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
1,383 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 12, 2019
CAR HAS NOT WANTED TO START 5 TIMES. FIRST STARTED IN NOVEMBER 2018. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, IS HAS COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN TWICE IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND WOULD NOT START. ONCE MID DECEMBER & EARLY JANUARY. BATTERY DISCHARGE WARNING CAME ON SO I GOT A NEW BATTERY BUT STILL CONTINUED TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. AT RANDOM TIMES IT ACTS AS IF IT DOES NOT WANT TO ACCELERATE AND STALLS
Other or unspecified, Jan 12, 2019
BACK UP CAMERA NOW A SMOKEY HUE AROUND THE PICTURE AND IT'S NOT VERY CLEAR.
Air bags, Jan 7, 2019, crash
MY VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FENDER BENDER. I WAS STATIONARY IN TRAFFIC ON A CITY STREET WHEN MY VEHICLE WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND.A FEW DAYS AFTER, I NOTICED THE AIRBAG LIGHT CONTINUED TO STAY ON AND REAR SEAT BELT DOESN'T WORK. PRIOR TO THE FENDER BENDER I HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH AIR BAG OR SEAT BELT. A MINOR INCIDENT CAUSED MY AIRBAG TO MALFUNCTION AND I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHY. I'VE ONLY HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 2 YEARS AND NOW ITS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE.
Engine, Jan 2, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, A KNOCKING SOUND WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE KNOCKING SOUND BECAME LOUDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED DUTCH MILLER KIA OF CHARLOTTE (704-247-7124, LOCATED AT 7725 SOUTH BLVD, CHARLOTTE, NC 28273) AND SCHEDULED A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 126,000.
Engine, Dec 31, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE METAL SHAVINGS IN THE OIL AND CYLINDER NUMBER TWO WAS MISFIRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS HOME. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 124,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Engine, Dec 31, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V363000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
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.
Engine, Dec 23, 2018
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND THE CAR JUST STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC.THE AAA DRIVER SAID THE STARTER BUT THE FIRESTONE SAID THE MOTOR SEIZED UP.THIS HAPPENED 3 DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS THIS IS VERY HORRIBLE ME AND MY CHILDREN HAVE NO TRANSPORTATION AT ALL OR MONEY FOR A PROBLEM KIA OVER LOOK .
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.
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.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 14, 2018
I HAVE BEEN HAVING REPEATED ISSUES FOLLOWING THE KIA THETA II ENGINE RECALL REPLACEMENT (SC147) SINCE JUNE 2018. MY CAR IS PRACTICALLY NEW WITH 53K +/- MILES, PURCHASED NEW, AND HAD ALL THE RECOMMENDED AND REQUIRED MAINTENANCE PERFORMED. I TOOK MY CAR TO RICK CASE KIA (DEALER CODE:GA083) TO HAVE MY ENGINE REPLACED MIDSUMMER 2018. SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING PERSISTENT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (CEL) ISSUES FOR THE SAME ENGINE DIAGNOSTIC CODE(P2191). EACH TIME I TAKE MY CAR TO THE DEALER FOR RESOLUTION, TECHNICIANS GIVE ME DIFFERENT REASONS FOR WHAT THEY "THINK" COULD BE THE ROOT ISSUE. THUS FAR, I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE ISSUE WAS DUE TO BAD GAS, AN O2 SENSOR GONE BAD, A LEAK, HISTORY CODE FROM ANOTHER DEALER NOT CLEARING THE RECALL, AND NOW A FUEL KIT WILL BE REPLACED. IT IS MY ASSUMPTION THAT IF KIA TECHNICIANS TRULY KNEW WHAT THE ISSUE WAS I WOULD NOT HAVE SO MANY REPEATED TRIPS FOR THE SAME ISSUE. TO THIS DATE(DECEMBER 14TH 2018) THEY STILL HAVE NOT PROVIDED A CLEAR RESOLUTION. IN LIGHT OF RECENT EVENTS SURROUNDING KIA VEHICLES, SPECIFICALLY OPTIMA, CATCHING ON FIRE AND ENGINES RANDOMLY BLOWING UP THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS AN IMMEDIATE RESOLUTION.IT IMPACTS MY SAFETY AS THE VEHICLE OWNER AND THOSE DRIVING AROUND ME. I HAVE EXPRESSED HOW UNCOMFORTABLE I AM DRIVING THIS CAR IN THE CURRENT STATE (WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT ON) AND MY CONCERNS ARE BEING DISMISSED. I AM TOLD THAT IT IS NOT A DRIVABILITY ISSUE AND I CAN DRIVE IT AWAY WITH THE LIGHT ON. IT SHOULD BE NO SURPRISE WHY THAT IS NOT A COMFORTING DIAGNOSIS AS I HAVE BEEN BACK ABOUT 6-7 TIMES NOW. I AM CURRENTLY MAKING ATTEMPTS TO ENGAGE/ESCALATE THIS WITH THE KIA CORPORATE OFFICE. IN AN ATTEMPT TO BE PROACTIVE I AM SEEKING HELP!
