2013 Kia Optima

Defect. 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 experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Risk. An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.

Defect. 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.

Risk. A plate that detaches during a crash may strike an occupant, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy. Dealers will secure the headliner plates, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 26, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC245.

Defect. 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.

Risk. A fuel leak can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy. Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel hose, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 2, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-33-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC228.

Defect. 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.

Risk. An electrical short in the HECU increases the risk of a fire while parked or driving.

Remedy. Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will install a new multi-fuse, and inspect the HECU for leaks, replacing the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 2, 2021. This recall supersedes previous NHTSA recall number 20V-519. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC212.

Defect. 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.

Risk. If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.

Remedy. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the HECU for leaking brake fluid and replace the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. The recall began October 20, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC197.

Defect. 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.

Risk. If the fuel hose cracks, a fuel leak can occur, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy. Kia will notify Owners, and Dealers will inspect the low pressure fuel hose for damage or leaking, replacing it as necessary. If no damage or leaking is found, a heat-protective tape will be installed. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began June 12, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC187.

Defect. 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 pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.

Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy. Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.

Defect. 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 deploying.

Risk. If the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.

Remedy. Kia will notify owners. For model year 2011 Sedona vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to verify the ACU part number and, if necessary, install an extension wire harness kit between the ACU Connector and the Vehicle Harness Connector. For all other affected vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to install the extension wire harness kit. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC165.

Defect. 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.

Risk. Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, …

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional …

On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles. During the PE investigations, Hyundai and Kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, including those due to engine failures involving various engine types. The remedies for the engine failure recalls typically involve engine inspection (to detect existing damage), and if necessary, engine …

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can …

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW. The ECU receives signals from crash sensors …

During this Preliminary Evaluation (PE), the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) assessed the scope, frequency and potential safety-related consequences of non-crash vehicle fires caused by both engine failures and failures of other vehicle systems/components in model year (MY) 2011-2014 Kia Optima, MY 2011-2014 Kia Sorento and MY 2010-2015 Kia Soul vehicles equipped with Theta II, Gamma, Nu and Lambda II engines (approximately 1.7 million vehicles). ODI also reviewed field and other data on other Kia vehicles (approximately 3.6 million additional vehicles) equipped with the same engines …

In a letter dated June 11, 2018, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a safety defect investigation into non-collision related fires on model year (MY) 2011-2014 Kia Optima and Sorento, and Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe vehicles. In a letter dated July 24, 2018, CAS requested that MY 2010-2015 Kia Soul vehicles be added to the petition. CAS stated that there is a higher number of complaints to NHTSA regarding non-crash fires on these vehicles compared to other similar vehicles. The Office of Defects Investigation …

NHTSA opened Recall Query (RQ) 17-003 to investigate the timeliness and scope of Kia?s Theta II GDI engine recall (Recall No. 17V-224), and Kia?s compliance with reporting requirements. On November 23, 2020, the Agency entered into a Consent Order with Kia to administratively resolve NHTSA?s assertions of violations of law in connection with RQ17-003. NHTSA?s assertions included that Kia may be liable for civil penalties on multiple grounds, including that Recall No. 17V-224 was untimely and Kia?s recall report contained certain inaccuracies.Under the Consent Order, Kia agreed to a total …

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: HIGH-VOLTAGE BATTERY SAFETY PLUG FUSE INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides information associated with the "Hybrid System Warranty Extension Program" (WTY029) to inspect and, if necessary, replace the High Voltage Battery (HVB) Safety Plug Fuse Assembly or Main Fuse on 2013-2016MY Optima Hybrid (TF HEV) vehicles …

wty014_OWNR: This document is the Owner Notification Letter advising the customers of the Warranty Extension on the Headlamp Assembly on the 2011-2013 MY Optima and Optima HEV vehicles.

This document is a Reimbursement Request that was mailed with the customer letter advising them to submit the form if they had paid for repairs for this same matter prior to the warranty extension program launch.

WTY014: This document is the Dealer Principal Notification advising of the Warranty Extension Program for the Headlamp Assembly on 2011-2013 MY Optima and Optima HEV vehicles.

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information on diagnosing and/or repairing some 2011-2024MY vehicles (refer to the table on pages …

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information on diagnosing and/or repairing some 2011-2024MY vehicles (refer to the tables on pages …

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI1803Y/Z) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously …

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: BEARING CLEARANCE TESTER (BCT) PROCEDURES - This bulletin provides information regarding test procedure of the Bearing Clearance Tester (BCT) Special Service Tool (SST). The SST comes pre-calibrated from the supplier however, in some cases, due to variable shop compressor air pressure, the SST may need to be re-calibrated to …

PITSTOP: INJECTOR HARNESS ROUTING FOR PI1802Y/Z AND PI1803Y/Z ENGINE REPLACEMENTS - This bulletin provides information to address a no-start or hard start with poor running condition after engine replacement under PI1802Y/Z or PI1803Y/Z. Some replacement long blocks may come with pre-installed fuel rail, injectors, and injector wiring harness. If the …

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information on diagnosing and/or repairing some 2011-2021MY vehicles (refer to the tables on pages …

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. While driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power but continued to drive under reduced power, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The failure nearly caused a crash. The vehicle was taken to O'Reilly's, where three knock sensor codes were retrieved. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer and was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V652000 (Service Brake, Hydraulic), 22V093000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), and 22V560000 (Structure). The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 125,055.

Air bag light is on the panel & is not enabled & buttons on steering wheel that adjust the volume and stations have stopped working unless the steering wheel is turned all the way to the left. Believe it is a faulty spring in the steering wheel.

I own a 2013 Kia Optima SXL. While the vehicle was parked and there was no collision, crash, impact, or other event that should have caused the airbags to deploy, the airbags unexpectedly deployed on their own. The deployment caused damage to the vehicle, including damage to the windshield. The airbag also hit me while I was sitting in the passenger seat, my children were also in the back seat. All of our ears were ringing for 24hours, I went to the hospital to get a CT scan for the pain I felt in my face, ear and head. This occurred without the vehicle being involved in an accident. I have photographs and documentation of the vehicle and the damage and can provide additional information if needed.

Despite documenting this catastrophic internal mechanical destruction, the authorized franchise dealer has issued a written directive instructing the driver to operate this structurally compromised vehicle on public roads for a 1,000-mile oil consumption test with explicit instructions not to add, check, or have anyone service the engine oil level. Operating an engine running dry with verified cylinder wall gouging and unstable timing chains creates an imminent, severe safety hazard for the occupants and other motorists, including sudden highway engine lockup, loss of power steering, or vehicle fires. The vehicle underwent Safety Recall Campaign SC147 in 2017, which carries a court-mandated Lifetime Warranty Extension on the block for core failures. The dealership is forcing an unsafe vehicle modification and dangerous roadway test to evade standard warranty coverage processing. A complete 11-invoice history proves this defect originally manifested and was logged by a technician at 96,738 miles while fully inside the standard factory coverage window.

Gas smell from under the hood. When taken to the dealership it was diagnosed as the high pressure fuel line. NOTE: The high and low fuel lines have recalls that impact this vehicle make, model, and year BUT not this VIN.

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was unable to start due to the battery being drained from the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) remaining on while the vehicle was turned off. After recharging the battery, the HECU made a buzzing sound while the battery was no longer charging. Additionally, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode while driving, and the ABS, traction control, and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. A burning odor was inside the vehicle. The contact was concerned about a fire risk. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and determined that the HECU had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer requested maintenance records for the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.

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, rearview auto dimmer, steering wheel controls. Anytime the fuse blows

Both front door lock actuators failed within a one month period. It is a safety issue because the actuator is failing in a way that can prevent the door from opening, closing, properly latching and locking. The vehicle is available for inspection. I have taken it to a mechanic to confirm the failure.

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 high-pressure pipe leading to the fuel pump. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V907000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine); however, VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired because the VIN was not included in recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 250,000.

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 from the engine compartment. When attempting to slow down, the braking system suffered a total loss of power and failed completely. To stop the vehicle, it had to be steered into the highway median to intentionally scrape against it to force a stop. Immediately upon exiting the vehicle, heavy flames were observed under the engine compartment before completely engulfing the front of the car. The fire department extinguished the fire, and the vehicle is a total loss.

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH with the cruise control activated, there was smoke coming from underneath the passenger’s side of the hood before the vehicle decelerated. The contact stated that moments later there were flames coming from the underneath the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle was parked on the side of the road and flames quickly engulfed the vehicle. The Fire Department was called to the scene and arrived and extinguished the fire. During the fire the vehicle was destroyed and was later towed to a nearby storage facility. While attempting to quickly exit the vehicle the contact fell to the ground and sustained an injured left leg and left side. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact stated that the engine was recently installed related to a recall repair. No additional information was available. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.

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 was uncontrollable. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the coupling in the steering wheel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there was no coverage under the warranty extension for the MDPS flexible coupling. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.

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, severe warning lights illuminated on the dashboard indicating an immediate braking system and stability control failure. A diagnostic scan revealed active fault code C1237, pointing specifically to a primary pressure sensor signal failure embedded inside the internal HECU assembly.This issue presents a severe safety hazard. The failure compromises the vehicle's electronic brake assist, anti-lock braking system (ABS), and active stability systems. This results in unpredictable pedal feel and significantly increased stopping distances, drastically elevating the risk of a high-speed collision.Furthermore, this vehicle architecture relies heavily on clean voltage from the 12-volt battery system. Sudden drops in battery performance appear to trigger cascading communication faults within the HECU network, causing the vehicle to lose crucial safety systems without adequate warning.Kia is aware of severe electrical and internal component defects within the HECU modules of this generation, as evidenced by Safety Recall SC284 (NHTSA Campaign 23V652000) for HECU internal electrical shorts and engine fire risks. However, dealerships are treating related sensor failures inside the exact same HECU assembly (such as the internal primary pressure sensor) as customer-pay maintenance issues, rather tha

I own a 2013 Kia Optima and I am experiencing recurring fuel system-related symptoms. The fuel gauge fluctuates even when the vehicle has a full tank of fuel, causing an inaccurate fuel level reading. In addition, the vehicle has begun to hesitate during operation, which raises concern that there may be an underlying fuel delivery or fuel system issue. I previously experienced a similar issue years ago, and I believe the vehicle was repaired during a Kia recall or service campaign. The problem has now returned, and I am concerned that the previous repair may not have permanently corrected the issue or that there may be a related defect affecting other vehicles. The combination of an inaccurate fuel level reading and engine hesitation could create a safety concern because the driver may not know the true amount of fuel remaining and may experience unexpected loss of power while driving. I am requesting that this issue be investigated to determine whether it is related to a previous recall repair, a fuel system defect, or another safety-related condition affecting the 2013 Kia Optima.

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

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

The contact owned a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed on the main road of a T-intersection, the contact blacked out before another vehicle crashed into the front passenger's side of the vehicle. The contact stated that the front of the vehicle sustained severe damages, and there was more damage on the front passenger's side of the vehicle. The air bags deployed. The contact stated that the seat belt retracted excessively, causing the contact to be pinned in the seat and to sustain severe injuries. The contact was assisted out of the seat and was partially unconscious. The contact was unsure if any warning lights were illuminated after the crash. A Police report was filed. The ambulance transported the contact to the hospital. The contact sustained a fractured L2 and back, ruptured bowel, and intestines and internal bleeding in the stomach. The contact underwent surgery and physical therapy. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a related recall. A complaint was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Large delamination of paint on the vehicle.

The contact stated that while driving the vehicle began to unexpectedly slow and then stalled. The vehicle was unable to restart. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage 215,000.

I was driving on the high way and my car completely stopped I towed it to a shop and the engine seized

My 2013 Kia Optima was running fine at 65 mph when suddenly the engine stalled. I then coasted to the shoulder and smelled burning plastic. As soon as I opened the hood the engine started being consumed in fire, it quickly went to a very large engine fire that consumed the front half of the car. There were no other vehicles involved with this incident. Vehicle is a total loss.

