Page 19 of 28 · complaints 901–950 of 1,387

2013 Kia Optima complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2013 record →

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Aug 22, 201949,786 milesNV

WHILE I WENT ON THE HIGHWAY THE ACCELERATION FELT VERY SLUGGISH AND HAD A HARD TIME SPEEDING UP TO THE SPEED LIMIT. THE CAR ONLY GOT WORSE AS I WENT ON A STREET AND IT FELT AS THOUGH IT DID NOT WANT TO GO, LIKE IT LOST MOST OF ITS POWER. TURNS OUT SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE BUT I FEEL THAT MY CAR SHOULD BE UNDER A NEWER RECALL BUT ISN'T, AS SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WASN'T EVEN ON. SOMEHOW THE CAR WAS OUT OF OIL WITH NO LIGHT COMING ON TO INDICATE THAT AND RECENTLY ABOUT A WEEK AGO OIL WAS PUT IN, AND WEEKS PRIOR OIL WAS PUT IN.

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 20, 201975,300 milesCO

WHILE ACCELERATING VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER EVEN THOUGH GAS PEDAL WAS PRESSED. THERE WERE NO RPMS SHOWING AT ALL NO MATTER WHAT SPEED I WAS DRIVING. CAR WOULD ACCELERATE UNTIL ENGINE POWER LOST, I WOULD LET OFF THE GAS, CAR WOULD SHIFT HARD AND THEN I COULD ACCELERATE AGAIN UNTIL JUST PRIOR TO NEXT GEAR. SAME THING WOULD HAPPEN. ALSO, WHEN THIS OCCURRED, I LOST ALL AIR CONDITIONING COOLING. FAN WOULD BLOW BUT NO COLD AIR.. DROVE FINE PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING AND DROVE FINE AFTER CAR SAT OVER NIGHT. HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE ISSUE BUT HAVE VIDEO AND PICTURES SHOWING NO RPM, BUT TRAVELLING/ ACCELERATING

Air BagsCrash
Filed Aug 17, 2019120,500 milesGA

MY DAUGHTER REAR ENDED ANOTHER CAR. HER AIR BAGS DID NO DEPLOY AND HER SEAT BELT DIDN'T LOCK. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS HURT.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 15, 2019139,372 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO CLASSIC KIA CARROLLTON (2920 N INTERSTATE 35E, CARROLLTON, TX 75007, (866) 559-8140) TO BE REPAIRED PER UNKNOWN RECALLS REGARDING THE ENGINE AND AIR BAGS. THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR 85 DAYS, BUT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SRS MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $854. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE DEALER WAS DISHONEST AND DID NOT TELL HER ABOUT THE SRS MODULE AT THE TIME OF THE INITIAL REPAIR. THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE SRS MODULE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE AIR BAG RECALL. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE DEALER AND FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF PEOPLE BRINGING THEIR VEHICLES IN FOR RECALL REPAIRS AND EXPERIENCED OTHER ISSUES AFTERWARDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND AGREED WITH THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,372.

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 15, 201968,000 milesKS

BEFORE I PAID OFF MY CAR IN 12-1-18, MY 2013'KIA OPTIMA'S PAINT STARTED CHIPPING OFF. IT HAS CHIPPED OFF FIRST ON THE HOOD AND THEN ON THE DOOR JAMS ON BOTH FRONT DOORS. I FIND THIS SUSPICIOUS IN THAT WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW, THEY WERE PUSHING AN EXTRA PAINT PROTECTION PROGRAM- - FOR A MEAR $2000 PLUS EXTRA! IT'S AS IF THEY KNEW THE PAINT WOULD FAIL IN LESS THAN FIVE YEARS.

Engine
Filed Aug 13, 2019122,856 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONSUMED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL AND THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL CLINKING NOISE. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE AND OIL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND FLASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SOUTHWEST KIA OF ROCKWALL (1790 INTERSTATE HWY 30, ROCKWALL, TX 75087, (469) 402-2900) WHERE AN ENGINE KNOCKING TEST WAS PERFORMED, BUT IT FAILED TWICE. IN ADDITION, OIL WAS ADDED TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO WHAT WAS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,,856. *TT *TR

