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, Jul 13, 2017

    WHEN DRIVING THE CAR, IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT LINE - THE CAR WANTS TO WANDER - THE STEERING REQUIRES CONSTANT CORRECTION. I CONTACTED KIA USA WHO TOLD ME THAT THE CAR IS NOT UNDER RECALL. I JUST PURCHASED THE CAR USED FROM A KIA DEALER TWO WEEKS AGO - THEY HAVE NOT CALLED ME BACK. THE STEERING IN THE CAR FEELS VERY UNSAFE, AS THE CAR SEEMS TO WANT TO WANDER, REQUIRING CONSTANT STEERING CORRECTIONS

  2. Steering, Jul 12, 2017, crash

    CAR WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT NORMAL SPEED. THE STEERING FROZE WITH THE WHEELS TURNED, SENDING THE CAR OFF THE ROAD INTO THE DITCH. NO INJURIES BUT THE CAR SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT BUMPER, FENDER, HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY, ETC. I UNDERSTAND THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF STEERING ISSUES WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL.

  3. Steering, Jul 11, 2017

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,437.

  4. Steering, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 26, 2017

    WIFE AND BABY USE THIS VEHICLE. WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN FROM A STOP, VEHICLE BEGINS TO SLOW AND ALMOST STALL. HAVE HAD TO PULL INTO BIKE LANES QUICKLY IN ORDER NOT TO BE HIT FROM BEHIND. THERE ARE 2 OCCASIONS WHEN THIS OCCURS. 1) WHEN AT A STOP ON A CITY STREET, WAITING TO MAKE A RIGHT. FOOT OFF PEDAL, ACCELERATE, ENGINE BEGINS TO STALL. 2) WHEN ROLLING INTO A RIGHT TURN (ON CITY STREETS) ACCELERATION CAUSES START OF STALL PROCESS. WE HAVE NOT FULLY STALLED AS OF YET. BUT THIS COULD BE A BAD SCENARIO IF IT DOES. WE HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT GAS VAPOR ISSUES WITH THE PHOENIX, AZ HEAT BEING 119 DEGREES, BUT IF THAT WERE THE CASE, IT WOULD HAPPEN OTHER TIMES AND NOT JUST DURING TURNS. THANKS

  5. Steering, Engine, Jun 23, 2017

    ENGINE RECALL BY KIA MOTOR CORPORATION AND STEERING DISC RECALL KIA MOTOR COMPANY DEALER SHIP IN RAINBOW CITY ALA DID NOT TAKE PROPER MEASURES WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO GET THE CAR CHECKED. HAVE TO TAKE IT BACK AND NOT SURE HOW SAFE THE CAR IS TO DRIVE BASED ON RECALL NOTICE. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE NOW IN CONTINUING TO THIS CAR DUE TO THE SERIOUS POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUES PLUS I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY RELIABLE MECHANICS THE NEW CAR MOTOR IS NOT ANY BETTER AS WELL PLEASE HELP GETTING KIA MOTOR CORPORATION TO MAKE THEIR CAR PRODUCTS MORE RELIABLE AND SAFE TO DRIVE. I AM TRYING TO MAKE SURE SOMEONE IN MY FAMILY DRIVING THIS CAR REMAINS SAFE

  6. Steering, Air bags, Apr 4, 2017, crash

    NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH STEERING IN THE YEAR VEHICLE WAS OWNED, WAS BOUGHT PREOWNED WITH 25K MILES ON IT, NOW WITH 28K MILES ON IT. ON DAY OF ACCIDENT, ROADS WERE DAMP, WHILE DRIVING ON ROAD LITTERED WITH NUMEROUS POT HOLES AND BUMPS, CAME AROUND A CORNER ON WHAT SEEMED TO BE BUMP FREE PAVEMENT, STEERING JERKED RIGHT, CAR VEERED INTO THE GRASSY TERRAIN ALONGSIDE ROAD, COULD NOT REGAIN CONTROL OF CAR AS STEERING WAS FIGHTING ME NO MATTER WHAT I DID, RAISE IN TERRAIN FORCED PASSENGER SIDE DOWN AN DRIVER SIDE OF CAR INTO AIR, CAR CAME TO REST NEAR SIDE OF ROAD ON IT'S PASSENGER SIDE, ALSO AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS CAR IS SUPPOSEDLY SAFE I BELIEVE I SURVIVED THANKS TO AN ANGEL ABOVE KEEPING ME SAFE.

