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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 1,383

Of the 2013 reports, 48 involved a crash and 114 involved a fire. 36 people were injured and 4 people died.

Primary concernEngine612 reports · 44% of complaints
Owner complaints1,383Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship9 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Engine612
  2. Steering213
  3. Other or unspecified186
  4. Electrical system146
  5. Structure127
  6. Service brakes115
  7. Fuel/propulsion system93
  8. Power train64

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  1. Steering, Engine, Mar 30, 2019

    WAS DRIVING DROWN THE ROAD OUT OF MY SUBDIVISION. ENGINE JUST SHUT DOWN AND WOULDN'T START. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AND JUST SHUT OFF. I AM BLESSED THAT IT DIDN'T HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY.

  2. Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Mar 21, 2019

    MY CAR HAVE BEEN READING MECHANISM ERROR ON THE RADIO FOR 6 MONTHS. RECENTLY MY LIGHTBULB WENT OUT THEN THE OTHER,, I DIDN'T HAVE 100 A PIECE SO I USED HIGH BEAM NOW ONE OF THOSE OUT. MY BACKSEAT INTERIOR LIGHT OUT WHICH ALL IS FINE I'M ASSUMING JUS NEED REPLACEMENT. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN I SAW SMOKE THEN A LOUD POP MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP,, BRAKES IN ALL I BARELY MADE IT OFF THE ROAD THE WHEEL WAS SO TIGHT. I GET OUT TO A EXPLODED TIRE TORE UP BUMPER AND FENDER. EPS ENGINE LIGHT ALONG WITH A FEW OTHERS ARE ON. I GET MY CAR TOWED GET THE CRACKED RIMMED FIXED AND PROCEEDING TO FIX BUMPER AND FENDER BECAUSE I NATURALLY ASSUMED BAD TIRES. TODAY I'M DRIVING AGAIN I SUDDENLY SEE SMOKE THEN THE ENTIRE CAR SHUTS DOWN. I'VE TRIED A BOOST EVERYTHING CAME ON EXCEPT THE ENGINE. I TRIED PUTTING THE KEY IN THE SIDE COMPARTMENT STILL NOTHING. ALL LIGHTS ARE ON,, ON THE DASHBOARD ENGINE TIRE PRESSURE ETC. I REALLY CAN'T SAY WHAT'S THE PROBLEM BUT THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS HAPPENED. I'M LOSING MONEY AND MY CAR. I'M WITHOUT A CAR AS OF NOW.!

  3. Steering, Mar 19, 2019

    TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER (NOV16 60523 MILES) BECAUSE THE STEERING HAD A STICKING ISSUE WHILE DRIVING. A TSB WAS PERFORMED AND IT DID NOT CORRECT THE ISSUE. THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. THE DEALER SAID IT WOULD BE A 50/50 COST AS IT WAS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. ON 18 MAR 2019 WE TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN DUE TO STICKING. IT WAS JUST OVER 2 YEARS AND 13677 MILES AGAIN THEY TOLD US IT WAS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THESE ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS GOING OUT AS IT CONTROLS THE STEERING OF THE CAR AND AS WE CAN TELL YOU HAS CAUSED SOME OVER STEERING WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL STICKS AND ADDITIONAL PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO GET THE VEHICLE TO RESPOND TO THE STEERING INPUT

  4. Steering, Mar 13, 2019

    IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO TRAVEL SAFELY IN A LANE BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL CONSTANTLY NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED IT VEERS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT THE STEERING FEELS LIKE IT HAS A FLAT SPOT IN STEERING THAT WON'T STAY STRAIGHT

  5. Steering, Electrical system, Air bags, Feb 4, 2019

    WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A NOISE, SEEMS TO GET STUCK. " WHEN STATIONARY OR IN MOTION THE HORN DOES NOT WORK. WHEN IN MOTION THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK. WHEN STATIONARY OR IN MOTION, THE STEERING WHEEL HEATER DOES NOT WORK AND THE RADIO VOLUME CONTROL DOES NOT WORK. AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON.

  6. Steering, Jan 30, 2019

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73,500.

