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.
Steering, May 12, 2015
WIFE'S 2013 OPTIMA HAS A VERY STIFF STEERING WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE. IT'S VERY HARD TO STAY IN A STRAIGHT LINE. ITS ALMOST AS IF THE STEERING LOCKS AT 12 OCLOCK AND IT BREAKS FREE AT ANY LEFT OR RIGHT MOVEMENT. OVER CORRECTING IS INEVITABLE. WE IGNORED IT FOR THE FIRST FEW MONTHS THINKING MAYBE IT'S JUST IN A "BREAK IN" STAGE. NOW AT 30K MILES IT'S THE EXACT SAME WAY. DEALER SAYS IT'S NORMAL AND WANTS ME TO PAY TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT CAUSE THERE ARE NO RECALLS. IT'S VERY UNSAFE. I'M OBVIOUSLY NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. I HOPE KIA MAN'S UP AND FIXES THIS PROBLEM.
Engine, May 6, 2015, fire
MY WIFE, SON AND I WERE ON THE WAY HOME FROM TOWN IN OUR 2013 KIA OPTIMA. I STOPPED AT A LOCAL GROCERY STORE TO PICK SOME EGGS AS MY WIFE AND SON STAYED IN THE CAR. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND WENT INTO THE STORE FOR ABOUT 7-8 MINUTES, WHEN I WALKED OUT THE DOOR MY SON CAME RUNNING UP TO ME YELLING OUR CAR IS ON FIRE, YOU COULD SEE THE FLAMES COMING OUT OF THE HOOD AND BOTTOM OF CAR. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. WHEN I CONTACTED THE KIA DEALERSHIP THEY DID NOT SEEMED TO CONCERN AND GAVE ME THE NUMBER TO REPORT. AFTER DOING SO I RECEIVED A CALL FROM KIA CORPORATE A DAY LATER ASKING QUESTIONS. THEY WANTED ME TO SEND THEM PICTURES OF THE FIRE TO DO THEIR INVESTIGATION BECAUSE THEY ONLY HAD TWO ENGINEERS WHO COULD LOOK INTO THIS. IT IS NOW MAY AND STILL I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING. I HAVE MADE CONTACT WITH THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES AND SENT EMAILS TO KIA CORPORATE. MY WIFE & KID WAS IN THIS CAR WHEN IT CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED AND NOT RUNNING AT A PARKING LOT. THIS IS RIDICULES. *TR
Power train, May 5, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STAND STILL POSITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUDDER AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THIS WAS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,320.
Steering, May 3, 2015
BOUGHT THE CAR WITH ONLY 27 MILES ON IT. WE TOOK CAR TO DEALER TO GET FIRST OIL CHANGE AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE STEERING BECAUSE THE CAR IS VERY HARD TO CONTROL, ESPECIALLY ON THE FREEWAY. DEALER SAID THE ELECTRONIC STEERING WAS ALREADY SET TO THE LEAST SENSITIVE SETTING. DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE IS NEAR IMPOSSIBLE, ESPECIALLY ON FREEWAY. IT IS ALL OVER THE ROAD AND REQUIRES CONSTANT CORRECTION TO STAY IN YOUR LANE. IT HAS DONE THIS FROM THE BEGINNING. I'M SURE KIA WILL JUST IGNORE THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT THEY DID WHEN I CONTACTED THEM BEFORE ABOUT A DIFFERENT ISSUE. I ALREADY HAVE CALLED KIA ABOUT THE FACT THAT MY CAR GETS NOWHERE NEAR THE STATED MPG. THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO BECAUSE MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE LIST OF CARS WITH OVERSTATED MPG. SO I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF THEY IGNORE THIS ISSUE AS WELL. THIS STEERING PROBLEM IS A BIG ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. HOW MANY ACCIDENTS AND COMPLAINTS HAVE TO BE FILED BEFORE KIA DOES SOMETHING ABOUT IT? THIS CAR ALSO SKIDS EASILY IN THE RAIN. *TR
