What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2013 KIA Optima

Typical pattern

3.7% of complaints about the 2013 KIA Optima came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2013 vehicle — around the middle of the 210 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 7.8 yr in service. The most-reported system is engine (611 complaints), typically at 7.9 yr or about 99,000 miles.

Complaints
1,881
Median age at failure
7.8 yr
Median mileage
85,000 n=1049
Crash / fire / tow
19.2% of reports
Safety recalls
9 3 do not drive

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Engine
611 reports · 99,000 mi
7.9 yr
25.9%
Steering
211 reports · 40,000 mi
6.1 yr
4.3%
Other
185 reports · 70,000 mi
8.4 yr
9.2%
Electrical system
147 reports · 86,800 mi
8.4 yr
19.7%
Structure
125 reports · 72,000 mi
8.2 yr
12.8%
Fuel / propulsion
92 reports · 80,000 mi
7.8 yr
12%
Power train
64 reports · 64,837 mi
6.8 yr
17.2%
Air bags
61 reports · 86,400 mi
6.5 yr
34.4%
Service brakes
59 reports · 32,000 mi
9.8 yr
15.3%
Service brakes, hydraulic
52 reports · 137,000 mi
11.4 yr
34.6%
Engine cooling
42 reports · 130,000 mi
11.4 yr
61.9%
Speed control
39 reports · 56,500 mi
6.9 yr
12.8%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

23V652000 2023-09-25 Do not drive
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module

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.

21V331000 2021-05-10 Do not drive
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module

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.

20V519000 2020-08-27 Do not drive
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module

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.

22V560000 2022-08-01
Structure:body:roof and pillars

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.

22V093000 2022-02-17
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

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.

20V100000 2020-02-21
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

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.

18V907000 2018-12-19
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

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.

18V363000 2018-06-01
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module

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.

17V224000 2017-03-31
Engine and engine cooling:engine

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.

In owners’ own words

Power train mileage not reported 0 mo in service crash / fire / tow
2013 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE STEERING TO THE RIGHT *TGW THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED, SOMETIMES THE BELT MADE A SQUEAKY NOISE. HE ALSO NOTICED A SLIGHT HESITATION WHEN PULLING OFF FROM A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. *JB THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE DID NOT COME WITH A KEY TO OPEN THE TRUNK. UPDATED 01/22/13 THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS MANY SERIOUS ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER PROBLEMS. UPDATED 06/27/2017*JS
Power train 2,000 mi 9 mo in service
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD ERRONEOUSLY ENGAGE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING OVER A SIX MONTH PERIOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.
Power train 25,000 mi 2.4 yr in service
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.
Suspension mileage not reported 0 mo in service crash / fire / tow
2013 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE STEERING TO THE RIGHT *TGW THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED, SOMETIMES THE BELT MADE A SQUEAKY NOISE. HE ALSO NOTICED A SLIGHT HESITATION WHEN PULLING OFF FROM A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. *JB THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE DID NOT COME WITH A KEY TO OPEN THE TRUNK. UPDATED 01/22/13 THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS MANY SERIOUS ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER PROBLEMS. UPDATED 06/27/2017*JS

Other Optima model years

20202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001

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