10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
12 / 77
Injuries / Deaths:
14 / 1
Average Mileage:
64,466 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2013 Kia Optima:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #463

Jun 062023

Optima

  • miles
Engine light on camshaft position chain sensor is reading on scanner an is not common for kia I believe kia had a recall for Engine I would like a whole new motor

- West Chicago, IL, USA

problem #462

Jun 122023

Optima

  • miles
On June 12th myself and two friends were traveling on a rural two-way traffic hwy. As I was attempting to pass another vehicle, the car lost all power. I was barely able to avoid a head on collision. I pulled over to the side of the road which had only enough shoulder to fit my car and there was white smoke coming from under the hood. All the dashboard lights were lite after I pulled over, but nothing prior to the car losing power. I was on a curve in a dead zone for our cell phones. After opening the hood, white smoke was billowing out, and I could smell what smelled like burnt rubber. Once the car cooled off, I was going to attempt to start it, but I could not depress the brakes. The brake pedal was stuck. We managed to get a ride to an area where I could call to have the car towed to a private mechanic, who told me the motor had seized. I just purchased this car in March 2022. Nothing was ever mentioned to me by the dealer of any recalls or any other issues with the car. They made me sign a paper stating I was buying the car as is, which I see now should have been a red flag. The Dealer was San Jose Kia in California, and I'm very angry that they would knowingly sell me a defective car, risking not only my self but my family and friends.

- Los Banos, CA, USA

problem #461

May 202023

Optima

  • miles
My car is a total lost. Car caught fire while I was driving with my 2 Daughters. Brakes went out had to jump out of car.

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

problem #460

May 192023

Optima

  • miles
My engine locked up for no reason

- Richmond, IN, USA

problem #459

May 172023

Optima

  • 117,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was jerking and then lost motive power. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the brake lights remained illuminated while the vehicle was turned off. The vehicle also experienced phantom braking while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that an unknown sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.

- Tappahannock, VA, USA

problem #458

Oct 012021

Optima

  • 114,000 miles
The contact owned a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while her son was driving approximately 35-40 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated and was flashing; however, he continued driving the vehicle. The contact stated that she later took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the knock sensor and an unknown component needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, 6 hours later while her son was driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was unable to restart and was towed back to the independent mechanic. The independent mechanic then informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer who confirmed that the engine needed to be replaced. The engine was replaced by the local dealer approximately in October of 2021. The contact then stated that on March 13, 2023, while her son was driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle crossed the center line and crashed into a tree on the other side of the road. The contact stated that the air bags deployed; however, her son was pronounced deceased at the scene. A Police report was filed. The contact stated that the Police Officer informed her that the speedometer was reading 90 MPH at the time of the crash and that the Event Data Recorder (EDR) was destroyed. The contact stated that the engine and transmission dislodged from the vehicle approximately 30-feet. The contact was concerned that the crash might have been caused by unintended acceleration. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.

- Montague, MA, USA

problem #457

Apr 062023

Optima

  • 84,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the engine had seized. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was determined that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. However, the dealer declined the engine replacement because the contact did not have an unknown engine recall repair performed prior to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that she had not received the unknown engine recall notification. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.

- Jonesboro, AR, USA

problem #456

Dec 262022

Optima

  • miles
My car was sent to Kia on Covington Pike in Memphis, TN to repair the recalls but further repairs were needed stemming from issues with the recall on the low pressure fuel pump

- Cordova , TN, USA

problem #455

Apr 232023

Optima

  • miles
Engine seized and went out while driving a normal road. Normal driving conditions and all of my scheduled maintenance is up to date. The car lost all power and would not accelerate. The engine started smoking

- Lakewood, CA, USA

problem #454

Apr 232023

Optima

  • miles
Bearings are worn it in the engine.

- Crestwood , KY, USA

problem #453

Apr 212023

Optima

  • miles
Apparent engine seizure. Vehicle has been towed to Peak KIA dealership located in Littleton CO. Have been informed by dealership it will take approximately one week before they can diagnose/confirm the engine seizure. Vehicle has LESS than 50,000 miles on it.