Exterior lighting, Dec 5, 2018
THE HEAD LAMPS POINT AT THE GROUND AND MAY LIGHT 10 FEET IN FRONT OF THE CAR. KIA SAID THERE IS NOTHING WRONG, BUT THE LIGHTS WORKED WELL WHEN WE BROUGHT THE CAR, AND WHEN THIS HAPPEN IT WAS ONE LAMP AT A TIME, DRIVERS SIDE FIRST AND THEN PASSENGERS SIDE ABOUT A MONTH LATER. I REPLACED THE BULBS WITH NO HELP, AND THERE IS NO ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE LOW BEAMS AND THOSE ARE THE LAMPS WITH THE ISSUE.
Engine, Nov 28, 2018
IT STARTED AS A METAL TO METAL CLICKING SOUND. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME SAFELY. THE FOLLOWING MORNING WHEN I TRIED TO START IT THE CAR RATTLED AND SHUT OFF ON IT'S OWN.
Engine, Nov 27, 2018, fire
ENGINE STARTED MAKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE. ENGINE EXPLODED, CAR WAS IN GULFED IN SMOKE AND FLAMES. I PULLED THE CAR TO THE THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND GOT OUT AS FAST AS I COULD. TOTAL BURN DOWN AND TOTAL LOSS OF MY CAR IN LESS THAN 10 MINUTES. I HAVE VIDEO AND PICTURES
Engine, Nov 22, 2018
DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY WHEN MY ENGINE JUST LOCKED UP. HAD MY CAR PICKED UP BY A TOW TRUCK AND FOUND THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE CAR, AND THE BOTTOM OF MY CAR WAS COATED IN OIL. HAD NO INDICATIONS THERE WAS ANY TROUBLE BEFORE THE ENGINE SEIZED. IMAGE ATTACHED SHOWS UNDERCARRIAGE COVERED IN OIL.
Electrical system, Nov 9, 2018
I THOUGHT MY KEY FOB STOPPED WORKING I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP HAD IT TESTED AND THEY SAID IT WAS FINE. THEY SAID IT HAD TO BE THE WIRING IN MY CAR FOR MY ALARM SYSTEM. ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO I WAS GOING TO GET INTO MY CAR. I PUT MY KEY IN THE DOT UNLOCKED IT PULLED MY DOOR OPEN AND MY CAR ALARM STARTED GOING OFF. I TRIED EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO GET IT TO TURN OFF. FINALLY AFTER ABOUT 3 MINUTES IT JUST STOPPED. NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN UNTIL A WEEK AGO. SAME SCENARIO. THEN 2 DAYS AGO SAME SCENARIO. I'M READ ONLINE IT'S A COMMON ISSUE PEOPLE HAVE AND I'M WONDERING IF IT'S RELATED TO THE CAR FIRE THING AND WIRES SHORTING OUT.
Engine, Nov 5, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THE OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY, AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.
