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: service brakes
114 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Feb 14, 2019
WHILE APPLYING BREAKS I OFTEN GET LOUD RUMBLING NOISE ON CITY STREETS, ALSO WHEN IT RAINS WATER LEAKS ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER FEET UNDER DASH THIS HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND STATIONARY.
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.
Service brakes, Aug 16, 2018
I HAD MY BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS REPLACED IN NOVEMBER 2017. THE SERVICE DEPT AT THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED, THEY WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION AND WERE BEYOND SALVAGING. I HAD THEM REPLACED. IN APRIL, I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE SERVICE, INCLUDING AN OIL CHANGE. I HAD COMPLAINED OF VIBRATION IN THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WAS ADVISED IT WAS NORMAL. ON AUGUST 3RD I HAD ANOTHER OIL CHANGE AND REQUESTED THE BRAKES BE LOOKED AT, AS THE VIBRATION WAS AT A POINT OF CONCERN. THE SERV DEPT INDICATED THE FRONT ROTORS WERE WARPED AND NEEDED REPLACING, LESS THAN A YEAR LATER, AND LESS THAN 4000 MILES LATER. I WAS UPSET AND THEY WERE ABLE TO CHARGE ME 1/2 THE COST. THAT EVENING I DROVE AND FOUND THE VIBRATION TO BE EXACTLY AS BEFORE THE REPLACEMENT. I WENT TO THE SERVICE DEPT, YET AGAIN ON AUGUST 8. THEY INDICATED THE VIBRATION WAS FROM THE REAR AND THOSE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE ARE ONLY 42000 MILES ON THE CAR. I DRIVE LESS THAN 3 MILES ROUND TRIP EACH DAY. I DISCOVERED THAT THEY WERE NEVER ROAD TESTING THE CAR, JUST LOOKING AT THE BRAKES/ROTORS AND REPLACING. THEY ARE EITHER PUTTING WARPED ROTORS ON THE VEHICLE AND/OR LYING ABOUT REPLACING THEM. I COULD HAVE SAVED TIME AND MONEY HAD THE WORK BEEN COMPLETED RIGHT , THE FIRST TIME.
Service brakes, Jun 18, 2018, crash
I WAS DRIVING MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA ON A DRY ROAD SURFACE. I HAD JUST GONE THROUGH A TRAFFIC LIGHT THAT WAS GREEN FOR ME TO GO. THERE WAS A SLIGHT DOWN GRADE SO I STARTED TO APPLY MY BRAKES BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC AHEAD. WHEN I PRESSED MY BRAKE PEDAL THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP CAUSING ME TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED IN A VERY BUSY CITY STREET.
Service brakes, Apr 5, 2018
WHEN BRAKING ON A ROUGH SURFACE (NOT NEW PAVEMENT) THE BRAKE PEDAL KICKS BACK UP IN QUICKLY, AND BRAKING POWER IS LOST DURING THE UPKICKING. VERY DANGEROUS, AS THERE IS NO WAY TO COME TO A SECURE, SAFER STOP IN A TRAFFIC SITUARION. NOT TALKING ABOUT EMERGENCY BRAKING, NORMAL BRAKING WILL CAUSE THIS PROLEM. THE SAME LACK OF BRAKING ABILITY IS EXHIBITED ON A WET STREET SURFACE, AND NOT NECESSARILY A SLICK, DANGEROUS SURFACE. THIS IS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA SXL, I BOUGHT IT WITH 14,000 MILES ON IT IN 2014, AND THE PROBLEM EXISTED THEN. AND STILL PERSISTS. IN EARLY 2015 THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD NOT HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM, THOUGH I FOUND THIE PROBLEM STATED IN BLOGS BY KIA OWNERS BACK THEN. THE KEY POINT IS THE BRAKES DON'T HOLD STEADY ON ROUGH SURFACES OR WET ROADS. AND THE PROBLEM IS NOT GOING AWAY. THANKFULLY I HAVE NOT HAD TO MAKE ANY EMERGENCY STOPS.
Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 15, 2017
THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED ON THIS CAR. IF YOU WOULD HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD WHILE ACCELERATION THE CAR WOULD DETECT A SPINNING CONDITION AND CAUSE MAJOR DECELERATION BEING VERY DANGEROUS WHEN ENTERING A FREEWAY IN MODERATE TRAFFIC TAKING THE VEHICLE FROM 60+ MPH TO VIRTUALLY 40 MPH WITH NO WARNING AND NO BRAKE LIGHTING TO WARN APPROACHING TRAFFIC. AFTER MANY VISITS TO KIA DEALER REMAINED UNADDRESSED UNTIL CONTACTING CORPORATE KIA AND FINDING A POSTING ON KIA OPTIMA FORUM WITH ANOTHER USER THAT HAD SAME ISSUE AND WAS FINALLY RESOLVED WITH SOME HYDRAULIC PART REPLACEMENT THAT COSTS $1,600 AND WAS BEING AVOIDED BY DEALERS. WHEN I BROUGHT THIS TO KIA CORPORATES ATTENTION THEY AGREED TO REPLACE WITH THAT PART WHICH DID ALMOST RESOLVE THAT ISSUE EXCEPT ON RARE INSTANCES CAR WILL STILL HESITATE WHEN ENCOUNTERING A BUMP ON ACCELERATION. AFTER THAT REPAIR HOWEVER THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ARE NOW FAILING WITH ERRATIC PULSING ON HARD BRAKING AND LESS EFFECTIVE BRAKING.
Service brakes, May 5, 2017, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNINJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,585.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Dec 14, 2016
VEHICLE: KIA OPTIMA 2013 ISSUE DESCRIPTION: IF LOOSING SLIGHTLY TRACTION (KIA OPTIMA IT IS VERY SENSITIVE, ALL IT TAKES IS SOME DIRT ON THE GROUND, A LITTLE RAIN, MOISTURE ON THE PAVEMENT, OR BUMPY ROAD) THE SYSTEM WILL KILL ALL THE ENGINE POWER BETWEEN 1 TO 2 SECONDS WHEN YOU START FROM A STAND STILL (BRINGS THE CAR TO A STOP). THIS MAKES THE CAR NOT MOVE AND GET INTO DANGEROUS SITUATIONS WHEN ENTERING AN INTERSECTIONS BECAUSE CARS APPROACHING MIGHT HIT THE CAR. THE SITUATION CAN BE REPEATED ONCE THE SYSTEM RELEASES THE POWER, LOSING TRACTION AGAIN, EXTENDING ADDITIONALLY 1 TO 2 SECONDS TO THIS SITUATION. LOOSING TRACTION IS EVEN EASIER WHEN THE WHEELS ARE TURNED. I OPENED A TICKET ON KIA CUSTOMER AFFAIRS (K3229681) ONCE THE DEALER DID NOT EVEN TESTED THE CAR WITH ME, AND I GOT THE TYPICAL ANSWER IF THEY DO NOT HAVE A RECALL ON THIS SUBJECT (IT IS THE WAY IT WORKS) AFTER MANY CALLS AND VISITS, I WAS ABLE TO GET FROM THE MANUFACTURE'S KIA CUSTOMER AFFAIRS VERBALLY CONFIRM IT IS THE WAY SHOULD WORK, IMMOBILIZING THE CAR FOR 1 TO 2 SECONDS. THE ONLY SOLUTION PROVIDED IS TO DISABLE THE TCS WHICH BASED ON THE MANUAL DISABLES ALSO THE ESP. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED BY OTHER OWNERS ON MULTIPLE FORUMS, AND NO OTHER CAR I DROVE WORKS IN THAT WAY, NOT EVEN MY HYUNDAI SONATA 2013 WHICH IS THE SAME CAR BUT WITH DIFFERENT BODY. MODE INFORMATION ON THE ATTACHED DOCUMENT.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Jul 17, 2015
MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA'S BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL WILL VIBRATE/GRIND WHILE DRIVING IN WET CONDITIONS. IT STARTED THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. WHILE I WAS SIGNING PAPERS, IT STARTED TO RAIN. DURING THE DRIVE HOME (IMMEDIATELY) I NOTICED VIBRATIONS THROUGH THE PEDAL. I ASKED ABOUT IT AND THEY STATED IT WAS NORMAL. SINCE IT DID IT IMMEDIATELY, NOW I SEE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND NO LONGER THINK I AM CRAZY. I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE SINCE OCTOBER 2013 AND THE ISSUE PERSISTS ALSO MY BACKUP CAMERA SOMETIMES DOES NOT ENGAGE. A FEW TIMES THE RADIO SYSTEM GETS STUCK ON STUPID (WONT TURN ON), BUT THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE BACK UP CAMERA HAS ISSUES. AND THIS WEEK 7/2015 MY JUKEBOX STOPPED WORKING PROPERLY. LUCKILY, I FOUND THE RESET SWITCH NEAR THE VOLUME CONTROL AND IT WORKS AGAIN :) MA 10/8 UPDATED 3/22/2016*JS
Service brakes, Jun 26, 2015
MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA EX BRAKE WILL VIBRATE/GRIND EXTREMELY BAD UNDER MY FOOT. THE CAR BRAKE DOES THIS EVERY TIME I AM DRIVING IN WET CONDITIONS. THE FIRST TIME, WHICH WAS ABOUT 2 WEEKS AFTER GETTING MY CAR, WAS AFTER I HAD IT WASHED. IT ALSO DOES IT WHILE DRIVING IN WET ROAD CONDITIONS. I CONTACTED KIA AT THE FIRST OCCURRENCE AND WAS TOLD IT WAS MY ABS SYSTEM, FOLLOWED BY A DESCRIPTION OF WHAT THAT MEANS AND IT'S FUNCTION. HOWEVER, I KNOW THIS IS NOT NORMAL ABS PERFORMANCE, AS WOULD ANY OTHER DRIVER. NOT ONLY DOES THIS MALFUNCTION DISTRACT MY ATTENTION WHEN IT HAPPENS, IT CONTRADICTS THE PURPOSE OF ABS! IT SCARES ME WHEN IT IS HAPPENING, ENOUGH FOR ME TO LOOSE FOCUS. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR APPROXIMATELY 28 MONTHS SO FAR.