The vehicle is experiencing sudden engine stalling while in motion, a known safety hazard. Despite a documented maintenance history with no issues, the dealer (Bayside Kia) is attempting to deny a Theta II Settlement claim by shifting the narrative to 'engine sludge,' which only appeared as a symptom in June 2025( Walmart oil change) alongside engine performance issues. The vehicle has active codes P0014 and P0017, which are secondary symptoms of the internal bearing wear and metallic debris contaminating the oiling system. KDS Diagnostic tests showed Cylinder 1 at 0.16mm (approaching the 0.20mm failure limit). This clearance proves the connecting rod bearings are worn and reaching the failure threshold; this mechanical wear is the root cause of the engine's inability to operate safely. The presence of metallic debris in the oil is the definitive signature of the Theta II manufacturing defect. Furthermore, the dealer acted in bad faith by attempting to charge for Airbag repairs (Codes B1346/B1481) that are covered under the 15-year Clock Spring Warranty Extension (CS1102). The dealer has dismissed my qualifying maintenance documents, claiming they are 'not official,' which is a direct violation of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. A manufacturer cannot deny a warranty claim because services were performed at third-party facilities, nor can they deny a claim without proving 'exceptional neglect.' I am reporting a refusal to honor a court-ordered safety settlement and an attempt

We were told by the mechanic that the engine was locked up after the car refused to drive faster than approximately 23 mph. We had to have the car towed from Boone, NC which was about 200 miles. The car is at our house and is available for inspection upon request. I have made repeated calls to different Kia dealers asking for a call back to assist me with direction but there will never be a returned phone call. As far as I know, there has been no inspection of the engine or vehicle.

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 the dealership and they want to charge me for the repairs. I have 2 kia optima hybrid and both cars have the same issue around the same mileage. There were no warning lights during the time it was at the shop. I believe later down the line the engine will stall out and it should be fixed now while under warranty. However I received no help from the dealership unless I am willing to pay upfront. In addition to this there are electrical issues the front seats aren't moving immediately when the button is pressed. The steering wheel buttons barely work along with the radio. This is a huge problem that needs to be fixed.

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine unexpectedly seized without warning. The contact stated that after the vehicle lost motive power, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that no diagnostic trouble codes were found. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and failed to exceed 60 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the knock sensor and the harness had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred on several occasions, and the vehicle was driven or towed to the dealer as needed. The dealer cleared the diagnostic trouble codes and informed the contact that a recall repair would not be completed unless the engine made loud knocking sounds or seized. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine made an abnormally loud sound and seized. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the engine was not eligible for replacement due to a lack of maintenance records because the contact did not have all the oil change service records available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 297,000.

While driving my KIA Optima on the interstate the rear subframe suffered catastrophic structural failure, resulting in the steering wheel going out of alignment, the rear passenger side wheel tilting with the bottom of the tire being far out compared to the top. This resulted in the rear of the vehicle swaying side to side and being difficult to maintain in a straight path. This vehicle was previously serviced under KIA Campaign SC141 (internal subframe corrosion) at Griffin KIA on April 27, 2017. Despite this safety remedy being performed the subframe rotted through and snapped. This is a remedy failure. The anti-corrosion was applied by the manufacturer failed to prevent the exact structural failure it was designed to mitigate. I have physical evidence (Repair Order #92144) proving the remedy was performed and photographic/video evidence of the subsequent structural break. The manufacturer (KIA) has denied assistance, claiming the failure is "unrelated" to the corrosion campaign despite the part being the exact component covered by the campaign." SC141 involved the inject of wax into the metal components of the subframe of the vehicle and was KIA's response to the NHSTA's concerns about the metal components of their vehicles being unable to withstand salt in the Rust Belt states. The campaign only was for the vehicles in the rust belt states. KIA was very aware this was a safety issue and attempted to avoid a recall by issuing this campaign. The campaign failed and as a res

Clanking noise is steering column and very loose steering.

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35-40 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering with a knocking sound coming from the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and the dealer declined to repair the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The dealer stated that the vehicle had a branded title. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 163,814.

I took the Kia to Hurst Dealership and Scott told me he would check it out. He called me and told me I needed the key replaced, so we paid them 230 dollars. Then he told me he found 4 recalls, fixed 3 of the 4 recalls. The last one, the engine seizing up, was still not complete. after 30 days we removed the car from that dealership because the whole time they were trying to sell us a car. Now the car doesnt even start, there is no key, there is lots of damage to the front end and underneath the engine is missing covers and who knows what else. Worst employees do the things the company itself tries to prevent, Scott is perfect for ruining reputations of the employers he (works for)

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while approaching a freeway and attempting to merge, the vehicle suddenly stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and it was determined that the turbocharger had failed, and the engine and turbocharger needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received a letter from the dealer that the vehicle was covered under a manufacturer settlement for engine replacement; however, the dealer advised the contact that there was an out-of-pocket cost to replace the turbocharger. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

The contact owned a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front end of the vehicle caught fire. The contact was informed by another driver that the fire originated near the front driver’s side wheel area. The fire was extinguished by the local fire department, and a police report was filed. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 144,000.