  7. Steering, Mar 27, 2017

    THE STEERING WHEEL HAS DEVELOPED A POPING OR CLICKING WHEN YOU TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. IT STOPS AFTER YOU'VE TURNED THE WHEEL MORE THAN A 1/4 TURN BUT IT FEELS LIKE THE STEERING IS NOT RESPONSIVE UNTIL YOU'VE GOTTEN PAST THAT INITIAL 1/4 WHEEL TURN. IT STARTED A WHILE BACK BUT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. IT WILL MAKE THE SOUND ANYTIME THE WHEEL IS TURNED IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU ARE DRIVING OR SITTING STILL.

  8. Steering, Jan 31, 2017

    WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, MY STEERING WHEEL SEEMS TO STICK. I AM CONSTANTLY OVER CORRECTING TO GET IT UNSTUCK AND STAY ON THE ROAD. IT HAPPENS TO THE LEFT AS WELL AS TO THE RIGHT. *TR

  9. Steering, Power train, Jan 19, 2017

    SOMETIMES HAVE TROUBLE WITH THE STEERING, IT DOESN'T LOCK UP BUT IT GETS STUCK AND DOESN'T RESPOND TO SMALL MOVEMENTS (FEELS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL IS A FIGHT AGAINST THE MOVEMENT) WHEN DRIVING LONGER DISTANCE IN A STRAIGHT LINE.... I ALSO HAVE SOME PROBLEMS WITH THE SHIFTING WHEN I'M DRIVING SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 20 AND 30 MPH AND FEATHERING THE GAS PEDAL (USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN GOING UP AN INCLINE). LIKE THE CAR DOESN'T KNOW WHAT GEAR IT SHOULD BE IN AND SLIPS BETWEEN GEARS.... HOPE THIS HELPS YOU AND YOU COULD HELP ME THANK YOU *TR

  10. Steering, Jan 4, 2017

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE IN WHICH THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSELY CONNECTED AND NOT ALIGNED. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT AN ALIGNMENT WAS UNABLE TO BE COMPLETED BECAUSE THERE WAS A RECALL THAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED FIRST FOR THE STEERING. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO CALL A DEALER. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

  11. Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 29, 2016

    MY STEERING HAS BEEN LOOSE SINCE 65K MILES AND CONTINUED TO DRIFT. HOWEVER THIS BIENG MY 4TH CAR I LET IT SLIDE AND WAS WAITING FOR TIME TO DO A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. HOWEVER AT 73K MILES THE EPS SENSOR WENT OFF AND NOW IS HARD TO DRIVE. THE EPS ON ALL MY VEHICLES NEVER HAD ISSUES UP TILL ITS DEATH WAY OVER 250K MILES. THE EPS SENSOR CAME ON AFTER A STOP SIGN. THEN I HEARD A SNAP THEN THE CAR WENT INTO MANUAL STEERING MODE. NOW THE EPS SENSOR IS OFF AND THE CAR IS WORKING FINE.

  12. Steering, Dec 14, 2016

    AT FIRST I THOUGHT THE ALIGNMENT WAS OFF HOWEVER AFTER HAVING MY CAR ALIGNED THE STEERING IS STILL LOSE AND AT ANY GIVEN SPEED THE CAR DRIFTS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT VERY EASILY. IT'S DANGEROUS!!! *TR

  13. Steering, Dec 13, 2016

    WHEN DRIVING THE CAR FROM ANY SPEEDS THE CAR WILL DRIFT. WANDERING NOT STABLE GOES IN TO OTHER LANES WITHOUT YOU DOING IT. HOLDING THE STEERING WHEEL WITH BOTH HANDS CONSTANTLY RESTEERING BACK AN FORTH WITHOUT TRYING NOT TO OVER STEER BY STAYING IN YOUR LANE AN NOT STEERING IN TO ANOTHER VEHICLE. . NOT A SAFE VEHICLE TO DRIVE. VERY UNSTABLE. *TR

  14. Steering, Dec 7, 2016

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.

