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: steering
213 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Jun 10, 2020
I STARTED NOTICING A SOUND COMING FROM STEERING WHEEL SOUNDS LIKE A CLANK OR CLUNCK WHEN I MOVE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH MOVING OR NOT STILL MAKES SOUND WHEN I HIT BUMPS IN ROAD IT MAKES SOUND IT DOESN'T MATTER IF CAR IS ON OR OFF MOVING OR STILL IT STILL DOES IT , IT'S GOT WORSE THE NOISE IS LOUDER AND HAPPENS MORE TIMES NOW . *TR
Steering, Jun 5, 2020
THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A WEAR NOISE, LIKE PARTS ARE GETTING LOOSE WHEN I MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL THE LIGHTEST. IT SOUNDS DANGEROUS AND NOT SAFE AT ALL. IT ALSO SOUNDS WHEN DRIVING NO MATTER THE SURFACE. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Wheels, May 30, 2020
WHEN I'M DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND ON ANY SURFACE DRIVING OVER THE SLIGHTEST BUMP THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CLANKING SOUND ALSO THE CAR IS PULLING TO THE RIGHT MY FRONT TIRES ARE WEARING OUT ON THE UPPEROUTSIDE OF THE TIRE THE PART OF TIRE THAT TOUCHES THE ROAD. I HAVE LOOKED ON WEB TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD A ISSUE WITH THIS WHAT I FOUND WAS THAT IT MAY BE THE STEERING COUPLER. IT'S GETTING WORSE I'M AFRAID IT'S NOT GOING TO TURN ONE OF THESE DAYS BECAUSE OF WHAT'S GOING ON. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Other or unspecified, Apr 22, 2020
AFTER HAVING WORK DONE ON THE LAST RECALL, I NOTICED THERE IS A RATTLING NEAR THE STEERING WHEEL ON EVERY BUMP IN THE ROAD I HIT. IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW BIG OR SMALL. THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND THE RATTLING HAS SINCE THEN GOTTEN LOUDER AND WORSE. I FEAR THERE IS SOMETHING LOOSE EITHER WITHIN THE STEERING WHEEL AND COMPONENTS OR THE BARS UNDERNEATH. I CANNOT SEEM TO FIND EXACTLY WHAT IT IS BUT ITS ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE CAR. IT IS ONLY HAPPENING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.
Steering, Suspension, Wheels, Mar 30, 2020
WHEN I AM DRIVING MORE THAN 65 MPH, MY STEERING WHEEL SHAKES FOR 3 SECONDS, STOPS, AND THEN CONTINUES UNTIL I GO UNDER 65 MPH. WHEN I DRIVE OVER A BUMP OR OBJECT, IT SHAKES AS WELL. THERE IS A LOUD CLICKING WHEN TURN THE WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT.
Steering, Mar 3, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
Steering, Feb 28, 2020
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE STEERING WHEEL IS MAKING A CLACKING NOISE. THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOOSE
Steering, Feb 11, 2020
THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CLICKING SOUND WHEN YOU TURN IT WHILE STATIONARY AND DRIVING. WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES REALLY BAD AND MAKES A REALLY LOUD RATTLING SOUND.
Steering, Dec 30, 2019
EVERY TIME HI TURN THE CAR LEFT OR RIGHT IT MAKES A SEVERE CLUNKING SOUND NOW VIBRATES GOING DOWN THE ROAD MY MOTHER'S CAR SAME TYPE DOES THE SAME THING.
Steering, Wheels, Dec 30, 2019
STEERING WHEEL SLIPS WHILE TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT
Steering, Dec 22, 2019
THERE IS A LOUD CLANKING NOISE WHEN STEERING OR HITTING BUMPS. THIS HAPPENS OVER TIME AND HAS SIGNIFICANTLY GOTTEN WORSE. IT SEEMS TO BE UNSAFE NOW AND MY VEHICLE IS EVEN BELOW 100K MILES SO THIS SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE AT ALL.
Steering, Dec 16, 2019
STERING WHEEL FEELS LIKE IS GETTING STUCK WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT.STERING WHEEL HAS A SIZEABLE PLAY.IT SEEMS THAT IS GETTING WORST BOTH PROBLEMS.
Steering, Dec 4, 2019
WHILE STEERING THE STEERING WHEEL MAKE A CLICKING SOUND ALMOST LIKE SOMETHING IS BROKEN. THIS STEERING ISSUE HAPPENS WHETHER STATIONARY OR MOVING. THE SOUND ONLY HAPPENS WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL.
Steering, Oct 23, 2019
THE STEERING IS MAKING A VIBRATING, CLICKING NOISE. IT DOES THIS WHILE DRIVING, TURNING EVEN IF THE VEHICLE IS OFF AND STATIONARY.
