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.
Other or unspecified, Apr 7, 2017
ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO LACK OF OIL PRESSURE.
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Apr 4, 2017
MY FOUR YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND I WERE IN THE CAR AND WHILE DRIVING, THE SUNROOF EXPLODED. IT WAS SO LOUD, ALMOST LIKE A GUNSHOT. A SMALL AMOUNT OF GLASS ENTERED THE CAR. I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT, SOUTHWARD, NEAR THE OSCEOLA EXIT ON I 55. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO SIGN OR EVIDENCE OF ANYTHING HITTING THE GLASS. WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR AND THE TEMPERATURE IN OSCEOLA TODAY WAS A HIGH OF 76 AND LOW OF 68 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT.
Steering, Air bags, Apr 4, 2017, crash
NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH STEERING IN THE YEAR VEHICLE WAS OWNED, WAS BOUGHT PREOWNED WITH 25K MILES ON IT, NOW WITH 28K MILES ON IT. ON DAY OF ACCIDENT, ROADS WERE DAMP, WHILE DRIVING ON ROAD LITTERED WITH NUMEROUS POT HOLES AND BUMPS, CAME AROUND A CORNER ON WHAT SEEMED TO BE BUMP FREE PAVEMENT, STEERING JERKED RIGHT, CAR VEERED INTO THE GRASSY TERRAIN ALONGSIDE ROAD, COULD NOT REGAIN CONTROL OF CAR AS STEERING WAS FIGHTING ME NO MATTER WHAT I DID, RAISE IN TERRAIN FORCED PASSENGER SIDE DOWN AN DRIVER SIDE OF CAR INTO AIR, CAR CAME TO REST NEAR SIDE OF ROAD ON IT'S PASSENGER SIDE, ALSO AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS CAR IS SUPPOSEDLY SAFE I BELIEVE I SURVIVED THANKS TO AN ANGEL ABOVE KEEPING ME SAFE.
Steering, Mar 27, 2017
THE STEERING WHEEL HAS DEVELOPED A POPING OR CLICKING WHEN YOU TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. IT STOPS AFTER YOU'VE TURNED THE WHEEL MORE THAN A 1/4 TURN BUT IT FEELS LIKE THE STEERING IS NOT RESPONSIVE UNTIL YOU'VE GOTTEN PAST THAT INITIAL 1/4 WHEEL TURN. IT STARTED A WHILE BACK BUT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. IT WILL MAKE THE SOUND ANYTIME THE WHEEL IS TURNED IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU ARE DRIVING OR SITTING STILL.
Engine, Mar 14, 2017, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE CONTACT'S AUNT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL, SO THE DRIVER STEERED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER OF THE VEHICLE LIFTED THE HOOD AND NOTICED FLAMES. BOTH OCCUPANTS MOVED AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FILED A REPORT AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
Engine, Mar 13, 2017
I JUST RECENTLY HAD MY LOCAL DEALER DUE MY ROUTINE OIL CHANGE ON MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA EX. ABOUT TWO WEEKS FROM WHEN THIS WAS DONE. I STARTED TO NOTICE SOME SLUGGISH IN MY ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND THEN AFTER HEARING A LOW KNOCKING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE. I DECIDED TO CHECK THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL TO SEE IF I WAS LOW DUE TO A PAST EXPERIENCE WITH A CAR HAVING A BAD VALVE COVER GASKET. SO, WHEN I CHECKED MY OIL LEVEL ON THE DIPSTICK IT WAS BETWEEN THE LOW AND FULL LINE. THINKING THAT THIS WAS JUST MAYBE DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE DEALER HAD NOT PUT ENOUGH OIL IN DURING THE OIL CHANGE. I JUST BOUGHT TWO QUARTS OF 5W20 ENGINE OIL TO BRING THE OIL BACK TO THE FULL LINE ON THE DIPSTICK AND NOT VISUALLY SEEING ANY SIGNS OF OIL LEAKING ANYWHERE. HOWEVER, JUST ONE WEEK FROM WHEN I ADDED THE TWO QUARTS OF OIL. I STARTED TO HEAR THE KNOCKING SOUND AGAIN AND TO FIND OUT THAT I AM DOWN 1 QUART OF OIL. I DECIDED THEN TO PARK MY CAR UNDER A PIECE OF CARDBOARD FOR A DAY AND DO A THOROUGH LOOK FOR ANY SIGNS OF OIL LEAKING IN THE ENGINE BUT, I DID NOT COME ACROSS ANY OIL LEAKING ANYWHERE. I DECIDED THEN TO DO SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET TO SEE IF OTHER KIA OWNERS WERE HAVING THIS ISSUE AND FOUND THAT MANY OTHER KIA OWNERS WITH THIS GDI MOTOR ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE WITH SOME OWNERS HAVE THE MOTOR SEIZE DUE TO THE ENGINE OIL BEING LOST IN THE ENGINE BY DEFECTIVE CONNECTING RODS THAT FAIL IN THE ENGINE. I HAVE EVEN FOUND OUT THAT HYUNDAI HAS A RECALL ON THIS SAME ENGINE THAT IS BEING USED IN MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA. MY CONCERN NOW IS THAT IF KIA ENDS UP ACKNOWLEDGING THIS EVENTUALLY AS A RECALL THAT THE WARRANTY WILL BE MORE THAN 10 YEARS OR 120, 000 MILES AS WITH MY HIGHWAY TRAVEL COMMUTE DAILY TO WORK I AM OVER THIS MILEAGE. I WILL BE MAKING AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE KIA DEALER TOMORROW TO SEE WHAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO DO AND WHAT IT MIGHT COST BEFORE I LOSE MY ENGINE.
Electrical system, Engine, Mar 13, 2017
CAR WE'RE NOT KEEP RUNNING IT CUTS OFF ENGINE LOCKED UP.
Steering, Jan 31, 2017
WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, MY STEERING WHEEL SEEMS TO STICK. I AM CONSTANTLY OVER CORRECTING TO GET IT UNSTUCK AND STAY ON THE ROAD. IT HAPPENS TO THE LEFT AS WELL AS TO THE RIGHT. *TR
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.
Electrical system, Engine, Jan 23, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE RPMS INCREASED RAPIDLY WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE REMOTE PUSH TO START STOPPED WORKING AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
Electrical system, Jan 20, 2017
THE BACKUP CAMERA FAILED. IT STOPPED WORKING WHEN BACKING UP IN THE DRIVEWAY. KIA DID NOT COVER REPLACEMENT UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH KIA ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN SAYING TO REPLACE THE CAMERA IN AREAS THAT HAVE HIGH HUMIDITY AND COLD WEATHER WITH AN IMPROVED PART. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE.
Steering, Power train, Jan 19, 2017
SOMETIMES HAVE TROUBLE WITH THE STEERING, IT DOESN'T LOCK UP BUT IT GETS STUCK AND DOESN'T RESPOND TO SMALL MOVEMENTS (FEELS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL IS A FIGHT AGAINST THE MOVEMENT) WHEN DRIVING LONGER DISTANCE IN A STRAIGHT LINE.... I ALSO HAVE SOME PROBLEMS WITH THE SHIFTING WHEN I'M DRIVING SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 20 AND 30 MPH AND FEATHERING THE GAS PEDAL (USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN GOING UP AN INCLINE). LIKE THE CAR DOESN'T KNOW WHAT GEAR IT SHOULD BE IN AND SLIPS BETWEEN GEARS.... HOPE THIS HELPS YOU AND YOU COULD HELP ME THANK YOU *TR
Seat belts, Jan 9, 2017
SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE,IT GOT TIGHTER ANN WOULD NOT RELEASE WHILE IN LOWE'S PARKING LOT. THERE WERE 4 PEOPLE AND AN OFF DUTY POLICEMAN TRIED TO HELP AND FINALLY STATED THAT THE BELT WOULD HAVE TO BE CUT AND THEY DID. I WAS IN DIRE STRESS AND BREATHING PROBLEM AND IN DIRE NEED OF IMMEDIATE RELEASE. A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE.
Steering, Jan 4, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE IN WHICH THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSELY CONNECTED AND NOT ALIGNED. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT AN ALIGNMENT WAS UNABLE TO BE COMPLETED BECAUSE THERE WAS A RECALL THAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED FIRST FOR THE STEERING. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO CALL A DEALER. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 29, 2016
MY STEERING HAS BEEN LOOSE SINCE 65K MILES AND CONTINUED TO DRIFT. HOWEVER THIS BIENG MY 4TH CAR I LET IT SLIDE AND WAS WAITING FOR TIME TO DO A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. HOWEVER AT 73K MILES THE EPS SENSOR WENT OFF AND NOW IS HARD TO DRIVE. THE EPS ON ALL MY VEHICLES NEVER HAD ISSUES UP TILL ITS DEATH WAY OVER 250K MILES. THE EPS SENSOR CAME ON AFTER A STOP SIGN. THEN I HEARD A SNAP THEN THE CAR WENT INTO MANUAL STEERING MODE. NOW THE EPS SENSOR IS OFF AND THE CAR IS WORKING FINE.