Engine, Apr 14, 2015, fire
HAD OIL CHANGE 5 DAYS PRIOR, AND RECALL FOR ACCELERATION. CALLED THE,DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE FRONT END. WAS ON MY WAY TO DEALERSHIP ON THE,EXPRESSWAY, CAR LOST POWER, PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND PULLED TO RIGHT SIDE OF XWAY..CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE AND FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. WAITING TO HEAR IF INSURANCE IS LOOKING INTO FAULTY WORK WITH RECALL OR OIL CHANGE. *TR
Steering, Mar 18, 2015
AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE STEERING BECOMES VERY STIFF AND RIGID. TO MAKE MINOR ADJUSTMENTS TO STAY WITHIN YOUR LANE, A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FORCE IS REQUIRED. THIS RESULTS IN OVER CORRECTING CAUSING YOU TO BASICALLY SWERVE DOWN THE LANE. ADDITIONALLY, THIS DIFFICULT STEERING RESULTS IN DRIVER FATIGUE AND FRUSTRATION. ANY OF THESE FACTORS COULD EASILY RESULT IN A CRASH AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. KIA STATES THE STEERING FALLS WITHIN THEIR NORMAL "SPECS", HOWEVER THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY CONCERN. *TR
Steering, Mar 14, 2015
WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS TO STICK. YOU HAVE TO USE FORCE TO TURN THE WHEEL AND THEN THE CAR IS ALL OVER THE ROAD. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE BEFORE. THE ALIGNMENT WAS CHECKED AND WAS GOOD. THE CAR HAS NEW TIRES BUT STILL DID IT WHILE IT HAD THE FACTORY OEM TIRES ON IT. AFTER RESEARCH I UNDERSTAND THE 2013 HAS AN ELECTRONIC STEERING MODULE AND SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME COMPLAINT BUT KIA WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR
Engine, Mar 4, 2015, fire
ON 2/19/2015 AT 8:30 A.M. MY WIFE DROVE OUR 2013 KIA OPTIMA APPROXIMATELY 6 MILES TO THE LOCAL SUPERMARKET AND THEN DROVE THE 6 MILES BACK HOME. MAXIMUM SPEEDS REACHED WERE NO MORE THAN 50 MPH WITH THE MAJORITY OF THE DRIVE BEING AT 35 MPH. ABOUT HALFWAY HOME SHE NOTICED AN UNFAMILIAR SMELL BUT WAS NOT SURE WHAT IT WAS, AND THE CAR SEEMED TO BE DRIVING NORMALLY AND NO WARNING LIGHTS EVER CAME ON. AS SHE PULLED INTO THE GARAGE AT OUR HOME SHE THEN NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SHE IMMEDIATELY OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW FLAMES SHOOTING OUT FROM THE BACK OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT NEAR THE TURBO. SHE RAN INTO THE HOUSE AND GRABBED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. SHE USED THE ENTIRE EXTINGUISHER TO PUT OUT THE FLAMES. I CAME HOME AND TOGETHER WE PUSHED THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE GARAGE AND CALLED KIA. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED 43 MILES AWAY TO THE CLOSEST KIA DEALERSHIP. KIA COOPERATE CONSUMER AFFAIRS DIVISION WAS IMMEDIATELY IN CONTACT WITH US, WE STATED THAT WE NO LONGER FELT SAFE WITH THIS VEHICLE AND WANTED IT REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED US THAT THEY COULD NOT EVEN TOUCH THE VEHICLE UNTIL AN INVESTIGATOR FROM KIA CORP. LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE. AFTER PICTURES OF THE INCIDENT WERE RECEIVED BY COOPERATE THE WHOLE SITUATION CHANGED. I FEEL THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BURNED BADLY (ONLY BECAUSE OF MY WIFE'S QUICK ACTION) KIA IS NOT TREATING THIS AS SERIOUS AS THEY SHOULD ANYMORE. I WAS INFORMED BY KIA CORPORATE THAT THEY WOULD BE FIXING THE VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY AND RETURNING IT TO US. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ONCE FOR A SHORT PERIOD AND WHEN IT RETURNED THE TURBO CHARGER WAS "GLOWING RED HOT LIKE LAVA" THEY ALSO SAID THAT CORP. ENGINEERS FROM KIA WERE PERFORMING TESTS REMOTELY AND THAT NO ATTEMPTS HAD EVEN BEEN MADE TO TRY AND FIX THE PROBLEM YET. ....UPDATED 06/09/15*BF
Steering, Mar 2, 2015
DURING A TRIP THAT WAS ONLY 100 MILES ONE WAY I HAD TO CORRECT THE STEERING SO MANY TIMES THAT ON THE RETURN TRIP I WAS SO TIRED I DID NOT WANT TO DRIVE ANY MORE THAT EVENING. I HAD TO CONSTANTLY CORRECT THE STEERING (RIGHT OR LEFT) AND DREADED THE RETURN TRIP. I HAVE SEEN MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FILED. I AM EXPECTING THE U.S. GOVT. TO HELP US FIND A SOLUTION TO THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM. DEALER CLAIMS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. I ASKED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE PERSON TO GOOGLE THE PROBLEM, OF COURSE HE REFUSED. HE EXPLAINED HE KNEW OF NO OTHER COMPLAINTS. I DON'T THINK HE WAS BEING HONEST, HOWEVER THAT IS JUST MY OPINION. SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP! *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 26, 2015
AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A STOP SIGN, WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE TO TURN ONTO A BUSY ROAD MY CAR LOST POWER HALFWAY INTO THE INTERSECTION. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE. MY FIRST REACTION WAS TO PUSH HARDER ON THE GAS PEDAL, AS THERE WERE CARS COMING AT ME FROM BOTH DIRECTIONS, AND AFTER A FEW SECONDS THE CAR VIOLENTLY LURCHES FORWARD AND REGAINS POWER. THIS IS A TERRIFYING ISSUE AND A SERIOUS SAFETY THREAT. I HAD 2 CHILDREN AGES 8 AND 12 IN MY VEHICLE BOTH TIMES THIS HAS HAPPENED.
Exterior lighting, Feb 23, 2015
MY HEADLIGHT WENT OUT SUNDAY, 2/23/2015. I PURCHASED A BULB FROM OUR LOCAL AUTO PARTS STORE AND WENT HOME , THINKING I COULD CHANGE THE BULB MYSELF. I TOOK OUT MY TRUSTY CAR MANUAL AND TRIED TO GET DIRECTIONS ON CHANGING THE BULB MYSELF. AFTER FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS, I WAS STILL UNABLE TO GET TO THE BULB. AT THIS POINT I WENT TO THE INTERNET. MY KIA WILL BE 2 YEARS OLD IN MAY 2015. LOW AND BEHOLD, I FIND OUT YOU HAVE TO TAKE OFF THE FRONT BUMPER JUST TO CHANGE THE HEADLIGHT. IN A PANIC, I CALL THE DEALERSHIP, SALE KIA OF KINSTON, NC, THEY INFORM ME THAT EVEN THOUGH I HAVE THE BULB, IT WILL COST ME $100.00 TO TAKE OFF THE BUMPER, JUST TO CHANGE THE LIGHT. MAYBE I SHOULD BUY ANOTHER BULB AND CHANGE BOTH AND THAT WAY I COULD BE SAVING MYSELF ANOTHER $100.00. THIS IS THE SECOND KIA I HAVE OWNED. I TRADED MY AMANTI WHICH WAS 6 YEARS OLD FOR THIS VEHICLE. I GOT NONE OF THE ADVERTISED PERKS, LOYALTY BONUS OR ANY OTHER ADVERTISED BONUS THAT I HAD READ ABOUT, THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN MY WARNING. TRADING FOR THIS OPTIMA WAS THE WORST MISTAKE I COULD HAVE MADE. I HAD ONE SERVICE CALL WORKED ON THROUGH MY WARRANTY ON THE AMANTI. AFTER 9 MONTHS IN THE OPTIMA THE DEALERSHIP STATED NOTING UNUSUAL WEAR ON MY FRONT TIRES. I FINALLY HAD TO BUY MORE OUT OF MY POCKET. BY THE WAY MY KIA DIDN'T COME WITH A SPARE OR A JACK, JUST A MOBILITY KIT, WHICH CONSIST OF A LITTLE BAG WITH A CAN OF FIX-A-FLAT. SO IF YOU'RE IN THE MARKET FOR A BRAND NEW CAR, DON"T BUY A KIA. WHEW!! I FEEL BETTER NOW. I'M RETIRED, SO I GUESS MY NEXT STEP IS TO START CHECKING THE WANT ADS TO FIND ME A JOB TO SAVE UP FOR A DOWN PAYMENT ON ANOTHER CAR, AND YOU CAN BELIEVE IT WON'T BE A KIA. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 19, 2015
VEHICLE IN REVERSE BACKING UP ON STEEP DRIVEWAY, FOOT ON FUEL PEDAL, CAR BEGAN ITS AUTOMATED HILL HOLDING FUNCTION, WHILE IN REVERSE, HEARD HIGH RPM, TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING INTO NEUTRAL, CAR BEGAN ROLLING FORWARD, PUT FOOT ON BRAKE, BRAKE FAILED, CAR ACCELERATED RAPIDLY, AND ENGINE DIED, THEN HIT THE WALL INSIDE THE GARAGE. I ESTIMATED, SPEED AT TIME OF IMPACT APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 15 MPH. NOTICED ANOTHER ENTRY FILED SIMILAR TO THIS,HAD SAME FUEL, BRAKE FAIL SYMPTOMS. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 17, 2015
I WAS SITTING AT A STOP SIGN WAITING TO CROSS TWO LANES, WHEN CLEAR I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL . THE TIRES SPUN A LITTLE ON SOME ANTISKID; AS A RESULT THE TRACTION CONTROL INTERVENED. THE CAR SEAMED TO LOOSE ALL POWER!!. WITH TRAFFIC ON ITS WAY I DRIFTED ACROSS ONE LANE BEFORE GETTING FULL POWER BACK. THIS TCS IN MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA IS NOT SAFE-- SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED! WHAT SHOULD I DO !? *TR
Steering, Feb 17, 2015
PROBLEM IS ONGOING. VEHICLE WANDERS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. CONSTANT STEERING CORRECTION NECESSARY. YOU CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR IN A STRAIGHT LINE. SLIGHT CORRECTIONS HAVE TO BE CONSTANTLY MADE TO THE STEERING WHEEL TO KEEP THE CAR GOING IN A STRAIGHT PATH. . I LITERALLY HAVE TO CONTINUOUSLY MICRO-STEER THE CAR JUST TO KEEP IT WITHIN THE LANE IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE IN. THIS DRIFTING WILL HAPPEN NO MATTER HOW MUCH THE WIND IS BLOWING OR THE TYPE OF ROAD SURFACE. I HAVE INSTALLED NEW TOP QUALITY TIRES AND HAD AN ALIGNMENT SCRUPULOUSLY PERFORMED. NO IMPROVEMENT. *TR
Steering, Feb 16, 2015
IS ANYONE GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE OVERLY SENSITIVE ELECTRONIC STEERING ON THE 2013 KIA OPTIMAS THAT CAUSE THE CAR TO ZIG ZAG WITHIN THE LANE OF TRAVEL??? THIS TYPE OF COMPLAINT IS PROMINENT ALL OVER THE INTERNET ON MANY DIFFERENT SITES. THERE IS, QUITE SIMPLY, A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE STEERING ON THESE CARS, AND COMPLAINTS TO KIA OR THE NHTSB SEEM TO FALL ON DEAF EARS. WILL IT TAKE A FATALITY DUE TO THESE ISSUES FOR SOMEONE TO TAKE NOTICE OF THE MAJOR HAZARD THESE PARTICULAR CARS PRESENT TO DRIVERS?!? THE ELECTRONIC STEERING IS EXTREMELY OVERLY SENSITIVE...SO BAD THAT ONE CAN BARELY LOOK DOWN TO TURN THE DEFROST ON OR LOOK INTO THE REAR VIEW MIRROR OR SIDE VIEW MIRRORS WITHOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR THE CAR TO DRIFT IN ANOTHER LANE IN THE SAME DIRECTION OF TRAVEL, OR EVEN IN AN ONCOMING LANE OF TRAVEL!! YOU LITERALLY CANNOT MOVE YOUR HAND AT ALL ONE WAY OR ANOTHER WITHOUT THE STEERING REACTING. A 1/4 MOVEMENT TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT??? YOU'LL FEEL THE CAR SHIFT IN THE DIRECTION TURNED, SO THAT LEAVES THE DRIVER HAVING TO CONTINUALLY KEEP HIS HAND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT JUST TO KEEP IT IN THE LANE OF TRAVEL, THUS CAUSING THE CAR TO ZIG ZAG DOWN THE LANE OF TRAVEL, GIVING THE APPEARANCE OF AN IMPAIRED DRIVER. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR EVEN SPEEDS 45MPH OR HIGHER IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP THE CAR GOING IN A STRAIGHT LINE WITHOUT HAVING TO CONTINUALLY CORRECT IT ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. ABOUT A MONTH AGO I LOOKED DOWN TO TURN THE DEFROST ON AND WHEN I LOOKED BACK UP THE CAR WAS HALFWAY IN THE ONCOMING LANE OF TRAVEL FOR GOD'S SAKE! SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE, WHETHER IT BE A SIDE SWIPE ON THE HIGHWAY OR A HEAD ON COLLISION, SOMETHING WILL EVENTUALLY HAPPEN, AND WHEN SOMEONE FINALLY DIES MAYBE THEN KIA OR THE NHTSB WILL FINALLY LOOK INTO THE ISSUE. *TR
Wheels, Feb 16, 2015
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON DARBY ROAD IN HAVERFORD, PA GOING ABOUT 30 MPH. SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER SAFELY STOPPING SHE INSPECTED THE CAR AND FOUND THAT THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS NO LONGER STRAIGHT UP AND DOWN BUT WAS TILTED. THE HAVERFORD POLICE RESPONDED AND ASKED IF SHE HAD HIT ANYTHING. SHE REPLIED "NO". THE POLICE LOOKED DOWN THE ROAD AND COULD NOT FIND ANY POTHOLES OR ANYTHING THAT HAD BEEN STRUCK. WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO WEST CHESTER, PA KIA DEALERSHIP. THEY ARE INSISTING THAT SOMETHING HAD TO HAVE HIT THE VEHICLE. THEY SAY THAT THERE IS EVIDENCE OF SCRAPES ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I TOLD THEM THAT WAS PROBABLY DUE TO THE CAR BEING DRAGGED BY THE TOW TRUCK TO GET IN ON TO THE FLATBED WHEN IT WAS TOWED TO OUR HOUSE. WHEN IT WAS REMOVED FROM THE TOW TRUCK IT WAS AGAIN DRAGGED ON THE GROUND. THE SAME THING HAPPENED THIS MORNING WHEN ANOTHER TOW TRUCK CAME TO TAKE IT TO KIA OF WEST CHESTER. THEY ARE NOW GOING TO TOW IT FROM THERE TO GRAN SPORT AUTO IN WEST CHESTER, PA AND I AM SURE MORE DAMAGE WILL OCCUR. I FEEL THAT SINCE THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, NO POTHOLE AND NO COLLISION WITH ANYTHING THAT THIS COULD BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. KIA IS SAYING IT HAD TO HAVE OCCURRED BECAUSE OF IMPACT. *TR
Wheels, Feb 10, 2015
WE GOT A NEW KIA OPTIMA SXL 2013. THE TYRES ARE FILL WITH NITROGEN GAS. ON OUR LAST STATE INSPECTION WE WERE TOLD THE THERE WAS 25% LEFT ON THE TREAD OF EACH TYRE & WILL REQUIRE CHANGING SOON. STARTED TO CHECK OUT PRICES IN THE AREA AT ALL THE TYRE MERCHANTS. ONLY TO FIND IN MY HORROR THAT ONLY TWO PLACES IN A 30 MILE + RADIUS CAN DO NITROGEN FILL & THE PRICES ARE HORRENDOUS. IT SHOULD NOT BE THIS DIFFICULT TO SIMPLY CHANGE TYRES ON A CAR. KIA AS WELL AS A LOT OF OTHER NEW CARS DON'T COME WITH A SPARE TYRE, BUT INSTEAD SUPPLY YOU WITH A SMALL COMPRESSOR UNIT. BECAUSE OF THIS DIFFICULTY, IT LOOKS LIKE WE ARE GOING TO BE FORCED TO CHANGE OVER TO AIR FILLED TYPES, AND BUY A NEW SPARE WHEEL & TYRE FOR THE TRUNK. AT A GREAT DEAL MORE EXPENSE, THAN SHOULD BE REQUIRED. KIA USA ARE BEING OF LITTLE OR NO HELP WHATSOEVER. VERY ANGRY. I AM NOW IN THE STAGE OF MAKING A FORMAL COMPLAINT TO THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, AS WE IT IS ALSO A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. ANYONE ELSE IN THE SAME BOAT???? *TR
Steering, Feb 8, 2015
