NHTSA data · free2013 Kia OptimaProblems: Top Complaints, Recalls & Failures (NHTSA)
Every owner complaint and safety recall the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has on file for the 2013 Kia Optima, ranked by the component that failed most.
Complaints on file
1,381
Recalls issued
9
Crashes reported
48
Fires reported
114
What breaks most
- Engine612 complaints · 44.3%
- Steering213 complaints · 15.4%
- Electrical System146 complaints · 10.6%
- Structure127 complaints · 9.2%
- Service Brakes114 complaints · 8.3%
Recalls on this model year
- Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pi
Campaign 18V907000 · reported 19/12/2018 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Air Bags › Air Bag/Restraint Control Module
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploy
Campaign 18V363000 · reported 01/06/2018 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Optima vehicles equipped with 2.4L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) or 2.0L GDI Turbo engines. The low pressure fuel hose may deteriorate and crack over time due to heat generated within the engine compartment.
Campaign 20V100000 · reported 21/02/2020 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Park outsideService Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.
Campaign 20V519000 · reported 27/08/2020 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Park outsideService Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles previously recalled under recall 20V-519. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.
Campaign 21V331000 · reported 10/05/2021 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine
Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
Campaign 17V224000 · reported 31/03/2017 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Optima vehicles that were previously repaired under NHTSA recall number 20V-100. The low pressure fuel hose may be damaged, or missing heat-protective tape, which can result in a fuel leak.
Campaign 22V093000 · reported 17/02/2022 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Structure › Body › Roof And Pillars
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Optima vehicles. The right and left headliner plates may not be secured properly, which can result in the plates detaching in the event of a side curtain air bag deployment.
Campaign 22V560000 · reported 01/08/2022 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Park outsideService Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may
Campaign 23V652000 · reported 25/09/2023 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
What owners report
Engine
- The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving or while the vehicle was parked, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was leaking fuel from the hig
- On July 14, 2026, the vehicle's engine was replaced by an authorized dealership under an official Kia recall. On August 16, 2026, while driving on the highway, heavy smoke suddenly began emitting fro
- the engine revs high and transmission wont shift and when you turn the steering wheel ya get a loud click and the steering wheels jumps
Steering
- The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. There was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the vehicle and the vehicle
- the engine revs high and transmission wont shift and when you turn the steering wheel ya get a loud click and the steering wheels jumps
- The steering column From the car has diminished causing dangerous shaking on highway at high speeds
Electrical System
- Module 1 7.5 amp fuse continues to short and blow over and over again. Known issues with auto headlamp leveling sensor. Problem continues to happen. Lose my highbeams, shift lock, rear defrost, rearv
- Code : P1777 Transmission- oil pump A issue with the Valve cover gasket leaking into the engine causing a misfire. Making the car suddenly stop while driving which is very unsafe. I took the car to t
- My car started shutting down while driving. After the engine started seizing the key wouldn't turn in my ignition. Took car to dealership immediately on 10, 2026. Took again in 2024 for recall and oth
Structure
- Paint began chipping/flaking off little by little everytime I washed the car. It’s a common occurrence with snowy white Kia paint in this year
- Paint on car is coming off from hood and doors headlights are not bright had to change to aftermarket to make it brighter
- The vehicle paint is bubbling and peeling
Service Brakes
- On July 14, 2026, the vehicle's engine was replaced by an authorized dealership under an official Kia recall. On August 16, 2026, while driving on the highway, heavy smoke suddenly began emitting fro
- I am writing to formally report a dangerous safety defect involving the braking system and the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) on my 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid. While operating the vehicle, sever
- Brake pedal loses pressure and disengages with brakes. Traction light, maintenance light, hybrid system warning message, check brakes message and parking brake intermittently turns on and off. I calle
Excerpts are anonymized owner complaints as filed with NHTSA, trimmed to 200 characters.
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