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.
Structure, Aug 26, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, A NOISE WAS EMITTED FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE NOISE WAS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20. UPDATED 09-18-13 *BF UPDATED 09/27/2013 *JS
Other or unspecified, Aug 24, 2013
STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT SEEM TO REACT WELL WITH TURNING OF THE VEHICLE. PARKING THE VEHICLE IS UNEVEN AND NOT ALIGNED TO THE CENTER OF PARKING STALLS. STEERING WHEEL IS LOOSE AS IF STEERING A BOAT ON A WATERWAY. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 8, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM FAILED AND WOULD NOT BLOW COLD AIR. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO ADVISED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT THEY HAD NOT DETERMINED A REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,000.
Steering, Aug 3, 2013
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A NEW KIA OPTIMA AND I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUES OTHERS ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT WITH THE CAR NOT TRACKING PROPERLY BY EITHER VEERING TO THE LEFT OR TO THE RIGHT CONSTANTLY. IN MY CASE, I NOTICE IT IN CITY AND HIGHWAY DRIVING. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER, AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG, BUT AFTER A LONG DEBATE, THEY ALIGNED THE VEHICLE FINDING IT TO BE OFF ALIGNMENT SLIGHTLY. I NOTICED NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN THE PROBLEM, SO I CHANGED THE TIRES SINCE THEY INSTALL VERY POOR QUALITY OEM TIRES. NOT MUCH BETTER AS FAR AS STEERING, BUT WAY BETTER WET/DRY ROAD TRACTION. I WILL BE GETTING ANOTHER ALIGNMENT FROM AN INDEPENDENT SHOP, BUT I FEEL THERE IS A GREATER ISSUE WITH THE STEERING COMPONENTS, AND BASED ON ALL THE COMPLAINTS, KIA NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE AND COME UP WITH A FIX A.S.A.P BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. I'M STUCK WITH THIS CAR FOR 35 MORE MONTHS, HOPEFULLY, THEY'LL COME UP WITH SOMETHING SOON. *TR
Air bags, Jul 5, 2013, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER WAS TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT OF NECK INJURIES. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR
Engine, Jun 14, 2013
DRIVING ON A CITY ROAD DURING NORMAL TRAFFIC (4:30PM EST) MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE LARGE RATTLING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. AT FIRST I THOUGHT I HAD PICKED UP SOMTHING ON THE ROAD, BUT AS I ACCELERATED/DECCELERATED THE NOISE BECAME LOUDER/SOFTER. I IMMEDIATLEY CONTACTED MY KIA DEALERSHIP. AFTER SPEAKING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER HE TOLD ME TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN NEXT WEEK SINCE THAT WOULD BE THE SOONEST IT COULD BE LOOKED AT. I INFORMED HIM THAT I DID'NT THINK I COULD EVEN MAKE IT HOME LET ALONE WAIT A WEEK TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN. HE STATED I COULD DROP IT OFF, BUT IT WOULD NOT BE LOOKED AT UNTIL NEXT WEEK. EITHER WAY, WITHIN 10 MIUTES OF DRIVING A LARGE BANGING NOISE WENT OFF UNDER THE HOOD, ENGINE OIL SPRAYED THROUGHT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND I HAD COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. KIA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY HAVE INFORMED ME THAT THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS LESS THAN 2 WEEKS OLD AND HAD 600 MILES WHEN THIS OCCURED. I INFORMED THE DEALERSHIP I WOULD NOT WANT A VEHICLE WITH A REPLACED ENGINE AND THEY HAVE INFORMED ME THAT IS MY ONLY OPTION. I WILL NOT BE PURCHASING FROM KIA AGAIN AS THERE WAS NO SUPPORT FROM THEIR CORPORATE CUSTOMER SERVICE EITHER. *TR
Steering, Jun 10, 2013
WHILE DRIVING AT OR AROUND 50 MPH THE CAR STARTED DRIFTING LEFT THEN RIGHT. *TR
Visibility, Jun 5, 2013
WHILE TRAVELING IN THE MORNING TO WORK WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE, A LOUD SOUND LIKE A BOMB OR EXPLOSION OCCURRED IN MY CAR, THEN GLASS FROM MY SUNROOF FELL DOWN. MY SUN ROOF ON MY 2012 KIA OPTIMA EXPLODED. THE MINUTE THIS HAPPENED I LOOKED UP BECAUSE I COULD HEAR AND FEEL AIR FROM UP ABOVE. MY SUNROOF WAS SHATTERED IN TINY PIECES. THE NOISE BY ITSELF WAS SO STARTLING AND FRIGHTENING THAT IT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT IF I WOULD HAVE REACTED TO THE SOUND SOMEHOW WHILE DRIVING. ONCE PULLED OVER, IT WAS CLEAR THAT THE GLASS SHATTERED OUT AND UP NOT DOWNWARD SO IT WAS FAIRLY APPARENT NOTHING LANDED ON TOP OF MY ROOF TO CAUSE THIS. I FILED A CLAIM WITH MY AUTO INSURANCE. HOWEVER, WITH THAT BEING SAID, I HAVE NOW RESEARCHED ON THE INTERNET THIS ISSUE AND FROM WHAT I AM READING ON LINE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY OTHER PEOPLE. I HOPE YOU ARE INVESTIGATING THIS BEFORE THIS CAUSES A REAL TRAGEDY TO SOMEONE'S LIFE! PLEASE! *TR
Visibility, May 30, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE SUN ROOF GLASS SHATTERED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,100. *TR
Steering, May 30, 2013
VEHICLE WANDERS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. CONSTANT STEERING CORRECTION NECESSARY. YOU CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR IN A STRAIGHT LINE. VEHICLE WILL DART TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WITHOUT ANY INPUT FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAPPENS ON PERFECTLY FLAT ROADS WITH NO WIND. STEERING WHEEL IS ALSO TURNED TO THE LEFT WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT. DEALER SAYS EVERYTHING IN SPEC. *TR
Steering, May 26, 2013
PURCHASED A NEW 2013 KIA OPTIMA ON 4/30/13 AND THE CAR WANDERS LEFT THEN YOU HAVE TO CORRECT CONSTANTLY. TOOK BACK TO THE DEALER TWICE AND THEY TELL ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. AFRAID TO DRIVE ON HIGHWAY FOR FEAR OF HURTING SOMEONE. THE CAR HAS 400 MILES ON IT NOW. PLEASE HELP ,CHECKED ON INTERNET AND THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, May 24, 2013
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE TO COMMUTE EVERY 3 WEEKS FROM PHOENIX TO LAS ANGELES AND TRAVEL I-10. I CURRENTLY HAVE 12,000 MILES AND THE LAST 3 TIMES I MADE THE TRIP I HAVE REPEATEDLY ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN TRAVELING 70+MPH FROM BLITHE, AZ TO BANNING, CA. THE CAR DRIFTS, AND IS WORSE WITH WIND GUSTS, IT IS CLOSE TO IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP FROM BLOWING OFF THE ROAD. ONLY WITH IMMEDIATE REDUCTION IN SPEED BELOW 70-MPH IS THERE IMMEDIATE CONTROL OF THE CAR. I CONTACTED KIA MOTOR COMPANY AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS HAPPENING BEFORE AND TAKE IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER. I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS PROBLEM. I CALLED A DEALER IN THE INDIO, CA AREA AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF A PROBLEM AND TO BRING IT IN ON MY NEXT TRIP TO CA. I WAS TOLD THAT WITH THE ELECTRONIC STEERING AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL I MIGHT NEED ADJUSTMENT OR MAYBE THERE IS A SOFTWARE UPGRADE FOR THE COMPUTER INSIDE THE CAR. THEY WOULD CONFIRM THAT "ALL COMPARATIVE VALUES" ARE SET PROPERLY WITH THE "BLACK BOX." *TR
Steering, May 21, 2013
BY READING UP ON THE KIA OPTIMA 2013 I NOW SEE THAT THERE ARE ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THE STEERING. IT WILL ONLY BE A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE NUMEROUS DEATHS WILL OCCUR BECAUSE ITS CONSTANT WANDERING ON THE ROAD. IT GOES FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AND A STRUGGLE TO KEEP IT BETWEEN THE LINES. THE TROOPERS ARE GOING TO STOP YOU BECAUSE THEY WILL THINK YOU ARE DRUNK AND IT IS ALL THE CAR. *TR
Steering, May 16, 2013
AS VEHICLE SPEED INCREASES ABOVE 50 MPH THE VEHICLE DRIFTS RIGHT OR LEFT THEREBY REQUIRING CONSTANT STEERING CORRECTIONS. IT ALSO BECOMES A STRAIN ON MY ARM. I SPOKE TO KIA'S HQ IN CALIFORNIA AND THEY STATED THEY HAVE NOT HAD ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS. I FINALLY GOT A CASE NUMBER FROM KIA AND AM IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING IT TO THE DEALER TO SEE IF THEY CAN DIAGNOSE AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR
Engine, May 13, 2013
DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE, ENGINE MADE LOUD, CLANKING NOISE. PUSHED ON GAS AND NOISE GOT LOUDER AND THE CAR SLOWED DOWN. CAR DID NOT RESPOND WHEN GAS PEDAL APPLIED. TURNED ON HAZARD LIGHTS AND WORKED WAY OVER TO OUTER LANE AND FINALLY TO SIDE OF ROAD. WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED WHEN HAPPENED; CAR SLOWED WAY DOWN. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED. REPLACED FUEL PUMP BUT NOISE STILL OCCURRING. A WEEK LATER, INFORMED HAD TO REPLACE ENGINE. WEEK LATER ENGINE, AND NOW PARTS, WERE ON BACK ORDER. FOLLOWING WEEK, INFORMED BY DEALERSHIP, KIA WOULD NOT PUT NEW ENGINE IN CAR BECAUSE OVER 5,000 MILES (ONLY 6600). A REMANUFACTURED WOULD BE USED. ASKED TO SEE CAR AND ASKED IF THEY DISCOVERED WHAT WAS WRONG. ENGINE OUT OF CAR AND COMPLETELY APART. INFORMED THE "END" PISTON BROKE. LOOKED AT PISTON, AND PORTION APPEARED TO HAVE BROKEN OFF. THEY SAID THE BROKEN PART HAD FALLEN INSIDE AND WAS CAUSING NOISE. NOT HAPPY WITH KIA. DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THEY STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT... *TR
Exterior lighting, May 6, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,600 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,900. *TR
Suspension, May 2, 2013
I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW FROM GERALD KIA IN AURORA ILLINOIS. CAR PULLS LEFT THEN RIGHT. ASSUMED IT WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT OBRIEN KIA IN CHAMPAIGN, IL TO CHECK IT OUT ON WEDS, 5-8. MADE AP[POINTMENT ON TUESDAY, 4-30. LOOKED ON GOOGLE AND FOUND OUT THIS IS A PROBLEM ON 11,12 AND 13 OPTIMAS. THERE IS EVEN A VIDEO SHOWING THIS PROBLEM ON UTUBE. I BELIEVE I BOUGHT A LEMON. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, AS IF YOU LOOK AWAY FOR A SECOND, YOU COULD HIT SOMEONE HEAD ON. I WANT TO GIVE THEM THERE CAR BACK. ALSO I CAN'T GET THE PART TO COME UP. *TR
Visibility, May 1, 2013
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET IN MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN OUT OF NOWHERE, MY SUNROOF JUST SHATTERED!!! WHEN I CALLED KIA, THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS AERODYNAMICALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE SUNROOF TO JUST SHATTER AND THAT A ROCK OR A BIRD HAD TO HAVE HIT IT. I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE AERODYNAMICS HAS TO DO WITH THE FACT THAT IT JUST SHATTERED BUT, WHATEVER. NOTHING HIT IT, IT JUST SHATTERED. IT WAS THE CRAZIEST, SCARIEST FEELING EVER. I FEEL LIKE THAT THEY THINK I'M JUST MAKING IT UP SO THAT I CAN GET THEM TO PAY FOR IT. THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH IT! BOTH MY GIRLS WERE IN THE CAR WITH ME AND LUCKILY MY YOUNGEST ONLY GOT A SMALL CUT ON HER LEG. THEY NEED TO FIND THE PROBLEM!! *TR
Steering, Apr 22, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD DRIFT INDEPENDENTLY IF THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT HELD TIGHTLY. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD ISSUED A NEW SETTING OPTION FOR THE STEERING WHEEL AND THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO APPLY THE NEW SETTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,530. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR
Steering, Apr 14, 2013
