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, Apr 14, 2017
I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, AND AT THE LIGHT I NOTICED MY ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING A LITTLE BUT THERE WAS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, OIL LIGHT, ETC NOTIFYING ME OF ANY PROBLEM. I GAVE IT A LITTLE GAS TO GET UP THE HILL AND MY CAR SHUT OFF ALMOST INSTANTLY AND I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC HELPLESSLY TRYING TO GET OVER. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A KIA DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC AND WAS TOLD THE ENGINE WAS BLOWN AND KIA WASNT HONORING MY ENGINE REPLACEMENT.
Engine, Apr 10, 2017
ON NOV 18 2016 WHILE DRIVING DOWN A MAJOR HIGHWAY MY CAR JUST SHUT OFF. ALL THE LIGHTS LIGHT UP ON THE DASH AND BEFORE I PULLED OVER , I WAS DRIFTING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I GOTTEN THE CAR TO ANCIRA KIA IN SAN ANTONIO TX WHERE IT SAT TILL DEC 28 2016 BEFORE RECEIVING A CALL. THE DEALERSHIP HAD SAID THE WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER WHAT HAD HAPPEN. THE FIRST EXCUSE THEY SAID WAS DUE TO SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. AFTER PROVIDING RECEIPTS SHOWING THE CAR MAINTENANCE, THEY SAID IT WAS DUE BECAUSE I LET MY CAR SEAT FOR A YEAR WHILE I WAS DEPLOYED. AFTER ASKING HOW THIS COULD BE IF THE CAR WASN'T MOVED, THEY SAID THEY FOUND METAL SHAVINGS IN MY ENGINE. KIA HAD MY CAR CLOSE TO 60 DAYS FIGHTING WITH ME ON WHY THEY WOULD NOT FIX MY CAR. IT FORCED ME TO TRADE THE CAR IN SO I CAN GO TO WORK AND PROVIDE FOR MY FAMILY. MY QUESTION IS, IF THERE'S A RECALL ON MY CAR HOW WOULD I GO ABOUT FAILING PAPERWORK ?
Engine, Mar 14, 2017, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE CONTACT'S AUNT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL, SO THE DRIVER STEERED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER OF THE VEHICLE LIFTED THE HOOD AND NOTICED FLAMES. BOTH OCCUPANTS MOVED AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FILED A REPORT AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
Engine, Mar 13, 2017
I JUST RECENTLY HAD MY LOCAL DEALER DUE MY ROUTINE OIL CHANGE ON MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA EX. ABOUT TWO WEEKS FROM WHEN THIS WAS DONE. I STARTED TO NOTICE SOME SLUGGISH IN MY ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND THEN AFTER HEARING A LOW KNOCKING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE. I DECIDED TO CHECK THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL TO SEE IF I WAS LOW DUE TO A PAST EXPERIENCE WITH A CAR HAVING A BAD VALVE COVER GASKET. SO, WHEN I CHECKED MY OIL LEVEL ON THE DIPSTICK IT WAS BETWEEN THE LOW AND FULL LINE. THINKING THAT THIS WAS JUST MAYBE DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE DEALER HAD NOT PUT ENOUGH OIL IN DURING THE OIL CHANGE. I JUST BOUGHT TWO QUARTS OF 5W20 ENGINE OIL TO BRING THE OIL BACK TO THE FULL LINE ON THE DIPSTICK AND NOT VISUALLY SEEING ANY SIGNS OF OIL LEAKING ANYWHERE. HOWEVER, JUST ONE WEEK FROM WHEN I ADDED THE TWO QUARTS OF OIL. I STARTED TO HEAR THE KNOCKING SOUND AGAIN AND TO FIND OUT THAT I AM DOWN 1 QUART OF OIL. I DECIDED THEN TO PARK MY CAR UNDER A PIECE OF CARDBOARD FOR A DAY AND DO A THOROUGH LOOK FOR ANY SIGNS OF OIL LEAKING IN THE ENGINE BUT, I DID NOT COME ACROSS ANY OIL LEAKING ANYWHERE. I DECIDED THEN TO DO SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET TO SEE IF OTHER KIA OWNERS WERE HAVING THIS ISSUE AND FOUND THAT MANY OTHER KIA OWNERS WITH THIS GDI MOTOR ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE WITH SOME OWNERS HAVE THE MOTOR SEIZE DUE TO THE ENGINE OIL BEING LOST IN THE ENGINE BY DEFECTIVE CONNECTING RODS THAT FAIL IN THE ENGINE. I HAVE EVEN FOUND OUT THAT HYUNDAI HAS A RECALL ON THIS SAME ENGINE THAT IS BEING USED IN MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA. MY CONCERN NOW IS THAT IF KIA ENDS UP ACKNOWLEDGING THIS EVENTUALLY AS A RECALL THAT THE WARRANTY WILL BE MORE THAN 10 YEARS OR 120, 000 MILES AS WITH MY HIGHWAY TRAVEL COMMUTE DAILY TO WORK I AM OVER THIS MILEAGE. I WILL BE MAKING AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE KIA DEALER TOMORROW TO SEE WHAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO DO AND WHAT IT MIGHT COST BEFORE I LOSE MY ENGINE.
