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: other or unspecified
186 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Wheels, Other or unspecified, Aug 18, 2017
FIRST, THE TIRES WERE WORN/DRY ROT WITH ONLY 3000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. SECOND, VEHICLE STALLS WHEN THERE IS ANY MOISTURE ON THE ROADWAY CAUSING SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE. THIRD, BACK UP CAMERA IS NOT WORKING. FOURTH, RECALL NOTICE FOR UNDERBODY RUST. FIFTH, RECALL NOTICE FOR ENGINE SEIZURE WHILE THE CAR IS DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED
Other or unspecified, May 23, 2017
KIA ENGINE RECALL - ON APRIL 2, 2017 MY CAR STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A SURFACE STREET (CHASTAIN RD) AND TO BE TOWED (USAA ROADSIDE) TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP (PEPBOYS). THE MECHANIC STATED THAT ENGINE WAS GONE. I HAD JUST HAD THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP (COBB COUNTY KIA, KENNESAW, GA) 2 DAYS PRIOR FOR ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND A VEHICLE CHECK. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO THE DEALERSHIP (COBB COUNTY KIA) WHO HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED (MARIETTA TOWING) TO THEM AT THEIR EXPENSE AND CITED THE DIAGNOSIS (ENGINE FAILURE). THE MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR, HEAD MECHANIC AND I VIEWED THE ENGINE TOGETHER THEY BOTH REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE AND IT WAS WELL MAINTAINED. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ISSUE BE THERE IS NO GUIDANCE ON THE REPAIR AS OF YET. JOSEPH, THE MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR HAD A TROUBLE TICKET SUBMITTED ON MY VEHICLE BUT MY VIN IS STILL NOT REFERENCED ON THIS SITE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS HAD MY CAR FOR OVER A MONTH AND HALF WITHOUT ANY REPAIR GUIDANCE FROM KIA MOTOR CORP. ALL WHILE KNOWING OF THE ENGINE ISSUES. PLEASE HELP ME. I NEED MY CAR.
Other or unspecified, Apr 23, 2017, crash
IN JUNE 2014MY DATE BELOW OF CRASH ON THE DAY IS APPROXIMATELY , I WAS DRIVING MY BRAND NEW 2013 KIA OPTIMA, I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND MY ENGINE STALLED AND LOST COMPLETE POWER LOCKING UP EVERY CONTROL IN THE CAR. IT HAPPENED ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY IN JACKSONVILLE, NC AND LEFT ME STRANDED I WAS HIT IN MY REAR END BY 2 CARS CAUSING A 3 CAR CRASH. AT THE TIME KIA WOULD TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY. NOW IN 2016 THAT THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE ENGINE CAUSING STALLING AND LOSING POWER OF THE ENGINE AND CONTROL OF THE CAR. IN TOP OF THIS RECALL I JUST FOUND OUT THEY KNOWINGLY SOLD THIESE CARS WHILE KNOWING IT HAD THIS DEFECT WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH OR CASTROPHIC PROBLEMS. WHICH IN MY CASE IT DID CAUSE A A 3 CAR CRASH.
Other or unspecified, Apr 20, 2017
I HAD MY PASSENGER REARVIEW MIRROR BROKEN HANGING BY THE WIRES. THEY REPLACED IN DEALER AFTER I INSISTED ON A REPLACEMENT. BEFORE THEY REPLACED, I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVERS REAR VIEW MIRROR. LOOKS LIKE THEY ARE TOO FRAGIL. WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH IT?
Other or unspecified, Apr 7, 2017
ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO LACK OF OIL PRESSURE.
Other or unspecified, Jan 30, 2017, crash
THE REAR CAMERA DOES NOT COME ON IMMEDIATELY AND SOMETIMES I HAVE BACKED UP20-40 FT BEFORE IT ENGAGES. IT IS A PROBLEM AND I RECENTLY WAS HIT BY ANOTHER CAR WHEN I WA BACKING UP BECAUSE I DIDN'T SEE THEM COMING AT ME. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE THE BEGINNING OF MY NEW CAR OWNERSHIP IN 2012. DEALERSHIP SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE CAMERA.
Other or unspecified, Nov 1, 2016
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. I HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER'S SHOP THINKING THAT MY POWER TRAIN WARRANTY WILL TAKE CARE OF THIS. COME TO FIND OUT THE CONNECTING ROD HAS A DEFECT AND THE WARRANTY IS NULL AND VOID BECAUSE ITS TECHNICALLY NOT CONSIDERED DAMAGED....................I SAID EXACTLY WHAT YOU THE READER WOULD OF SAID. IT WASN'T PRETTY. THINKING ABOUT LAWYERING UP. *TR
Other or unspecified, Oct 25, 2016, fire
THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY. DRIVEN DAILY TO AND FROM WORK. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR ANY WARNING. CAUGHT FIRE WITHIN FIVE MINUTES OF TURNING OFF ENGINE.
Other or unspecified, Jun 15, 2016
I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE BATTERY SINCE 2014 I CALLED WHEN IT ORIGINALLY STARTED TO SEE IF THERE WERE RECALLS AND THEIR WASNT. THE CAR IS DEAD DUE TO BATTERY FAILURE IF YOU LEAVE IT FOR A MORE THAN 3-4 HOURS FOR EXAMPLE DRIVE IT TO WORK AND HAVE TO GET A JUMP AT THE END OF THE (5) SHIFT. IT IS WILL STOP FOR A WHILE THEN THE PROBLEM COMES BACK. IT STOPPED FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS AND NOW IT HAS STARTED AGAIN
Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 12, 2015
I HAD MY OIL CHANGE AND TWO DAYS LATER THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON SO I TOOK IT BACK TO PIT STOP 500 AND HE'S SAID IT WAS LOW SO HE CHECK THE CAR SAID HE DIDN'T SEE ANY OIL LEAKS IF THE OIL LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN TAKE IT TO KIA. WHEN I LEFT THERE WHILE I WAS DRIVING I COULD SEE WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT MY PIPES. I TOOK IT TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE OIL WAS LOW PUT OIL IN IT AGAIN AND SAID DRIVE IT 500 MILES AND IF THE OIL LIGHT COME ON BRING IT BACK. WHILE DRIVING IT HOME IT STALLED IT WOULDN'T GO OVER 30 MILES AND WHITE SMOKE WAS COMING OUT THE PIPES SO I MADE A APPOINTMENT AND TOOK IT BACK NOW THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT IS SLUDGE IN THE OIL. I HAD DID SOME RESEARCH AND DISCOVER TEN KIA WITH THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM AND SIX OF THEM ARE KIA OPTIMA
Other or unspecified, Aug 24, 2013
STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT SEEM TO REACT WELL WITH TURNING OF THE VEHICLE. PARKING THE VEHICLE IS UNEVEN AND NOT ALIGNED TO THE CENTER OF PARKING STALLS. STEERING WHEEL IS LOOSE AS IF STEERING A BOAT ON A WATERWAY. *TR