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, Oct 30, 2018
CAR BURNING THROUGH OIL EVERY 20 DAYS TO THE POINT THE OIL IS COMPLETELY EMPTY. STARTED A OIL CONSUMPTION TEST ON OCTOBER 1, 2018. OIL LIGHT CAME ON BY OCTOBER 20, WPQ8. I CONTACTED DEALERSHIP ABOUT OIL LIGHT HOWEVER THEY STATED I MUST WAIT 30 DAYS AND DO NOT TOP OFF CAR WITH OIL. I DECREASED DRIVING THE NEXT 10 DAYS TO PREVENT DAMAGE. I WENT BACK AFTER OVER 1,000 MILES AND 30 DAYS ON OCTOBER 30, 2018 TO KIA DEALERSHIP IN CHAMBLEE, GA. WAS ONLY GIVEN A OIL CHANGE AND ADDITIVE. CAR DEALERSHIPS STATED THAT THIS IS HOW MY CAR IS AND I WILL NEED TO FREQUENTLY DO OIL CHANGES.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 25, 2018, fire
ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2018 AT APPROXIMATELY 930AM, WHILE ON DUTY AT WORK(CORRECTION OFFICER) MY KIA OPTIMA GDI 2013 WENT UP IN FLAMES IN THE PARKING LOT OF MY JOB.. I WAS NOT PRESENT AND THE VEHICLE. I HAD ALREADY BEEN ON DUTY 530AM THAT MORNING. ONCE I MADE IT TO THE SCENE MY CAR WAS COMPLETELY ALMOST BURNT TO THE GROUND. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT LABELED IT AS A ELECTRICAL FIRE, WHICH CAUSED THE CAR THE BURN FROM THE INSIDE OUT, STARTING FROM THE ENGINE. I HAD SEVERAL PERSONAL ITEMS OF MINE BURNT IN THE FIRE AND ALSO WORK EQUIPMENT THAT WAS LOST IN THE FIRE. SINCE THE INCIDENT I'VE SUFFERED MENTAL, EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL DISTRESS. I'M A SINGLE MOTHER AND I DEPENDED ON MY CAR TO GET ME WHERE I NEEDED TO GO. THINGS HAVE BEEN VERY FRUSTRATING AND HARD. I'M SEEKING HELP FROM KIA MOTORS. *TR
Engine, Oct 23, 2018, fire
WHILE DIVING MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA SX. ALL THE LIGHTS IN THE DASH STATED FLASHING WHILE DRIVING I PULLED OVER ON THE HIGHWAY MY DAUGHTER AND I SEEN SMOKE COME FROM THE HOOD OF THE CAR AND I THEN SEEN A REFLECTION ON THE GROUND IT WAS 9PM AT NIGHT. THAT'S WHEN MY DAUGHTER AND I WALKED AS FAR AS WE COULD ON THE HWY AND CALLED THE POLICE. I HAVE CALLED KIA NATIONAL FILED A COMPLAINT I HEARD FROM SOMEONE ONCE AND HAVENT HEARD FROM ANYONE ELSE SINCE. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2018.
Engine, Oct 22, 2018, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN, SMOKE APPEARED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING SOUND AND THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE MATTER WOULD BE INVESTIGATED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT CALLED BACK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 124,000.
Engine, Oct 15, 2018, fire
WAS DRIVING THE CAR, SMELLED A ELECTRICAL SMELL, AND THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, 17 MINUETS AFTER IT BEING SERVICED AT THE DEALERSDHIP
Electrical system, Engine, Oct 13, 2018
MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA DISPLAYED SEVERAL ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH RADIO PANEL, WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH, SEAT BELT WARNING ON WHILE BUCKLED AND DRIVING, AND DOORS WOULD LOCK ON THEIR OWN WEEKS PRIOR TO THE CAR GIVING OUT ON ME AFTER A QUARTER OF A MILE DRIVE. IT WOULD NOT START AT ALL. MECHANIC THOUGHT IT WAS A STARTER ISSUE BUT TURNED OUT THAT THE ENGINE LOCKED. I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2015 AND HAD SOME FUEL SYSTEM ISSUE A YEAR AFTER PURCHASE , COSTING OVER $900 TO REPAIR. NOW THIS...THERE WAS NO SMOKE OR OTHER WARNINGS RIGHT BEFORE IT STOPPED. I HAD NOTICED THE SMELL OF WIRES OR SOME TYPE OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS BURNING AFTER DRIVING THE CAR A FEW TIMES OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS BUT WASN'T SURE OF WHERE IT MAY HAVE BEEN COMING FROM. WOULD BE GREAT IF I DIDN'T HAVE TO SPEND A LUMP SUM TO REPAIR MOTOR WHILE STILL PAYING OFF THE CAR!