Steering
Filed Aug 13, 2019107,236 milesGA

BACK IN 2016 THE STEERING RECALL ISSUE WAS REPAIRED ON MY VEHICLE. IN FED 2017 DURING THE 50K MILE WARRANTY INSPECTION KIA REPLACED THE POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY. ABOUT A WEEK AGO MY STEERING BEGAN TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE, LOTS OF PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL, VIBRATIONS FELT THROUGH THE PEDALS INTO THE STEERING. KIA IS NOW SAYING IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL THAT IT IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR TO A VEHICLE STEERING SHAFT OR ASSEMBLY. WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING IS VIBRATING AND DOES NOT FEEL TOTALLY CONNECTED TO THE WHEELS.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 6, 2019194,000 milesMA

DROVE TO GET ICE CREAM AND CAR WAS RUNNING WELL, WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. SHIFT THE CAR OFF TO ORDER ICE CREAM, AND WHEN GETTING BACK IN THE CAR, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. ALL THE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON AND MY MUSIC WOULD PLAY AS WELL AS THE AC TURNED ON, BUT NOTHING MORE THAN AN ALMOST SILENT TICKING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. HAD MY HUSBAND TRY TO JUMP THE CAR TO SEE IF THAT HELPS, AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME AND THE NEXT MORNING, MY HUSBAND AND I REPLACED THE IGNITION SENSOR FUSE AND THE CAR STARTED. THEN A COUPLE HOURS LATER I TRIED TO START THE CAR AGAIN, AND IT WAS DOING THE SAME THING. CAR HAS BEEN DISABLED EVER SINCE AND IS GOING ON 1 WEEK NOW. CAR BROKE DOWN ON WEDNESDAY 31 JULY, 2019. NOT TO MENTION THAT I JUST HAD MY RADIATOR COOLING FAN REPLACED TWO DAYS PRIOR TO THIS BREAKDOWN. I ALSO HAD MY REPLACEMENT RECALL ENGINE PLACED IN JUST ABOUT A MONTH AGO. ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS ARE HAPPENING AFTER THE RECALL HAS BEEN PLACED, AND THE ONLY THING I GET IS KICK BACK WHEN I SAY THIS CANNOT BE COINCIDENTAL. I GET TOLD THAT MY CAR HAS MANY MILES ON IT SO THINGS ARE EXPECTED TO BREAK. UNACCEPTABLE AND UNAPPRECIATED AND JUST DOWN RIGHT WRONG. *TR

Steering
Filed Jul 31, 2019TX

THE STEERING STICKS AND THERE IS OBVIOUS EVIDENCE OF RESISTANCE WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK IT TO PATTERSON KIA IN ARLINGTON, TX AND THEY PERFORMED A SOFTWARE UPDATE. THIS IS A MECHANICAL ISSUE AND OF GREAT SAFETY CONCERNS. THIS IS SUBSEQUENT TO PRIOR RECALL SERVICE PERFORMED ON THE STEERING.

Engine
Filed Jul 26, 2019135,000 milesOK

ENGINEERING DIED WITH NO WARNIGS ON STATE HIGHWAY 33 WHILE MOVING

Engine
Filed Jul 23, 2019100,350 milesAR

THIS CONCERNS KIA RECALL SC147. I HAVE A 2013 KIA OPTIMA EX THAT I PURCHASED USED WITH 98,000 MILES ON IT IN FEBRUARY 2019. THE CAR DROVE PERFECT WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. I RECENTLY HAD THE OIL CHANGED IN JUNE. A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER THE MOTOR STARTED KNOCKING SLIGHTLY FOR NO REASON AFTER A RECENT TRIP TO MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE. THE ENGINE STALLED IN TRAFFIC SO I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND I WAS ABLE TO CRANK IT BACK UP. THE NEXT MORNING IT WAS REALLY KNOCKING LOUDLY SO I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THE ENGINE WAS TRYING TO THROW A ROD.