- Lone Tree, CO, USA

problem #452

Jan 042023

Optima 4-cyl

  • miles
Issue 1: I did not receive a recall notice for SC172. (NHTSA campaign 18V907000.) The recall began in January 2019. In July 2019 my car broke down with the exact same issue stated in the recall notice. I had to pay $1031.75 for the dealership to repair it. On April 13, 2023 I called Kia Corporate and requested reimbursement for my expense. They said that since the VIN wasn't on their recall list it was my responsibility to pay. I would like NHTSA's assistance in being reimbursed by KIA. I have the original repair documentation. Issue 2: I didn't receive recall notice my car's engine completely seized on 1/4/2023. All of the indicator lights on the dashboard lit up. This occurred on the highway during a heavy rainstorm. This could have caused a major accident, but was able to maneuver car off the highway. I never received any recalls (SC228, SC212, SC200, SC197, SC187, SC147, etc.) anyone of which could be the cause of the seizing. I will upload documents later.

- Hendersonville, NC, USA

problem #451

Mar 032023

Optima

  • miles
I have a 2013kia optima sx 2.0 turbo my engine need to b replace I never had it replace I have engine problems white smoke n black smoke come out of my hood smoke like it's going to burn up I always have to turn off my car every 15 minutes of driving it overhead n smoke start coming out I been dealing with this for 2 years now can I get a new engine replace

- Greenville , SC, USA

problem #450

Jan 222023

Optima

  • 111,570 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while her husband was driving 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact's husband was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact's husband was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving; however, the failure reoccurred the following day. The contact's husband was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine and the battery needed to be replaced. The independent mechanic related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted, and the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,570.

- Randallstown, MD, USA

problem #449

Jan 112023

Optima

  • miles
Car went into limp mode on a busy highway losing acceleration while next to & in front of semi trucks. Towed into closest Kia dealer and confirmed spun rod bearing with 58,848 miles on the car. Upon them checking for the issue, the engine was also knocking. Car has been at dealer since Jan 11th and still waiting to hear about engine replacement under warranty. There was no warning signs of a major engine problem before the engine light started flashing and loss of acceleration. Oil change recently done & wasn't low when changed, gas mileage still normal, no weird idling or higher rpms. It was driving normal until the engine light & limp mode happened.

- Auburndale, FL, USA

problem #448

Jan 242023

Optima

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard a ticking noise coming from the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that she was advised by the mechanic to check a site called Bumpers and it produced codes: SC228, SC212, SC197, SC187, SC172, SC142. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

problem #447

Nov 042022

Optima

  • miles
2013 KIA optima stalls out if over 2500 rpm reached. loses all power. Shutdown on highway and barely made it to pull off. Was able to start and pull off next exit only going at minimum speed, shut down again on state road with no pull off location and to drift with no power steering or brakes. Took to the Dealer and they have had it for over a week as they are so backed up with failing engine problems. Told by Dealer KIA is not covering all engine failures, opened case with KIA and they said I will just have to wait and see,

- West Mifflin, PA, USA

problem #446

Jan 232023

Optima

  • miles
I purchased a Kia 2013 from a used car lot driving it home it cut out on me numerous times and then all the sudden it lost power I was almost struck by a truck luckily I got off and out of the way as I drove all the way home it did the same thing it cut out and lose power I called the dealership where I bought it and he won't return my calls can you help

- Amarillo, TX, USA

problem #445

Jan 042023

Optima

  • miles
The engine froze with absolutely no warning while driving on the highway. I'd just had general maintenance and the front brakes replaced five days prior. Got it to a safe area; fortunately there were no cars in other lanes. It's been at the Kia dealership/repair facility for a week now. I called Kia Corporate; they provided a case number to me and the dealership prior to having it towed there. I've done research on this site and there have been other owners (same car, year, etc) having the same extremely dangerous issue occurring lately, say late 2021- present. Additionally, Kia sent recall #SC245 regarding headliner plate defects. When I called to have my repair done, they didn't have the appropriate tape. Tape?! Good lord. Asked them to contact me when they had the tape. This was 4-5 months ago. Haven't been contacted.

- Hendersonville, NC, USA

problem #444

Nov 012022

Optima

  • miles
fuel hose attached to high pressure pump failed, same part and repair as NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V093000. Expensive repair, not cover by KIA dealers will not cover repair cost due to different dash number on part. Part number required 31312-3Q100-DS.

- Chatsworth, CA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »