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 #423

Jul 152022

Optima

  • miles
I was driving down the road and my car started smoking. I pulled over and got out of my vehicle and within 5 minutes my engine was in flames

- Eureka , CA, USA

problem #422

Jul 082022

Optima

  • miles
Unknown, car was fine then stopped out of no where yesterday, I was scheduled with Kia dealership to have recalled fixed next month but they called and canceled my recall this is now the 2nd attempt and they still have yet to fix recall and now car isn-??t working properly!

- Lawrenceville , GA, USA

problem #421

Jul 042022

Optima

  • miles
When we start the car Yellow colour Engine symbol pos up on the dashboard. It-??s a engine related issue.

- Superior , CO, USA

problem #420

Jul 062022

Optima

  • miles
Engine failure

- Westerly, RI, USA

problem #419

Jun 302022

Optima

  • miles
When the fuel smell occurred i contacted my dealer and was told about a recall i have been complaining about the smell before i received my second recall paper the car was smoking and stopped working eventually and i've been without a car and unable to use my vehicle while having to maintain payments on it im am not sure why i have to pay for a problem that was spotted early on but due to neglect and unclear solutions i have wasted money on rentals and been left with no answers my check engine light was flashing i was unable to get a inspection sticker and was told it was due to the gas smell

- Buffalo, NY, USA

problem #418

Jun 282022

Optima

  • miles
My car stopped working, i towed it to my Mechanic they said the engine quit working.

- Watauga, TX, USA

problem #417

Jun 082022

Optima

  • 160,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 71 MPH, she heard abnormal loud knocking sounds coming from the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rod bearing had failed. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist until the vehicle was diagnosed. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) which she associated with the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

- North Hero, VT, USA

problem #416

May 192022

Optima

  • miles
On May 19, 2022, I was driving North on I-225... The engine stalled out on my 2013 Kia Optima EX, while I was driving. All dash indicator lights came on. There was no warning light came on to alert me of the problem. It smelled like something was burning. No dealership or anyone has confirmed the maintenance needed on the vehicle. I will have my car tolled to a nearby Kia dealership due to the 2013 recall...

- Aurora, CO, USA

problem #415

Jun 102021

Optima

  • miles
I was driving on the highway and all of my dash lights came on and my car just cutt off. My engine light had never been on before that. After letting my car sit for awhile it turned back on but kept losing power and my engine would make a knocking noise. Took it to a car shop they told me they contacted the kia dealership and they said i had a recall on my engine and it would be replaced when i got there they said they dont know who i talked to but that wasnt true. The car shop said that my engine was eating oil. I would run out of oil quickly but it wasnt an oil leak.

- Monroe , NC, USA

problem #414

May 292022

Optima

  • 180,000 miles
The contact owned a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while his brother was attempting to accelerate from a complete stop, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact's brother then saw flames underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact's brother immediately exited the vehicle. The contact stated that the fire expanded significantly. The contact's brother was able to extinguish the fire with the assistance of the fire department. A fire department report was filed. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, where it was totaled. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

- Elk Grove, CA, USA

problem #413

May 062022

Optima

  • miles
When I was driving on the freeway, the car engine stopped functioning. All the lights on the dashboard turned on and I couldn't accelerate the car. I had to make several lane changes as I was in the farthest lane. I barely exited the freeway and towed my car to a local mechanic. I had to replace the engine. No warning lamps prior to the failure. My safety was at risk because I couldn't accelerate. The safety of others on the freeway also was at risk.

- Alameda, CA, USA

problem #412

May 162022

Optima

  • miles
I started driving and the car just stopped working in the middle of the street. Many lights on the engine came on. I had to push the car into a street and it could've been so dangerous if I was on the busy road instead of a side street. We had the car towed and taken to a mechanic. We got the call and it turns out certain wires started leaking and it could've started an engine fire. No lights were on before until immediately it stopped working.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #411