Engine, Oct 12, 2018
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES WHEN THE CAR SHUT OFF AND DIDN'T NOT START TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND SAID THE ENGINE LOCK.
Engine, Oct 12, 2018
THERE IS AN OPEN ENGINE RECALL CURRENTLY, I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE RECALL FOR 10/9. ON FRIDAY OF 10/5 I WAS DRIVING DOWN I-95 SOUTH AND MY CAR STARTED TO SHAKE AND THE ENGINE AND OIL LIGHT CAME ON, I PLACED THE CAR IN NEUTRAL IN THE LANE AND I WAS ABLE TO PLACE THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND ROLE TO THE SHOULDER DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP TUESDAY 10/9 TO THE LAUREL KIA LOCATED AT 14921 BALTIMORE AVENUE LAUREL, MD. JEREMY WAS THE SERVICE LEADER THAT I SPOKE WITH AND HE SUPPOSEDLY SERVICED MY CAR. AFTER GETTING MY CAR SERVICED ON 10/9 I HAD TO IMMEDIATELY RETURN THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN BECAUSE I HAD ENGINE FAILURE AGAIN AND MY CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING HOME. I WENT BACK AND JEREMY SAID THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG TO LET THE CAR RUN THEN DRIVE HOME. I MADE IT HOME THAT DAY BUT ON WEDNESDAY 10/10 MY CARE BROKE DOWN DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE AGAIN WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE ENGINE BEGAN KNOCKING EXTREMELY LOUD. I ALMOST GOT INTO A ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS. THE CAR WAS TOWED ON 10/11 BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP SO THAT THE ENGINE CAN GET CHECKED. I HAVE GONE TO THE LAUREL KIA DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES TO HAVE THIS RECALL REPAIRED AND I AM STILL UNABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR EFFECTIVELY AND SAFELY ON THE ROAD DUE TO THE MANUFACTURERS ERROR. AND THE DEALERSHIP OF SERVICE IS UNWILLING TO CORRECT THIS RECALL ERROR.
Electrical system, Structure, Engine, Oct 9, 2018, fire
MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA CAUGHT ON FIRE JUST SHORT OF DRIVING IT FOR ABOUT 15-20 MIN ON 9/23/18. WE GOT NO WARNING ON THE DASHBOARD WE HEARD A LIGHT POP NOISE, THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF WHEN WE GOT OFF THERE WAS FIRE COMING OUT FROM THE HOOD THAT FASTLY SPREAD THROUGHT OUT UP TO THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE CAR DESTROYING THE WHOLE ENGINE. THE CAR NEVER HAD ANY MECHANICAL ISSUES. WE HAD JUST DRIVEN FROM AZ TO CA THE NIGHT BEFORE WITH NO PROBLEMS. I STILL HAVE NO EXPLANATION WHY MY 5 YEAR OLD CAR WITH JUST A LITTLE OVER 86K MILES CAUGHT ON FIRE.
Engine, Oct 3, 2018
THESE ENGINES CATCH ON FIRE AND I THINK I KNOW WHY AND HAVE VIDEO PROOF. THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE.
Engine, Oct 3, 2018, fire
MY CAR (KIA OPTIMA 2013) WAS PART OF THE RECALL IN 2017 AND IN DECEMBER 2017 MY CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP ON A VERY BUSY FREEWAY IN CALIFORNIA. I HAD MY CAR TOW TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED MY ENGINE BECAUSE IT WAS PART OF THE RECALL. 9 MOS LATER SEPTEMBER 16TH 2018 MY FIANCEE WAS DRIVING DOWN A HILL ON A CALIFORNIA FREEWAY AND HE HAD NO BRAKES AND OTHER DRIVERS WERE HONKING AND YELLING YOUR CAR IS ON FIRE. HE USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKES TO TRY AND SLOW DOWN TO EXIT THE FREEWAY HE WAS PICKING UP SPEED BECAUSE HE WAS GOING DOWN HILL THE CAR WAS WAS STARTING TO FILL UP WITH SMOKE. HE WAS HOPING THE WINDOWS WOULD GO DOWN AND THEY DID HE START EXITING FREEWAY PUSHING ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SLOWING DOWN APPROACHING A CURB TURNING THE WHEEL TOWARDS THE CURB STILL ROLLING HE JUMPS OUT OFT THE CAR RUNNING AWAY FROM VEHICLE. JUST SECONDS AFTER HE GETS OUT HE SAID THE CAR JUST WAS IN FLAMES BURNING FROM THE ENGINE TIRES POPPING AND WINDOWS BREAKING OUT. THE CAR HAS ONLY 8,000 MILES ON NEW MOTOR THE WHOLE CAR HAD 108,000 THE WAS A 2013 5 YEARS OLD
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Oct 1, 2018
MY CAR IS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AT MY JOB. IT HAD BEEN PARKED THERE SINCE 2:50 PM. AT 11 PM I WENT OUTSIDE AFTER CLOCKING OUT AND IT WOULD NOT CRANK. HOWEVER, ALL MY LIGHTS IN THE INSIDE AND ON MY DASHBOARD REMAINED WORKING. UPON TRYING TO TURN OVER MY KEY, MY CAR WOULD MAKE A CLICKING SOUND. AFTER AB 10 MINUTES OTHER THINGS BEGAN TO FADE OUT SUCH AS MY LIGHTS. I ALSO COULD NOT USE MY REMOTE KEY ANYMORE TO LOCK OR UNLOCK MY DOORS. I ONLY HAD THIS CAR A MONTH, AND IT IS STILL IN THE CONDITION IT WAS BOUGHT IN. I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS OR WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS PROBLEM.
Engine, Sep 12, 2018, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE REAR COMPARTMENT OF THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (COAST TO COAST MOTORS, 8102 E 11TH ST, TULSA, OK 74112, (918) 832-9000) AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS STILL WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Engine, Aug 31, 2018, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, FLAMES APPEARED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED IN MAY OF 2018 PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Engine, Aug 28, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR STOPPED ILLUMINATING, THE FAILURE WENT AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO KIA MALL OF GEORGIA (4180 BUFORD DRIVE, BUFORD, GA 30519) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE PASSED THE EVALUATION TEST AND THE ENGINE DID NOT NEED REPLACEMENT; HOWEVER, NEW TURBOS WERE NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 28, 2018
DIVING AT 40 MPH. COME TO A STOP AT RED LIGHT AND ENGINE BEGINS MAKING A SLIGHT NOISE. NO WARNING GAUGES OR WARNING LIGHT GO OFF. START DRIVING TO DRIVE AGAIN AND 2 BLOCKS LATER A VERY LOUD MECHANICAL BANG AND THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. WOULD NOT RESTART. OIL LIGHT WENT OUT USING THE STARTER WHILE TRYING TO RESTART. NEVER GOT THE ENGINE RESTARTED. CAR IS NOW AT KIA OF LANSDALE AFTER I HAD TO PAY FOR TOWING. I PERFORM COURIER SERVICES TO US TREASURY DEPT AND US ATTORNEY IN PHILADELPHIA AREA. I NEED THIS CAR BACK DESPERATELY. LAST OIL CHANGE WAS 2000 MILES AGO WITH FULL SYNTHETIC OIL. ALWAYS HAVE USED FULL SYNTHETIC. WHEN I GOT THE CAR PULLED OVER AND GOT OUT THE SMELL OF OIL BURNING WAS CLEARLY EVIDENT TO MYSELF AND ANOTHER GENTLEMAN WHO STOPPED TO SEE IF I NEEDED ANY HELP. I BELIEVE THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE RECALL RELATED ISSUE.
Engine, Aug 27, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (SONS KIA, 100 SONS DR, MCDONOUGH, GA 30253, (678) 619-1393) AND STATED THAT IT WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE DID NOT OCCUR DURING THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,500. **TR UPDATED 10/31/18*JB
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 15, 2018
SOMETIMES WHEN I DRIVING THIS THE ENGINE JUST TURN OFF ...