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 called Kirby Kia of Ventura a few weeks ago and let them know about my issue with the car. I explained that I took the car to a mechanic and the diagnostic they did stated the issue with the car could be because of one of the recalls. On 4/10/26 I took my vehicle to Kirby Kia of Ventura for the recalls and asked if they could do the diagnostic. Raul from Kia was the service rep that spoke with me. He stated they would do the recalls and then, if needed, they would perform the diagnostic. Later that day Raul called me and stated the recalls were completed and no issues were found. Several items were found from Kia's point inspection, but none related to the issue at hand. I then asked Raul if they could perform the diagnostic to know what was wrong with my car and he stated that they could do the diagnostic on Monday, 4/13/26. Raul stated he would give me a call around 10 to 11 am, to discuss any issues. Raul called at 10:49 am, and stated no lights on the dashboard have come on and he didn't want to do the diagnostic because the lights weren't on. Kirby Kia of Ventura service department are crooks and only want to assist you if they get money out of you. My car still has the same issue, possibly damage to the HECU from the recall, but Kirby Kia didn't want to run the diagnostic on my

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while his son was driving approximately 35 MPH, there was an abnormal metal-on-metal sound coming from the vehicle, and the vehicle stalled. The contact drove out to the location and became aware that the oil and the battery warning lights were illuminated. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to restart, and the starter motor was smoking. The contact stated that prior to the engine failure, the starter motor had been replaced. The vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic who had recently replaced the starter motor. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and informed the contact that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The mechanic informed the contact that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact called the local dealer and the manufacturer but was informed that the vehicle would not be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

The contact owned a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front of the vehicle started excessively smoking and caught fire. No warning lights illuminated. The fire was extinguished by the local fire department, and a fire report was filed. A police report was not filed. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure via customer care support since no representative was reached via the phone line. The approximate failure mileage was 179,000.

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while a family member was driving the vehicle at 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The driver pulled over to the side of the road where the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the residence, where an independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine and transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted or notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

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 other repairs. Found out after requesting previous service incidents they failed to do recall repairs and never notified me of it, or to come back. I've requested current diagnostic report several times in writing and verbally with codes for this current service, with non compliance. My car is still at the dealership needing work and I need current diagnostic report before I pay for repairs. I am attaching a dealership diagnostic e-Report for my 2013 Kia Optima from 2024. While the report lists “No Current DTC” for several systems, it also documents multiple “Communication Fail” errors across critical modules, including Smart Key, Head Lamp, Air Conditioner, Brake, and other systems. These communication failures indicate a broader electrical or network issue within the vehicle, not simply a failed battery. The report also shows that certain diagnostic scans were not properly performed. Additionally, there are historical fault codes related to TPMS and weight classification systems, further supporting that the vehicle has experienced ongoing electrical issues. Despite these findings, the dealership attributed the vehicle failure solely to a bad battery and did not provide a current battery diagnostic test. They also failed to address an open recall related to electrical/fuse issues p

1) Motor failed on interstate and car towed to automotive shop. Currently still at the shop with hope to tow to Kia to address issue. 2)My teenage daughter and her friend were placed in a dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation due to what appears to be a catostrophic vehicle failure. While driving our 2013 Kia Optima whith approximately 160,000 miles, the vehicle suddenly lost power while our daughter was traveling a major highway. The car quit responding to the gas pedal and she was forced to pull over on the side of the highway and was stranded in traffic with no safe way to move the vehicle. When she attempted to restart the car the engine light began flashing (it did not do so before hand), the car was shaking and undriveable. This was not a minor inconvenience, it was a serious safety hazard. A young driver was left sitting on the shoulder of a high-speed roadway with cars and trucks passing at highway speeds up to 80 mph. Had another driver drifted or had she not been able to reach the shoulder in time, this situation could have easily resulted in a major crash or fatality(-ies). The vehicle would not restart properly and had to be towed. Prior to this incident, there were no obvious warning sings of an imminent catastrophic failure. The mechanic's invoice of his diagnostics is attached. Vehicles should not fail in a way that suddenly leaves drivers stranded in active highway traffic with no warning. This type of failure creates an extremely dangerous situ

