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, Jan 17, 2015
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WITH 22000 MILES. ON MY FIRST RELATIVELY LONG TRIP, I GOT UP TO HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND NOTICED THAT THE CAR HAS NO STRAIGHT POSITION. IT NEEDS CONSTANT ADJUSTMENTS, EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT (MOSTLY RIGHT ). THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN CHECKED FOR ALIGNMENT DISCREPANCIES, BUT EVERYTHING IS WITHIN MANUFACTURER SPECIFICATIONS. THERE NEEDS TO BE AN UPDATE TO THE ELECTING POWER STEERING MODULE/STEERING ANGLE SENSOR. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING DESIGN FLAW. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS UNTIL YOU LISTEN, KIA? WE THE PEOPLE CALL UPON THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES TO HELP IN RESOLVING THE ISSUE. *TR
Steering, Jan 9, 2015
IMPOSSIBLE TO HOLD THE CAR ON A STRAIGHT TRACK. WILL DRIFT LEFT,WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CORRECT TO A STRAIGHT TRACK,THE STEERING REQUIRES SO MUCH FORCE TO CORRECT THAT THE RESULT IS AN OVER CORRECTION TO THE RIGHT. THIS SCENARIO REPEATS FOREVER. THE STEERING STICKS AND CANNOT BE HELD IN A STRAIGHT LINE. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Structure, Dec 30, 2014, crash
HAVING PURCHASED THE CAR ON 12/11/14 MY DAUGHTER DID NOT HAVE MUCH EXPERIENCE DRIVING THE CAR.... ON DECEMBER 27 SHE "LOST CONTROL" OF THE CAR, AND RAN INTO THE WALL ON A BUSY HIGHWAY IN CHICAGO. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON A DRY EVENING, AND SHE EMPHATICALLY STATES THAT SHE DOES NOT KNOW HOW SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR, AND THAT IT WAS PULLING TO THE LEFT. THE ONLY RATIONALE CONCLUSION WAS THAT SHE MIGHT HAVE HAD A TIRE BLOW OUT. THAT IS, UNTIL A FRIEND RECOMMENDED I CHECK THE WEB, AND CHECK IF OTHERS MAY HAVE BEEN OR ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING. ALTHOUGH I HAD DONE MY DUE DILIGENCE WHEN RESEARCHING THE CAR E.G. RECALLS, KNOWN PROBLEMS, ETC. PRIOR TO PURCHASING THIS CAR, I DID NOT CHECK SPECIFICS SUCH AS STEERING. LONG OF THE SHORT, TWO DAYS AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND WHEN I GOOGLED STEERING PROBLEMS, THIS SITE HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/KIA/OPTIMA/2013/STEERING/STEERING.SHTML WAS ONE OF THE FIRST TO SHOW UP. I WAS AMAZED TO FIND 35 COMPLAINTS IN REFERENCE TO THE SAME STEERING ISSUE. AFTER READING THE COMPLAINTS I AM I CONVINCED THAT THIS STEERING ISSUE IS THE CONTRIBUTOR TO MY DAUGHTER'S ACCIDENT. IT IS THE ONLY LOGICAL EXPLANATION OTHER THAN A BLOW OUT. I THINK THIS MAY BE A RESULT OF THE STEERING PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE 2013 OPTIMAS. I WONDER HOW MANY ACCIDENTS OR DEATHS IT IS GOING TO TAKE FOR KIA TO ADMIT SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT AND DO THE RESPONSIBLE THING? IT SOUNDS AS THOUGH THERE NEEDS TO BE A MANUFACTURERS' RECALL BEFORE A FATAL ACCIDENT OCCURS, IF IT HASN'T ALREADY .... *JS
Steering, Dec 2, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. ONCE THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL, HE LOST CONTROL AND THE VEHICLE SWERVED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. AS A RESULT, BOTH FRONT TIRES WERE BEGINNING TO WEAR. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING SYSTEM. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE . THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.
