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
Power train, Engine, Jan 29, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED A CODE NUMBER: P1326. THE CONTACT CALLED THE NATIONWIDE KIA DEALER, LOCATED AT 1600 YORK RD, LUTHERVILLE TIMONIUM, MD 21093, AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
Engine, Jan 28, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE LOST MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT AND LOW OIL WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STARTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS ADVISED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V22400 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Engine, Jan 27, 2020
CAR TURNED OFF ON FREEWAY I 20 AND SAN AGUSTIN 11 PM 01/25/20 DALLAS TX
Engine, Jan 25, 2020, fire
WAS DRIVING MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL FOR THEATER PRACTICE ON A SUNDAY AND WITHIN LESS THAN 1 MINUTE OF PULLING OUT OF OUR DRIVE ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON IN MY CAR AND IT WAS TOTALLY SEIZED, IT DIED . WE WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. ONE OF THE BUSIEST ROADS IN NASHVILLE ..AND WE HAD NO CONTROL OF THE CAR. WE WERE TERRIFIED WE WERE GOING TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. WE MADE A TURN AT THE LIGHT.. COASTING AND TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF ANOTHER BUSY ROAD .. WHERE WE BLOCKED A FAST FOOD DRIVE. THAT'S AS FAR AS IT WOULD GO. I TRIED TO START THE CAR BUT COULDN'T TELL IF IT WAS ON OR OFF. PUSH BUTTON IGNITION WAS NOT WORKING .. THEN SMOKED STARTED ROLLING OUT. WE JUMPED OUT AND CALLED 911 AS IT'S MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION AND BEING A SINGLE PARENT CAN'T AFFORD FOR IT TO BURN UP. IT SMELLED LIKE BURNED PLASTIC OR WIRES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME BUT THE FIRE WAS OUT. THEY COULD SMELL WHERE IT HAD BURNED AND THEY HELPED ME PUSH IT INTO A NEARBY PARKING LOT TO GET US OUT OF TURNING TRAFFIC. I HAD NO POWER STEERING AND ALL THE POWER WORKED BUT THE ENGINE WAS SEIZED.. OUT OF NO WHERE. HERE WE WERE STRANDED AND CRYING. SHE WAS CALLING SCHOOL AS TO NOT GET IN TROUBLE AND I WAS CALLING MY PARENTS FOR A RIDE.
Engine, Jan 22, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC VISITED RESIDENCE AND AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, INFORMED HIM THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Engine, Jan 22, 2020, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. AS THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO CALL FOR ASSISTANCE, SMOKE AND A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE HAD ENGULFED THE VEHICLE AND A MAJORITY OF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED BY THE TIME POLICE AND FIRE ARRIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE WHERE THE VEHICLE REMAINED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND WAS INFORMED THAT AN INVESTIGATOR WOULD BE SENT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO LINKED THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V907000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE) AS A POSSIBLE CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,549.
Engine, Jan 21, 2020
I WAS DRIVING THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR CUT OFF, I CANT GET IT TO CRANK. TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLE THINK THE ENGINE HAS LOCKED UP FOR NO REASON
Electrical system, Engine, Jan 20, 2020
WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR STOP RUNNING WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET.
Engine, Jan 15, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS SPOUSE WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATE 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT HAS REFERENCED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIRS. ENGINE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS. *DT KIA WOULD REIMBURSE THE CONSUMER FOR A RENTAL CAR AND THE TOW BILL.*JB
Engine, Jan 13, 2020
THE STARTER MELTED CAUSING THE ENGINE TO LOCK UP
Engine, Jan 12, 2020
WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A SUDDEN KNOCKING IN THE ENGINE AND THEN THE ENGINE SEIZED LOSING PRESSURE THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD HAD TO PUSH IT OFF TO SIDE WOULD NOT START BACK UP THIS HAPPENED 300 MILES AFTER LAST OIL CHANGE CAR DISABLED DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE.
Structure, Engine, Jan 11, 2020, fire
ON 1/11/2020 MY 16 YEAR OLD SON WAS DRIVING THE 2013 KIA OPTIMA WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST ENGINE POWER. HE WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY AT WHICH TIME THE VEHICLE STALLED AND BURST INTO FLAMES. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD NO PRIOR MECHANICAL ISSUES. THERE HAVE BEEN NO WARNING LIGHTS.
