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: power train
64 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 16, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CABLE DAHMER OF KANSAS CITY LOCATED AT (555 W 103RD ST, KANSAS CITY, MO 64114 (816) 284-7240) WHERE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TURBO OIL FEEDER LINE WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V100000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.
Power train, Mar 6, 2020
I HAD THE ENGINE REPLACED AROUND 85000 MILES, AT DEALER WITH RECALL. NOW AT 140000 THE TRANSMISSION IS MAKING A BAD GRINDING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING AND SLOWING DOWN, NOISE STARTS ABOUT 15 MPH ALL THE WAY TO HIGHWAY SPEEDS. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IF I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, THE SOUND GOES AWAY. AS I PUT CAR BACK IN DRIVE THE GRINDING NOISE REAPPEARS. THE NOISE DOES NOT CHANGE WHILE GEAR CHANGES, ONLY WHEN PUT IN NEUTRAL.
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.
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
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Nov 17, 2019
2013 KIA OPTIMA SPORT WITH APPROXIMATELY 47,000 MILES LOSS OF TURBO. PULLED OUT OF MY GARAGE AND MY CAR SEEMED SLUGGISH. I NOTICED THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. AS I ACCELERATED MY TURBO DID NOT SEEM TO KICK IN AND MY CAR WOULD REV UP AND NOT ACCELERATE VERY WELL. CALLED KIA THEY SAID I HAVE 5 YEAR OR 50,000 MILE WARRANTY. I TOLD THEM I ALSO HAVE 10 YEAR 100 MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. JUST RAN A RECALL CHECK AND NHTSA STATES RECALL ON LONG BLOCK ENGINE AND TURBO RECALL ON MY SPORT MODEL.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 29, 2019
KIA ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE ENGINE BURNING CYLINDERS CAUSING FOREIGN OBJECTS TO GET INTO THE OIL CYCLE, AND CAUSING THE CAR TO STALL OUT. SO MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR ALONG THE HIGHWAY GOING 70MPH AND THE CAR COMPLETELY STALLED OUT AND COULD'VE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS WRECK, AND IF IT WOULD'VE THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN SUED. SO MY CAR WON'T RUN NOW, AND I GET IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER I SEE THIS RECALL ABOUT THE ENGINE. THE DEALERSHIP TEST THE ENGINE AND TELL ME THE ENGINE IS FINE, BUT MY TURBO IS ACTUALLY BURNING METAL AND CAUSING FOREIGN OBJECTS TO GET INTO MY OIL CYCLE. SINCE IT'S NOT THE ENGINE THEY ARE REFUSING TO FIX IT. THE SAME EXACT THING THE RECALL IS CALLING FOR IS WHAT IS GOING ON IN MY CAR BUT IN A DIFFERENT PART. THEY ARE REFUSING TO GO IT AND WANT ME TO PAY OVER $2,500 TO HAVE IT FIXED WHEN IT'S A SERIOUS MALFUNCTION ON THEIR PART. IF MY WIFE WOULD'VE WRECKED I'M SURE THEY WOULD BE BEGGING TO FIX IT SO THEY DIDN'T GET SUED! THIS IS NOT RIGHT WHAT IS GOING ON, AND I'M VERY UNHAPPY. IF IT WAS A CONSUMER PROBLEM IT WOULD BE NO BIG DEAL BUT THERE IS A RECALL GOING ON THAT IS HAPPENING TO MY VEHICLE THAT THEY ARE REFUSING TO FIX BECAUSE THEY SAY THE ENGINE TEST OUT FINE! WELL THE FOREIGN OBJECT IS STILL GETTING INTO MY OIL CYCLE AND COULD'VE LEAD TO A SERIOUS WRECK!
Power train, Sep 23, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CHECK OIL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING SOUND WAS DETECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT STALLED. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MOTOR SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.
Power train, Sep 12, 2019
VEHICLE CONTINUES TO RUN HOT AFTER REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS FROM A CERTIFIED KIA DEALER. ENGINE HAD BEEN REPLACED ONCE AND CONTINUES TO EXHIBIT THE SAME BEHAVIORS AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS AT RESOLVING THE ISSUE.