VEHICLE WANDERS FROM SIDE TO SIDE. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHETHER THE ROAD IS FLAT OR CROWNED. THE STEERING IS SIMILAR AT ANY SPEED. RETURNED TO DEALER ON 11/27/2012 AND THEY ROAD TESTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT IT HANDLED NORMALLY. THEY FOUND THE TOE SLIGHTLY OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND RESET. THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING AND HAS A DIFFERENT FEEL THEN A CONVENTIONAL TYPE. I AM TRYING TO CHANGE THE WAY I HAVE BEEN STEERING CARS FOR 59 YEARS. THE END RESULT IS THE CAR STILL WANDERS ON ANY ROAD I DRIVE ON. SEEING THE OTHER COMPLAINTS IN THIS FILE TELLS ME THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING ON THESE CARS. WE NEED A FIX. *TR
Structure, Apr 3, 2013
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY PROBLEM. THE CARPET HAS WORN THROUGH (THREADBARE) JUST IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER SEAT. I ASKED THE DEALER ABOUT IT AND THE REP TOLD ME IT HAPPENS WITH DRIVERS THAT ARE SIX FEET TALL. THE SPOT THAT IS WORN IS ON A RAISED SURFACE (COVER?) OF SOME SORT. A REDESIGN TO PLACE A HEAY DUTY CARPET PIECE IN THAT PART OF THE CARPET OR REDESIGN THE REMOVABLE FLOOR MAT TO COVER THE SPOT SO IT WOULDN'T WEAR OUT THE UNDERLYING CARPET. WHAT TO DO FOR REPAIR??? *TR
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Mar 22, 2013
REGARDING TO THE PREVIOUS COMPLAINT, VEH WAS TAKEN TO DEALER ON 3/15/2013 TO ADJUST THE ALIGNMENT UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO THE ALIGNMENT ISSUE STARTING AFTER THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED AT 3,400 BY THE DEALER. LEFT THE DEALER AND IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOW TURNED TO THE LEFT AND THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE CAR PULLED TO THE RIGHT SIGNIFICANTLY. THE SAME DEALER WAS CONTACTED ON 3/18/13 REGARDING THE ISSUE. DUE TO THE RECENT ENGINE REPLACEMENT, ONE ALIGNMENT TRIP AND A DISTANCE OF ROUGHLY 50 MILES TO THE SHOP, THE DEALER AUTHORIZED A LOANER TO BE BROUGHT TO MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT SO THAT THE DRIVER COULD TAKE THE VEH TO HE SHOP. VEH WAS PICKED UP THAT EVENING AT THE DEALER AND STEERING WHEEL SEEMS TO BE LEVEL. THERE IS STILL A LEFT TO RIGHT CONSTANT HANDLING ISSUE AND VEHICLE SEEMS TO HAVE A VIBRATION UNDER 35 MPH. VEH HAS NOW SPENT 11 DAYS IN THE SHOP (9 DAYS FOR ENGINE REPLACEMENT AND 2 DAYS FOR TWO ALIGNMENTS) AND HAS BEEN OWNED FOR JUST UNDER 12 WEEKS. VEH IS ALSO SLOW/SLUGGISH LEAVING A STOPPED POSITION AND MPG'S ON CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 60MPH HAVE FALLEN FROM 33MPG TO 29.5MPG SINCE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. DATE COMPLAINT FILED: 03/13/2013 COMPONENT(S): ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING DATE OF INCIDENT: 03/11/2013 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10502730 MANUFACTURER: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NO. (VIN): 5XXGN4A70DG... SUMMARY: DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS ON A SLOW 35MPH ROADWAY AND NOTICED OPTIMA PULLS TOWARD THE CROWN (CENTER) OF THE ROAD (WHICH IS AGAINST SLOPE). DROVE VEHICLE ON 45MPH AND 60MPH ROADWAY AND SAME SITUATION. ENGINE WAS REPLACED AT 3,400 MILES DUE TO PISTON #3 FAILING. BASED ON CURRENT ISSUES TO DATE, I WOULD NOT PURCHASE ANOTHER OPTIMA. *TR
Visibility, Visibility/wiper, Mar 19, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50-55 MPH, THE SUNROOF GLASS EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE RESULTS OF THE INSPECTION WERE INCONCLUSIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 12,000. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 13, 2013
DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS ON A SLOW 35MPH ROADWAY AND NOTICED OPTIMA PULLS TOWARD THE CROWN (CENTER) OF THE ROAD (WHICH IS AGAINST SLOPE). DROVE VEHICLE ON 45MPH AND 60MPH ROADWAY AND SAME SITUATION. ENGINE WAS REPLACED AT 3,400 MILES DUE TO PISTON #3 FAILING. BASED ON CURRENT ISSUES TO DATE, I WOULD NOT PURCHASE ANOTHER OPTIMA. *TR
Steering, Mar 4, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD ROTATE THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IMMEDIATELY AFTER LEAVING, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,500. *TR