Steering, Nov 17, 2014
VEHICLE IS HARD TO HOLD STRAIGHT AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THE STEERING LOCKS INTO A POSITION AND REQUIRES EXTRA EFFORT TO TURN THE WHEEL CAUSING OVER CORRECTION. THIS CAUSES MENTAL AND PHYSICAL FATIGUE ON LONGER TRIPS AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Steering, Nov 9, 2014
PROBLEM IS ONGOING. VEHICLE WANDERS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. CONSTANT STEERING CORRECTION NECESSARY. YOU CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THIS HAPPENS ON PERFECTLY FLAT ROADS WITH NO WIND. THE VEHICLE DRIFTS INDEPENDENTLY IF THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT HELD TIGHTLY. I CONSTANTLY HAVE TO NUDGE THE STEERING WHEEL SLIGHTLY LEFT OR SLIGHTLY RIGHT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LANE. IT BECOMES A STRAIN ON MY ARMS AND MY WRISTS ACHE AFTER A LONG DRIVE. THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. WHY ISN'T KIA ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE? I DON'T TRUST GOING TO THE DEALER BECAUSE, FROM ALL THE REVIEWS, IT SEEMS LIKE NOTHING IS OR CAN BE DONE. I HAD A HYUNDAI SONATA FOR YEARS AND LOVED IT. I WENT WITH THE KIA DUE TO THE NEW LOOK, PAYING GOOD MONEY FOR A QUALITY CAR. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BOTH THIS PROBLEM!!! *TR
Steering, Oct 24, 2014
VERY HARD TO KEEP ON A STRAIGHT TRACK AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. SIGHT CORRECTIONS HAVE TO BE CONSTANTLY MADE TO THE STEERING WHEEL TO KEEP THE CAR GOING IN A STRAIGHT PATH. THIS DRIFTING WILL HAPPEN NO MATTER HOW MUCH THE WIND BLOWING OR THE TYPE OF ROAD SURFACE, IT IS DEFINITELY COMING FROM THE CAR. IT'S BEEN HAPPENING SINCE DAY ONE. I'VE TRIED REDUCING THE AIR PRESSURE IN MY TIRES AND IT HELPED A LITTLE, BUT ONLY A LITTLE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. THIS IS NOT NORMAL. NOW I FIND OUT THAT MANY OTHER OPTIMA OWNERS HAVE THIS SAME STEERING ISSUE. KIA/HYUNDAI CORPORATE NEEDS TO COME UP WITH A COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION TO THIS STEERING ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE HAS AN ACCIDENT. REQUEST RESEARCH HELP. *TR
Steering, Jul 26, 2014
I PURCHASED A 2013 KIA OPTIMA FROM A LOCAL DEALER WHO WAS SELLING IT SECOND-HAND. THE CAR HAS 13,500 MILES ON IT AT PURCHASE. WHEN TEST DRIVING THE VEHICLE I WENT IN A SMALL CIRCLE THAT INCLUDED ONLY VERY MINIMAL HIGHWAY DRIVING. ON JUNE 26,2014 MY FAMILY LEFT FOR A 5 HOUR TRIP TO CHARLESTON, SC. IT WAS ON THIS TRIP I STARTED NOTICING VERY EARLY ON THAT I WAS HAVING TO CONSTANTLY CORRECT THE STEERING TO THE LEFT AND THEN BACK TO THE RIGHT, OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN...ALL THE WAY DOWN TO CHARLESTON. SINCE NOTICING THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN AN ISSUE EVERY SINGLE TIME I'VE DRIVEN THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY, AND IT HAS RESULTED SEVERAL TIMES IN ME VEERING INTO THE LANE BESIDE WHETHER TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. I LITERALLY HAVE TO CONTINUOUSLY MICRO-STEER THE CAR JUST TO KEEP IT WITHIN THE LANE IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE IN. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO PLAY IN THE STEERING WHATSOEVER. YOU CANNOT LOOK IN YOUR SIDE VIEW OR REAR VIEW MIRROR WITHOUT THE CAR DRIFTING TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING IN THE 2013 OPTIMAS. I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS TO KIA, AND KIA DOES NOTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE THEY SAY IT'S WITHIN SPECS. THERE WILL BE MANY HEAD ON CRASHES WHERE CARS CROSS THE CENTER LANE BECAUSE OF THIS STEERING, AND IM SURE MANY FATALITIES WILL RESULT. I CAN PROMISE YOU THIS WILL HAPPEN IF IT ALREADY HASN'T. THERE ARE CERTAIN 2013 KIA/HYUNDAI MODELS THAT HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM REPORTED. 2013 WAS THE FIRST YEAR KIA/HYUNDAI UTILIZED ELECTRONIC STEERING. 2014 AND NEWER MODELS ALSO HAVE ELECTRONIC STEERING BUT THEY HAVE THREE STEERING MODES ON THEM TO ADJUST THE STEERING. THIS PROBLEM IS SPECIFIC ONLY TO 2013 MODELS. THERE ABSOLUTELY NEEDS TO BE A RECALL AND SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. IT WILL HAPPEN, AND I WILL BE KEEPING THIS CORRESPONDENCE FOR MY OWN FUTURE LEGAL PROTECTION. *TR
