTER A COMPLETE STOP THERE WAS A SMOKE SMELL, I IMMEDIATELY EXITED THE CAR AND NOTICED A SMALL FIRE HAD STARTED UNDERNEATH THE CAR AND I IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE THEN I NOTICED A PUDDLE OF OIL AND A PISTON ROD LAYING IN THE POOL OF OIL. HAD TOED TO A KIA DEALERSHIP IN D`IBERVILLE MS. *TR
Engine, Apr 28, 2020
TURBO SHUTTING OFF CAUSING VEHICLE TO NOT ACCELERATE
Fuel system, Gasoline, Engine, Apr 27, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND LOSS MOTIVE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HADDAD KIA (5445 GASOLINE ALLEY DR, BAKERSFIELD, CA 93313, (888) 376-2617) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 20V100000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 25, 2020
THE ENGINE BLEW UP ON CAR WAS DRIVING NORMALLY WHEN CAR STOPPED AND DIDNT WANT TO POWER ON. ENGINE STARTED MAKING NOISES. WENT TO DEALER TO HAVE ENGINE REPLACED BUT WONT MAKE IT VALID SINCE THEY MENTION ENGINE IS NOT THE ORIGINAL ENGINE AND WAS REPLACED.
Engine, Apr 23, 2020
ENGINE SEIZED
Structure, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 20, 2020, fire
IN THE LATE MORNING OF MONDAY, APRIL 6TH 2020, MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING OUR 2013 KIA OPTIMA SXL HOME FROM THE STORE WHEN THE CAR BEGAN FILLING WITH SMOKE. LUCKILY, HE WAS ABLE TO PULL THE CAR OVER AND JUMP OUT BEFORE FLAMES BEGAN TO ENGULF THE FRONT OF THE CAR. HE CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE COMPANY WAS DISPATCHED. THEIR RESPONSE TIME WAS SHORT, BUT IT TOOK UNDER A MINUTE FOR THE CAR TO GO UP IN FLAMES (SEE PICTURES ATTACHED). THERE WAS ZERO WARNING THAT THIS HORRIFIC EVENT WAS ABOUT TO OCCUR. NO ENGINE LIGHT, NO FUNNY NOISES, NO PROBLEMS WHATSOEVER. IN FACT, I HAD JUST BROUGHT THE CAR INTO OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR ROUTINE SERVICE LESS THAN A MONTH BEFORE ON MARCH 9. THEY GAVE ME NO INDICATION THAT THERE WAS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR THAT WOULD CAUSE IT TO CATCH ON FIRE. WE FILED A CLAIM WITH OUR INSURANCE COMPANY, WHO CONFIRMED THE CAR WAS TOTALED AND LISTED A RECENT, BUT AS YET UNANNOUNCED, RECALL ON MY EXACT YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL OF THE CAR. AFTER SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT ACCORDING TO A FEBRUARY 27, 2020 ARTICLE IN US NEWS AND WORLD REPORT, KIA WOULD SHORTLY BE RECALLING NEARLY 142,000 2013 AND 2014 KIA OPTIMA'S. FURTHERMORE, 'KIA SAYS A FUEL HOSE CAN DETERIORATE AND CRACK DUE TO ENGINE HEAT. THE HOSES CAN LEAK AND CAUSE FIRES. A FIX IS STILL BEING DEVELOPED. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO START APRIL 16.' ALTHOUGH AT THE TIME OF THE ARTICLE NO FIRES HAD YET BEEN REPORTED, GIVEN THE SUDDEN NATURE OF OUR CAR FIRE, IT IS OBVIOUS TO US WHAT HAS HAPPENED.
Engine, Apr 14, 2020
ENGINE STARTED MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE - *TR
Engine, Apr 12, 2020
I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK WHEN I HEARD A FAINT KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. LESS THAN TEN MINUTES LATER, WHILE GOING 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, I LOST ALL POWER TO THE WHEELS AND HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER. THE ENGINE KNOCK WAS MUCH LOUDER NOW AND THE CAR WOULDN'T BUDGE. I'M GUESSING THIS IS SIMILAR TO THE ISSUES WHICH CAUSED RECALL SC147, BUT TO MY KNOWLEDGE THE HYBRID EX DOESN'T HAVE A GDI ENGINE. WITH ONLY 113K MILES, I'M HOPING KIA WILL COVER IT.
