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: fuel/propulsion system
93 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 30, 2022
When the fuel smell occurred i contacted my dealer and was told about a recall i have been complaining about the smell before i received my second recall paper the car was smoking and stopped working eventually and i've been without a car and unable to use my vehicle while having to maintain payments on it im am not sure why i have to pay for a problem that was spotted early on but due to neglect and unclear solutions i have wasted money on rentals and been left with no answers my check engine light was flashing i was unable to get a inspection sticker and was told it was due to the gas smell
Fuel/propulsion system, May 2, 2022
Low pressure fuel line began to give off a fuel odor over the last 10k miles, did not realize it was a fuel leak until recently when the car was parked and was leaking fuel under the mid section. The car has not been examined by any person yet. No cabin warning lights/indicators were present. Date given for date of incident is the first incident where a gasoline odor was detected.
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 3, 2022
I was driving to work and smelled fuel. The loud Oder of fuel was coming from under the hood. Called kia and they had the car towed to the Kia place in mobile alabama. Was told that my vin number is not covered under the 3 recalls that they have for this same make and model. Kia place said it has a fuel leak from high pressure fuel pump.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 23, 2022
I was in the fast lane doing about 70 MPH an all of a sudden my car turned off no power at all no warning lights nothing thank God there was no cars on side of me I went over 3 lanes of traffic an got to side of road the engine light was blinking . I had to tow to dealership an they told me that it might be minimum 2 weeks till they can look at my car . So now I have no car an have to be at work in morning . But still making car payments with broken car . I bought car from kia thinking I would not have problem with car specially for the dealership to have for 2 weeks or more so I guess I have to rent a car on top of car payment.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 22, 2022
The fuel gauge in the dashboard indicates the car still has gas (approx. 1/4 tank) when in reality the tank is empty. This cause to be stranded on the street, freeway, going up the hill in the freeway. This can cost an accident while random stoppage of the car. It happend 4 times already
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 19, 2022, fire
Smell like gas everyday I don’t want my car get in fire
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 7, 2021, fire
My 2013 Kia optima caught fire while I sitting idle in the vehicle in a parking lot outside of an establishment in May of 2021. I started my vehicle, and was finishing up a phone call when I noticed smoke coming from my hood. When I opened the hood to investigate flames shot up from my engine. I called 911 and fortunately the fire department was close and we're able to put out the fire quickly and no one was hurt. If it hadn't been for the phone conversation keeping my attention, I would have taken off normally and the outcome could of been seriously different. I'm not sure what happens when you are actively driving a car that engulfs in flames but I imagine it's not pretty. There was a open recall on my car for a low pressure fuel tube malfunction that was thought to cause fires. The Kia dealership denied I had an open recall asked me to remove car from facility or they would tow it . They were low on space. . They said that they wouldn't cover my car for any reason anyway because it doesn't have the original engine it came with. The engine was replaced by Kia because of engine defect and recall but the local dealership could not see this car history. Eventually I was able to get a case opened with the corporate office and an inspection was done. They still denied me and no one was on the same page as far as car history. Was given the run around. The inspection report and estimate I have contradict one another. They spent 6 to tell me my cars problem is not there fault. They are unable and willing to answer my questions about inconsistencies.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 27, 2021
KIA replaced the low fuel line under campaign number 20V100 November of 2020 and the replacement part has now cracked causing gas to spray out onto my engine less than a year later. KIA is refusing to warranty the part. This is a huge life safety issue for myself and my family that travel in this vehicle. I feel these replacement parts need to be checked and replaced before someone gets seriously hurt.
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 16, 2021
Low pressure fuel tube leak. Gas leak through quick connect clamp, factory defect on part. Recall was done and still has same problem.
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 29, 2021
My Optima has a crack in the low-pressure fuel line. I detected a very strong gas odor last week and immediately notified the dealer but due to needing the knock detection sensor from a recall being installed, I had to wait until one of the lead techs was available to inspect it yesterday. The dealer has ordered the part needed but they said that it might be weeks before they get the part in because it is on backorder and due to the safety risk, my car is undriveable. They will not release my vehicle to me without signing a waiver releasing them of liability. Kia recalled 2013-2014 Optimas with the same Turbo engine last year, for this exact reason but the dealer said my vehicle was not included in the recall and this repair will be nearly $600 out of pocket even though this is a known issue. I absolutely cannot and will not sign a waiver when I know my vehicle is dangerous to drive. I have systemic mastocytosis and that alone can cause anaphylaxis to be triggered by the gas odors. There were no warning lamps, no other signs or symptoms until I smelled gas last week.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 10, 2021
My oil light has been coming on and blinking then disappearing. Current on oil change and oil level is full on dipstick. Noticed little oil stain on driveway but oil level remains good and full. A couple times now my car has lost acceleration. One time on the highway and once in my neighborhood. When I press the gas it does not accelerate. It will lose speed and after a few times of stepping on the gas will eventually get to speed.
Fuel/propulsion system, May 18, 2021
There is a strong gas smell from the car when I am driving. There is an open recall for certain cars of this year, make, and model, but my Vin specifically does not qualify for the recall. The recall is for a possible fuel line leak, which sounds exactly like what I have right now.
Fuel/propulsion system, May 17, 2021
The low pressure fuel hose from the gas tank to the fuel pump located under the engine cover is leaking fuel. The vehicle was inspected by a Kia Dealership to determine the cause of the fuel leak. My safety and the safety of others were put in jeopardy due to the possibility of a fire or explosion from the leaking fuel line. The smell of gasoline was detected prior to the inspection from the Kia dealership
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 22, 2021
2013 KIA OPTIMA EX WITH 71K MILES. CAR HAD A VERY SLOW START. TROUBLE LIGHT CAME ON. HAD LEFT LIGHTS ON FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS SO THOUGHT THAT WAS THE ISSUE. SEEMED OKAY SO DROVE HOME. NOTICES SLIGHT GASOLINE SMELL IN CABIN. NO MORE DRIVING THAT DAY. TOOK TO LOCAL SHOP. CODE READER CAME BACK AS FUEL PUMP FAILURE. DID SOME RESEARCH AND NOTICED MANY WITH SAME ISSUE ON THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR AND A RECALL OR TWO AS WELL. VIN CHECK RETURNED NO OUTSTANDING RECALLS. CALLED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE. WAS TOLD MY VIN WAS ASSOCIATED WITH A RECALL IN 2018 (SC 147) BUT 'PASSED THE TEST". SC 172 WAS ISSUED LATER FOR A CALL BACK OF THOSE VEHICLES THAT HAD ENGINES REPLACED UNDER SC 147 FOR A HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PIPE ISSUE. I HONESTLY THINK MY OPTIMA IS CURRENTLY HAVING WHATEVER THE ISSUE WAS UNDER SC 147 BUT SINCE IT TESTED OKAY IN 2018 - OH WELL! SINCE THE FUEL PUMP WARRANTY EXPIRED IN 2018, I GUESS I'M ON MY WAY TO AN ALMOST $1,000 REPAIR! SEEMS LIKE KIA SHOULD ALLOW GETTING THE ORIGINAL SERVICE CALL ISSUE LOOKED AT AGAIN FREE OF CHARGE TO SEE IF IT IS NOW AN ISSUE. DISAPPOINTED.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 12, 2021
GAS GOT INTO MY ENGINE. CAR KEEP LOSING OIL. SEEMED TO AFFECT A LOT OF OTHER AREAS
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 13, 2021
MY CAR IS STALLING WHEN I ACCELERATE AND WHEN I TURN MY CAR ON TO START IT UP IT SMELLS LIKE GAS
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 20, 2020
CAR SMELLED LIKE GAS WHEN AIR WAS ON AND EVEN WITH AIR OFF. FIXED MARCH 2019 AND I BELIEVE I SEE A RECALL FOR IT NOW. WE PAID A PRETTY PENNY TO GET FIXED. MY PAINT ON MY CAR IS COMING OFF EVERYWHERE LIKE BAD NAIL POLISH. IT IS PEELING OFF AND CONTINUES TO HAPPEN IN NEW PARTS OF THE CAR. I'M TRYING TO GET THIS FIXED NOW WITH KIA. THIS STARTED HAPPENING AROUND WINDSHIELD FIRST ABOUT A YEAR AND HALF AGO AND THEN THE TRUNK LAST FALL AND NOW MY DOOR AND OTHER AREAS IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 28, 2020
I WAS COMING OF THE FREEWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR JUST TURNED ITSELF OFF. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO MANAGE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE QUICKLY ENOUGH TO AVOID ANY COLLISION. I TRIED TO CHANGE THE STARTER BECAUSE I WAS TOLD THAT WAS BAD. IT HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO START UP AGAIN SINCE IT FIRST STOPPED ON ME.