Electrical system, Engine, Mar 13, 2017
CAR WE'RE NOT KEEP RUNNING IT CUTS OFF ENGINE LOCKED UP.
Electrical system, Engine, Jan 23, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE RPMS INCREASED RAPIDLY WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE REMOTE PUSH TO START STOPPED WORKING AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
Engine, Dec 27, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE REQUIRED TO BE JUMP STARTED SEVERAL OCCASIONS IN ORDER TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS DRAINED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Engine, Dec 14, 2016
I BOUGHT MY 2013 OPTIMA SXL WITH 26K MILES. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND MY CAR NOW HAS UNDER 32K MILES ON IT, AND STARTED SHAKING WITH SMOKE COMING OUT FROM THE HOOD AND IT TURNED OFF. TRIED TO TURN IT BACK ON BUT IT WAS DEAD I CALLED ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE TO GET IT TOWED TO A KIA DEALERSHIP. NEXT DAY I GET A CALL FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY SAID THE ENGINE WAS BLOWN AND THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WONT COVER IT DUE TO SLUDGE FOUND ON THE ENGINE WTF!! IT'S A NEW CAR! SO TO GET IT FIXED THEY ARE CHARGING ME $9,400.00 DOLLARS THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY. AND I KEEP CALLING THEM ASKING WHY THE WARRANTY DOESN'T WANT TO COVER THE CHARGES AND THEY SAY IT'S BECAUSE OF THE SLUDGE FOUND DUE TO POOR MAINTENANCE WHICH IS NOTHING BUT BS. I DON'T EVEN HAVE A YR WITH THIS CAR AND NOW I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. AND THE SAD THING IS THAT I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF REVIEWS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND KIA IS NOT DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. I WILL HAVE TO GET A REPO BECAUSE I CAN'T KEEP PAYING FOR A JUNK CAR. I WILL NEVER BUY FROM KIA EVER IN MY LIFE. *TR
Engine, Nov 22, 2016
TOOK CAR TO DEALER A MONTH AGO FOR SIREN NOISES AS I EXCELERATED. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS MY TURBO CASING THAT CAME OPEN AND THAT THEY CLOSED IT FOR ME. I CALLED THEM AN HOUR LATER AFTER I HAD LEFT TO TELL THEM IT WAS STILL MAKING THE NOISE THEY SAID IT WILL AND SHOULD MAKE THE NOISE. TOOK THE CAR BACK TODAY FOR SAME ISSUE AND FOR THE ENGINE LIGHT BEING IN NOW FOR A 6 DAYS. NOW THEY TELL ME I HAVE SLUDGE IN MY ENGINE AND WILL BLOW AT ANY TIME SO I NEED A NEW ENGINE AND WILL LET ME KNOW IF WARRANTY WILL COVER IT OR NOT. I'M NOT EVEN AT 60K MILES YET BUT THEY SAY I'M ALMOST EXPIRED FOR WARRANTY. I BOUGHT THIS BRAND NEW END OF JANUARY 2013. THE NOISE WAS HAPPENING WHEN STATIONARY, AND WHEN EXCELERATING TO DRIVE AND SPEED UP WITH FLOW OF TRAFFIC.
Engine, Nov 18, 2016, crash, fire
MY VEHICLE IS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA AND TODAY A VERY HORRIBLE AND SCARY SITUATION HAPPENED TO ME ON HIGHWAY I-25. I WAS DRIVING HOME AT NIGHT AND GOING AROUND 68MPH I NOTICED MY OIL LIGHT START FLICKERING, AT THIS POINT I TRYED TO SLOW AS MUCH AS I COULD BUT THWRE WAS HEAVY TRAFFIC. ALMOST TO THE NEAREST OFF RAMP I HEARD A LOUD POP AND I LOST ALL ENGINE POWER. I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AS WHATEVER POPPED PUSHED ME TO THE RIGHT, I SOON REGAINED CONTROL AND I COULD HEAR SOMETHING DRAGGING AND IT FALLING OFF. I APPROACHED THE OFF RAMP ON THE SHOULDER WHERE MY VEHICLE STAYED DISABLED UNTIL A TOW TRUCK ARRIVED. A PASSER BY STOPPED TO SEE IF I WAS ALRIGHT AND SAID THAT MY CAR WAS EMMITING FLAMES FROM THE CONNECTING ROD I WAS DRAGGING. MY MACHANIC HAD A LOOK AND SAID "WOW, YOU DEFINITELY THREW A ROD. YOU'RE LUCKY IT DIDN'T COME IN YOUR DIRECTION OR AT ANOTHER VEHICLE." I SEARCHED FOR A RECALL AND FOUND OUT A BIT OF INFORMATION REGARDING THIS EXACT ENGINE WITH BOTH KIA AND ALSO HYUNDAI. KIA SENT OUT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT HYUNDAI IS DOING A RECALL FOR THE SAME EXACT ENGINE BECAUSE IT IS FAULTY TO BEGIN WITH. COME TO FIND OUT THAT THERE A LOT OF KIA CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME IDENTICAL PROBLEM IN WHICH A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WAS CREATED. THIS FAULTY ENGINE IS A REAL SAFETY HAZARD TO THE STREETS AND HIGHWAY AND ITS A MATTER OF TIME FOR ALL OF THE CARS WITH THESE ENGINES TO HAVE FAILURE. PLEASE! WE NEED THESE CARS RECALLED SO THEY CAN BE FIXED AND NOT ON THE ROAD WAITING TO FAIL LIKE KIA EXPECTS.
Engine, Nov 11, 2016
I HAVE A 2013 KIA OPTIMA GDI ENGINE, I HEAR A NOISE IN THE ENGINE AND LATTER STAR WITH SMOKE LIKE BURNING OIL, THE ENGINE BLOAT
Engine, Oct 25, 2016
I BOUGHT MY NEW/USED 2013 KIA OPTIMA AT THE END OF JUNE 2016 WITH NO IDEA THAT THIS PARTICULAR MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR HAD SUCH ISSUES. THE CAR SEEMED TO RUN NICELY. I AM A VERY CONSERVATIVE DRIVER SO I RARELY TOOK THE RPMS UP PAST 2.5 WHEN TAKING OFF. ONE DAY, NOT EVEN 90 DAYS INTO OWNING MY KIA, I HOPED ON THE HIGHWAY. IN ORDER TO SAFELY MERGE INTO TRAFFIC I HAD TO ACCELERATE UP TO 3.5 RPMS TO REACH SPEED OF 65MPH. WHEN I DID I HEARD A STRANGE ALMOST CLICKING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE AND GRAY SMOKE POURING FROM THE BACK END OF MY CAR. I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY. JUST BACK OFF THE EXIST NEXT TO MY GYM WAS A GARAGE. I CAREFULLY MANAGED TO GET MY CAR THERE WHERE THEY TOLD ME THE DEVASTATING NEWS (THAT I'VE LEARNED NOW SO MANY KIA OPTIMA OWNERS HAVE FACED)...A BLOWN ENGINE. KIA HAS ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS PROBLEM, BUT WITH SUCH LIMITATIONS THAT THEY RARELY ACTUALLY COVER THE ACTUAL REPAIR. I'VE TAKEN MY KIA TO THE DEALER (PER KIA CUSTOMER AFFAIRS REQUEST) FOR THEM TO TELL ME THE SAME THING AND NOW, BECAUSE KIA WON'T WARRANTY IT DUE TO EXEMPTIONS ON THEIR "EXTENDED" WARRANTY, I HAVE TO PAY THE DEALER $300. I HAVE A NOTE ON THIS CAR FOR 72 MONTHS. I'VE ONLY MADE 3 PAYMENTS! NO ONE CAN HELP ME AND I'M NOT THE ONLY KIA OWNER FACING THIS DILEMMA. THE ROD THAT IS DEFECTIVE IS CAUSING ISSUES WITH THE OIL WHICH IS ALLOWING METAL FLAKES TO ENTER THE ENGINE. THUS CAUSE SEIZURES IN THE MOTOR AND ENGINE FAILURE. AT HIGH RATES OF SPEED THE ENGINE COMPLETELY DIES CREATING UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS. PLEASE HELP! *TR