Service brakes, May 22, 2015
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A MODERATELY STEEP SLOPE AND WHEN I APPLIED THE BREAKS TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN I COULD FEEL A SHAKING ON THE BREAK PETAL ABOUT A 20 SECOND DURATION. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE. BOTH WHEN I WAS DRIVING AND MY WIFE WAS DRIVING.
Service brakes, May 15, 2015
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR DOWN A HILL, I HAD THE RIGHT OF WAY SO I DID NOT NEED TO ENGAGE MY BRAKES AT A STOP LIGHT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL. THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKES AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN HIT BECAUSE OF THIS MALFUNCTION. I HAD TO PULL OVER IN A PARKING LOT AND BEFORE I COULD PARK THE CAR, IT COMPLETELY LOCKED UP AS PULLED IN. I WAS FORCED TO STOP IN THIS MIDDLE OF A NARROW PARKING LOT BLOCKING CARS FROM BEING ABLE TO EXIT THEIR SPOTS. I CALLED KIA ROADAIDE ASSISTANCE, WHO INSTEAD OF GETTING ME HELP, TRANSFERED ME TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY HELP. NOT ONLY DID MY CAR FAIL ME, KIA CUSOTMER SERVICE DID AS WELL. .
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 19, 2015
VEHICLE IN REVERSE BACKING UP ON STEEP DRIVEWAY, FOOT ON FUEL PEDAL, CAR BEGAN ITS AUTOMATED HILL HOLDING FUNCTION, WHILE IN REVERSE, HEARD HIGH RPM, TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING INTO NEUTRAL, CAR BEGAN ROLLING FORWARD, PUT FOOT ON BRAKE, BRAKE FAILED, CAR ACCELERATED RAPIDLY, AND ENGINE DIED, THEN HIT THE WALL INSIDE THE GARAGE. I ESTIMATED, SPEED AT TIME OF IMPACT APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 15 MPH. NOTICED ANOTHER ENTRY FILED SIMILAR TO THIS,HAD SAME FUEL, BRAKE FAIL SYMPTOMS. *TR
Service brakes, Jul 25, 2014
THE FRONT BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE LOCK UP REALLY EASILY ON SLICK ROADS, THEY ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BUT THEY CLAIMED THEY WERE OPERATING TO SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE OPTIMA. I'M SPECULATING, BUT THEY APPEAR TO WORK AS THOUGH SOME ENGINEER SET THEM UP TO WORK ON ROADS THAT DON'T HAVE ICE OR SNOW ON THEM, NOT REALLY UNDERSTANDING OR REALIZING THAT WE HAVE ICE AND SNOW ON OUR ROADS, HERE IN THE USA. I DON'T KNOW WHERE THIS VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED OR ENGINEERED, BUT IT REALLY APPEARS TO ME THAT ICE AND SNOW COVERED ROADS WERE NOT ACCOMMODATED FOR. I THINK THEY ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF DIFFICULTY STOPPING THE VEHICLE ON ICY, OR SNOW COVERED ROADS SAFELY AND WITHOUT THE FRONT WHEELS SKIDDING OUT OF CONTROL. THE ANTI-LOCK FEATURE DOES RELEASE THEM BUT AS SOON AS THEY APPLY AGAIN THEY GO INTO A SKID. *TR