10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
45,916 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 Hybrid:

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

problem #17

Sep 162019

Optima Hybrid

  • 73,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima hybrid. While driving 45 mph, the contact noticed that the check charging system warning indicator illuminated. While attempting to maneuver the vehicle to the side of the road, it completely shut off. The vehicle was towed to earnhardt Kia (2121 E bell rd, phoenix, AZ 85022, 602-346-5400) where it was diagnosed that there was electrical failure; however, the specifics were unknown. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.

- Glendale, AZ, USA

problem #16

May 232019

Optima Hybrid

  • miles
Electrical interior light turn on when you lean on the arm rest also got a oil change and the oil light will not reset cause there is a malfunction in the oil pressure

- Merrillville, IN, USA

problem #15

Jan 252019

Optima Hybrid

  • 67,000 miles
Vehicle was traveling 65 mph when a hcs warning light came on and the vehicle stopped completely in the middle of the freeway. I had to get the car towed. The Kia dealer said the safety fuse of 125 had to be replaced with a 150 safety fuse as well as the new battery, $897 to fix the problem. When I asked Kia why they didn't recall the 125 safety fuse, they said it was not a safety issue!

- Eastvale, CA, USA

problem #14

Oct 162018

Optima Hybrid

  • 102,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima hybrid. While driving approximately 3 mph, the vehicle stalled and "hybrid failure" appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to Kia store East (7301 new la grange road, louisville, Kentucky 40222, (502) 425-1234) where the relay and ECU battery were replaced, but the failure recurred. While driving 25 mph, a faulty fuse blew out within the hybrid motor. An independent mechanic replaced the relay with an increased voltage from 125 amps [watts] to 150 amps [watts]. the failure was remedied. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #13

Oct 282018

Optima Hybrid

  • 78,000 miles
Today my car cut off as I was driving. The display read hybrid system warning. It then proceeded to say for me to pull over and stop driving this happened to me 3 times over the weekend and I've read many other complaint about the same issue but no one seems to be able to find the problem I also replaced the alternator and that was a waste because right after that was serviced it happened again

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #12

Sep 112018

Optima Hybrid

  • 40,000 miles
Vehicle would't start the engine randomly. Kia dealer wasnt able to find the issue since I brought my vehicle in and it was running at that time. Randomly shows hybrid system is not properly working.

- Sachse, TX, USA

problem #11

Sep 032018

Optima Hybrid

  • 70,000 miles
1. driving vehicle on freeway and the engine blew. Kia rebuilt the top half of the engine. 2. driving vehicle on street and the power steering went out. Took a lot of strength to steer to the side of the road. Kia reset main control unit to fix issue. 3. driving vehicle on street and the power steering went out again. Kia wants to replace main control unit. Car has passed the warranty by 10K miles. Not covered.

- Elk Grove, CA, USA

problem #10

Feb 282018

Optima Hybrid

  • 54,844 miles
From a stop at a light or intersection, over seven (7) times the car has jolted forward and stopped abruptly, losing most power to the motor at that point. Audible alarms ring and the dashboard has read both "hybrid system warning! immediately stop and do not drive" and "check charging system". this has happened during left turns with oncoming traffic that then has to slow as I slowly creep out of the intersection.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #9

Dec 102017

Optima Hybrid 4-cyl

  • 69,000 miles
I have a 2013 Kia Optima hybrid with faulty headlights that have completely gone out/failed over 10 times starting 3 mos after purchasing the car. After 1/2 years and 4 fixes, including completely replacing the headlight package, I filed the lemon law paperwork (I purchased in April 2013.) in Nov of 2014. I was told they get a final fix. They replaced the entire headlight system again. Then, in Dec 2015, my headlights went out again & had to be completely replaced again. Kia corporate has been rude to me and denied any assistance even though they had completed the final fix a year before. I have phone videos (with witnesses) from years ago, 11/18/14, 1/25/16, 3/18/17, 3/27/17, 4/8/17 and 12/10/17. Most of the times I have been out and have had to drive home in dangerous conditions. I love my car but hate the dangerous issues. Kia has made me feel as though I'm not important, my safety is a non-issue and that they fix it every time, but it is not truly fixed if I have had 6 major repairs over 4 years. I've been at the point of a nervous breakdown over the stress and fear for my safety and of letting Kia bully & convince me I do not qualify to get my car replaced. I am putting my safety first not to mention the emotional stress, interference with my work, putting family & friend's safety at risk. Never knowing if and when it will happen again & have not driven it many times because of this issue. I've been told too many times this is the last fix! I don't like conflict and have put my faith in Kia too many times and put my faith in them over myself. I'm done being the nice person. I have had meltdowns over this, arguments with my significant other over this, interference with my work, been stranded out of town because of this! Kia told me today they will not replace my car at this time. I cannot go on like this any longer. I need your help. Sincerely, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Naples, FL, USA

problem #8

Nov 152017

Optima Hybrid

  • 35,000 miles
Takata recall: Car at 35K mileage and displays 'hybrid system warning, safely stop and do not drive'. have been in and out of dealerships who still can't seem to figure out what the issue is. Also, seems like the battery is discharging while driving on the highway which is completely unsafe!! issues have yet been fixed!