Engine, Oct 21, 2016
I WAS DIVING ON THE I-15 UP THE BAKER GRADE AND THE ENGINE STARTED TO MAKE A RATTLE SOUND AND THEN A LARGE BANG AND THEN SHUT OFF. NO POWER TO TRY TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I WAS ALMOST HIT BY A BIG RIG. ONCE GETTING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OPENED THE HOOD AND OIL AND SMOKE EVERY WHERE IT WAS 3:00 A.M. IN THE MORNING. MY MAINTENANCE RECORD ARE IMPECCABLE AND I HAD JUST PAID THE KIA DEALERSHIP OVER 700 DOLLARS FOR A TUNE UP AND OTHER SERVICES. AFTER FINALLY GETTING A 525 DOLLAR TOW TO THE DEALERSHIP I WAS GIVEN A REPORT STATING THESE CARS FROM 2011 TO 2015 HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE CONNECTING ROD AND THAT ENGINES ARE SEIZING. DOCUMENT ATTACHED IS SOMETHING THE SERVICE DEPT SHOWED ME BUT I NEVER HAD SEEN IT BEFORE. *TR
Power train, Engine, Oct 21, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE FAILED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED METAL FRAGMENTS IN THE MOTOR OIL AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD TURN OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE HARNESS AND TRANSMISSION SOLENOID WERE FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
Engine, Oct 20, 2016
HEADING UP STEEP INCLINE HWY 680 AS I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ENGINE BEGAN TO MAKE CLANKING SOUND. ATTEMPTED TO PULL TO THE FAR RIGHT LANE AS I WAS IN THE FAR LEFT LANE. AS I CROSSED FIVE LANES OF TRAFFIC CAR DIED. MANY SEMIS COMING UP ON ME. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED 50 MILES BACK HOME AT 1AM. UPON INSPECTION. ENGINE SEIZED. MY CAR HAS HAD ALL REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS THAT EVER CAME ON AND CAR WAS RUNNING FINE UNTIL THAT MOMENT. KIA SAID OUT OF WARRANTY, TOO BAD. NEW MOTOR IS NEEDED ON A 2013 CAR. CAR IS NOW SITTING IN MY GARAGE TORN APART BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE THE MOTOR.
Engine, Oct 18, 2016
MY VEHICLE STARTED USING A LOT OF OIL AND WAS LOSING POWER UPON ACCELERATION. I HAD READ ONLINE THAT THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE AND I KEPT HOPING FOR A RECALL. HOWEVER, THE RECALL HASN'T HAPPENED AND I AM ALMOST AT 100,000 MILES. MY CAR STARTED MAKING A TICKING NOISE WHEN I WOULD ACCELERATE AND I HAD JUST HAD THE OIL CHANGED 3 WEEKS BEFORE. I CHECKED THE OIL AND IT WAS ALREADY VERY LOW. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER SAYS THAT THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND IF I CAN GIVE THEM AT LEAST 13 RECEIPTS THEY'LL REPLACE IT UNDER THE WARRANTY THAT I PURCHASED. I DRIVE ALL OVER TOWN FOR WORK AND I HAVE MY OIL CHANGED WHEREVER I MAY BE. I WENT TO THE TWO PLACES THAT I HAVE GONE MOST FREQUENTLY BUT, ONE OF THEM SWITCHED THEIR COMPUTER SYSTEMS 3 MONTHS AGO AND ONLY HAS RECORDS FOR THE LAST THREE MONTHS AND THE OTHER PLACE CHANGED OWNERSHIP A YEAR AGO AND ONLY HAS 2 RECEIPTS FOR THIS YEAR. THEY'RE SAYING THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT OUT OF POCKET.