May 092022

Optima

  • miles
I was driving about 4 days ago and experienced engine failure. While driving 45-50mph, I felt my car start slowing down and saw that my dashboard lit up with all of the lights! I had just gotten off of the highway, but was in a high traffic area and I am grateful I was able to get into the right lane, then to the side of the rd where I immediately broke down!! My engine wouldn't turnover, and I had to wait for a tow. When the tow truck driver came, he performed a diagnostic, asked about my mileage and he informed me that my model car has a recall on engines. I did research immediately and I read that my year KIA is up for a VOLUNTARY recall on engine failure or engine seizure (2011-2014 models). My car is at a KIA dealership right now, but because my VIN is not registering with a recall, I'd have to pay $5500 for a new engine. My 2013 Optima engine fits the criteria of year and details written in these articles, but the VIN doesn't pop up...... how is this possible"? My engine is not fused, and the tech at the shop says my engine was turning over, but I know it didn't and even the tow truck driver tried to start the car before he hooked it up and it didn't turn over. I know my car experienced the engine failure that thousands of KIAs have a recall for. The faulty sensors don't alert you to an issue until it's too late! My engine light only lit up when my car was seconds away from becoming immobile. Also, I'm more concerned because if the company says it's certain years of cars, how do you backtrack and exclude certain VINs? My 2013 Optima should qualify for this repair. I just would like a more clear explanation of why my car does not qualify for the free engine replacement especially when I had a similar experience to many customers who did get the replacement according to their testimonials on many different forums including KIA USA" Thank you

- Norwich, CT, USA

problem #410

Jan 292022

Optima

  • miles
I purchased my vechile Dec 28 2021, after driving it exactly one month, as I was driving on the high way my vechile shut off it was the scariest thing that has happened to me the car couldn't brake turn on nor accelerate I had to pull over on the break from being in the middle lane i had to be cautious due to vechile passing fast. Once the car stopped. Had to pay for towing due a state police showing up regardless if I had it on my insurance. I lost my good paying job due to this due to working 45 min away. I had my recall appointment for March 10th already scheduled before hand and my car was parked for a Lil over a month then towed to the dealer. It's been 2 months and yet no vechile nor a temp vechile provided from the dealer told me there's nothing they can do. I called 3 days ago and they keep telling me nothing has been done yet anther month my vechile has to be there. It's crazy that the repairs has nothing to do with me nor my fault and I had to loose a 30 dollar paying job backed me up on rent car payment and everything else and still no consideration.

- Everett, MA, USA

problem #409

Mar 092022

Optima

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owned a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH the vehicle stalled as if someone had pulled the vehicle. Numerous warning lights were illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact slowed down and pulled over safely then removed herself from the vehicle. Once exited the vehicle it became totally engulfed in flames and was destroyed; however, prior to exiting the vehicle noticed black smoke coming from the hood. The fire department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. There was a police report. There were no injuries sustained or medical reports. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

- Holbrook, NY, USA

problem #408

Apr 062022

Optima

  • miles
Was driving on a busy street. Went to accelerate, car wasn-??t getting gas. Brakes seized and steering wheel seized. Had to drift off the road since the whole car died.

- Ocala, FL, USA

problem #407

Mar 242022

Optima

  • miles
Engine seized up right after oil change. Went into limp mode on highway. Doesn't run

- Sheboygan, WI, USA

problem #406

Mar 182022

Optima

  • 111,000 miles
The contact owned a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked at the residence, she attempted to start the vehicle and noticed smoke coming from the hood near the battery compartment. The vehicle then caught on fire. The fire department came to extinguish the fire. A fire report was filed. The cause of the fire was a faulty engine component. The vehicle remained at the residence and was not repaired. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000.

- Bonisay, FL, USA

problem #405

Mar 132022

Optima

  • miles
Just purchase this vehicle about a couple a months ago and the engine is knocking, engine needs to be replace, fuel low pressure tool recall on 2013 Kia Optima and recall on the Engine Long Block recall NHTSA recall #17V224, This car was NOT IN A ACCIDENT, ITS WAS TOOK TO KIA DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AND THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE IT AND TOLD ME THAT I HAD TO PAY HIM $11,000 TO FIX THIS VECHILE ON 7050 OGDEN AVE BERWYN, IL 60402 KIA DEALERSHIP

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #404

Feb 272022

Optima

  • miles
Driving on highway and car engine shut off without any notice or warning. Brakes still worked but car shut completely off. Was in car with younger child. Not a pleasant experience. Have to pay over $400 to get it towed to my house. Absolutely, not a car that I want to drive or ever buy Kia brand again!

- Walled Lake, MI, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »