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.
Engine, Dec 22, 2017
I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW IN 2013 WITHIN 1 YEAR AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR STARTED USING OIL AND MOTOR HAD A LITTLE BIT OF A TICK SOUND.. CHECKING THE OIL EVERYDAY BECAUSE NONE OF THE LIGHT IN THE CAR CAME ON AND IT BEING NEW I GOT A RECALL SO I MADE APPOINT EVERYTHING THE RECALL LISTED MY CAR WAS DOING.. THEY SAID IT PASSED TEST. BUT ME KNOWING SOMETHING WASN'T RIGHT ABOUT IT DIDN'T BELIEVE THEM.. 4 MONTHS LATER I'M GOING DOWN HIGHWAY AND ENGINE JUST QUITS ON ME SO I COAST IN CLOSEST PLACE AND PUT CAR IN PARK.. TRYING TO START THE CAR IT WOULD NOT CRANK AND BRAKES LOCKED. TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS HAS LOOKED AT MY CAR AND ITS THE MOTOR.. BUT KIA IS WANTING ME TO SPEND THE MONEY I DON'T HAVE AND THAT'S THERE FAULT TO FIX MY CAR..
Engine, Dec 12, 2017
TL-CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA..... MARCH 31, 2017 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 BEARING WEAR MAY RESULT IN ENGINE SEIZURE BEARING WEAR MAY RESULT IN THE ENGINE SEIZING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 MANUFACTURER KIA MOTORS AMERICA COMPONENTS ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED 618,160 SUMMARY 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. REMEDY 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. CONTACT ADVISED TO CONTACT KIA AT 800-333-4542
Power train, Engine, Dec 6, 2017
"TAKATA RECALL" MY ENGINE STARTED SHAKING AND THE CAR STOPPED!
Power train, Dec 2, 2017
WHEN I PRESS DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR WHILE ALREADY MOVING, IN ORDER TO PASS OR GET ON THE A HIGHWAY THE ENGINE WILL REV UP VERY HIGH BUT THERE WILL BE NO INCREASE IN SPEED. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND I FIRST REPORTED IT TO THE DEAL IN 2014. THEY SAY THEY CAN NOT GET IT TO DO IT AND BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO CODE TO GO BY, CAN DO NOTHING. NOW THE CARE HAS ONLY 500 MILES LEFT ON THE WARRANTY. I RECENTLY REALIZED THE URGENCY OF THE SITUATION AS I WAS ENTERING THE TURNPIKE WHERE CONSTRUCTION WAS TAKING PLACE. THERE WAS LITTLE ROOM FOR ERROR AND LITTLE TIME TO SEE WHO WAS COMING. I SAW A SEMI COMING BUT KNEW IF I ACCELERATED I COULD GET ON IN TIME. I PUSHED DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR AND THIS HAPPENED. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF AND PUT IT BACK ON AND FORTUNATELY IT KICKED IN. NO ONE WOULD HAVE KNOWN THIS WAS A DEFECT OF THE CAR IF I WAS HIT BY THE SEMI. I AM HEARING FROM OTHERS THAT THEY ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I WOULD WARN OTHERS NOT TO TRUST THIS MANUFACTURER.
Steering, Nov 30, 2017
STEERING WHEEL HAS A CATCH OR NOTCH SOMETIMES IN COLD WEATHER WHEN TRYING TO TURN THE WHEEL.
Engine, Nov 29, 2017
ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING MY CAR, IT BEGAN HAVING SOME CLICKING SOUNDS IN THE ENGINE. AFTER A FEW MINUTES IT COMPLETELY TURNED OFF AND WOULD NOT START. I GOT IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO SAID THERE WAS METAL PIECES IN THE OIL WHICH CLOGGED OIL FLOW AND NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE.