Engine, Apr 8, 2020
ENGINE IS UNDER RECALL DUE TO LAWSUIT AND THEY ARE STILL REFUSING TO REPLACE IT
Engine, Apr 2, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AUTO ZONE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER NOR WAS THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 132,054.
Engine, Mar 22, 2020
KIA OPTIMA ON 2.4L ENGINE IS THE SAME HYUNDAI HAVE ISSUES, THOSE CARS ARE ALL THE SAME, THE HYBRID BATTERY HAVE BOTH NAMES, MY ENGINE IS KNOCKING AND MY CAR HAS NO RECALLS ON ENGINE, BUT MY FRIEND HAVE A HYUNDAI THAT HE HAVE FULL REPLACEMENT, I REPLACE THE HYBRID BIG BATTERY TO KEEP MY CAR AND AFTER COUPLE WEEKS, MY ENGINE KNOCKING, THE CAR IS SUPER CLEAN AND USED ENGINE COST ALMOST 3K INSTALLED
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 15, 2020
I WAS ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND WENT TO MOVE TO THE SECOND LANE IT WAS FINE EXCEPT I MY CAR BEGAN TO STALL AND SLOW DOWN MAKING THIS GRINDING NOISE WHEN I TRIED TO GAIN SPEED... ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON AND I COULDN'T GO FASTER THAN 30 MILES PER HOUR. ALL WHILE INCOMING TRAFFIC WAS COMING AT ME GOING ABOUT 60 MILES PER HOUR I HAD TO GAIN COMPOSURE. PUT ON MY HAZARDS AND PULL OVER... IT WOULDN'T LET ME GO ABOVE 20 WHEN I PULLED OVER.... I WAS FREAKING SCARED ONCE I PULLED OVER I WAS SHAKING AND CRYING HAD TO GAIN COMPOSURE... I BELIEVE I CAUGHT THIS ON MY DASH CAM. I [XXX] HATE THIS KIA... IT BY GRACE MY KIDS WEREN'T IN THE CAR WITH ME AND THAT THE VAN BEHIND ME SWITCHED LANES AT THE LAST SECOND.... I HAVE TAKEN MY KIA 2 TIMES TO THE KIA REPAIR DEALERSHIP, THE FIRST ONE WAS FREE THE SECOND TIME I HAD TO PAY 145 JUST TO BE SEEN. MIND YOU I WENT TO THE KIA REPAIR DEALERSHIP IN BERWYN AND THEY SAY IT'S FINE.... IT'S NOT FINE THAT MY CAR COULDN'T GO ABOVE 30 MILES ON THE EXPRESS WAY, IT'S NOT FINE THAT I WAS ALMOST IN A COLLISION IT'S NOT FINE. KIA WILL NOT REPAIR THESE CARS UNTIL SOMEONE DIES.... I CAN'T TAKE THIS CHANCE WITH MY CHILDREN. I WILL BORROW MY MOM'S TOYOTA UNTIL THIS PROBLEM IS RECTIFIED. I AM A SINGLE MOM MY KIDS ONLY SOURCE OF INCOME AND SUPPORT I DON'T HAVE TIME TO BE OFF FROM AN INJURY THAT MAY OCCUR OR LACK OF RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION. I WILL HAVE TO SEE IF MY DASH CAM CAUGHT THE INCIDENT BEFORE MY CAR SHUT OFF... I WILL SEND IT LATER IF IT DID. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Engine, Mar 15, 2020
CAR WAS PURCHASED08/2018 AND ON 3/06/2020 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON DUE TO LOW OIL PRESSURE. THE CAR HAD A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE IN 1/31/20. AFTER HAVING THE CAR CHECKED LOCALLY IT WAS DETERMINED THE OIL WAS LOW DUE TO THE CAMSHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION(DOUGS AUTO 28387) THE TECHNICIAN OBSERVED METAL SHAVING WHICH CONTAMINATED THE REMAINING OIL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE MAKES A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE IS PRACTICALLY NO LONGER DRIVEABLE DUE YO FEAR OF THE ENGINE SEIZING COMPLETELY WHICH CAN RESULT IN INJURY, CRASH, OR DEATH. KIA IS AWARE OF THE RECALL HOWEVER STATES MY VEHICLE ISNT IMPACTED HOWEVER EVERYTHING WE HAVE EXPERIENCED IS OUTLINED IN THE RECALL STATEMENT. KIA HAS DECLINED TO HELP FURTHER ACCORDING TO PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS FILED WITH THE SAME ISSUES.
Electrical system, Engine, Mar 10, 2020
I WAS HEADED TO WORK AND FOUND MY SELF FRUSTRATED BECAUSE IT TOOK SO MANY TIMES TO TRY TO TURN ON THE CAR. SO, I HAD TO FIND SOMEONE TO GIVE ME A BOOST TO GET THE CAR STARTED BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE ANY LUCK STARTING THE CAR. I BROUGHT MY BATTERY TO GET CHECK, PERFECTLY FINE. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO KIA AND THEY SAID PERFECTLY FINE. I'M STILL HAVING THIS PROBLEM WHERE MY CAR STARTS WHEN EVER THE CAR WANTS. I DON'T WANT TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT SHUTS OFF WHEN IT WANTS, IT'S GOING TO CAUSE AND ACCIDENT. I NEED A SOLUTION
Engine, Mar 6, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THERE WAS A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DECELERATE THEN STALLED WITH THE SERVICE ENGINE, EPS AND BATTERY WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY BY A BYSTANDER. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER NOR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 156,000.
Engine, Mar 2, 2020
HEARD ABOUT RECALL ON NEWS FOR 2013 KIA OPTIMA ON SATURDAY, 2.29.2020. FOR ENGINE FIRES. DEALERSHIPS WERE ALREADY CLOSED. CALLED RICK CASE KIA FIRST THING THIS MORNING, 3.1.2020. LARRY IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS VERY RUDE AND SAID HE WASN'T SURE WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT, THEY DO NOT KNOW OF ANY RECALLS. VERY DISMISSIVE. I'M NOT QUITE SURE HOW KIA KEEPS GETTING AWAY WITH THESE TYPES OF THINGS. YOU WANT ME TO KEEP MY FAMILY IN A DEATH TRAP? GTFOH. THIS IS THE 4TH OR 5TH MAJOR RECALL ON MY CAR. ONE OF THE OTHER MAJOR RECALLS WAS FOR METAL SHAVINGS IN THE OIL. AFTER BULLDOG KIA, THEY WERE GREAT, REPLACED THE ENTIRE ENGINE, MY CAR STARTED EATING OIL LIKE CRAZY. I SWITCHED TO HIGH MILEAGE, FULL SYNTHETIC, 5W30 INSTEAD OF 5W20, OIL THINKING IT WOULD HELP SINCE IT HAS SO MANY MILES ON IT. IT DIDN'T. YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO GET 5K MILES WITH FULL SYNTHETIC BEFORE ANOTHER OIL CHANGE, MY CAR IS COMPLETELY OUT OF OIL WITHIN 2K MILES. SO I'M ADDING OIL MYSELF BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. WHEN CONTACTING RICK CASE KIA, I WAS TOLD "JUST LET IT BLOW UP BECAUSE WE DO NOT COVER OIL CONSUMPTION". TO ME, THIS IS ABSOLUTELY ABSURD. I'VE SPENT MONEY ON THIS CAR. THIS IS MY FAMILY'S CAR, THIS IS HOW I GET TO AND FROM WORK TO BE ABLE TO PAY FOR THIS [XXX] CAR....AND I GET TOLD TO LET IT BLOW UP. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Engine, Mar 1, 2020
ENGINE FAILURE DIE TO RECALLED MOTOR ISSUES BUT NO RECALL ON HYBRID. KIA REFUSING TO REPLACE MOTOR
Engine, Feb 21, 2020
MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID BEGAN SUDDENLY HAVING A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE MOTOR. HAD IT TOWED TO KIA AND WAS TOLD IT HAD THE EXACT SAME ISSUE THAT THE 2013 OPTIMA WERE HAVING THAT WERE COVERED BY A RECALL EXCEPT MINE WAS A HYBRID AND THE RECALL HAD NOT INCLUDED HYBRIDS
Engine, Feb 19, 2020
THE CAR ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING AND THEN COMPLETELY FAILED AT 114,000 MILES. I WAS GOING 35 MPH AND MY OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED REGULARLY.