THE STEERING GETS STIFF AND TENDS TO STICK WHEN GOING STRAIGHT THIS CAUSES SLIGHT OVER STEERING BACK AND FORTH CONSTANTLY. IT SEEMS TO COME ON WORSE THE LONGER YOU DRIVE. *JS
Steering, Jan 24, 2015
THIS IS THE MOST RECENT OF A LARGE NUMBER OF TIMES MY CAR HAS WONDERED INTO ANOTHER LANE OF TRAVEL BY ITSELF. TODAY MY SON AND I WERE GOING OUT TO EAT. THERE WAS A COLD RAIN FALLING, SO THE WINDOWS STARTED TO FOG UP A BIT. I LOOKED DOWN JUST LONG ENOUGH TO TURN THE DEFROST ON AND WHEN I LOOK BACK UP MY VEHICLE IS ABOUT 3/4 INTO THE OTHER LANE OF TRAVEL AND MY HAND DID NOT MOVE AT ALL!!! HAD THERE BEEN ANOTHER CAR COMING IN THE OPPOSITE LANE OF TRAVEL THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A HEAD ON CRASH AND THERE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN FATALITIES TOO, ALL BECAUSE KIA WILL NOT FIX THIS ISSUE THEY KNOW THEY HAVE WITH THE 2013 OPTIMA. THE CAR WONDERS CONSTANTLY SO YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO LOOK IN YOUR REAR VIEW OR SIDE VIEW MIRRORS, NOT CAN YOU LOOK DOWN LONG ENOUGH TO TURN THE HEAT OR AC ON WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF THE CAR WONDERING TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT INTO OTHER LANES OF TRAVEL, POTENTIALLY CAUSING ACCIDENTS. ON AND TRIP OF LENGTH, IN ORDER TO PREVENT THIS WONDERING FROM HAPPENING YOU HAVE TO 100% OF THE TIME CORRECT TO THE LEFT AND THEN BACK TO THE RIGHT AND THEN BACK TO THE LEFT AND BACK TO THE RIGHT, ALL THE WAY TO YOUR DESTINATION, AND ALL WITHOUT TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL NO MORE THAN 1 INCH TO THE RIGHT OR 1 INCH TO THE LEFT, SO IN ESSENCE I AM HAVING TO CONSTANTLY STEER THE WHEEL BACK AND FORTH WITHIN A 2 INCH RANGE OF MOTION. THERE IS NO CENTERING OF THE VEHICLE AND HOLDING THE STEERING WHEEL STRAIGHT AND THE CAR STAY STRAIGHT. THERE IS ALWAYS A CONSTANT BACK AND FORTH TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN THE LANE OF TRAVEL. THAT IS HOW SENSITIVE THE EPS IS. IT IS NOT AN ALIGNMENT ISSUE. NOW THERE ARE SEVERAL POST ON THE INTERNET OF KIA DEALERS BEING ABLE TO ADJUST THE SENSITIVITY OF THE STEERING THROUGH THE COMPUTER, AND THESE PEOPLE ALSO SAY THAT INITIALLY KIA TELLS THEM NOTHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT. IT APPEARS KIA IS DECEIVING THEIR 2013 OPTIMA OWNERS. *TR
Steering, Jan 17, 2015
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WITH 22000 MILES. ON MY FIRST RELATIVELY LONG TRIP, I GOT UP TO HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND NOTICED THAT THE CAR HAS NO STRAIGHT POSITION. IT NEEDS CONSTANT ADJUSTMENTS, EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT (MOSTLY RIGHT ). THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN CHECKED FOR ALIGNMENT DISCREPANCIES, BUT EVERYTHING IS WITHIN MANUFACTURER SPECIFICATIONS. THERE NEEDS TO BE AN UPDATE TO THE ELECTING POWER STEERING MODULE/STEERING ANGLE SENSOR. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING DESIGN FLAW. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS UNTIL YOU LISTEN, KIA? WE THE PEOPLE CALL UPON THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES TO HELP IN RESOLVING THE ISSUE. *TR
Steering, Jan 9, 2015
IMPOSSIBLE TO HOLD THE CAR ON A STRAIGHT TRACK. WILL DRIFT LEFT,WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CORRECT TO A STRAIGHT TRACK,THE STEERING REQUIRES SO MUCH FORCE TO CORRECT THAT THE RESULT IS AN OVER CORRECTION TO THE RIGHT. THIS SCENARIO REPEATS FOREVER. THE STEERING STICKS AND CANNOT BE HELD IN A STRAIGHT LINE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jan 4, 2015