Engine, Jan 10, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE LOST MOTIVE POWER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHERE THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED . THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO YEARS LATER THE ENGINE CEASED AND WAS REPLACED BY THE SAME THE UNKNOWN DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WITHIN 24 HOURS OF THE SECOND ENGINE REPLACEMENT, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE ABNORMALLY WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE UNKNOWN DEALER FOR A THIRD TIME TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT OF A MISFIRE ON CYLINDER NUMBER 1. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION COIL IN CYLINDER 1 WAS REPLACED, THE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE WAS RESET AND THE VEHICLE WAS TEST DRIVEN. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Engine, Jan 9, 2020
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I STARTED HEARING A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. IT GOT REALLY LOUD, LOST POWER AND LOW VOLTAGE WARNING POPPED UP. PULLED OVER AND THE KNOCKING GOT LOUDER. WHILE SHIFTING LANES WITH NO POWER I ALMOST GOT IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. GOT TO THE SHOULDER AND KNOCKING GOT WORSE. AS I WAS ON THE SHOULDER WITH HAZARDS ON THE WHOLE CAR DIED OUT INCLUDING HAZARDS. WAS OUT UNTIL 1130PM WITH NO HAZARDS WAITING FOR A TOW. GOT IT TO KOA THE NEXT DAY AND THEY SAID ENGINE WAS SEIZED, THEY WANT ME TO PAY $1300 JUST TO TAKE THE ENGINE APART TO SEE WHAT PART IS DAMAGED. ON TOP OF THAT THEY SAID IT WOULD BE $7000-9000 FOR NEW ENGINE. THEY NEED TO RECALL THESE HYBRID ENGINES.
Engine, Dec 24, 2019
TOLD I NEED A NEW ENGINE BUT IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED. I CALLED KIA AND THEY SAID TO GET A SECOND OPINION. MY ENGINE IS GETTING WORSE IN THE MEANTIME AND IT CONCERNS ME TO DRIVE IT. FROM A QUART AFTER 800 MILES TO 2.5 QUARTS AFTER 950 MILES IN ONLY A COUPLE OF MONTHS. WAS TOLD PIL CONSUMPTION IS NOT PART OF THE CURRENT RECALL, THOUGH MANY MECHANICS HAVE TOLD ME OTHERWISE. I HAVE LESS THAN 100K MILES ON IT MY CAR SHOULD NOT BE DOING THIS!
Electrical system, Engine, Dec 21, 2019
ON 12/11/2019 , I WAS DRIVING MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA SX TURBO WHEN SUDDENLY IT STARTED TO SPUTTER, AS I WAS ATTEMPTING TO PULL OVER THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF/ SEIZED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD.. I WAS FORCED TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND PUSH IT ONTO THE NEAREST SIDEWALK RAMP ONTO A STORAGE PARKING LOT.. AFTER THAT THE ENGINE WOULDNT TURN.. THE BATTERY WASNT DEAD BECAUSE THE RADIO, LIGHTS , DASHBOARD WOULD ALL TURN ON , BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER, IT WOULD NOT EVEN MAKE A SOUND AS IF IT WERE TRYING .. I TOWED IT TO THE NEAREST MECHANIC TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON AND THEY SAID THE ENGINE FROZE/ SEIZED AND THEY FOUND METALLIC PARTICLES IN THE OIL... I DID SOME RESEARCH AND IT LOOKS LIKE SOME KIA OPTIMA ENGINES HAVE A CERTAIN RECALL FOR PREMATURE BEARING WEAR AND TEAR INSIDE OF THEM THAT CAUSES THE ENGINE TO SEIZE, THIS SOUNDS EXACTLY LIKE WHAT HAPPENED TO MY KIA ... THE MECHANIC ALSO ADVISED ME THAT THERE WAS A SHORTAGE THAT CAUSED MY COMPUTER TO BURN OUT... NOT SURE IF RELATED BUT THE ISSUE WITH MY ENGINE DEFINITELY SOUNDS LIKE A COMMON RECALL ISSUE WITH 2011-2014 KIA OPTIMAS ... I LOOKED UP MY VIN # NOTHING POPS UP BUT WHEN I SEARCH FOR GENERAL INFO ON KIA RECALLS , ENGINE SEIZING IS ONE OF THEM.. PLEASE ADVISE ON WHAT TO DO..
Engine, Dec 14, 2019
OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES: I GOT AN OIL CHANGE ON 11/27/19 I EXPLAINED THAT I HAD TO PUT OIL IN IT SEVERAL TIMES IN BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. THE PERSON AT KIA TOLD ME TO COME BACK IN 1000 FOR THEM TO CHECK IT (NOT TO ADD OIL) I CHECKED IT THE MORNING 12/8/19 AT 900 MILES - IT WAS UNDER THE LOW MARK AND I WAS 2 HOUR AWAY FROM HOME. I TOOK IT BACK TO KIA ON MONDAY EVENING 12/9/19 ALMOST 1200 MILES FROM THE LAST OIL CHANGE.). PERSON AT KIA STAID I WAS DOWN 2 LITERS (VERY LITTLE OIL ON THE END OF THE DIP STICK . THE OIL LIGHT DID NOT COME ON, BUT IT DID FLICKER A FEW LIGHT ON MY 2 HOUR DRIVE HOME ) ' KIA ADVISED I'M OVER MY 100,000 MILES AND THAT'S NOT PART OF THE ENGINE RECALL. I WENT HOME, CHECKED THE INTERNET AND THERE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF BLOG ABOUT OIL CONSUMPTION. 1 DAY AGO THERE WAS A NEW STORY, WHERE KIA DENIED A PERSON CLAIM AFTER THE ENGINE SEIZED. AN INSPECTION FOUND A HOLE IN THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE MECHANIC WROTE IN A REPORT THAT IT WAS MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY A LACK OF LUBRICATION; THEREFORE KIA DID NOT PAY. KIA IS AWARE OF THE OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES. MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP RECEIVED HUNDRED'S OF COMPLAINTS BUT I WAS TOLD THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THAT ISSUE. IF YOU GET IT CHECKED IT'LL READ FOR A DIFFERENT ISSUE OTHER THAT THE CURRENT ENGINE RECALL; IT WILL MISS UP YOUR CHANCES OF GETTING A NEW ENGINE WHEN IT SEIZES UP.) I DON'T FEEL LIKE I'M SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE AND KIA'S STILL PLAYING RUSSIAN ROULETTE WITH OUR LIVES.