Power train, Engine, Jul 23, 2019
THIS CONCERNS KIA RECALL SC147. I HAVE A 2013 KIA OPTIMA EX THAT I PURCHASED USED WITH 98,000 MILES ON IT IN FEBRUARY 2019. THE CAR DROVE PERFECT WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. I RECENTLY HAD THE OIL CHANGED IN JUNE. A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER THE MOTOR STARTED KNOCKING SLIGHTLY FOR NO REASON AFTER A RECENT TRIP TO MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE. THE ENGINE STALLED IN TRAFFIC SO I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND I WAS ABLE TO CRANK IT BACK UP. THE NEXT MORNING IT WAS REALLY KNOCKING LOUDLY SO I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THE ENGINE WAS TRYING TO THROW A ROD.
Power train, Jul 16, 2019
VEHICLE STALLS OUT AND LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING. AT TIMES ENGINE LIGHT MAY FLICKER. SOMETIMES ON START UP ENGINE WILL PUTTER LIKES ITS NOT FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS. AFTER RETSTART SEVERAL TIMES THE RPM GAGE WILL NOT MOVE WHILE DRIVING. DEALER DROVE VEHICLE BUT COULD NOT FUND ANY CODES APPEARING AND PROBLEM DID NOT OCCUR WHILE IN SHOP. PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS OFF AND ON. ON ONE OCCASION I WAS NEARLY REAR ENDED ON THE FREEWAY WHEN VEHICLE STALLED OUT AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH.
Power train, Jul 16, 2019
IM DRIVING IN THE CITY STREETS THE CAR HAS HAD A CODE THAT CAME UP 1 MONTH AFTER THE IT IS A CORE TO REPLACE TUBE TO THE SXL TURBO THIS WORK WAS PERFORMED AT THE TIME OF THE SECOND ENGINE REPAIR DUE TO RECALL I HAVE CONTACTED KIA AND TOLD THEM OF THE ISSUE NOW CURRENTLY AS I WAIT FOR MY APPOINTMENT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS SO BACKED UP I NOW HAVE A ISSUE WHERE I CAN NOT REVERSE THE CAR WANTS TO SHUT OFF AS I ACCELERATE AND IT FEELS LIKE THERE IS A PARKING BRAKE ON I TOLD KIA THE CAR JERKS GOING INTO 1ST GEAR AND THEN ACCELERATES WITH A JERKING MOTION TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC VERIFIED ONLY CODE THAT SHOWS UP IS FOR THE TURBO IT HAS A FLUTTER THAT NEEDS TO BE ADJUSTED OR LINE REPLACEMENT BUT I HAVE PROOF THAT THAT WORK WAS ALREADY DONE I DO NOT KNOW IF THE CAR WILL MAKE THE APPOINTMENT TIME NOW THAT IT IS 5 DAYS OUT VERY DANGEROUS DUE TO CAR IS NOT ABLE TO ACCELERATE AT A SAFE SPEED GOING INTO ANY INTERSECTION
Steering, Power train, Engine, Jun 18, 2019, crash
TAKARA RECALL: MY ENGINE HAD BEEN KNOCKING/SHAKING FOR A GOOD MINUTE NOW. WHEN I HAVE IT RUNNING AND HOOD OPEN IT'S JUST VIBRATING EXTREMELY HARD AND CONSTANTLY.I'VE NOTICED IT WANTS TO STALL OR NO SHIFT CORRECTLY AFTER A DEAD STOP AND SOMETHING GOING INTO 3RD GEAR. EVEN WHILE JUST IDLING I CAN FEEL THE ENGINE SHAKING THE WHOLE CAR FROM INSIDE.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 11, 2019
ENGINE RECALL. DEALERSHIP FIRST RECEIVED VEHICLE REPAIR MARCH 4, 2019 FOR COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT DUE TO RECALL AND CAR BECOME COMPLETELY IMMOBILE WHILE ON FREEWAYS. AND TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME FIRST ENGINE FAILED AND REORDERED A NEW ENGINE. RECEIVED VEHICLE BACK FROM 2ND ATTEMPT OF ENGINE REPAIR MAY 16, 2019. VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED MAY 31,2019. RETURNED VHEICLE BACK TO DEALERSHIP. REPAIR TO HARNESS AND NOC SENSOR. RECEIVED VEHICLE BACK FOR REPAIR JUNE 8TH. ON JUNE 10TH VEHICLE BECAME IMMOBILE AGAIN WHILE DRIVING OUT OF PARKING LOT AND TOWED TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. WAITING ON DEALERSHIP FOR DETAILS OF CAR PROBLEMS.
Power train, Air bags, Oct 16, 2018
TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE A MONTH AGO FOR AIRBAG RECALL AS WAS TOLD WOULD NOT INFLATE IN CRASH. CALLED KIA CORP. TO ASK STATUS AS I HAVE HEARD NOTHING MORE AFTER CALLING EACH WEEK AND WAS TOLD MY CAR WAS READY AS OF THAT MOMENT. PICKED UP CAR AND TRANSMISSION (LIGHT CAME ON AND DIED) IN MIDDLE OF 4 LANE HWY 5O'CLOCK TRAFFIC AS I WAS IN MOTION APPROACHING TRAFFIC LIGHT AT WITHIN A MILE OF LEAVING REGAL KIA AND WAS THEN TOLD THAT THE AIRBAG WAS STILL NOT WORKING AS THE EXTRA FIX WAS OUTSIDE OF THE RECALL AND I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR. I COULD HAVE BEEN IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT DURING STALL AS I WENT IN FOR A AIRBAG RECALL AND LEFT WITH A DEAD TRANSMISSION AND AIRBAG WAS NOT FIXED, PUTTING MY LIFE IN DANGER WITHIN MINUTES OF LEAVING THE SAME DEALERSHIP THAT EARLIER MONTHS CLEARED MY CAR AS PERFECT EXCEPT FOR TUNE-UP BECAUSE OF ANOTHER PREVIOUS RECALL. I WAS NOT PLACED IN REQUESTED LOANER TO MATCH MY VEHICLE SIZE AS NEEDED DUE TO MY FAMILY SIZE FOR 4 WEEKS. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE BY ANY MEANS AS A CUSTOMER.
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.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Aug 30, 2018
AUGUST 21, 2018, WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO GOSSETT KIA MOTORS (DEALERSHIP) BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT START.. THE CAR HAS A PUSH BUTTON START, WHENEVER WE TRIED TO START THE CAR BY PRESSING THE START BUTTON AND PUSHING DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD START FOR THEM. WE DROVE THE CAR HOME THE SAME DAY. ON THE NIGHT OF AUGUST 22, 2018, THE CAR WOULD NOT START, SAME AS DESCRIBED ABOVE. ON AUGUST 23, 2018, WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS REPAIRED AND RETURNED TO US AUGUST 25, 2018. TODAY, AUGUST 30, 2018, THE CAR DID NOT START AND EXHIBITED THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE PREVIOUS TWO TIMES. WE WILL HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AT THEIR CONVENIENCE. LUCKILY FOR US, EACH TIME THE CAR DID NOT START IT WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY. SPECIAL NOTE, ON AUGUST 2, 2018, WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR BRAKE REPAIR WORK. ADDITIONALLY, ONE OF THE TOW TRUCK DRIVERS STATED HE TOWED SEVERAL KIA OPTIMA'S WITH THE SAME DESCRIBED PROBLEM.
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.
Suspension, Power train, Aug 13, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHEN THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE GEAR INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO REVERSE. THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS THEN SHIFTED INTO PARK, BUT FAILED TO ENGAGE AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS DOWN AN INCLINE. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO GLASSMAN KIA (28000 TELEGRAPH RD, SOUTHFIELD, MI 48034, (888) 452-1360) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AXLE DRIVE SHAFT WAS CORRODED THROUGH AND BECAME DETACHED. THE DRIVE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Power train, Feb 14, 2018
THE AXLE AND WHEEL BROKE OFF AND FLEW INTO 2 PARKED CARS. IT TOTALED OUR CAR.MY HUSBAND HAD JUST TURNED OFF OF A BUSY STREET TO A SMALL STREET. HE WAS GOING ABOUT 15 MILES PER HOUR. HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE AIRBAGS WENT OFF. HE GOT PUT OF THE CAR AND SAW WHAT HAPPENED. HIS AXLE AND WHEEL BROKE OFF AND FLEW INTO THE 2 PARKED CARS. KIA IS NOT COOPERATING AT ALL AND THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM ON THE SAME MODEL, BUT DIFFERENT YEAR.