  7. Steering, Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 26, 2018

    I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN THE CAR STARTED TO OVERHEAT AND THEN JUST CUT OFF. I TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT WOULD NOT START. HAD IT TOWED TO KIA WICH TOLD ME IT WAS THE PULLEYS FROZE UP AND SHREDDED THE BELT. NOW KIA JUST REPLACED MY ENGINE FROM THE RECALL. NOW I ALWAYS HAVE THE OIL CHANGED EVERY 3,000 MILES AND I TAKE IT TO THE SAME PLACE EVERYTIME NOW WHEN THEY CHANGED THE ENGINE THEY SAID I WOULD NEED A NEW ALTERNATOR BUT THAT WAS IT. NOT TO MENTION I JUST HAD IT AT KIA FOR A OIL CHANGE AND A FREE INSPECTION. WHICH THE INSPECTION STATED NOTHING ABOUT THE BELTS OR PULLEYS WHICH ARE SUPPOSED TO BE INSPECTED. SO THAT IS TWICE THEY MISSED A WORN OUT IDLER PULLEY. NOW THE MECHANIC I HAD LOOKING AT IT TOLD ME IT WAS SO WORN THAT IT BROKE OFF AND THAT THERE IS NO WAY THEY MISSED IT.

  8. Steering, Dec 17, 2018

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WASHER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000.

  9. Steering, Dec 16, 2018

    STEERING WHEEL WOBBLING AND CAUSING SLACK FOR NO REASON. BEARING OR BOLT HAS GONE OUT. DOLLAR PART WILL COST 350 TO FIX HAS TO BE DONE BY DEALERSHIP UNSAFE AND RIDICULOUS.

  10. Steering, Oct 11, 2018

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE STEERING ABILITY BECAME DIFFICULT AND THE VEHICLE VEERED LEFT AND RIGHT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.

  11. Steering, Jul 8, 2018

    THERE IS A POPPING NOISE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN. HAD TIE RODS INSPECTED AND ARE FINE. NOISE IS COMING FROM INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN. IT POPS WHILE MOVING OR STATIONARY.. IT POPS EVERY TIME YOUR CHANGE DIRECTION. NOISE RADIATES FROM INSIDE DASHBOARD. CHECKED U JOINTS AND THEY ARE TIGHT.

  12. Steering, Jun 8, 2018

    THE STEERING WHEEL IS SHAKING MAKING NOISES WHEN OPERATING.

  13. Steering, May 9, 2018

    TAKATA RECALL THERE IS A PLASTIC PART IN THE STEERING ASSIST THAT IS BAD. ITS ALL OVER YOUTUBE INCLUDING MINE. WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION YOU CAN HEAR THE METAL TO METAL CLINKING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP IT WANTS TO JERK THE STEERING WHEEL OUT OF YOU HANDS. YOU CAN MOVE THE WHEEL FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND HEAR WHEN IN STATIOARY AS WELL.

  14. Steering, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Apr 9, 2018

    MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND MY HORN I BLOWING FOR UP TO 45 MINUTES RANDOMLY AT ANYTIME; DRIVING OR STATIONARY. MY CAR IS UNSAFE. I HAD MY CAR DIAGNOSE AT COBB COUNTY KIA IN KENNESAW, GA 30144 AND THE SERVICE MANAGER, JOE TOLD ME THAT THE ISSUE WAS THE CLOCK SPRING WHICH KIA HAS RECALLED ON SEVERAL OTHER MODELS. THE CAR IS UNSAFE; THE AIRBAG DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS $600.00 FOR A SAFETY ISSUE.

  15. Steering, Suspension, Feb 21, 2018, crash

    ON AUGUST 17TH , 2017 AFTER MAKING A BROKEN U TURN, I DROVE MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA ONTO A ROAD AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, TO FLOW INTO TRAFFIC, AND HIT A CURB THAT I BELIEVED I WAS CLEAR OF. I SUFFERED WHIPLASH AND SEVERE PAIN FROM MY ACCELERATOR FOOT UP TO MY SHOULDERS AS BOTH HANDS WERE ON THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAVE HAD TO TAKE OFF MANY DAYS TO REST SINCE THEN. AFTER A VISIT TO THE DEALER WHERE I REPORTED THE ACCIDENT, THE REP SUGGESTED THAT THE CAR SHOULD HAVE A FRONT CAMERA. AFTER THE ACCIDENT I BEGAN TO HEAR AND FEEL NOISE AND EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL, AND TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED THE FAULTY PART, THE FLEXIBLE COUPLER AND RECOMMENDED I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALLED PART THAT CAUSED ACCIDENT REPLACED. I HAD HAD MY SUSPICION'S AS TO WHY THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN MUCH BY THE PREVIOUS OWNERS, AND THAT THE INACCURATE NAVIGATION MAY HAVE CAUSED THEM TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT, THAT WAS NEVER REPORTED. I BELIEVE I HAVE CASE AGAINST THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURE, FOR MY PAIN AND SUFFERING. AS A TBI SUFFERER THIS LAST EVENT IS CAUSING MAJOR COMPLICATIONS; AND NOW DIZZINESS, DEPRESSION, UNCERTAINTY AND HEADACHES HAVE RETURNED.

