10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 12 / 77
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 14 / 1
- Average Mileage:
- 64,466 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
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« Read the previous 20 complaints
My car said warning -??? do not drive and my brakes went out when I was able to stop I cut off the car then back on and it wouldn't move.I was on the highway when this happened.
- Rock Hill, SC, USA
The components in which failed in my vehicle are unknown at this time. The only thing that I know is my emergency check engine light was flashing and my car proceeded to go into limp mode. Reason for that was the rod knock sensor went off. My main concern is that a few minutes following my engine had completely shut down in the middle of the Highway. I was nearly hit by several vehicles following behind me. The problem has not been confirmed but has been identified with the SAME exact issue as other 2013 Kia Optima owners. No police reports or investigations were conducted. I am not the only person that had their safety at risk due to Kias negligence. This is clearly a reoccurring issue with many owners of the same make and model. I would think that Kia would have investigated this issue.
- Lorain, OH, USA
Total Engine failure while driving at 70mph on interstate. 67,555 miles Only warning was at time of engine failure check engine light came on. I purchased car used from my father in law who passed away due to COVID-19. Never any problems until now. I have seen many issues online with engines for this model year and I know that some Kia's have had engines replaced free of charge. It seems to be widespread issue to all 2013 Optimas and other models including multiple years. What was Kia's countermeasure to correct the issue" What is the RPN number for their internal PFMEA and DFMEA? If it was machining burrs remaining in the engine at time of assembly-what is detection method" -Visual inspection (not 100%)" - machine vision" -added process (brushing operation)" -added shot blast peening of crankshaft forging before machining? -added deburring of main bearings" etc. Consumer stated vehicle was towed and taken to a dealer. Still has not been repaired.
- Talbott, TN, USA
Drove the vehicle on the interstate next warning lights came on stating Hybrid system warning safety stop and do not drive I pulled over popped the hood and saw oil leaking everywhere and the vehicle was inoperable so I towed to my home called the Kia dealership stating there was a recall on my vehicle a 2013 Kia optima hybrid and advised what to do they told me to tow it to the dealership and there is
- Cordova, TN, USA
Drove car all of a sudden the engine started knocking and missing and burning oil out the exhaust I parked the car until Kia can look at
- Cordova, TN, USA
My car recently cut off I replace the camshaft sensor A and B My engine is currently knocking
- Fredericksburg , VA, USA
Rod Bearing caused the engine to Cease, my Car was at Ray Skillman from 6/28/21 diagnosed 7/28/21 KIA denied claim, after all recalls have been performed on vehicle. Engine still should've been under warranty to replace engine a 2nd time. Engine replaced 3/2015 at 38,905 before recall in 2017 ceased 6/28/2021 we had towed to Dealership Able to get to safety on side of interstate 65 could've been a bad situation on highway if in middle of road No lights or warnings came on prior to car stalling
- Colfax, IN, USA
Vehicle starts smoking from under hood after driving for awhile. Not sure if its coming from the turbo or another part.
- Riverside , CA, USA
Driving down highway and lost engine power. The gas engine seized up causing the vehicle to stop suddenly. Towed to Kia and the said the engine is seized up.
- Lake Zurich, IL, USA
The motor failed while I was driving. I was at a stop sign and was turning the corner and my car shut off. I tried to start the car and smoke was coming from the engine. I had to have my car towed home. No warning lamps came up prior to the engine shutting down.
- Girard, OH, USA
My oil light has been coming on and blinking then disappearing. Current on oil change and oil level is full on dipstick. Noticed little oil stain on driveway but oil level remains good and full. A couple times now my car has lost acceleration. One time on the highway and once in my neighborhood. When I press the gas it does not accelerate. It will lose speed and after a few times of stepping on the gas will eventually get to speed.
- Fayetteville, NC, USA
Engine began making very loud noised while driving on an expressway. Pulled off of the road and engine would not start. Had to get towed to a local repair shop. I found out that my engine is blown. There have been recalls on the Theta II engine, but, mine was not involved in the recall. There are many reports of these engines that were not involved with the recall having MAJOR issues. Please investigate further into these engines.