Engine, Dec 27, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE REQUIRED TO BE JUMP STARTED SEVERAL OCCASIONS IN ORDER TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS DRAINED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Dec 14, 2016
VEHICLE: KIA OPTIMA 2013 ISSUE DESCRIPTION: IF LOOSING SLIGHTLY TRACTION (KIA OPTIMA IT IS VERY SENSITIVE, ALL IT TAKES IS SOME DIRT ON THE GROUND, A LITTLE RAIN, MOISTURE ON THE PAVEMENT, OR BUMPY ROAD) THE SYSTEM WILL KILL ALL THE ENGINE POWER BETWEEN 1 TO 2 SECONDS WHEN YOU START FROM A STAND STILL (BRINGS THE CAR TO A STOP). THIS MAKES THE CAR NOT MOVE AND GET INTO DANGEROUS SITUATIONS WHEN ENTERING AN INTERSECTIONS BECAUSE CARS APPROACHING MIGHT HIT THE CAR. THE SITUATION CAN BE REPEATED ONCE THE SYSTEM RELEASES THE POWER, LOSING TRACTION AGAIN, EXTENDING ADDITIONALLY 1 TO 2 SECONDS TO THIS SITUATION. LOOSING TRACTION IS EVEN EASIER WHEN THE WHEELS ARE TURNED. I OPENED A TICKET ON KIA CUSTOMER AFFAIRS (K3229681) ONCE THE DEALER DID NOT EVEN TESTED THE CAR WITH ME, AND I GOT THE TYPICAL ANSWER IF THEY DO NOT HAVE A RECALL ON THIS SUBJECT (IT IS THE WAY IT WORKS) AFTER MANY CALLS AND VISITS, I WAS ABLE TO GET FROM THE MANUFACTURE'S KIA CUSTOMER AFFAIRS VERBALLY CONFIRM IT IS THE WAY SHOULD WORK, IMMOBILIZING THE CAR FOR 1 TO 2 SECONDS. THE ONLY SOLUTION PROVIDED IS TO DISABLE THE TCS WHICH BASED ON THE MANUAL DISABLES ALSO THE ESP. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED BY OTHER OWNERS ON MULTIPLE FORUMS, AND NO OTHER CAR I DROVE WORKS IN THAT WAY, NOT EVEN MY HYUNDAI SONATA 2013 WHICH IS THE SAME CAR BUT WITH DIFFERENT BODY. MODE INFORMATION ON THE ATTACHED DOCUMENT.
Engine, Dec 14, 2016
I BOUGHT MY 2013 OPTIMA SXL WITH 26K MILES. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND MY CAR NOW HAS UNDER 32K MILES ON IT, AND STARTED SHAKING WITH SMOKE COMING OUT FROM THE HOOD AND IT TURNED OFF. TRIED TO TURN IT BACK ON BUT IT WAS DEAD I CALLED ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE TO GET IT TOWED TO A KIA DEALERSHIP. NEXT DAY I GET A CALL FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY SAID THE ENGINE WAS BLOWN AND THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WONT COVER IT DUE TO SLUDGE FOUND ON THE ENGINE WTF!! IT'S A NEW CAR! SO TO GET IT FIXED THEY ARE CHARGING ME $9,400.00 DOLLARS THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY. AND I KEEP CALLING THEM ASKING WHY THE WARRANTY DOESN'T WANT TO COVER THE CHARGES AND THEY SAY IT'S BECAUSE OF THE SLUDGE FOUND DUE TO POOR MAINTENANCE WHICH IS NOTHING BUT BS. I DON'T EVEN HAVE A YR WITH THIS CAR AND NOW I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. AND THE SAD THING IS THAT I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF REVIEWS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND KIA IS NOT DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. I WILL HAVE TO GET A REPO BECAUSE I CAN'T KEEP PAYING FOR A JUNK CAR. I WILL NEVER BUY FROM KIA EVER IN MY LIFE. *TR
Steering, Dec 14, 2016
AT FIRST I THOUGHT THE ALIGNMENT WAS OFF HOWEVER AFTER HAVING MY CAR ALIGNED THE STEERING IS STILL LOSE AND AT ANY GIVEN SPEED THE CAR DRIFTS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT VERY EASILY. IT'S DANGEROUS!!! *TR
Steering, Dec 13, 2016