Other or unspecified, Nov 28, 2017
THE TURBO LINES LEAK AND I'VE RESEARCHED AND FOUND IT TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM IN THESE VEHICLES
Other or unspecified, Nov 27, 2017
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR, MY SUNROOF EXPLODED AND BROKE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. NOTHING HIT THE SUNROOF. THE SUNROOF WAS CLOSED AT THE TIME AND THE CLOTH SHADE WAS BACK SO THAT WE COULD SEE THE SKY WHILE DRIVING. GLASS SHATTERED AND FELL ALL OVER ME (THE DRIVER) AND MY PASSENGER AND ALL OVER THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR.
Steering, Nov 25, 2017
STEERING HAS A DEAD SPOT NEAR THE CENTER AND IT FEELS LIKE IT GETS HUNG UP WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED EITHER DIRECTION AND IT JUMPS WHEN ALTERNATING LEFT TO RIGHT OR RIGHT TO LEFT IT FEELS UNSAFE AND JUMPY WHEELS WILL NOT EVER STAY IN A STRAIGHT CENTERED POSITION WHEN YOU TRY TO CORRECT THE JUMP IN THE STEERING OVER CORRECTS CAUSING A BACK AND FORTH JUST TO STAY IN ONE LANE THE NOISE IT MAKES IS A CLUNK AND IS MOST NOTICEABLE WHILE SITTING AT IDLE TURING THE WHEEL BACK AND FORTH EVEN ONE INCH
Other or unspecified, Nov 21, 2017
ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2017, I WAS TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY AT 70 MILES PER HOUR. MY 2013 OPTIMA AUTOMOBILE STOPPED SUDDENLY ON THE FREEWAY. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND PROCEED TO EXIT THE FREEWAY. ONCE I EXIT THE FREEWAY AND AT THE LIGHT, MY CAR STOPPED AGAIN. SO, I KNEW SOMETHING WAS DEFINITELY WRONG WITH MY CAR. ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2017, I TOOK MY CAR TO GALPIN KIA IN NORTH HILLS TO HAVE THE CAR CHECKED. THE DEALER KEPT MY CAR FOR 3 DAYS, THEREFORE, I HAD GET A RENTAL CAR. I THEN RECEIVED A CALL ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2017 THAT THE TEST RAN ON THE ENGINE SHOWED NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE. NOTE: I RECEIVED A RECALL VIA MAIL REGARDING THE AN ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE FOR THE OPTIMA 2013 AUTOMOBILE. DUE TO FEAR AND WORRY, I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. HOWEVER, I HAVE TO GO TO WORK, SO I HAVE BEEN TAKING THE STREETS. PLEASE ASSIST ME IN GETTING THE RECALL OF THE ENGINE PROBLEM DONE ON MY CAR, SO I CAN DRIVE MY CAR AND HAVE PEACE OF MIND IN KNOWING MY CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE.
Steering, Nov 19, 2017
VEHICLE STEERING HAS BECOME FAULTY. WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED WHILE PARKED OR DRIVING, IT STICKS THEN MOVES FREELY WITHOUT THE WHEELS TURNING. THIS STICKING IS ACCOMPANIED BY A KNOCKING/CLICKING IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS MOST OFTEN HAPPENS WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL FROM IT'S CENTER POSITION. I'M UNSURE OF THE CAUSE. THIS STARTED APPROXIMATELY 3 WEEKS AGO (30OCT17) AND HAS PERSISTED. I'M VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS IS GOING TO ESCALATE INTO A DANGEROUS SITUATION. CAN YOU PLEASE ASSIST?