Steering, May 18, 2014
MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA LX, WHICH I BOUGHT NEW WITH ONLY 7 MILES, IS HARD TO KEEP ON A STRAIGHT TRACK AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. SLIGHT CORRECTIONS HAVE TO BE CONSTANTLY MADE TO THE STEERING WHEEL TO KEEP THE CAR GOING IN A STRAIGHT PATH. THIS DRIFTING WILL HAPPEN NO MATTER HOW MUCH THE WIND BLOWING OR THE TYPE OF ROAD SURFACE, IT IS DEFINITELY COMING FROM THE CAR. IT'S BEEN HAPPENING SINCE DAY ONE, BUT I CHALKED IT UP TO THE NEW TIRES NEEDING TO BE BROKEN IN. NOW THE CAR HAS 12,000 MILES AND TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED AND THE ISSUE IS STILL THERE. I'VE DRIVEN ENOUGH CARS TO KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT NORMAL. NOW I FIND OUT THAT MANY OTHER OPTIMA OWNERS HAVE THIS SAME STEERING ISSUE. KIA/HYUNDAI CORPORATE NEEDS TO COME UP WITH A COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION TO THIS STEERING ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE HAS AN ACCIDENT. UPDATED 11/24/2014 *JS
Steering, Apr 2, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AS THE VEHICLE SWAYED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,000.
Steering, Apr 1, 2014
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 75 MPH WITH OUT WARNING THE CAR ABRUPTLY SWERVED TO THE LEFT INTO THE OTHER LANE TOWARDS THE MIDDLE CONCRETE BARRIER. WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL WITHOUT HITTING BARRIER. RETURNED TO DEALER TOLD THEM ABOUT THE ISSUE AND THAT WE DID NOT WANT THE CAR ANYMORE DUE TO IT BEING A DEATH TRAP. THEY COULD NOT REENACT THE SITUATION SO THEREFORE THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. TOLD THEM THIS CAR NEEDED TO BE DISSECTED TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. THEY CLAIMED THEY CONTACTED KIA AND WAS TOLD TO CALL 800-333-4KIA NUMBER THEY HAD NOT RECORD OF THIS ISSUE. WE NO LONGER OWN THE CAR AND ACCORDING TO KIA WE NO LONGER HAVE A SAY IN THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Mar 27, 2014
THERE IS A REAL PROBLEM WITH THE HANDLING OF THIS VEHICLE WHEN IT IS WINDY. IT IS A STRUGGLE TO KEEP IT ON THE ROAD AT ANY SPEED ABOVE 30MPH. I'M HAVING TO AVOID CERTAIN ROADS AND BRIDGES (I.E. TAMPA BAY'S SUNSHINE SKYWAY) DUE TO THE FAULTY AND INCONSISTENT RESPONSE OF THE STEERING WHEN DRIVING IN EVEN THE SLIGHTEST WIND. GOD FORBID THAT A SUDDEN GUST COME ALONG!! I, TOO, HAVE SPOKEN WITH THE DEALERSHIP. THEIR RESPONSE IS THAT THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE A SOLUTION. THINKING THAT THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AT THE CORPORATE LEVEL!! AND SOON!! *TR
Steering, Suspension, Mar 13, 2014
I AGREE WITH THE MAY 24, 2013 - SCOTTSDALE, AZ OVERVIEW REGARDING WIND. THE CAR IS EASILY AFFECTED AND MOVES IN THE WIND AND IS A CHALLENGE TO STAY STRAIGHT IN THE LANE. I FEEL LIKE OTHER DRIVERS MUST THINK I AM A DRUNK DRIVER. THE CAR DOES NOT REALLY DRIFT BUT THE STEERING IS SLUGGISH WITH PLAY AND DEAD SPOTS/HARDER TO MAKE FIRST PART OF A TURN, (ALMOST LIKE STEERING STICKS). ALSO AS SOMEONE ELSE SAID, THE STEERING IS A CHALLENGE ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND IS HARD TO MAINTAIN IN THE LANE.... MAY ALSO BE A SUSPENSION PROBLEM. IT IS EASY TO LOSE CONTROL AT HIGH SPEEDS IF THE ROADWAY IS NOT PERFECT. CONSTANTLY FIGHTING THE LOOSE STEERING TO THE POINT WHERE AGAIN, IT LOOKS LIKE I AM A DRUNK DRIVER. INCREASING THE AIR IN THE TIRES WAS OF NO HELP TOWARD THE STEERING STABILITY. I SPOKE TO THE LOCAL KIA DEALER SERVICE MANAGER (FEBRUARY 2012), AND HE NOTED THAT THE CONDITIONS SOUNDED TYPICAL OF WHAT HE HAS HEARD WITH THE NEWER MODEL OPTIMAS WHICH HAVE THE ELECTRONIC STEERING. HE WAS GOING TO CHECK WITH KIA FOR THEIR THOUGHTS. NO RESPONSE YET. WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO THE GOOD OLD TIGHT, RACK AND PINION STEERING? ENOUGH OF THIS MUSHY STEERING, THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A SPORTY CAR... AM I FINDING OUT THAT IT IS JUST GOOD LOOKS? I HAVE OWNED AND DRIVEN SIMILAR PRICED CHRYSLER AND FORD PRODUCTS PRIOR TO THIS AND NEVER UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE STEERING. *TR
