10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 14
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
34,092 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 #9

Jun 152014

Optima

  • 18,500 miles
In June 2014my date below of crash on the day is approximately, I was driving my brand new 2013 Kia Optima, I was on my way to work and my engine stalled and lost complete power locking up every control in the car. It happened on a major highway in jacksonville, nc and left me stranded I was hit in my rear end by 2 cars causing a 3 car crash. At the time Kia would take no responsibility. Now in 2016 that there is a defect in the engine causing stalling and losing power of the engine and control of the car. In top of this recall I just found out they knowingly sold thiese cars while knowing it had this defect which could cause a crash or castrophic problems. Which in my case it did cause a a 3 car crash.

- Jacksonville, NC, USA

problem #8

Apr 032017

Optima

  • 21,235 miles
I had my passenger rearview mirror broken hanging by the wires. They replaced in dealer after I insisted on a replacement. Before they replaced, I had the same problem with the drivers rear view mirror. Looks like they are too fragil. What should I do with it?

- Bayamon, PR, USA

problem #7

May 012016

Optima

  • 118,000 miles
Engine failure due to lack of oil pressure.

- Terrytown, LA, USA

problem #6

Jan 022017

Optima

  • 42,000 miles
The rear camera does not come on immediately and sometimes I have backed UP20-40 ft before it engages. It is a problem and I recently was hit by another car when I wa backing up because I didn't see them coming at me. This has been a problem since the beginning of my new car ownership in 2012. Dealership says nothing is wrong with the functioning of the camera.

- Reston, VA, USA

problem #5

Sep 292016

Optima

  • 80,000 miles
I was driving on the highway when I heard a knocking sound coming from the front of the vehicle. I had it towed to dealer's shop thinking that my power train warranty will take care of this. Come to find out the connecting rod has a defect and the warranty is null and void because its technically not considered damaged....................I said exactly what you the reader would of said. It wasn't pretty. Thinking about lawyering up.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #4

Oct 242016

Optima

  • 67,000 miles
The car caught fire and burned sitting in my driveway. Driven daily to and from work. No check engine light or any warning. Caught fire within five minutes of turning off engine.

- Whitehouse, TX, USA

problem #3

Jun 122016

Optima

  • 65,000 miles
I have had issues with the battery since 2014 I called when it originally started to see if there were recalls and their wasnt. The car is dead due to battery failure if you leave it for a more than 3-4 hours for example drive it to work and have to get a jump at the end of the (5) shift. It is will stop for a while then the problem comes back. It stopped for about 6 months and now it has started again

- Clermont, FL, USA

problem #2

Sep 212015

Optima

  • 48,450 miles
I had my oil change and two days later the oil light came on so I took it back to pit stop 500 and he's said it was low so he check the car said he didn't see any oil leaks if the oil light comes on again take it to Kia. When I left there while I was driving I could see white smoke coming out my pipes. I took it to the Kia dealership and they said the oil was low put oil in it again and said drive it 500 miles and if the oil light come on bring it back. While driving it home it stalled it wouldn't go over 30 miles and white smoke was coming out the pipes so I made a appointment and took it back now the dealership says it is sludge in the oil. I had did some research and discover ten Kia with the same exact problem and six of them are Kia Optima

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #1

Aug 212013

Optima 4-cyl

  • 8,000 miles
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.

- Buena Park, CA, USA