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: structure
127 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Oct 21, 2021
2013 KIA Optima Pearl White paint began chipping and flaking exposing bare metal to rust and corrosion.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Oct 17, 2021
I bought my pearl Kia Optima in 2013 and the paint started chipping in 2018 or so. It started on the side by the windows, then my hood, then it went with the top portion of the vehicle (now rusty) then it began in the trunk area. It gets worse when the weather changes to cold temperatures or rain.
Structure, Oct 7, 2021
The paint on my car is chipping off. It is a Snow White pearl and I read online that this is very common for Kia’s with this color of paint.
Structure, Sep 27, 2021
Paint is peeling off of the hood and side panels of the car. It is Kia Pearl White factory paint job. There have been no impacts or anything that should cause the paint to chip and peel.
Structure, Sep 18, 2021
I understand this will not sound like a safety issue, as I felt the same initially, but it is. My paint has been peeling off my Kia Optima for almost two years and sometimes the paint comes off in little pieces and other times it peels off in 6-12 inch sheets. Paint will come off during driving and while being washed. When driving the paint will fly to the back of my car and land of the ground, looks like snow is flying thru air. I have had safety issues to date. First tIme was on my way to work and a large section of paint came up from the bottom of the windshield area and stuck to my windshield. Not only did it scare me, but it blocked my vision.windshield wipers would not move it. I had to quickly pull over to remove it. Second time the same thing happened, but it landed on the windshield of the car behind me. I was unaware it happened until they pulled up next to me at the red light and got out of their vehicle to yell at me and removed the paint sheet. I understand this might not sound serious, but when something comes flying out of nowhere and lands on your windshield blocking your sight it is quite terrifying. I am not sure if this has happened to others with my same paint defect, but I know by researching my paint defect over the past two years, there are thousands of complaints on the internet about paint peeling off. When I contacted Kia in 2019 (corporate in Irvine, Ca), they informed me it was definitely a paint defect that originated during the painting process. Since there was not a recall isued, they were not going to pay for the car to be re-painted. At that time only the top of my car was affected, but now the majority of my car is losing paint. At this time I am wanting Kia to pay to have the car repainted, refund the cost of the vehicle or provide a credit to put towards a new car. At this point my vehicle is basically worthless because I can't sell it as is and trading it in results in me only getting approximately 30% of what the value is.
Structure, Aug 12, 2021
The paint on my car is peeling on the molding around the front windshield on the right and left side.
Structure, Aug 9, 2021
Around approximately 76,000 miles on the vehicle, I noticed paint (snow white pearl) started bubbling and coming off the hood. I assumed it was from a rock chip. The paint bubbling and chipping is now occurring all over the vehicle. I've spoken with two different KIA dealers (in Charlotte, NC and Salisbury, NC) and they've both said there are no recalls from KIA and there's nothing they can do but offer to repaint the car for THOUSANDS of dollars. I'm finding new spots every month. There are now 93,000 miles on the car, and I do NOT feel like the paint should be failing like this at all. I will attach pictures if allowed. I doubt I can upload all of the places on my car that have chips at this point.
Structure, Aug 7, 2021
I own a 2013 Kia Optima. The paint in chipping and peeling on various parts of the car.
Structure, Jul 19, 2021
The Snow White Pearl paint is peeling off of the hood and roof of the car (delamination).
Structure, Jul 11, 2021
Pealing paint on hood and along windshield area
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jun 12, 2021
The factory paint job is delaminating and chipping. Its chipping in different parts. This is a problem because Kia didn’t let the primer sit well or because they didn’t even put primer. You can tell by the way the paint is delaminating.
Structure, Other or unspecified, May 20, 2021
2013 KIA Optima Pearl White Paint peeling and chipping off all around the windshield. May now cause rust and future instability to vehicle frame which could make it dangerous.