Steering, Feb 3, 2014
STEERING WHEEL STAYS STRAIGHT BUT CAR WANDERS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT IN LANE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Jan 2, 2014
RECENTLY I LEASED A KIA OPTIMA SX, AFTER 1 WEEK NOTICED THE STEERING WOULD DRIFT FROM SIDE TO SIDE IN LANE WHILE STEERING WHEEL KEPT STRAIGHT AT CENTER POSITION. WHEN CORRECTING "DRIFT" STEERING OVER COMPENSATES FOR CORRECTION AND SWAYS VEHICLE OTHER WAY. HAVE HAD CAR IN FOR SERVICE 2 TIMES IN 2600 MILES FOR THIS ISSUE. FIRST TIME THEY RESET ALIGNMENT, THE 2ND SERVICE DEPT. SAYS EVERYTHING IS WITHIN KIA SPECS AND THERE IS NOTHING MORE THEY CAN DO. CAR STILL "DRIFTS"WHILE ON ROAD MOST NOTICEABLY ABOVE 50-60 MPH WHILE ON EXPRESSWAY, WHILE SOMEWHAT PRESENT CAR ACTS MORE NORMALLY ON STREET SPEEDS UNDER 45 MPH. I HAVE DRIVEN MANY VEHICLES WITH ELECTRIC STEERING AND THIS IS THE ONLY VEHICLE THAT I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS GETTING TO TRACK STRAIGHT. REALLY DISAPPOINTED IN AN OTHERWISE VERY NICE VEHICLE. I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO HAVE MY VEHICLE PERFORM AS IT SHOULD AND TRACK PROPERLY WHILE BEING OPERATED. I FEEL THIS IS A LARGE SAFETY CONCERN ESPECIALLY WHILE DRIVING ON SNOW AS IT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO WANT TO TRAVEL INTO OTHER LANES OF TRAFFIC WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Steering, Dec 20, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AS THE VEHICLE SWAYED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 800.
Steering, Dec 13, 2013
WHEN TRAVELING AT SPEEDS ABOVE 45 MPH THE CARS STEERING WHEEL STICKS AT CENTER. SIMULTANEOUSLY THE CAR WONDERS DRASTICALLY ON THE ROAD - TO CORRECT YOU TRY TO STEER THE STEERING WHEEL, BUT WITH THE STICKING IN THE CENTER YOUR CORRECTIONS CAUSE DRASTIC "BACK AND FORTH". HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN 3 TIMES. ALL I AM TOLD IS IT IS THE ALIGNMENT. NOTHING IS FIXED. *TR
Steering, Nov 26, 2013
2013 KIA OPTIMA. HAVE THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE STEERING, HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE I BOUGHT IT. I DRIVE FOR A LIVING AND FIGHTING THIS PROBLEM IS REALLY GETTING STRESSFUL. I WOULD SUGGEST KIA LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE BEFORE A MAJOR INCIDENT OCCURS DUE TO A FAILURE. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Oct 24, 2013
CAR SWAYS BACK AND FORTH. HARD TO KEEP ON THE ROAD. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY ADJUSTED THE STEERING FROM SPORT TO STANDARD. GAVE IT A TRY AND IT STILL CONTINUED TO HANDLE TERRIBLE. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AGAIN AND LEFT IT FOR A FEW DAYS. THEY KEEP TELLING ME THAT THE CAR IS ACTING NORMAL AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE SERVICE MANAGER MADE A COMMENT THAT 5 GALLONS OF GAS AND A MATCH WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM, THEN SAID HE WAS KIDDING. I DIDN'T FIND IT FUNNY BECAUSE IT ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS CAR KILLS ME OR SOMEONE ELSE. I HATE THE CAR AND FEAR DRIVING IT. I'VE ONLY HAD IT 7MONTHS AND IT HAS ABOUT 5,500 MILES ON IT. CAR STILL DOES IT AND I'M EXHAUSTED FROM TRYING TO KEEP IT ON THE ROAD. *TR
Steering, Sep 23, 2013
ON STRAIGHT A WAYS THE CAR WANDERS (PULLS) FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND WE HAVE TO CONTINUALLY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH TO STRAIGHTEN THE CAR OUT. THE CAR WILL NOT TRACK STRAIGHT. WE HAVE TO CONTINUALLY CORRECT THE STEERING. BECAUSE WE TRAVEL ON A LOT OF 2 LANE ROADS WE ARE ALREADY CONSIDERING TRADING THE CAR BECAUSE OF SAFETY CONCERNS.