- Lake Zurich, IL, USA
We believe the connecting rod bearing in the engine is bad and needs to be replaced. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. When the engine failure occurred, luckily we were in a neighborhood and not traffic because the engine speed was drastically reduced and the vehicle failed to accelerate in a reasonable manner. The vehicle has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer, but a home computer diagnostic was done on the vehicle giving a "Cylinder 3" misfire code. The vehicle has not been seen by anyone other than the owners of the vehicle, we are currently in the process of trying to get an appointment with a kia dealership. There were no warnings prior to the failure, but as soon as the failure occurred, the check engine light turned on and was blinking.
- Round Rock, TX, USA
While driving as normal on the way home the engine stalled and would not pick up as I was getting on the highway with traffic behind me. I was able to get on and begin doing 50-55mph getting good onto the highway and pick up speed trying to get to 60mph never got to go past 55 as the car slowed down instead of picking up speed. EVERY warning light popped up onto the dash as I panicked to get off the highway unable to pick up speed and move out of the way of flying cars it slowed down to a complete stop I had just made it off the highway onto the side of the highway with cars flying by the grace of God my kids were not with me. I was not able to start the car up and had no idea as to why it happened I had no issues with my car and just brought it from Crown dealership not even a full 2 years of having the car. It was confirmed by a licensed mechanic that the engine is gone and no known reason as to why. The manufacture states it is beyond warranty as the car was purchased from crown they keep telling me to call and speak to Kia. Kia states it has no recall because of my VIN. I am not the first and not last to have this unexpectedly happen. I keep the up oil changes, tune ups, new tires and more done. now to know the engine is gone an it is not my fault no help and additional 5,000 for repair I am still making payments on the car and can not even drive it. I could have died on the road or highway due to the car just stopping on it own while driving the warning lights didn't come on until after the car was done going. I had no choice but to get over quick still risking to get hit and unable to do or know anything. This is crazy how you can take car of the car and not be able to do anything other than pay more on the car that was not even close to the total being added on now. The lawsuit filed I should have called for help because now I am stuck and blessed not to be hurt or killed due to this issue.
- Browns Summit, NC, USA
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that when driving at 73 mph the engine stalled. The contact stated all lights illuminated on the instrument panel while the failure occurred. The contact was able to coast the vehicle onto the road shoulder. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The contact stated that the dealer did not perform a diagnostic yet. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000.
- Arlington, VA, USA
While driving the car on 5/14/2021, the warning light came on and in 30 seconds, the engine quit. The car was taken to Steve's Tech Senter, Foley, AL. The starter was replaced and still would not run. Steve told me the engine was seized up. I contacted Team Gunther Kia, Daphne, AL, and was told by Cassandra that the car was not under warranty because it had 130000 miles and I had missed the deadline on the recall notice. I have never been notified of a recall notice on the car at all. I did receive a Northern California District document telling me of a class action suit settlement (approximately one year ago). I had no problems with the car at that time and did nothing. There was a timeframe for reporting of 4/12/2021 to the their document which also stated that the engine warranty would be extended. I had no hint of a problem with the car until the engine seized on 5/14/2021.
- Foley, AL, USA
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while her granddaughter was driving at an undetermined speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was later towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine rod bearing had failed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to tow the vehicle to the local dealer. The contact was informed that the vehicle was covered under the NHTSA recall campaign number 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 95,000.
- Tempe, AZ, USA
On 5/27/2021 I stopped at a red light. When safe to proceed, I turned right. Within ten yards, the car slowed, a "hybrid system malufuntion" warning was displayed, and all power was lost. Car towed to Kia of irvine, where safety plug assembly, hybrid battery, and complete fuel system service were performed, total cost to me $1,647.31. Kia technical operations document PS515 appears to state fuse installed by Kia originally improperly rated at 125 amp, as it is replaced with 150 amp fuse. Why is this not a tsb, and thus a repair covered by warranty?
- Lake Forest, CA, USA
I was driving my car normal speed stop and go and suddenly my vehicle started to smoke and not soon after it was on fire I had my engine replace by keep the 1/21/21-1/31/21 so I-??m wondering my why my car is nothing but a metal ashes
- Piscataway , NJ, USA
- Bridgeville, DE, USA