Engine, Jul 23, 2018, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE CONTACT WAS ALERTED OF FLAMES BY OTHER MOTORISTS. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EXITED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE CONTACT CALLED EARNHARDT KIA DEALER AT (602) 346-5400 (LOCATED AT 2121 E BELL RD, PHOENIX, AZ 85022), BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Engine, Jul 22, 2018
APPARENTLY THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY CAR IN WHICH I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF. TODAY WHILE DRIVING THE CAR STARTED MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE, AND STOPPED RUNNING. ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON AND TH ECAR IS BROKE DOWN ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.
Engine, Jul 8, 2018
MY CAR WAS OCCASIONALLY MAKING A LOUD NOISE WHEN DRIVING. WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT, THE CAR THEN SUDDENLY STARTED SHAKING WHILE IDLING AND BECAME SLUGGISH AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 20 MPH. I HAD TO SLOWLY DRIVE MY CAR BACK HOME, WITH VERY LITTLE ACCELERATION. I THEN TOWED IT TO A MECHANIC WHO HAD TOLD ME THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH A TURBO, AND IT WAS MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY THE LEFTOVER DEBRIS IN THE ENGINE, WHICH WAS COVERED BY THE RECALL. I CALLED KIA'S CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE, AND I WAS TOLD MY CAR PASSED THE RECALL INSPECTION A YEAR AGO, BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE IT SHOULD BE COVERED NOW CONSIDERING I CAN NO LONGER DRIVE THE CAR. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD LOOK OVER THE CAR, BUT NOT WITHOUT IMMEDIATELY SAYING THAT THERE'S A CHANCE IT 'WON'T BE COVERED' AS IF THEY WERE ANTICIPATING TELLING ME THEY WON'T DO IT. ON SATURDAY I WAS TOLD I WOULD GET A CALL THE FOLLOWING MONDAY, WHICH I NEVER DID. I FINALLY HAD TO CALL THURSDAY, JUST TO BE ON HOLD FOR 30 MINUTES TELLING ME ITS ONLY THE TURBO AFFECTED, NOT THE ENGINE OR TURBO LINE, AND THEREFORE IT'S NOT UNDER RECALL. NOT ONLY DID THEY TELL ME SOMETHING I ALREADY KNEW, THAT THE TURBO WAS BLOWN, BUT I'M CHARGED $110 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC FEE THAT I WAS NEVER TOLD ABOUT BEFOREHAND, TO CHECK SOMETHING THAT'S ON RECALL, NOT TO MENTION THE TOW I HAVE TO PAY FOR. I CALLED KIAS CUSTOMER SERVICE WHO JUST GAVE ME AN OH WELL THAT'S TOO BAD SORRY NO ONE TOLD YOU, I'M NOT GOING TO TRY TO HELP. I'M NOT EVEN CONVINCED THAT THEY DID ANY TESTS ON MY ENGINE, OR LOOKED INTO THE CAUSE OF THE TURBO FAILURE. MY ONLY EXPLANATION WHEN ASKING ABOUT THE CAR WAS, 'IT NEEDS A TURBO'. WHILE READING OTHER PEOPLE'S STORIES ABOUT THE RECALL, EVERYONE ELSE'S DEALER SAW THAT THE CAR COULDN'T DRIVE, REPLACED THE ENGINE AND TURBO, AND CALLED IT A DAY. I THOUGHT IF THERES A RECALL EVERY CAR GETS FIXED REGARDLESS IF IT NEEDS IT.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 5, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION IN MARCH OF 2017. THE DEALER (KIA ATLANTA SOUTH, 7310 JONESBORO RD, MORROW, GA 30260) STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 26, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO CHANGE LANES, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE EZ CAR CONNECTION LLC DEALER (459 VERSAILLES RD, FRANKFORT, KY 40601, 502-444-0012) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 106,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Engine, Jun 11, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND NEEDED TO BE JUMPSTARTED. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Engine, May 30, 2018, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND SMOKE AND FLAMES EMERGED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT AND A FIRE REPORT WERE NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.