- Falls Church, VA, USA

problem #7

Jul 192017

Optima Hybrid

  • 41,000 miles
Vehicle surged forward while in motion to park in a parking space. Brakes failed to stop vehicle from a very slow speed of 5-10 mph approximately. Has done this on occasion at highway speed a sudden surge so a braking would relieve problem.

- La Mesa, CA, USA

problem #6

Apr 282017

Optima Hybrid

  • 33,997 miles
Upon starting the vehicle (thankfully parked in my driveway), vehicle was in ev mode, with just check engine light on. After entering gas mode battery and maintenance light appeared in addition to check engine light. The green "ready" light on the speedometer began flashing and a warning message stating "hybrd system warning: Safely stop and do not drive" appeared on the trip screen in the middle of the dash.

- Mesquite, TX, USA

problem #5

May 112015

Optima Hybrid

  • 30,150 miles
I was coming home from work Monday and a very heavy rain storm was coming down. As I pulled into my driveway, I set my Kia in park and attempted to turn off the vehicle by pressing the power button. The response I got was that the vehicle was not in the "P" park position, although it was in that shifted position. I press the power button again and it turns on the lights inside the car rather than turn them off. I have to try several times before a successful attempt at just turning off my car. Turning it on is no problem, its just turning it off that is causing distressing. It is very difficult to fill up your car with gas when you cannot even turn it off. This is a really serious problem that needs to be resolved immediately! from the other complaints I've read, a common theme about water interfering with the electrical system is a common trend.

- Delaware, OH, USA

problem #4

Apr 082015

Optima Hybrid

  • 50,521 miles
When we take the car to car wash and some time go over a puddle of water, if the car is on move, it will shut itself and I had to stop the car restart the car. If the car comes out of car wash and be turn, it will not start until 4 to 5 hours later. Error we get " key is not recognize" I took my car to Kia dealer in irvine, and they told me do not take the car to car wash. I call customer service for Kia and they said the hybrid car is not design for car wash. This is a problem, what happen in a heavy rain in the highway. Does somebody need to die that company look at this issue ? this is my second complain and third time I am stranded in street because of this issue. I was luck that I was in the street in 91 expressway.

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #3

Aug 162014

Optima Hybrid 4-cyl

  • 31,320 miles
We took the car to a car wash, after they clean the car we tried to start the car, but we get an error " key is not recognize". we were not able to start the car. Then my wife brought the second key, we got the same error. We towed the car to dealer and still there after 3 days. They said they could not find anything wrong. I do not believe that, there is something wrong, what happened if this condition appear in highway ? I drive 30,000 miles a year and even though this is the first episode, I am very concern regarding this problem.

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #2

May 202014

Optima Hybrid 4-cyl

  • 4,720 miles
Upon acceleration from stop or low speed, brake warning message displayed instructing me to safely pull over and stop the vehicle. Additionally, essentially all warning lights displayed on the information screen. Warning lights began flashing and door locks began clicking on/off. Car became disabled after a short distance and car would not move forward when in drive. Required tow to dealer for service. Dealer scanned the vehicle and found over 20 history codes pointing towards a can issue. After vehicle was serviced and road tested, history codes were cleared by dealer on 5/24/2014. Same problem repeated under similar conditions on 5/28/2014 and again on 6/4/204. During the third incident, the car became disabled immediately after entering an intersection at low speed and could not be moved out of the intersection under its own power, creating a safety hazard with cross traffic waiting to enter the intersection. After the second occurrence, dealer service department was unable to diagnose the problem or repeat the conditions. After the third occurrence, the car became operable a short time after the incident after turning the car off and on again a few times. After each occurrence, the passenger air bag warning light remained in the history code. Currently awaiting response and diagnosis of problem by Kia district parts service manager.

- Oceanside, CA, USA

problem #1

Mar 062014

Optima Hybrid

  • 20 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima hybrid. The contact stated that when exiting the vehicle, the driver and passengers would experience an electrical shock after making contact with any exterior metal part of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 20. The VIN was unavailable.

- Long Beach, CA, USA