Power train, Dec 24, 2017
TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD, JERKY, HESITATES, ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF, THIS HAPPENS ON AND OFF, HAVE TO STOP AND RESTART CAR SOMETIMES, THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE. BEEN HAPPENING ON AND OFF FOR YEARS, NO SOLUTIONS SO FAR.
Power train, Engine, Dec 6, 2017
"TAKATA RECALL" MY ENGINE STARTED SHAKING AND THE CAR STOPPED!
Power train, Dec 2, 2017
WHEN I PRESS DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR WHILE ALREADY MOVING, IN ORDER TO PASS OR GET ON THE A HIGHWAY THE ENGINE WILL REV UP VERY HIGH BUT THERE WILL BE NO INCREASE IN SPEED. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND I FIRST REPORTED IT TO THE DEAL IN 2014. THEY SAY THEY CAN NOT GET IT TO DO IT AND BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO CODE TO GO BY, CAN DO NOTHING. NOW THE CARE HAS ONLY 500 MILES LEFT ON THE WARRANTY. I RECENTLY REALIZED THE URGENCY OF THE SITUATION AS I WAS ENTERING THE TURNPIKE WHERE CONSTRUCTION WAS TAKING PLACE. THERE WAS LITTLE ROOM FOR ERROR AND LITTLE TIME TO SEE WHO WAS COMING. I SAW A SEMI COMING BUT KNEW IF I ACCELERATED I COULD GET ON IN TIME. I PUSHED DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR AND THIS HAPPENED. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF AND PUT IT BACK ON AND FORTUNATELY IT KICKED IN. NO ONE WOULD HAVE KNOWN THIS WAS A DEFECT OF THE CAR IF I WAS HIT BY THE SEMI. I AM HEARING FROM OTHERS THAT THEY ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I WOULD WARN OTHERS NOT TO TRUST THIS MANUFACTURER.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Nov 15, 2017, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION AFTER LOSING FUNCTIONALITY OF VARIOUS ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PRIOR TO THE CRASH, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VALLEY HI KIA (14673 CIVIC DR, VICTORVILLE, CA), BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED UNTIL THE SECOND TIME IT WAS BROUGHT IN FOR DRIVING ABNORMALLY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM, MOTOR MOUNT, AND TRANSMISSION WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER BANNED THE CONTACT FROM RETURNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO KIA OF ORANGE (210 W KATELLA AVE, ORANGE, CA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE. THE RECALL WAS REMEDIED, BUT NO OTHER REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THERE WAS ONE INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT SUFFERED LOWER BACK, HIP, AND HEAD INJURIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000.
Power train, Sep 23, 2017
SHIFTING PROBLEMS FROM 0 TO 30 MILES PER HOUR..BEFORE AND AFTER DRIVING FOR AN HOUR OR SO AROUND TOWN. STARTED LAST YEAR VERY FEW TIMES, 2 TIMES DURING THE YEAR. 3 TIMES SO FAR THIS YEAR.
Power train, Sep 7, 2017
MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA SXL ONLY SIX MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING. I AM 2,000 MILES OVER THE WARRANTY AS I AM THE SECOND OWNER. AFTER RESEARCHING WARRANTY HISTORY, I HAVE FOUND THIS CAR HAS HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED TWICE ALREADY, AND DRAFT SHAFT REPLACED TWICE. ISSUES APPEAR TO OCCUR EVERY SIX MONTHS OR SO PER THE WARRANTY HISTORY. I HAVE MAJOR CONCERNS OF MY ONGOING SAFETY IN THIS CAR, GIVEN THE REOCCURRING TRANSMISSION ISSUE. I BELIEVE I AM BEING TREATED INHUMANELY. KIA IS NOT WORKING WITH ME TO REACH AN AMICABLE SOLUTION.