Structure, May 9, 2021
THE PAINT ON MY 2013 OPTIMA HAS BUBBLES IN IT THAT ARE CRACKING OPEN WITH PAINT PEELING AWAY. THERE IS ONE SECTION ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR WITH ONE PATCH THAT IS AT LEAST 3" LONG AND 2" WIDE WHERE THE PAINT FLACKED OFF. THE PAINT AROUND THE WINDSHIELD HAS ALSO FLAKED OFF IN PLACES THAT ARE NOW CAUSING RUST SPOTS. THERE HAS BEEN NOTHING TO CAUSE THE ISSUE WITH THE PAINT. THE CAR HAS THE ORIGINAL PEARL WHITE PAINT. THIS STARTED WITH MINOR SPOTS AND HAS GRADUALLY INCREASED TO MORE PLACES ON THE CAR WITH PAINT MISSING. THIS HAS BEEN BEEN AN ON-GOING ISSUE THE ENTIRE TIME I HAVE OWNED THE CAR.
Structure, Apr 19, 2021
MY WHITE PEARL PAINT STARTED OFF AS A LITTLE CHIP AND NOW I HAVE BLOTCHES OF PAINT CHIPS ON MY TRUNK LID
Structure, Apr 12, 2021
PAINT IS CHIPPING OFF OF THE PILLARS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE WINDSHIELD. STARTED APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH AGO. FIRST NOTICED WHILE PARKED UNDER CARPORT. NO ACCIDENTS OR PAINT WORK DONE. THIS IS ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER PAINT JOB.
Electrical system, Structure, Mar 12, 2021
PAINT (PEARL WHITE) BEGAN PEELING OFF IN JUNE 2019 ON THE FRONT T AND BACK OF THE ROOF TRIM. ON MARCH 12, 2021 THE PAINT HAS NOW STARTED PEELING FROM THE PASSENGER LEFT SIDE DOOR. ALSO, THE VEHICLE HAS MAJOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS- THE POWER WINDOWS ( ALL BUT THE DRIVER'S WINDOW) QUIT OPERATING ON JANUARY 27, 2021. THE VEHICLE IS A 2013 WITH ONLY 43K MILES ON IT. UNACCEPTABLE
Structure, Mar 9, 2021
I OWN A 2013 KIA OPTIMA WITH THE SNOW-WHITE PEARL PAINT AND IT IS DEFINITELY PEELING AT A RAPID RATE. IT IS PEELING OFF ON THE SIDES OF MY TRUNK, NEAR THE WINDSHIELD, ON THE HOOD, AND ALSO ON THE EDGES OF THE DOORS. I BOUGHT IT USED, BUT HAVE ONLY OWNED IT FOR 3 YEARS AND THE PAINT WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION WHEN I BOUGHT IT. I HAVE NEVER DONE ANYTHING TO MAKE THE PAINT CHIP OR PEEL. IT LOOKS HORRIBLE!! KIA NEEDS TO FIX THIS IMMEDIATELY. WE PAY A LOT OF MONEY FOR NEW CARS AND SHOULD EXPECT THAT THEY HOLD UP. MY PARENTS OWN CARS THAT ARE 20+ YEARS OLD AND THEIR PAINT IS STILL IN GOOD SHAPE! KIA NEEDS TO STEP UP AND REMEDY THIS!!
Structure, Mar 5, 2021
THE PAINT IS CHIPPING ON THE CARS HOOD, ROOF RAILS AND TRUNK LID TO NO FAULT OF MINE. PAINT IS ALSO BUBBLING ON THE DOORS AND IS STARTING TO CHIP.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Mar 2, 2021
PAINT IS PEELING. IT'S NOT CAUSED BY ANY FRICTION. IT'S DE-LAMINATING.