Engine, Nov 17, 2017, fire
THE VEHICLE QUIT SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT OTHER WARNING ON A TOLL ROAD, APPROX SPEED OF 70 MPH AT NIGHT. I WAS UNABLE TO GET TO THE VEHICLE TO BE TOWED DUE TO THE LATE NIGHT, I HAVE TOWED LATER, ORIGINALLY THINKING IT WAS A BAD BATTERY, THAT TURNED OUT TO BE TRUE, SO WE REPLACED THAT BATTERY WITH A NEW ONE AND IT INSTANTLY SMOKED THE STARTER, REQUIRING A NEW ONE, WHICH IT DESTROYED, AT THAT TIME FURTHER DIAGNOSIS REVEALED THE ENGINE WAS SEIZED. I NOTICED LATER THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND A RECALL FROM KIA HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR A REPLACEMENT. THE FIRE I NOTE IS THE ELECTRICAL FIRE FROM REPLACING THE BATTERY WITH A FRESH BATTERY, AND SINCE THE ENGINE WAS SEIZED, THE STARTER LOCKED AND CAUGHT FIRE, REQUIRING A NEW STARTER, OBVIOUSLY AFTER THE MOTOR IS FULLY REPAIRED, BUT I OWE APPROX $350 FOR THE STARTER AND $400 APPROX FOR THE ELECTRICAL FIRE, I AM UNCERTAIN OF OTHER DAMAGE CAUSED BE THE ENGINE SEIZING AT SUCH SPEEDS/
Steering, Engine, Nov 17, 2017
I AM CURRENTLY STATIONED IN RAMSTEIN GERMANY WITH THE U.S. AIR FORCE. I CONTACTED KIA TO HAVE THE RECALL CHECKED AND THE WORK COMPLETED. THEY ARE REFUSING SAYING THAT SINCE I AM IN GERMANY THE RECALL DOESN'T AFFECT THEM. THEY ARE ALSO REFUSING TO HONOR MY WARRANTY. EMAIL IS THE BEST TO CONTACT ME OR VIA CELL [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Other or unspecified, Nov 16, 2017
ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17TH AT AROUND 7 PM, MY HUSBAND AND I WAS DRIVING ON 118 FREEWAY AT 70 MILES PER HOUR. ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH BOARD, AND THE CAR JUST TURNED OFF. SHORTLY, AFTER WE GOT OFF THE FREEWAY, WE TURNED THE CAR BACK ON AND A COUPLE OF MINUTES LATER THE CAR TURNED OFF AGAIN. WE TOOK OUR CAR TO GALPIN KIA ON MONDAY IN PANORAMA CITY, CA.. THE DEALER KEPT THE CAR 3 DAYS TO CHECKED OUT THE ENGINE AND DROVE CAR 6 MILES AND DETERMINE THE CAR WAS OK. MY HUSBAND AND I ARE VERY CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY. PLEASE HELP US TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OVCURS.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Nov 15, 2017, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION AFTER LOSING FUNCTIONALITY OF VARIOUS ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PRIOR TO THE CRASH, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VALLEY HI KIA (14673 CIVIC DR, VICTORVILLE, CA), BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED UNTIL THE SECOND TIME IT WAS BROUGHT IN FOR DRIVING ABNORMALLY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM, MOTOR MOUNT, AND TRANSMISSION WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER BANNED THE CONTACT FROM RETURNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO KIA OF ORANGE (210 W KATELLA AVE, ORANGE, CA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE. THE RECALL WAS REMEDIED, BUT NO OTHER REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THERE WAS ONE INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT SUFFERED LOWER BACK, HIP, AND HEAD INJURIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000.