Engine, Oct 9, 2016
IN MARCH OF 2016 MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA DIED AT AN INTERSECTION IN TOWN. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING OF ANY MALFUNCTION, (NO LIGHTS, NO ABNORMAL BEHAVIORS), BUT THE OIL LIGHT DID COME ON VERY BRIEFLY RIGHT BEFORE THE ENGINE DIED. I PUT GAS AND 1 QUART OF OIL IN THEN JUMPED THE BATTERY AND DROVE THE CAR TO THE NEAREST KIA DEALERSHIP. KIA INFORMED ME THAT I NEEDED A NEW BATTERY AND THAT MY OIL WAS TOO THICK, DIRTY, AND VISCOUS AND THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE AN OIL CHANGE AND HAVE A SPECIAL TREATMENT PUT IN THE CAR, (SEAFOAM), TO HELP CLEAN THE ENGINE OUT. WE WERE INSTRUCTED TO BRING THE CAR BACK IN 500 TO 1000 MILES (AGAINST MANUFACTURERS RECOMMENDATIONS), TO FLUSH THE TREATMENT OUT OF THE ENGINE AND CHANGE THE OIL AGAIN. WE RETURNED WITH THE CAR A LITTLE OVER 500 MILES LATER AND KIA INFORMED US THAT IT NEEDED ANOTHER SPECIAL TREATMENT BECAUSE THE OIL REREMAINED DIRTY SO THEY PUT ANOTHER TREATMENT IN THE CAR AND THEN INSTRUCTED US TO BRING IT BACK AGAIN IN 500 TO 1000 MILES BUT AFTER 4 DAYS THE CAR STARTED MAKING A VERY LOUD TAPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND SOON AFTER THE ENGINE WAS RUINED ALL TOGETHER DUE TO A FAULTY CONNECTING ROD BEARING IN THE CRANKSHAFT. WHEN WE DRAINED THE OIL 4 DAYS AFTER KIA CHANGED IT , IT WAS BLACK, THIN LIKE WATER AND FULL OF DIRT AND SEDIMENT. AFTER THE LOUD ENGINE NOISES BEGAN I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO KIA WHO THEN INFORMS ME IT WOULD COST ANOTHER $350 TO DIAGNOSE WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE. FEELING LIKE THEY HAD TREATED THE ENGINE IMPROPERLY ALREADY I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND DECLINED ANY MORE OF THEIR SERVICES. I HAD COMPLETED MY OIL CHANGES ON TIME DESPITE NOT HAVING MY RECORD AT THE TIME OF MY SERVICE HOWEVER KIA REFUSED TO HONOR MY EXPENSIVE EXTENDED WARRANTY STATING THAT I COULD NOT HAVE POSSIBLY DONE THE OIL CHANGES AT REGULAR INTERVALS DUE TO THE HIGH AMOUNT OF SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE.
Engine, Oct 4, 2016
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED IN MAY 2016. I HAVE ONLY HAD ONE OIL CHANGE AND THE CAR HAS 40,000 MILES. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT 55 MPH. THE VEHICLE CUT OFF AND I COASTED TO THE EDGE OF THE ROAD. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO KIA DEALERSHIP. THEY DEALERSHIP ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE IS BLOWN AND NO OIL WAS INSIDE. NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO OIL LEAKS BUT THEY WON'T PAY
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 3, 2016
GDI ENGINE BURNS OIL, CONNECTING ROD FAILED. WHITE SMOKE, AND MAKES WEIRD NOISE UNDER HOOD WHEN GETS TO 60MPH
Steering, Power train, Engine, Sep 30, 2016
AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW WE NOTICED A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING. WHEN YOU TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE STOPPED YOU WOULD GET A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE. THE POWER STEERING RACK WAS REPLACED TWICE ALREADY AND THE VEHICLE JUST NOW HAS 43,000 MILES. OUR BIGGEST CONCERN HAS BEEN AN ENGINE KNOCKING NOISE THAT STARTED TO OCCUR AT JUST OVER 35,000 MILES WHEN YOU START VEHICLE. WE HAD BROUGHT OUR VEHICLE TO LIBERTYVILLE KIA IN LIBERTYVILLE, IL FOR OUR PROBLEM AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE WHAT WE ARE HEARING. THE SERVICE MANAGER VERBALLY TOLD ME TO WAIT FOR IT TO GET WORSE THAT IT IS HARD TO GET KIA TO COVER THIS KNOWN ENGINE PROBLEM. AFTER REACHING OUT TO KIA WITH THIS ENGINE PROBLEM AND GETTING NO HELP EXCEPT THEM BLAMING US FOR LACK OF OIL CHANGES AND MAINTENANCE. WHICH WAS ABSURD WHEN WE ONLY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO KIA FOR SERVICE SINCE PURCHASING NEW. FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE LISA MADIGAN TO GET HELP WITH THIS AND KIA HAS BOTCHED THEIR RECORDS AND STILL SDAYS WE HAVE NOT MAINTAINED THE VEHICLE PROPERLY. BUYERS OF KIA AND HYUNDAI I STRONGLY URGE TO THINK AGAIN. I HOPE EVERYONE THAT HAS HAD PROBLEMS LIKE THIS GET THE HONEST HELP THEY DESERVE.
Engine, Sep 23, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED ABNORMALLY AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A CONNECTOR ROD IN THE ENGINE THAT WAS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.
Engine, Sep 22, 2016
SAME ISSUE AS EVERYONE ELSE. SHOWED RECEIPTS OF CONSISTENT OIL CHANGES AND THEY REFUSED TO HONOR THE WARRANTY DUE TO SLUDGE. THE DEALER SAID THEY CALLED CONSUMER AFFAIRS BUT THE REGIONAL MANAGER REFUSED TO HONOR THE WORK.
Engine, Sep 13, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, ON AN INCLINE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACK. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,314. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Engine, Aug 12, 2016
WHEN IDELING THE ENGINE WOULD START SPUTTERING. MECHANICS SAID IT NEED AN OIL CONTROL VALUE AND IT MAY FIX IT, BUT THEY COULDN'T DO THAT BECAUSE THE WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER IT, BECAUSE I COULDN'T PRODUCE ALL THE SERVICE RECORDS. I TOOK THE CAR BECAUSE THEY SAID THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS OFF, BUT AS SOON AS I GOT IN THE CAR THE LIGHT WAS ON. THEY SAID THE COULDN'T DO ANYTHING. ONCE I GOT THE CAR HOME AND DROVE IT FOR ONE DAY THE CAR WOULD BE RUNNING AND JUST SHUT OFF.WHEN TURNING OR IDELING. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER KIA MECHANIC THEY PUT IN THE OIL CONTROL VALUE (SOME HOW IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY). THE MECHANICS SAID IT MIGHT FIX THE PROBLEM. IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND NOW KIA IS SAYING IT NEEDS A NEW ENGINE AND KIA WILL NOT REPLACE IT EVEN THOUGH I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. THEY SAID SINCE I COULD NOT PRODUCE ALL THE MAINTENANCE SERVICE RECORDS THEY WOULD NOT COVER IT. I CALL KIA CORP, AND ESP WARRANTY AND THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING. AT THIS TIME I FILLED A COMPLIANT WITH THE STATE OF MARYLAND CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION. I HAVE GOTTEN A HOLD OF A NON-KIA MECHANIC AND HE SAID THAT HE HAS HEARD THE KIA WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THEIR ENGINES.
Steering, Seats, Engine, Aug 3, 2016, crash
MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA HAS HAD DIFFICULTY REMAINING IN A SRAIGHT LINE ON THE FREEWAY. TENDS TO PULL LEFT AND RIGHT. THE RATE OF TRAVEL IS APROX. 45-65MPH. THERE IS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH "OVERSTEERING" WHEN I ATTEMPT TO RETURN TO THE CENTER OF THE LANE. I HAD BEEN DRIVING MY OTHER CAR FOR 29YRS, AND I ASSUMED THAT NEWER CARS MAY HAVE BEEN DIFFERNT, SUCH AS BEING MORE SENSITIVE WITH STEERING. I HAVE ALMOST HAD A COLLISION ON THE FREEWAY BECAUSE THERE ARE ALSO BLIND SPOTS IN SEVERAL AREAS OF THE KIA OTIMA. THIS TIME I DID END UP IN COLLISION BECAUSE OF BLINDSPOTS AND OVERSTEERING IN ORDER TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR NEXT TO ME, AND INSTEAD HIT THE CAR NEXT TO ME ON THE OTHER LANE WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO MOVE OUT OF THEIR WAY THIS OCCURRED FROM SENSETIVE OVERSTEERING. OUR AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. BEFORE THIS ACCIDENT, I HAD RECEIVED A LETTER FROM KIA STATING THEY WANTED TO KNOW IF I WOULD LIKE TO TRADE UP TO THE KNEW KIA OPTIMA. THE EMAIL STATED THEY HAD NEW FEATURES; SUCH AS CAMERAS FOR BLIND SPOTS. THIS MADE ME AWARE THAT KIA KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THESE SERIOUS .BLINDSPOTS. THE CAR WAS ALSO BEGINNING TO RUMBLE, AND I BELIEVED IT WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE,IN FACT QUITE SURE IT WAS FROM THE ENGINE. I ALSO HAD RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL FROM KIA, STATING THEY WERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINES FROM CERTAIN YEARS OF THE KIA OPTIMA MY CAR WAS WITHIN THE YEARS STATED. IT STATED THEY WOULD HONOR THIS PROBLEM IF YOU KEPT THIS LETTER IN YOUR CAR, WHEN BRINGING IT IN FOR REPAIRS. I WAS GOING TO DO THIS, BUT THE CAR IS NOW TOTALED AFTER THE ACCIDENT.