Structure, Nov 25, 2020
ALITTLE OVER 2 YEARS AGO I STARTED NOTICING PAINT PEELING OFF THE PILLARS ON THE SIDES OF MY WINDSHIELD, IT STARTED WITH A SMALL SPOT AND CONTINUED TO GET WORSE. I HAVE ALWAYS GOTTEN MY CAR SERVICED AT A KIA DEALERSHIP AND HAD WARRANTIES ON MY CAR SO I MENTIONED IT NUMEROUS TIMES AND EVERYTIME I WAS TOLD THAT PAINT WASN'T COVERED AND THAT "THEY HAD NEVER SEEN PAINT PEELING LIKE THAT " ON ANY OTHER SNOW PEARL WHITE KIAS. THE PAINT CONTINUED TO PEEL OFF, THE WIND WOULD BLOW HUGE PIECES OFF. NOW IT HAS STARTED ON MY HOOD, THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR AND THE TRUNK! ITS ALREADY SHOWING SIGNS OF RUST. THE WORST PART IS I BROUGHT MY CAR IN AGAIN AND ASKED WHAT THE HELL WAS GOING ON?! THE TECHNICIAN ASSURED ME THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THAT, AND WHILE I WAS SITTING THERE 2 OTHER SNOW WHITE PEARL KIAS PULL IN AND THEY HAVE PAINT PEELING IN THE SAME SPOTS! THATS WHEN I DECIDED TO DO SOME RESEARCH AND SAW THAT THIS IS HAPPENING ALL OVER THE COUNTRY MAINLY TO KIAS WITH THE SNOW WHITE PEARL COLOR. ALL I WANT IS FOR KIA TO REPAINT MY CAR. I PAID ALOT OF MONEY FOR IT AND I ABSOLUTELY LOVE MY CAR BUT IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS 20 YEARS OLD WITH THE PAINT FLYING OFF OF IT AND ITS STARTING TO RUST!!! THIS IS MY 2ND KIA I HAVE PURCHASED AND I LOVE THEM, BUT I AM EXTREMLY PISSED OFF AND DISAPPOINTED THAT I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR OVER 2 YEARS ABOUT THIS AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. OBVIOUSLY THERE WAS SOME SORT OF MANUFACTURING DEFECT WHEN THESE CARS WERE PAINTED IN THE FACTORY BECAUSE THERE IS NO OTHER EXPLANATION FOR WHY THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF SNOW PEARL WHITE KIAS WITH THE PAINT PEELING OFF IN THE SAME EXACT SPOTS. I ALSO BOUGHT MY CAR NEW SO I KNOW THAT IT HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF THE ENTIRE TIME. I JUST WANT MY CAR PAINTED BEFORE ITS ALL RUSTED ESPECIALLY SINCE I PAID $30,000 FOR THE CAR.
Structure, Wheels, Oct 28, 2020
ALL THE PAINT ON THE OUTSIDE OF MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA IS BUBBLING AND PEELING OFF THE CHROME ON MY WHEELS IS CHIPPING AND COMING OFF
Structure, Oct 8, 2020
PAINT IS FLAKING AND EXPOSING BARE METAL ON HOOD AND ALONG WINDSHIELD UPRIGHTS
Structure, Oct 2, 2020
THE PAINT IS PEELING IN SEVERAL AREAS ON THE HOOD, AROUND THE FRONT WINDOW AND ABOVE THE DOORS.
Structure, Sep 29, 2020
THE PEARL WHITE PAINT BEGAN PEELING OFF IN LARGE SHEETS AND IS NOT RELATED TO A ROCK CHIP.
Suspension, Structure, Wheels, Sep 24, 2020, crash
WE WERE TRAVELING AT AROUND 55-60 MILES AN HOUR AND WERE T-BONES BY A CHEVY AVALANCHE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND MY HUSBAND SWERVED SO THE TRUCK LUCKILY STARTED AT MY DOOR AND COMPLETELY RIPPED AND SMASHED IN THE BACK PASSENGER DOOR AND BACK/ TRUNK OF OUR OPTIMA. BACK WHEEL IS COMPLETELY TURNED OUT. HIT SO HARD IT COMPLETELY TURNED US IN 2 CIRCLES AND BUSTED MY FRONT LICENSE PLATE AND IT HIT ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. I BUSTED MY HEAD OPEN AND RECEIVED 3 STAPLES AND KNEE SHOVED IN DASH BUT NOT 1 AIR BAG IN THIS VEHICLE DEPLOYED!! I HAVE ALWAYS OWNED A KIA!! I WILL NO LONGER PURCHASE A KIA BECAUSE I DO NOT FEEL SAFE!!