Vehicle speed control, Nov 11, 2017
I OWN A 2013 OPTIMA SXL. WHEN I AM PULLING OFF FAST OR PUNCHING IT AROUND 20MPH THE CAR DIES. LIKE I LOSE POWER, BUT THE RPMS ARE UP. FEELS LIKE I JAMMED THE BRAKES BUT I DON'T EVEN GET A ABS FEEL. I HAVE TO TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND THEN SLOWLY HIT THE GAS. TIRE PRESSURE IS WHERE IT SUPPOSE TO BE. WHAT I HAVE BEEN DOING IS TURNING OFF THE TRACTION CONTROL SO I FEEL SAFE HITTING THE GAS. IT'S REALLY BAD IN THE RAIN. IF I GO TO ACCELERATE AND NOT FAST IN THE RAIN IT DOES IT. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY AND OF COURSE THEY SAID THIS IS NORMAL. I DID SOME SEARCH ONLINE AND I FOUND A FORUM WHERE MULTIPLE OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. ONE OWNER HAD THE HYDRAULIC ABS ASSIST MODULE REPLACED AND ECU REPROGRAMMED UNDER WARRANTY. WHILE MOST CUSTOMERS LIKE MY SELF HAVE BROUGH THE CAR TO OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP JUST FOR THEM TO CLIAM THE PROBLEM IS NORMAL. THE PART IS 1600.00 PLUS 900.00 IN LABOR. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED SINCE IT BECAME A REAL DANGER SPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY. AS THE DIES UNDER ACCELERATION WHILE OVERTAKING. PART NUMBER 58920-2T550
Air bags, Nov 5, 2017
HAVEN'T ANYTHING HAPPENED JUST YET, BUT I HAVE RECEIVED A NOTICE IN THE MAIL
Wheels, Oct 27, 2017
THE CHROME ON THE WHEELS IS SEPARATING FROM THE WHEEL/RIM. ALL AROUND THE LUG NUTS AREA THE CHROME IS PEALING OFF.
Air bags, Structure, Oct 24, 2017, crash
ON SEPTEMBER 28TH MY HUSBAND WAS IN A ACCIDENT WHERE HE TURNED A CORNER AT 8MPH AND HIT THE REAR END OF A BOAT ON A TRAILER. THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS CRUNCHED AND THE CAR IS NOW A TOTAL LOSS AND WAS TOTALED. THE AIR BAGS NEVER WENT OFF AND IF I WERE IN THE CAR WITH MY TWO SMALL CHILDREN THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A DIFFERENT STORY.
Steering, Oct 24, 2017
CONSTANT KNOCKING / CLICKING IN THE STEERING COLUMN. I HAVE SEEN ON MANY FORUMS THAT THIS IS COMMON WITH THE KIA BRAND IT IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE STEERING COUPLER???? ATTACHING A PIC I FOUND ON A WEBSITE. IT HAS BEEN "KNOCKING" FOR OVER A YEAR.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 17, 2017
IT STALLS AT LOW SPEED AND STALLS AT HIGH SPEED PULLS HARD TO THE RIGHT. AND MOTOR MAKES ALL KIND OF SOUNDS LIKE RATTLES WHEN COLD. AND RUN POORLY WHEN COLD. HAD A TOTAL OF 4 RECALLS AND HAVE NOT HAD IT A YEAR. HAD IT SENT TO KIA OF CHATTANOOGA WHEN I FIRST GOT IT FROM EDD KIRBY OF DALTON,GA AND ALL THEY DONE WAS PUT 600 MILES ON IT. AND DID NOTHING TO IT. THEN IT WAS TAKEN TO KIA OF DALTON,GA FOR THE REST OF THE RECALLS BUT NOTHING WAS FIXED ALL THEY DONE WAS SERVICED THE CAR. THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO BE ON THE ROAD. IT IS GOING TO END UP GETTING SOMEONE KILLED OR BADLY HURT. I AM ABOUT READY TO CALL A LAWYER AND CHANNEL 3 NEWS OF CHATTANOOGA, TENN. IF YOU CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION YOU MAY TALK TO MY HUSBAND [XXX] AT ANYTIME. ('PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).')*JB
Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 15, 2017
THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED ON THIS CAR. IF YOU WOULD HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD WHILE ACCELERATION THE CAR WOULD DETECT A SPINNING CONDITION AND CAUSE MAJOR DECELERATION BEING VERY DANGEROUS WHEN ENTERING A FREEWAY IN MODERATE TRAFFIC TAKING THE VEHICLE FROM 60+ MPH TO VIRTUALLY 40 MPH WITH NO WARNING AND NO BRAKE LIGHTING TO WARN APPROACHING TRAFFIC. AFTER MANY VISITS TO KIA DEALER REMAINED UNADDRESSED UNTIL CONTACTING CORPORATE KIA AND FINDING A POSTING ON KIA OPTIMA FORUM WITH ANOTHER USER THAT HAD SAME ISSUE AND WAS FINALLY RESOLVED WITH SOME HYDRAULIC PART REPLACEMENT THAT COSTS $1,600 AND WAS BEING AVOIDED BY DEALERS. WHEN I BROUGHT THIS TO KIA CORPORATES ATTENTION THEY AGREED TO REPLACE WITH THAT PART WHICH DID ALMOST RESOLVE THAT ISSUE EXCEPT ON RARE INSTANCES CAR WILL STILL HESITATE WHEN ENCOUNTERING A BUMP ON ACCELERATION. AFTER THAT REPAIR HOWEVER THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ARE NOW FAILING WITH ERRATIC PULSING ON HARD BRAKING AND LESS EFFECTIVE BRAKING.