  15. Steering, Dec 1, 2016

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL DRIFTED IN EITHER DIRECTION AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A FRONT END ALIGNMENT WOULD CORRECT THE CONDITION. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

  16. Steering, Nov 9, 2016

    I HAVE A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. LIKE EVERYONE ELSE I AM HAVING STEERING WHEEL ISSUES. THIS NEEDS TO BE ON RECALL!!!!! I AM A LITTLE OVER 60,000.00. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE POSSIBLE LAWSUIT. I CALLED KIA TALKED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AND SHE SAID THIS SOUNDS NORMAL AND I NEED TO BRING IT IN TO DO A COMPUTER RESET. I DON'T AGREE WITH THIS. NOT HAPPY. THIS NEEDS TO BE ON RECALL!!!!!!!!

  17. Steering, Power train, Engine, Sep 30, 2016

    AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW WE NOTICED A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING. WHEN YOU TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE STOPPED YOU WOULD GET A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE. THE POWER STEERING RACK WAS REPLACED TWICE ALREADY AND THE VEHICLE JUST NOW HAS 43,000 MILES. OUR BIGGEST CONCERN HAS BEEN AN ENGINE KNOCKING NOISE THAT STARTED TO OCCUR AT JUST OVER 35,000 MILES WHEN YOU START VEHICLE. WE HAD BROUGHT OUR VEHICLE TO LIBERTYVILLE KIA IN LIBERTYVILLE, IL FOR OUR PROBLEM AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE WHAT WE ARE HEARING. THE SERVICE MANAGER VERBALLY TOLD ME TO WAIT FOR IT TO GET WORSE THAT IT IS HARD TO GET KIA TO COVER THIS KNOWN ENGINE PROBLEM. AFTER REACHING OUT TO KIA WITH THIS ENGINE PROBLEM AND GETTING NO HELP EXCEPT THEM BLAMING US FOR LACK OF OIL CHANGES AND MAINTENANCE. WHICH WAS ABSURD WHEN WE ONLY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO KIA FOR SERVICE SINCE PURCHASING NEW. FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE LISA MADIGAN TO GET HELP WITH THIS AND KIA HAS BOTCHED THEIR RECORDS AND STILL SDAYS WE HAVE NOT MAINTAINED THE VEHICLE PROPERLY. BUYERS OF KIA AND HYUNDAI I STRONGLY URGE TO THINK AGAIN. I HOPE EVERYONE THAT HAS HAD PROBLEMS LIKE THIS GET THE HONEST HELP THEY DESERVE.

  18. Steering, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 10, 2016

    DIFFICULT TO KEEP CAR CENTERED WHILE DRIVING. STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE AND HAS BECOME JERRY WITH SMALL MOVEMENTS. TENDENCY TO PULL HARD TO THE LEFT OR RIGHTS. STEERING WHEEL JENKS WHEN TRAVELING ON ERROR ANY SIZE BUMP IN ROAD. BACK UP CAMERA CUTS IN AND OUT. NEVER OBTAIN EPAULETS FUEL MILAGE ESTIMATES.

  19. Steering, Aug 9, 2016

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL HAD SUDDENLY BEGAN JERKING AND STICKING MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO PROPERLY STEER THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