Vehicle: 2013 Kia Optima SXL VIN: [XXX] While driving on a highway at approximately 55–58 mph, the rear driver-side electronic parking brake (EPB) motor housing failed with a loud bang. Immediately after, there was heavy smoke and a strong burning smell. The vehicle became very difficult to drive, and the wheel began screeching and dragging as if the brake had locked. The failure appears to have caused the rear brake caliper to seize while the vehicle was in motion. This created a dangerous driving situation at highway speed and could have caused a crash. The brake system component that failed appears to be the electronic parking brake actuator/motor assembly attached to the rear caliper. This was a sudden mechanical failure, not normal brake wear, and it occurred while driving at speed. Kia care case number: XXX INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle eventually stalled on the side of the road. The key, battery, oil, and engine warning lights were illuminated. There was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the engine had seized. The engine failed to turn over. The mechanic had previously performed a routine oil change. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with low voltage. The spark plugs were checked, there were no oil leaks, and the vehicle was diagnosed with catastrophic engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 111,862.

Paint on car is coming off from hood and doors headlights are not bright had to change to aftermarket to make it brighter

HECU failure on my 2013 Kia. My specific VIN # is not included in this repair but the year make and model are under recall sc197. My brakes are going all the way floor. There is a leek internally inside the hydraylic electonic control unit which is a fire hazard as well as a hydraulic failure. This is a massive safety and liability concern.

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine, and the vehicle failed to properly accelerate. While the contact’s wife was driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer, who discovered metal shavings inside the engine oil and informed the contact that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 211,000.

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled but restarted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to TSB: PI2002 / PI2002A. The contact discovered there was an issue with the damage to the connecting rod bearing. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the battery needed to be replaced. There was an abnormal sound when the vehicle was started. The contact stated that there were metal shavings in the oil and the control valve. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where a broken valve and lifter were found, and the dealer determined that the engine needed to be disassembled. The dealer stated that there were metal shavings in the oil and the control valve. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there was no repair under recall for the failure. Additionally, the manufacturer requested the oil change records. The failure mileage was approximately 200,776.

As in May 2025 , I purchased 2013 Kia Optima LX sedan with airbag already deployed before bought it. And in June 2025 I took my car to nearest Kia dealership , I found out that I had recalls over other things as well. I made Kia dealership to look at the airbag and do inspection on it. None of Kia employees did not informed me about the airbag, CARFAX information about previous incident to this car before I purchased.

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH and attempting to make a right turn, the air bag deployed unexpectedly. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the clock spring and air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the issue would be escalated to the proper department. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.

The contact owned a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle, the contact became aware of black smoke coming from the floorboard with a burning plastic odor, and the battery warning light illuminated. The contact called her husband and was informed to exit the vehicle. The contact exited the vehicle and seconds later the vehicle exploded. The front of the vehicle blew up onto the windshield and the steering wheel detached and struck the driver’s side seat. The fire was extinguished by the Fulton County Fire Department. A Fire Report and Police Report were filed; however, the reports were not yet provided to the vehicle owner. The contact experienced severe emotional distress. The contact stated due to the emotional distress of the fire, she suffered a miscarriage from the stress and had scratches from having to jump out of the window. There was no medical assistance sought. Several personal items inside the vehicle were also lost due to the fire and additionally, the contact lost employment due to the fire. The VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the vehicle had not been repaired prior to the fire. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard then to a Kia dealer. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 193,876.

The contact owned a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while his niece was driving the vehicle at 65 MPH, a strong fuel odor began to emit from the vehicle without warning. The vehicle then began to violently shake as the contact's niece began to exit the highway. Upon pulling over and exiting the vehicle, black smoke began to emit from the vehicle as both police and fire officials were in the vehicle's vicinity and witnessed the fire. As the vehicle quickly became engulfed in flames, the fire department quickly arrived at the scene and extinguished the fire. No injuries were reported, and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the niece's home, where it remained in her possession. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000(Service Brakes, Hydraulics). The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and an investigator was scheduled to visit the niece's home and inspect the vehicle; the investigator never arrived, and the vehicle had yet to be inspected. The vehicle was destroyed as a result of the fire. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.