Air bags, Nov 5, 2018
FIRST OFF THIS IS MY DAUGHTER'S VEHICLE THAT I PURCHASED THINKING IT WAS A SAFE VEHICLE FOR HER. WHEN HERE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WE FOUND OUT ABOUT THE AIR BAG RECALL SHE KEPT GETTING THE RUN AROUND AT THE DEALERSHIP IN ALABAMA. I WENT AND GOT HER VEHICLE TO BRING IT HOME TO GA TO HAVE IT SERVICED. WELL THEY SERVICED THE VEHICLE AND WHEN I GOT MY CAR AND NOTICED THE LIGHT WAS ON I WAS TOLD OH THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL BECAUSE THE RECALL ISSUE WOULD NOT HAVE MADE THE LIGHT COME ON. I WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO PAY A DIAGNOSTIC FEE TO FIND OUT THE ISSUE. I ASKED WHY SINCE THEY ALREADY HAD THE CAR IN THE BACK AND ITS AN AIRBAG ISSUE AND THEY SAID OH WE WOULD HAVE TO PULL THE CAR APART. AFTER TAKING THE CAR TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AND FINDING OUT IT IS THE CLOCK SPRING I CALLED KIA I SPOKE WITH SOMEONE OVER THE PHONE AND WAS TOLD TO BRING IT BACK IN AT 2PM BECAUSE THAT SHOULD BE COVERED AND THEY WOULD TAKE CARE OF IT AND ONCE THEY DO THAT THE CAR WOULD BE GOOD TO GO. ONCE I GOT THERE I WAS TOLD SORRY THAT THEY MISSPOKE AND DIDNT HAVE ALL MY INFORMATION THAT THEY ONLY HAD MY VIN NUMBER. WELL HOW THE HELL YOU GOT MY VIN NUMBER WITHOUT GETTING ALL MY INFORMATION. THIS IS SO NOT RIGHT AS YOU KNOW THAT THE CLOCK SPRING HAS BEEN RECALLED ON OTHER KIAS. I WAS CHARGED ALMOST $400.00 FROM KIA TO FIX SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED AFTER GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH THEM.
Engine, Oct 31, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE ABOVE 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER KIA OF HUNTINGTON (1720 EAST JERICHO TNPK, HUNTINGTON, NY 11743) WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TURBO WASTE GATE VALVE SOLENOID FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND CASE NUMBER: 12523258 WAS OPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Oct 30, 2018, fire
WHILE ON THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 75 MILES PER HOUR MY VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING OUT THE REAR END AND LOST ALL POWER. WHEN I PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER AND STOPPED, FLAMES CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD TOWARDS THE WINDSHIELD. MY VEHICLE CONTINUED TO BURN UNTIL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. ONCE EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE CAPTAIN SAID IN HIS EXPERIENCE THIS APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. KIA ALSO HAS CLAIMS ABOUT SPONTANEOUS FIRES IN SEVERAL MODELS INCLUDING MINE DUE TO METAL SHAVINGS FROM THE FACTORY IN THE OIL CAUSING A FIRE.