Engine, Feb 15, 2020
ONE WEEK AFTER AN OIL CHANGE, I WAS (30 MILES AWAY FROM HOME) DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 55MPH. I FELT A VIBRATION BEGIN. I TURNED OFF THE HEATER AND TURNED OFF THE STEREO. IMMEDIATELY I HEARD A HORRIFIC METALLIC BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR CEL ILLUMINATED. THE ENGINE STALLED AS I WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND I HAD TO TRY TO PULL IT SAFELY TO THE EDGE OF THE ROAD. I WAS ABOUT 20 FEET AWAY FROM THE ENTRANCE TO A BUSINESS, SO I TRIED TO START THE CAR TO GET IT SAFELY OFF THE ROADWAY. IT TRIED TO START, BUT MADE AN EXTREMELY LOUD "KA-THUNK" SOUND AND THEN STARTED SMOKING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I TURNED OFF THE FLASHERS, CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK AND A RIDE HOME. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC NEAR MY HOME AND CALLED FOR A RIDE FOR MYSELF. ONCE I ARRIVED HOME, I CALLED KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND REPORTED THE INCIDENT. THEY PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER AND STATED THAT I WOULD NOW NEED MY CAR TO BE TOWED TO A KIA DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE KIA DEALER DOES NOT CURRENTLY HAVE A LOANER VEHICLES, SO I AM WAITING UNTIL MONDAY TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED IN HOPES I CAN ACQUIRE A VEHICLE AT THAT TIME UNTIL THEY ARE ABLE TO DETERMINE IF KIA IS GOING TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. IN THE INTERIM, MY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DID A QUICK INSPECTION AND STATED THERE ARE METAL SHAVINGS IN MY OIL AND IT APPEARS AS THOUGH MY ENGINE "BLEW A ROD." MY VIN DOESN'T MEET THE RECALL CRITERIA, BUT RATHER THE PI1803 BULLETIN. 2013 KIA OPTIMA SXL; I'M THE SECOND OWNER. IT'S BEEN BABIED, APPROPRIATE OIL CHANGES, 93K MILES.
Engine, Feb 3, 2020, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVIUNG APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STOPPED AND BLACK SMOKE STARTED TO EMERGE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE POLICE WAS PRESENT AND FIRE DEPARTMEN EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT AND THEN TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Engine, Jan 29, 2020
CAR WAS LOSING POWER DRIVING FROM THE DEALERSHIP WHICH INDICATED TO BRING CAR BACK IN THE NEXT DAY DUE TO ENGINE KNOCKING NOSE. ON THE DRIVE BACK HOME I WAS AT A STATIONARY STOP LIGHT AND ALL THE ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON THE CONSOLE AND THE CAR DIED. IMMEDIATELY WHITE SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON ALL SIDES OF THE CAR AND INSIDE THE CAR WITH A CHEMICAL BURNING SMELL. SMOKE CONTINUED FROM UNDER THE HOOD FOR A FEW MINUTES. JUMPTED OUT OF THE CAR AS THE ENGINE WOULD NO LONGER START AS IT HAS SEIZED. CALLED A TOW TRUCK, HAD THE CAR TOWED AND NOW IT WILL NOT START AS THE ENGINE IS LOCKED. DEALERSHIP WILL CHARGE $1500 TO DIAGNOSE WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE BUT WITH ALL THESE COMPLAINTS ON THIS VERY ISSUE THE POINT REMAINS THE KIA ENGINES SIEZE FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND NO RESOLUTION FROM THE KIA DEVELOPMERS/AUTO MAKERS. PLEASE RECALL THESE ENGINES SO THE CUSTOMERS CAN GET THEIR CARS FIXED AND FULLFILL CUSTOMER SERVICE SATISFACTION.