  20. Steering, Seats, Engine, Aug 3, 2016, crash

    MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA HAS HAD DIFFICULTY REMAINING IN A SRAIGHT LINE ON THE FREEWAY. TENDS TO PULL LEFT AND RIGHT. THE RATE OF TRAVEL IS APROX. 45-65MPH. THERE IS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH "OVERSTEERING" WHEN I ATTEMPT TO RETURN TO THE CENTER OF THE LANE. I HAD BEEN DRIVING MY OTHER CAR FOR 29YRS, AND I ASSUMED THAT NEWER CARS MAY HAVE BEEN DIFFERNT, SUCH AS BEING MORE SENSITIVE WITH STEERING. I HAVE ALMOST HAD A COLLISION ON THE FREEWAY BECAUSE THERE ARE ALSO BLIND SPOTS IN SEVERAL AREAS OF THE KIA OTIMA. THIS TIME I DID END UP IN COLLISION BECAUSE OF BLINDSPOTS AND OVERSTEERING IN ORDER TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR NEXT TO ME, AND INSTEAD HIT THE CAR NEXT TO ME ON THE OTHER LANE WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO MOVE OUT OF THEIR WAY THIS OCCURRED FROM SENSETIVE OVERSTEERING. OUR AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. BEFORE THIS ACCIDENT, I HAD RECEIVED A LETTER FROM KIA STATING THEY WANTED TO KNOW IF I WOULD LIKE TO TRADE UP TO THE KNEW KIA OPTIMA. THE EMAIL STATED THEY HAD NEW FEATURES; SUCH AS CAMERAS FOR BLIND SPOTS. THIS MADE ME AWARE THAT KIA KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THESE SERIOUS .BLINDSPOTS. THE CAR WAS ALSO BEGINNING TO RUMBLE, AND I BELIEVED IT WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE,IN FACT QUITE SURE IT WAS FROM THE ENGINE. I ALSO HAD RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL FROM KIA, STATING THEY WERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINES FROM CERTAIN YEARS OF THE KIA OPTIMA MY CAR WAS WITHIN THE YEARS STATED. IT STATED THEY WOULD HONOR THIS PROBLEM IF YOU KEPT THIS LETTER IN YOUR CAR, WHEN BRINGING IT IN FOR REPAIRS. I WAS GOING TO DO THIS, BUT THE CAR IS NOW TOTALED AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

  21. Steering, Exterior lighting, May 5, 2016

    -1ST PROBLEM- HEADLIGHTS/ FOG LIGHTS SEEM TO BURN OUT WAY TOO OFTEN. I'VE OWNED CARS FOR OVER 30 YEARS AND NEVER HAD TO REPLACE BULBS AS OFTEN AS I DO WITH THIS CAR. -2ND PROBLEM- STEERING SEEMS TO BE DIFFICULT TO KEEP ON ROAD AND WHEEL SEEMS TO BE STICKING. I FIND MYSELF OVER-CORRECTING TO "UNLOCK" THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAVE A LONG DAILY COMMUTE, 184 MILES ROUND TRIP, SO MY 3 YEAR OLD CAR HAS OVER 100,000 MILES. I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW AND NEVER HAD THE STEERING PROBLEM UNTIL RECENTLY. THE HEADLIGHTS BURNING OUT HAS BEEN ON GOING SINCE ABOUT 2 MONTHS AFTER BUYING THE CAR. OTHER THAN THOSE 2 THINGS, THE CAR HAS BEEN GREAT WITH GREAT GAS MILEAGE, GOOD RIDE, ETC. HOWEVER, THE STEERING PROBLEM SCARES ME NOW.

  22. Steering, Apr 30, 2016

    AT SPEEDS ABOVE 50MPH, AFTER KIA PERFORMED AND ALIGNMENT AND NEW TIRES INSTALLED, THE STEERING REQUIRES CONSTANT CORRECTION. THERE ALSO APPEAR TO BE ALOT OF PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CAR WILL NOT DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT LINE. IT TAKES ALOT OF WORK CORRECTING THE STEERING.

  23. Steering, Apr 23, 2016

    THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN BARELY TURNING LEFT TO RIGHT, AND ALSO SHAKES WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. THE CLUNK NOISE OCCURS ALL THE TIME EVEN WHEN IN PARK AND TURNING THE WHEEL LEFT TO RIGHT. FEELS AS THOUGH IT'S SOMETHING GOING BAD IN THE STEERING SHAFTS OR COLUMN.

  24. Steering, Feb 10, 2016

    EVERY SINCE I PURCHASED MY CAR, NEW I HAVE NOTICED A TUGGING OR PULLING WHEN I AM DRIVING OR TURNING. THE STEERING SEEMS TO 'STICK' AND SOMETIMES CAUSES ME TO OVER TURN. THIS HAS BEEN ON GOING AND THE DEALERSHIP SAYS 'IT'S PART OF THE CAR'. I DON'T AGREE AND FEEL THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO, I SEE ALL THESE COMPLAINTS AND THEY ARE OF THE SAME ISSUE.

  25. Steering, Feb 8, 2016

    STEERING WHEEL STICKS IN MIDDLE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, MAKES A CLICK WHEN IT BREAKS LOOSE. CAR IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO HOLD STRAIGHT DRIVING