Engine, Oct 30, 2018
CAR BURNING THROUGH OIL EVERY 20 DAYS TO THE POINT THE OIL IS COMPLETELY EMPTY. STARTED A OIL CONSUMPTION TEST ON OCTOBER 1, 2018. OIL LIGHT CAME ON BY OCTOBER 20, WPQ8. I CONTACTED DEALERSHIP ABOUT OIL LIGHT HOWEVER THEY STATED I MUST WAIT 30 DAYS AND DO NOT TOP OFF CAR WITH OIL. I DECREASED DRIVING THE NEXT 10 DAYS TO PREVENT DAMAGE. I WENT BACK AFTER OVER 1,000 MILES AND 30 DAYS ON OCTOBER 30, 2018 TO KIA DEALERSHIP IN CHAMBLEE, GA. WAS ONLY GIVEN A OIL CHANGE AND ADDITIVE. CAR DEALERSHIPS STATED THAT THIS IS HOW MY CAR IS AND I WILL NEED TO FREQUENTLY DO OIL CHANGES.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 25, 2018, fire
ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2018 AT APPROXIMATELY 930AM, WHILE ON DUTY AT WORK(CORRECTION OFFICER) MY KIA OPTIMA GDI 2013 WENT UP IN FLAMES IN THE PARKING LOT OF MY JOB.. I WAS NOT PRESENT AND THE VEHICLE. I HAD ALREADY BEEN ON DUTY 530AM THAT MORNING. ONCE I MADE IT TO THE SCENE MY CAR WAS COMPLETELY ALMOST BURNT TO THE GROUND. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT LABELED IT AS A ELECTRICAL FIRE, WHICH CAUSED THE CAR THE BURN FROM THE INSIDE OUT, STARTING FROM THE ENGINE. I HAD SEVERAL PERSONAL ITEMS OF MINE BURNT IN THE FIRE AND ALSO WORK EQUIPMENT THAT WAS LOST IN THE FIRE. SINCE THE INCIDENT I'VE SUFFERED MENTAL, EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL DISTRESS. I'M A SINGLE MOTHER AND I DEPENDED ON MY CAR TO GET ME WHERE I NEEDED TO GO. THINGS HAVE BEEN VERY FRUSTRATING AND HARD. I'M SEEKING HELP FROM KIA MOTORS. *TR
Engine, Oct 23, 2018, fire
WHILE DIVING MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA SX. ALL THE LIGHTS IN THE DASH STATED FLASHING WHILE DRIVING I PULLED OVER ON THE HIGHWAY MY DAUGHTER AND I SEEN SMOKE COME FROM THE HOOD OF THE CAR AND I THEN SEEN A REFLECTION ON THE GROUND IT WAS 9PM AT NIGHT. THAT'S WHEN MY DAUGHTER AND I WALKED AS FAR AS WE COULD ON THE HWY AND CALLED THE POLICE. I HAVE CALLED KIA NATIONAL FILED A COMPLAINT I HEARD FROM SOMEONE ONCE AND HAVENT HEARD FROM ANYONE ELSE SINCE. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2018.
Engine, Oct 22, 2018, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN, SMOKE APPEARED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING SOUND AND THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE MATTER WOULD BE INVESTIGATED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT CALLED BACK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 124,000.
Power train, Air bags, Oct 16, 2018
TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE A MONTH AGO FOR AIRBAG RECALL AS WAS TOLD WOULD NOT INFLATE IN CRASH. CALLED KIA CORP. TO ASK STATUS AS I HAVE HEARD NOTHING MORE AFTER CALLING EACH WEEK AND WAS TOLD MY CAR WAS READY AS OF THAT MOMENT. PICKED UP CAR AND TRANSMISSION (LIGHT CAME ON AND DIED) IN MIDDLE OF 4 LANE HWY 5O'CLOCK TRAFFIC AS I WAS IN MOTION APPROACHING TRAFFIC LIGHT AT WITHIN A MILE OF LEAVING REGAL KIA AND WAS THEN TOLD THAT THE AIRBAG WAS STILL NOT WORKING AS THE EXTRA FIX WAS OUTSIDE OF THE RECALL AND I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR. I COULD HAVE BEEN IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT DURING STALL AS I WENT IN FOR A AIRBAG RECALL AND LEFT WITH A DEAD TRANSMISSION AND AIRBAG WAS NOT FIXED, PUTTING MY LIFE IN DANGER WITHIN MINUTES OF LEAVING THE SAME DEALERSHIP THAT EARLIER MONTHS CLEARED MY CAR AS PERFECT EXCEPT FOR TUNE-UP BECAUSE OF ANOTHER PREVIOUS RECALL. I WAS NOT PLACED IN REQUESTED LOANER TO MATCH MY VEHICLE SIZE AS NEEDED DUE TO MY FAMILY SIZE FOR 4 WEEKS. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE BY ANY MEANS AS A CUSTOMER.