WHEN DRIVING THE CAR FROM ANY SPEEDS THE CAR WILL DRIFT. WANDERING NOT STABLE GOES IN TO OTHER LANES WITHOUT YOU DOING IT. HOLDING THE STEERING WHEEL WITH BOTH HANDS CONSTANTLY RESTEERING BACK AN FORTH WITHOUT TRYING NOT TO OVER STEER BY STAYING IN YOUR LANE AN NOT STEERING IN TO ANOTHER VEHICLE. . NOT A SAFE VEHICLE TO DRIVE. VERY UNSTABLE. *TR
Steering, Dec 7, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
Steering, Dec 1, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL DRIFTED IN EITHER DIRECTION AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A FRONT END ALIGNMENT WOULD CORRECT THE CONDITION. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
Engine, Nov 22, 2016
TOOK CAR TO DEALER A MONTH AGO FOR SIREN NOISES AS I EXCELERATED. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS MY TURBO CASING THAT CAME OPEN AND THAT THEY CLOSED IT FOR ME. I CALLED THEM AN HOUR LATER AFTER I HAD LEFT TO TELL THEM IT WAS STILL MAKING THE NOISE THEY SAID IT WILL AND SHOULD MAKE THE NOISE. TOOK THE CAR BACK TODAY FOR SAME ISSUE AND FOR THE ENGINE LIGHT BEING IN NOW FOR A 6 DAYS. NOW THEY TELL ME I HAVE SLUDGE IN MY ENGINE AND WILL BLOW AT ANY TIME SO I NEED A NEW ENGINE AND WILL LET ME KNOW IF WARRANTY WILL COVER IT OR NOT. I'M NOT EVEN AT 60K MILES YET BUT THEY SAY I'M ALMOST EXPIRED FOR WARRANTY. I BOUGHT THIS BRAND NEW END OF JANUARY 2013. THE NOISE WAS HAPPENING WHEN STATIONARY, AND WHEN EXCELERATING TO DRIVE AND SPEED UP WITH FLOW OF TRAFFIC.
Engine, Nov 18, 2016, crash, fire
MY VEHICLE IS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA AND TODAY A VERY HORRIBLE AND SCARY SITUATION HAPPENED TO ME ON HIGHWAY I-25. I WAS DRIVING HOME AT NIGHT AND GOING AROUND 68MPH I NOTICED MY OIL LIGHT START FLICKERING, AT THIS POINT I TRYED TO SLOW AS MUCH AS I COULD BUT THWRE WAS HEAVY TRAFFIC. ALMOST TO THE NEAREST OFF RAMP I HEARD A LOUD POP AND I LOST ALL ENGINE POWER. I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AS WHATEVER POPPED PUSHED ME TO THE RIGHT, I SOON REGAINED CONTROL AND I COULD HEAR SOMETHING DRAGGING AND IT FALLING OFF. I APPROACHED THE OFF RAMP ON THE SHOULDER WHERE MY VEHICLE STAYED DISABLED UNTIL A TOW TRUCK ARRIVED. A PASSER BY STOPPED TO SEE IF I WAS ALRIGHT AND SAID THAT MY CAR WAS EMMITING FLAMES FROM THE CONNECTING ROD I WAS DRAGGING. MY MACHANIC HAD A LOOK AND SAID "WOW, YOU DEFINITELY THREW A ROD. YOU'RE LUCKY IT DIDN'T COME IN YOUR DIRECTION OR AT ANOTHER VEHICLE." I SEARCHED FOR A RECALL AND FOUND OUT A BIT OF INFORMATION REGARDING THIS EXACT ENGINE WITH BOTH KIA AND ALSO HYUNDAI. KIA SENT OUT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT HYUNDAI IS DOING A RECALL FOR THE SAME EXACT ENGINE BECAUSE IT IS FAULTY TO BEGIN WITH. COME TO FIND OUT THAT THERE A LOT OF KIA CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME IDENTICAL PROBLEM IN WHICH A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WAS CREATED. THIS FAULTY ENGINE IS A REAL SAFETY HAZARD TO THE STREETS AND HIGHWAY AND ITS A MATTER OF TIME FOR ALL OF THE CARS WITH THESE ENGINES TO HAVE FAILURE. PLEASE! WE NEED THESE CARS RECALLED SO THEY CAN BE FIXED AND NOT ON THE ROAD WAITING TO FAIL LIKE KIA EXPECTS.
Exterior lighting, Structure, Nov 14, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE WASHING THE VEHICLE, WATER WAS OBSERVED IN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEALANT AROUND THE HEADLIGHTS WAS FAILING. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT REPAIRED OR REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.