Steering, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 19, 2020
THE CAR MADE A LOUD NOISE AN THE STRINGL LOCK
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 16, 2020
CAR HAS A BAD GAS FUME SMELL THAT COMES THROUGH THE VENT WHEN DRIVING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON MOTOR HAS A LOUD TAPPING NOISE AND BURNS GAS QUICK
Suspension, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 16, 2020
I WENT TO START MY CAR WHICH WAS ON AUGUST 24, 2020 AND IT WAS MAKING A VERY VERY LOUD NOISE I COULDN'T MOVE IT SO I HAD IT TOWED OVER TO A MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE IN FACT HAS BEEN BLOWN ARE THE BLOCK HAS BEEN BLOWN SO THE ENGINE IS NO GOOD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED I AM WAY AND THERE WAS NO WARNING ON MY VEHICLE AND WITH ALSO NO NOTIFICATION OF OIL WAS LOW OR NO OIL IN MY CAR WHATSOEVER THERE WAS A METAL SHAVINGS IN THE OIL PAN THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED AND IT THERE'S NO LEAKS IN THE CAR AT ALL AND SO NOW I PAY PAYMENTS FOR A CAR AND SOMEBODY ELSE TO TAKE ME AROUND TO WORK EVERY DAY FOR MONTHS ON MONTHS ANDPAYMENTS FOR A CAR THAT SITS IN MY DRIVEWAY BROKEN DOWN AND THE DEALERSHIP HERE KIA WILL NOT THEY FIX MY CAR THEY REFUSE TO BECAUSE OF A DISAGREEMENT PRIOR TO THIS I AM ON ANYTHING ABOUT MY CAR THEY WILL NOT DO I AM ACTUALLY THE ONE WHO DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL IN THE VEHICLE SINCE FEBRUARY AND NOBODY HAS TOLD ME AND EVERYBODY HAS FAILED TO MENTION THIS OR CONTACT ME
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 9, 2020, crash, fire
WHILE DRIVING ON A ROAD WITH MY LITTLE COUSIN. ALL MY FUNCTION LIGHTS CAME ON AND AND MY CAR BEGAN TO STALL AND SLOW DOWN SO STARTED TO PRESS ON THE GAS FOR ACCELERATION A BLOCK DOWN THE WAY WE STARTED SMELLING SMOKE I PANICKED TRYING TO GET OVER AND RAN UP ON THE CURVE AND CAME OFF IT PULLED TO A SAFE SPOT AND ME AND MY COUSIN BOTH EXIT THE VEHICLE QUICKLY WHEN WE GOT OUT MY IT WAS SMOKING REALLY BAD MY COUSIN NOTICED THAT IT WAS ON FIRE UNDERNEATH THE CAR SO I LOOKED AND IT WAS ON FIRE SOMETHING FELL TO THE GROUND ON FIRE UNDERNEATH THE CAR.
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 26, 2020
WAS DRIVING AND MY CAR TURNED OFF ON ME RANDOMLY ? ALWAYS AM CONSISTENT WITH OIL CHANGES EVERY 3000 MILES AND ALWAYS MAKE SURE MY TAKE IS FULL WITH GOOD GAS I'VE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE GAS LINE ONCE ALREADY ,, MECHANIC SAID I MIGHT HAVE TO REPLACE MY FUEL TANK BECAUSE SOMETHING WITH CAR NOT GETTING ENOUGH GAS OR SO , I'VE ALSO SEE LEAKS LOOKS LIKE GAS
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 28, 2020
HELLO I RECENTLY WAS FILLING UP MY VEHICLE AND IT FLOODED OF GASOLINE.. I CAN'T SEEM TO FILL MY TANK UP FULLY AND HAVE THE PUMP STOP ITSELF IT OVER FLOWS AND POURS ALL THE GASOLINE THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.. AND I DID SEE THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR DUE TOO THE FUEL AREA. IS THIS FIXABLE THROUGH THIS RECALL? THANK YOU
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 23, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ON THE TURNPIKE THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. PRIOR TO SHUTTING OFF, THE BATTERY, OIL AND TRANSMISSION ICON APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO MERGE OVER INTO THE SIDE LANE SAFELY BECAUSE THE BREAKS ALONG WITH THE STEERING SUDDENLY BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. AFTER PLACING THE CAR INTO PARK AND REMOVING THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION, I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART IT. IT STARTED, SO I CONTINUED HEADING HOME. APPROXIMATELY DRIVING ANOTHER 12 MILES, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE THIS TIME WAS UPON RESTARTING IT, A WEIRD KNOCKING NOISE CAME FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD, SO I SHUT THE CAR OFF. I WAITED ABOUT 5 MINUTES TO RESTART IT AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP, SO I CONTINUED HEADING HOME. TODAY, ONCE AGAIN WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR SHUT OFF. SAME KNOCKING, AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS. AFTER WAITING ABOUT 5 MINUTES, I RESTARTED IT, ONLY TO CONTINUOUSLY HEAR A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE AND A VIBRATION COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WHILE ACCELERATING, IT BARELY MOVED AND THE NOISES BECAME LOUDER ALONG WITH THE VIBRATION.THIS TIME THE CAR WAS INCAPABLE OF BEING DRIVEN. I HAD TO GET IT TOWED DIRECTLY TO A KIA DEALERSHIP. GOOD THING MY CAR WAS STILL COVERED WITH EASY CARE OR ELSE I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN TO GET IT TOWED. I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW I AM GOING TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD WHATEVER NEEDS REPAIRED. I DID RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE AND WILL ATTACH IT BELOW. *TR