IF THE WHEELS SLIP SLIGHTLY WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION, THE CAR LOOSES ALL POWER AND STOPS. I REALIZE THAT THERE ARE SKID CONTROL MECHANISMS, BUT THIS IS NOT SAFE. I BROUGHT IT TO THE KIA DEALER IN DENVILLE NJ AND THEY CLAIM IT IS "NORMAL". THIS MORNING, I PULLED OUT ONTO A BUSY ROAD AND THE TIRES SLIPPED SLIGHTLY ON THE WET SURFACE. THE CAR LOST POWER AND STOPPED. I CAN CLOSE TO CAUSING AN ACCIDENT WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN SAFE FOR ME TO ENTER THE ROAD. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Structure, Dec 30, 2014, crash
HAVING PURCHASED THE CAR ON 12/11/14 MY DAUGHTER DID NOT HAVE MUCH EXPERIENCE DRIVING THE CAR.... ON DECEMBER 27 SHE "LOST CONTROL" OF THE CAR, AND RAN INTO THE WALL ON A BUSY HIGHWAY IN CHICAGO. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON A DRY EVENING, AND SHE EMPHATICALLY STATES THAT SHE DOES NOT KNOW HOW SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR, AND THAT IT WAS PULLING TO THE LEFT. THE ONLY RATIONALE CONCLUSION WAS THAT SHE MIGHT HAVE HAD A TIRE BLOW OUT. THAT IS, UNTIL A FRIEND RECOMMENDED I CHECK THE WEB, AND CHECK IF OTHERS MAY HAVE BEEN OR ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING. ALTHOUGH I HAD DONE MY DUE DILIGENCE WHEN RESEARCHING THE CAR E.G. RECALLS, KNOWN PROBLEMS, ETC. PRIOR TO PURCHASING THIS CAR, I DID NOT CHECK SPECIFICS SUCH AS STEERING. LONG OF THE SHORT, TWO DAYS AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND WHEN I GOOGLED STEERING PROBLEMS, THIS SITE HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/KIA/OPTIMA/2013/STEERING/STEERING.SHTML WAS ONE OF THE FIRST TO SHOW UP. I WAS AMAZED TO FIND 35 COMPLAINTS IN REFERENCE TO THE SAME STEERING ISSUE. AFTER READING THE COMPLAINTS I AM I CONVINCED THAT THIS STEERING ISSUE IS THE CONTRIBUTOR TO MY DAUGHTER'S ACCIDENT. IT IS THE ONLY LOGICAL EXPLANATION OTHER THAN A BLOW OUT. I THINK THIS MAY BE A RESULT OF THE STEERING PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE 2013 OPTIMAS. I WONDER HOW MANY ACCIDENTS OR DEATHS IT IS GOING TO TAKE FOR KIA TO ADMIT SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT AND DO THE RESPONSIBLE THING? IT SOUNDS AS THOUGH THERE NEEDS TO BE A MANUFACTURERS' RECALL BEFORE A FATAL ACCIDENT OCCURS, IF IT HASN'T ALREADY .... *JS
Electrical system, Dec 29, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ETERNAL SAULT PCM SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
Structure, Dec 17, 2014
SHORTLY AFTER GETTING ONTO THE FREEWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK IN THE MORNING I HEARD A LOUD POP FOLLOWED BY WHAT SOUNDED LIKE LIGHT RAIN HITTING THE CAR AND THE ROAR OF THE FREEWAY. WE QUICKLY PULLED THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND UPON LOOKING AT THE ROOF OF THE CAR THERE WAS A HUGE HOLE IN THE CENTER OF THE CAR'S SUN ROOF WITH SHARP SHARDS OF GLASS TILTED TOWARDS THE SKY AND LARGE CRACKS EXTENDING FROM ONE SIDE OF THE SUNROOF FRAME TO THE OTHER. CONDITIONS WERE RAINING, 7:30AM AND ABOUT 50 DEGREES F OUTSIDE. THE CANVAS SCREEN WAS CLOSED TO CATCH THE FALLING GLASS SO NO GLASS FELL INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE CAR. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, AND NO DEBRIS OR OTHER CARS IN THE AREA. *TR