Steering, Sep 19, 2013
VEHICLE WILL NOT TRACK STRAIGHT. VEHICLE WONDERS LEFT AND RIGHT AT SPEEDS OF 40 MPH OR HIGHER. HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE I PURCHASED IT. *TR
Steering, Sep 9, 2013
VEHICLE'S STEERING WILL NOT STAY ON CENTER. PULLS PRIMARILY TO THE LEFT, MANY TIMES PULLING ME INTO THE OPPOSITE LANE OF TRAFFIC. VERY DANGEROUS. IT'S ALSO PHYSICALLY EXHAUSTING ON MY ARMS CONSTANTLY HAVING TO REDIRECT THE STEERING TO CENTER AND ATTEMPT (UNSUCCESSFULLY) TO KEEP IT THERE. AS SOON AS THE CAR IS REDIRECTED FROM VEERING TO THE LEFT, IT THEN OVERSTEERS AND VEERS TO THE RIGHT. THERE IS NO CENTERING THIS VEHICLES STEERING. I'VE ALREADY TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE ONCE FOR THIS ISSUE AND IT WASN'T CORRECTED. I CALLED KIA SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND TOLD THE MANAGER THAT I AM AWARE OF THE MANY DOZEN COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THE KIA OPTIMA AND THAT I WANT IT CORRECTED. HE THEN SAID HE WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS "ISSUE" AND TOLD ME HE WOULD LOOK INTO IT AND GET BACK TO ME. THERE WAS NO FOLLOW UP FROM HIM. *TR
Steering, Aug 3, 2013
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A NEW KIA OPTIMA AND I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUES OTHERS ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT WITH THE CAR NOT TRACKING PROPERLY BY EITHER VEERING TO THE LEFT OR TO THE RIGHT CONSTANTLY. IN MY CASE, I NOTICE IT IN CITY AND HIGHWAY DRIVING. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER, AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG, BUT AFTER A LONG DEBATE, THEY ALIGNED THE VEHICLE FINDING IT TO BE OFF ALIGNMENT SLIGHTLY. I NOTICED NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN THE PROBLEM, SO I CHANGED THE TIRES SINCE THEY INSTALL VERY POOR QUALITY OEM TIRES. NOT MUCH BETTER AS FAR AS STEERING, BUT WAY BETTER WET/DRY ROAD TRACTION. I WILL BE GETTING ANOTHER ALIGNMENT FROM AN INDEPENDENT SHOP, BUT I FEEL THERE IS A GREATER ISSUE WITH THE STEERING COMPONENTS, AND BASED ON ALL THE COMPLAINTS, KIA NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE AND COME UP WITH A FIX A.S.A.P BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. I'M STUCK WITH THIS CAR FOR 35 MORE MONTHS, HOPEFULLY, THEY'LL COME UP WITH SOMETHING SOON. *TR
Steering, Jun 10, 2013
WHILE DRIVING AT OR AROUND 50 MPH THE CAR STARTED DRIFTING LEFT THEN RIGHT. *TR
Steering, May 30, 2013
VEHICLE WANDERS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. CONSTANT STEERING CORRECTION NECESSARY. YOU CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR IN A STRAIGHT LINE. VEHICLE WILL DART TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WITHOUT ANY INPUT FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAPPENS ON PERFECTLY FLAT ROADS WITH NO WIND. STEERING WHEEL IS ALSO TURNED TO THE LEFT WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT. DEALER SAYS EVERYTHING IN SPEC. *TR