Steering, Oct 19, 2019
THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING. MAKING A CLICKING WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL FROM LEFT TO RIGHT THE WHEEL FEELS LIKE IT'S SLIPPING
Steering, Oct 14, 2019
MY ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL BOX HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH ONLY 66,000 MILES. THE STEERING BECAME BUMPY WITH NOISE. IT HAPPENED WHEN SLIGHTLY TURNING THE WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION.
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 10, 2019
ON INTERSTATE 675 NORTH-GA CAR STALLED, LOST POWER TO THE ENGINE, EPS LIGHT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, OIL LIGHT CAME ON ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, NO POWER STEERING. I HAD TO CROSS TWO LANES OF INTERSTATE TRAFFIC TO TRY TO MAKE IT SAFELY TO THE SHOULDER. MY CAR WOULDN'T TURN OVER OR START. I LET THE CAR SIT FOR AN HOUR AND TRIED AGAIN TO START IT. I RECEIVED NO NOTICE OF ANY RECALLS FROM THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER. IT WAS A DANGEROUS SITUATION TO BE IN ON THE INTERSTATE OR ANYWHERE FOR THAT MATTER.
Steering, Oct 9, 2019
MY CAR HAS BEEN MAKING A VERY LOUD CLICKING SOUND IN THE STEERING. I ALSO HAVE A HARD TIME STEERING AS IT PULLS AND IT SHAKES AND WILL STEERING.. IT VERY SCARY AND IT FEELS LIKE ITS GOING TO LOCK UP AT TIMES. THE CAR ONLY HAS 23,000 MILES ON IT.. GARAGE KEPT.
Steering, Oct 2, 2019
WHILE DRIVING OR AT AN IDLING POSITION WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS STRAIGHT AND YOU MOVE IT LEFT OR RIGHT ABOUT AN INCH THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE. IT ALSO DOES THIS WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. IT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT 3WKS NOW. I CALLED THE RECALL CORPORATE OFFICE AND APPARENTLY THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR THIS HOWEVER, THERE ARE NOW 120 COMPLAINTS FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM... IS SOMETHING GOING TO BE DONE OR ARE WE WAITING FOR AN ACCIDENT TO HAPPEN??
Steering, Aug 13, 2019
BACK IN 2016 THE STEERING RECALL ISSUE WAS REPAIRED ON MY VEHICLE. IN FED 2017 DURING THE 50K MILE WARRANTY INSPECTION KIA REPLACED THE POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY. ABOUT A WEEK AGO MY STEERING BEGAN TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE, LOTS OF PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL, VIBRATIONS FELT THROUGH THE PEDALS INTO THE STEERING. KIA IS NOW SAYING IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL THAT IT IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR TO A VEHICLE STEERING SHAFT OR ASSEMBLY. WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING IS VIBRATING AND DOES NOT FEEL TOTALLY CONNECTED TO THE WHEELS.
Steering, Jul 31, 2019
THE STEERING STICKS AND THERE IS OBVIOUS EVIDENCE OF RESISTANCE WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK IT TO PATTERSON KIA IN ARLINGTON, TX AND THEY PERFORMED A SOFTWARE UPDATE. THIS IS A MECHANICAL ISSUE AND OF GREAT SAFETY CONCERNS. THIS IS SUBSEQUENT TO PRIOR RECALL SERVICE PERFORMED ON THE STEERING.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 17, 2019
THE IGNITION SWITCH WON'T TURN, CAR SEEMS TO BE ON EVEN THOUGH LETS AREN'T IN IGNITIINNSWITCH, RADIO COMES ON BUT CAR LET STICK IN ON POSITION AND WON'T TURN..DOORS WON'T LOCK UNLESS KEY IS USED
Steering, Jun 27, 2019
THERE IS A SMALL RUBBER-LIKE COUPLING IN THE STEERING MECHANISM. IT FAILED AND PRODUCED ABOUT A QUARTER TURN OF SLACK IN THE STEERING WHEEL. IN READING TO ONLINE POSTS IT APPEARS THAT FAILURE IS COMMON. THE PARTS TECHNICIAN AT THE KIA DEALERSHIP DIDN'T NEED TO LOOK UP THE PART NUMBER...HE JUST REACHED IN A DRAWER NEARBY AND PULLED A NEW ONE OUT. THE PROBLEM CHANGED FROM A OCCASIONAL CLICK TO VERY SLOPPY STEERING WHILE DRIVING ON A 2 MILE STRETCH OF RUTTED ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH.. I HAVE ATTACHED A PICTURE OF THE FAILED PART AND ONE OF THE NEW PART.
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.
Steering, Apr 22, 2019
THE STEERING WHEEL JUST STARTED MAKING A CLICKING SOUND AND IT SHACKS WHEN I WAS DRIVING