Electrical system, Engine, Sep 29, 2017
THE ISSUE BEGAN APPROXIMATELY MID-MAY '17 WHILE MY CAR WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY (55MPH SPEED LIMIT, SAME SPEED LIMIT FOR EACH TIME I EXPERIENCED THE ISSUES IN THIS SUMMARY). I HONKED MY HORN AND PRESSED ON MY BRAKES (DUE TO ANOTHER CAR MAKING AN UNSAFE LANE CHANGE INTO MY LANE). SIMULTANEOUSLY, AS I HONKED THE HORN THE ENGINE LIGHT DISPLAYED ON THEN WENT OFF IMMEDIATELY AFTER I LIFTED OFF OF THE HORN. ADDITIONALLY, THE RPM GAUGE IMMEDIATELY DROPPED DOWN TO ZERO, THE CAR DRASTICALLY SLOWED DOWN, MY A/C STOPPED WORKING AS WELL AS THE COOLING SYSTEM FOR MY SEATS. MY CAR HAD THE ABILITY TO STILL ACCELERATE BUT, IT WAS EXTREMELY SLOW TO PICK UP SPEED. FURTHERMORE, EVERY TIME I HAD TO SLOW DOWN OR COME TO A COMPLETE STOP MY CAR WAS EXTREMELY SLOW TO PICK UP SPEED. EVERY SYMPTOM LASTED UNTIL I PARKED MY CAR THAT DAY. I RETURNED TO MY CAR HOURS LATER AND TURNED IT ON AND IT WAS LIKE THE CAR RESET ITSELF. THE RPM GAUGE, ACCELERATION AND A/C WAS BACK TO NORMAL. THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES AND MOST RECENTLY ON 9/28/17. THIS IS A LINK TO A VIDEO I FOUND THAT SHOWS SIMILAR ISSUES I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING (HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/QULSDY-UMDK).
Engine, Sep 28, 2017
2013 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE KNOCKING WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE ENGINE IS OFF. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE ENGINE KNOCKING COMPLAINT. THE CONSUMER INQUIRED ABOUT VISITING A DIFFERENT DEALER. UPDATED 09/28/2017*JS
Seat belts, Sep 27, 2017
SEAT BELT FOR LEFT REAR SEAT DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE FEMALE PART SINKS INTO THE SEAT POCKET WHEN ATTEMPTING LATCHING SUCH THAT IT WILL NOT ACCEPT THE MALE PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT. THE HARDER THE PUSH OF THE MALE PART, THE MORE THE FEMALE PORTION RETRACTS INTO THE SEAT. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS PROBLEM TO THE ATTENTION OF MY KIA DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS BUT THEY CLAIM IT IS A DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING PROBLEM AND THEY CANNOT OFFER A SOLUTION, IN SPITE OF THE SAFETY CONCERNS I HAVE FOR MY PASSENGERS - ESPECIALLY MY GRANDCHILDREN. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO ME AND I HOPE IT'S NOT ACCEPTABLE TO THE NHSTA EITHER. I HOPE YOU WILL INVESTIGATE & ULTIMATELY FORCE KIA TO OFFER A RECALL. THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. [XXX] GLENDALE, AZ VIN IS INVALID. ('PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).')*JB