  16. Steering, Feb 5, 2018

    THE ISSUE WE ARE HAVING WITH OUR KIA IS THAT WHEN YOU TURN THE RIGHT 5-10 DEGREES AND THEN GO BACK TO THE LEFT TO STRAIGHTEN THE CAR THERE IS A NOTCH THAT YOU WOULD HAVE TO JERK THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT TO GET PAST IT. THIS IS THE SAME BULLETIN THAT IS POSTED ON CARS.COM HTTPS://WWW.CARS.COM/ARTICLES/2011-14-KIA-OPTIMA-STEERING-ISSUE-1420684027147/ THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESS AND COVERED FOR ALL 2011-2014 KIA OPTIMAS

  17. Steering, Jan 31, 2018

    THE STEERING IS BAD. IT'S BEEN LIKE THAT SINCE I BOUGHT IT. WHEN IT'S WINDY MY CAR IS ALL OVER THE PLACE IT'S HARD TO STEER. I HAVE TO ALIGN IT EVERY YEAR. I TOOK IT FOR AN ALIGNMENT AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME 1220.50 TO CHANGE THE MDPS STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. MY STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT CENTER RIGHT. I'VE ALREADY ALMOST HAD A COUPLE OF ACCIDENTS DUE TO THE STEERING WHEN IT'S WINDY AND ALSO ON THE FREEWAY. IT'S UNSAFE AND I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO PUT OUT FOR A NEW MDPS STEERING WHEEL COLUMN.. I LOVE MY CAR BUT IT'S UNSAFE. IT'S HAPPENS WHEN IT'S WINDY OR WHEN I DRIVE ON THE FREEWAY. I SEEN ONLINE THERE IS A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. I FEEL IT SHOULD BE RECALLED OR SOMEONE'S GOING TO LOSE THEIR LIFE IF THEY HAVEN'T ALREADY.

  18. Steering, Nov 30, 2017

    STEERING WHEEL HAS A CATCH OR NOTCH SOMETIMES IN COLD WEATHER WHEN TRYING TO TURN THE WHEEL.

  19. Steering, Nov 25, 2017

    STEERING HAS A DEAD SPOT NEAR THE CENTER AND IT FEELS LIKE IT GETS HUNG UP WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED EITHER DIRECTION AND IT JUMPS WHEN ALTERNATING LEFT TO RIGHT OR RIGHT TO LEFT IT FEELS UNSAFE AND JUMPY WHEELS WILL NOT EVER STAY IN A STRAIGHT CENTERED POSITION WHEN YOU TRY TO CORRECT THE JUMP IN THE STEERING OVER CORRECTS CAUSING A BACK AND FORTH JUST TO STAY IN ONE LANE THE NOISE IT MAKES IS A CLUNK AND IS MOST NOTICEABLE WHILE SITTING AT IDLE TURING THE WHEEL BACK AND FORTH EVEN ONE INCH

  20. Steering, Nov 19, 2017

    VEHICLE STEERING HAS BECOME FAULTY. WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED WHILE PARKED OR DRIVING, IT STICKS THEN MOVES FREELY WITHOUT THE WHEELS TURNING. THIS STICKING IS ACCOMPANIED BY A KNOCKING/CLICKING IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS MOST OFTEN HAPPENS WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL FROM IT'S CENTER POSITION. I'M UNSURE OF THE CAUSE. THIS STARTED APPROXIMATELY 3 WEEKS AGO (30OCT17) AND HAS PERSISTED. I'M VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS IS GOING TO ESCALATE INTO A DANGEROUS SITUATION. CAN YOU PLEASE ASSIST?

  21. Steering, Engine, Nov 17, 2017

    I AM CURRENTLY STATIONED IN RAMSTEIN GERMANY WITH THE U.S. AIR FORCE. I CONTACTED KIA TO HAVE THE RECALL CHECKED AND THE WORK COMPLETED. THEY ARE REFUSING SAYING THAT SINCE I AM IN GERMANY THE RECALL DOESN'T AFFECT THEM. THEY ARE ALSO REFUSING TO HONOR MY WARRANTY. EMAIL IS THE BEST TO CONTACT ME OR VIA CELL [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

  22. Steering, Oct 24, 2017

    CONSTANT KNOCKING / CLICKING IN THE STEERING COLUMN. I HAVE SEEN ON MANY FORUMS THAT THIS IS COMMON WITH THE KIA BRAND IT IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE STEERING COUPLER???? ATTACHING A PIC I FOUND ON A WEBSITE. IT HAS BEEN "KNOCKING" FOR OVER A YEAR.

  23. Steering, Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 17, 2017

    IT STALLS AT LOW SPEED AND STALLS AT HIGH SPEED PULLS HARD TO THE RIGHT. AND MOTOR MAKES ALL KIND OF SOUNDS LIKE RATTLES WHEN COLD. AND RUN POORLY WHEN COLD. HAD A TOTAL OF 4 RECALLS AND HAVE NOT HAD IT A YEAR. HAD IT SENT TO KIA OF CHATTANOOGA WHEN I FIRST GOT IT FROM EDD KIRBY OF DALTON,GA AND ALL THEY DONE WAS PUT 600 MILES ON IT. AND DID NOTHING TO IT. THEN IT WAS TAKEN TO KIA OF DALTON,GA FOR THE REST OF THE RECALLS BUT NOTHING WAS FIXED ALL THEY DONE WAS SERVICED THE CAR. THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO BE ON THE ROAD. IT IS GOING TO END UP GETTING SOMEONE KILLED OR BADLY HURT. I AM ABOUT READY TO CALL A LAWYER AND CHANNEL 3 NEWS OF CHATTANOOGA, TENN. IF YOU CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION YOU MAY TALK TO MY HUSBAND [XXX] AT ANYTIME. ('PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).')*JB

  24. Steering, Electrical system, Aug 21, 2017

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WENT FROM LOOSE TO TIGHT AND THE TRACTION CONTROL, AUTO HOLD, EPS, CHECK ENGINE, TIRE PRESSURE, AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SOUTHWEST KIA (LOCATED AT 39650 LYNDON B JOHNSON FWY DALLAS, TX 75237, 877-363-9542) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED DUE TO NO FAILURE CODES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER OPENED CASE NUMBER: 12456964 AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO PULL OVER AND HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER IF THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,873.

  25. Steering, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 20, 2017

    I WAS SITTING IN THE YARD AT MY AUNTS YARD AND THE RPM'S DROPPED WHILE IN PARK. I SAT THERE FOR A FEW MINUTES TO SEE IF IT WOULD DO IT AGAIN, IT DIDN'T, SO I LEFT AND HEADED HOME AND GOT 5-7 MILES DOWN THE ROAD, AND THE CAR COMPLETELY STALLED AND SHUT DOWN, WHILE I WAS GOING ABOUT 45-50 MPH, AND I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR. THE BRAKES GOT HARD, THE STEERING WAS HARD, AND I WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD WITH VEHICLES BEHIND ME. IT WOULDN'T CRANK BACK UP. I SAT THERE WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO COME TO ME TO CHECK IT OUT, AND I TRIED TO START IT BACK UP AND IT DID, SO I WENT ON HOME. I CALLED KIA AND THEY SAID BRING IT IN, I PAID $100 TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP IN LAKE CITY, FL. THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND SAID IT WAS NOTHING WRONG GN WITH IT. BUT I RECEIVED A NOTICE ABOUT A RECALL ON THE MOTOR STATING IT WOULD DO WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. ALSO, I CHECKED ONLINE AND TYPED MY VIN NUMBER IN AND THERE WAS IN FACT AN OPEN RECALL FOR THE MOTOR I HAVE FOR THE ISSUE I HAD. THEY REFUSED TO FIX THE RECALL. ADVISED ME TO WAIT FOR IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN, AND I ASKED THEM, SO YOU ARE TELLING ME TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE WITH THIS ISSUE AND WAIT FOR IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN AND RISK GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT THE ANSWER I GOT WAS BASICALLY YES.