Engine, Dec 12, 2019
I WAS LEAVING WORK AND MY CAR WOULDN'T CRANK, I THOUGHT IT WAS MY STARTER SO I REPLACED THE STARTER ONLY TO HEAR LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I WAS CONCERNED WITH THE WORK FROM FIRESTONE SO I TOOK MY CAR. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON A BUSY INTERSECTION MY CAR, A 2013 KIA OPTIMA JUST SHUT OFF COMPLETELY AFTER THE STARTER WAS REPLACED. I INITIALLY THOUGHT IT HAPPENED DURING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE STARTER BUT AN ADJUSTER CAME OUT AND RULED THE STARTER WAS BRAND NEW AND HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ENGINE. AS I CONTINUE TO READ ONLINE REVIEWS I SEE IT CAN BE A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINES ON KIA. I HAVE A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE WITH METAL FLAKES IN THE OIL.
Engine, Dec 11, 2019, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AT EVERGREEN KIA (LOCATED AT 9205 S WESTERN AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60643, (800) 211-3116). THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE IN JANUARY OF 2019. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE IGNITION, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AS SMOKE APPEARED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE, OPENED THE HOOD, AND SAW FLAMES. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V907000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BERWYN KIA (LOCATED AT 7050 OGDEN AVE, BERWYN, IL 60402, (708) 797-0300) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE STARTER AND STARTER SYSTEM REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Engine, Dec 11, 2019, fire
MY BATTERY INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON HUDSON BRIDGE RD. AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT THE CAR WOULD NOT TAKE OFF AFTER THE LIGHT CHANGE. I TRIED TO TURN THE CAR OFF TO RESTART, BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN OFF OR MOVE. THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SOMEONE HELPED ME PUSH OUT THE STREET AND THE NEXT THINK WE NOTICE ARE FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CAR WAS ON FIRE AND A WORKER AT A NEARBY SHOP USED AN ENTIRE FIRE EXTINGUISHER BUT THE FLAMES CONTINUED UNTIL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO PUT OUT. THE FIRE BURNED THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND TIRES.
Engine, Dec 9, 2019
DRIVING THE CAR DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 60MPH ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MOTOR STARTING VIOLENTLY SHAKING AND IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER
Power train, Engine, Dec 5, 2019
DRIVING AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THEN CAR JUST STOPPED RUNNING AND WOULD NOT START, ON A STATE ROAD
Engine, Dec 4, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SEIZED AND MULTIPLE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS ILLUMINATED, BUT THE IGNITION WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT AND THEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CAME TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,404.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Dec 3, 2019
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AROUND 70 MPH, PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL AND THEN THE ENGINE ACCELERATED AND THEN DECELERATED BACK TO ACCELERATING. BY THAT TIME, THE CAR LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD TURN ON AND THE GAS PEDAL WOULD NOT ACCELERATE THE CAR ANYMORE. THE CAR SLOWLY STARTED DECELERATING ON THE HIGHWAY, WHERE I MANAGED TO GET OFF OF THE HIGHWAY INTO A DIP ON A BIG STREET. HAD IT TOWED BECAUSE THE CAR'S ENGINE WOULD NOT START ANYMORE, BUT THE LIGHTS AND RADIO INSIDE WOULD TURN ON. I SAW OTHER PEOPLE ONLINE TALKING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM AND HOW THERE IS A RECALL ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, BUT WHEN I SEARCHED UP MY CAR'S VIN NUMBER, IT DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE ON THE RECALL LIST.
Engine, Nov 29, 2019
ENGINE STARTED MAKING NOISES AND DECREASED ACCELERATION THEN SOUNDED HORRIBLE AND SHUT DOWN. I'D REALLY LIKE TO GET THE CAR FIXED. I DON'T HAVE 3000 DOLLARS TO BUY A ENGINE I STILL OWE 16,000 ON THE CAR. YES THEY GOT ME.