Engine
Filed Jul 17, 2019NC

THE IGNITION SWITCH WON'T TURN, CAR SEEMS TO BE ON EVEN THOUGH LETS AREN'T IN IGNITIINNSWITCH, RADIO COMES ON BUT CAR LET STICK IN ON POSITION AND WON'T TURN..DOORS WON'T LOCK UNLESS KEY IS USED

EngineFire
Filed Jul 17, 201984,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILED DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED AND MOMENTS LATER SMOKE AND FLAMES WAS PRESENT COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

Engine
Filed Jul 17, 2019111,000 milesNM

THE MOTOR IN MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA SPUN A ROD BEARING ON THE WAY TO A OUT OF TOWN SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT FOR MY DAUGHTER THE WEEKEND OF JUNE 28TH THRU JUNE 30 2019. MY FAMILY AND I WERE ABOUT 40 MILES AWAY FROM HOME ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LOSE POWER. WE STOPPED TO CHECK THE CAR TO SEE WHAT COULD BE THE PROBLEM AND THAT'S WHEN I HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE MOTOR. AT THAT POINT I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC SHOP IN ANOTHER CITY AND STAR WHERE THE CAR STILL IS TODAY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN STARTED SPENCE THE DAY OF BREAK DOWN.(JUNE 28TH 2019)THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED ME TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM AND WITH YOUR VIN LOOKUP TOOL I WAS ABLE TO FIND OUT THAT THE MOTOR DOES HAVE A RECALL ON IT FOR THIS VERY REASON. (OIL PASSAGES MAY BE BLOCK DUE TO DEBRIS FROM MANUFACTURER CLEANING DEFECT. CAUSING PREMATURE ROD BEARING WEAR FROM NOT CLEANING ENGINE PROPERLY BEFORE ENGINE ASSEMBLY).. I NEVER RECEIVED NOTICE IN THE MAIL ABOUT A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE NOR DO I HAVE RECALL NUMBER. THE MECHANIC IS WILLING TO FIX THE ENTIRE PROBLEM FOR US BUT I NEED TO KNOW IF I SHOULD ALLOW HIM AND WILL RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT AFTER PAID REPAIRS OR WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A KIA AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.

Power Train
Filed Jul 16, 2019187,256 milesCA

IM DRIVING IN THE CITY STREETS THE CAR HAS HAD A CODE THAT CAME UP 1 MONTH AFTER THE IT IS A CORE TO REPLACE TUBE TO THE SXL TURBO THIS WORK WAS PERFORMED AT THE TIME OF THE SECOND ENGINE REPAIR DUE TO RECALL I HAVE CONTACTED KIA AND TOLD THEM OF THE ISSUE NOW CURRENTLY AS I WAIT FOR MY APPOINTMENT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS SO BACKED UP I NOW HAVE A ISSUE WHERE I CAN NOT REVERSE THE CAR WANTS TO SHUT OFF AS I ACCELERATE AND IT FEELS LIKE THERE IS A PARKING BRAKE ON I TOLD KIA THE CAR JERKS GOING INTO 1ST GEAR AND THEN ACCELERATES WITH A JERKING MOTION TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC VERIFIED ONLY CODE THAT SHOWS UP IS FOR THE TURBO IT HAS A FLUTTER THAT NEEDS TO BE ADJUSTED OR LINE REPLACEMENT BUT I HAVE PROOF THAT THAT WORK WAS ALREADY DONE I DO NOT KNOW IF THE CAR WILL MAKE THE APPOINTMENT TIME NOW THAT IT IS 5 DAYS OUT VERY DANGEROUS DUE TO CAR IS NOT ABLE TO ACCELERATE AT A SAFE SPEED GOING INTO ANY INTERSECTION

Power Train
Filed Jul 16, 2019115,300 milesMD

VEHICLE STALLS OUT AND LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING. AT TIMES ENGINE LIGHT MAY FLICKER. SOMETIMES ON START UP ENGINE WILL PUTTER LIKES ITS NOT FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS. AFTER RETSTART SEVERAL TIMES THE RPM GAGE WILL NOT MOVE WHILE DRIVING. DEALER DROVE VEHICLE BUT COULD NOT FUND ANY CODES APPEARING AND PROBLEM DID NOT OCCUR WHILE IN SHOP. PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS OFF AND ON. ON ONE OCCASION I WAS NEARLY REAR ENDED ON THE FREEWAY WHEN VEHICLE STALLED OUT AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH.

Engine
Filed Jul 14, 201952 milesCA

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON THE FREEWAY MY KIA SUDDENLY STALLED CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO STEER THE CAR OFF THE FREEWAY BARELY AVOIDING GETTING STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY. LUCKILY TRAFFIC WASN'T BAD BUT I DID HAVE TO AVOID GETTING HIT BY ONCOMING CARS.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 13, 201974,000 milesSD

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START MY VEHICLE EVERYTHING TURNED ON IN THE CAR EXCEPT THE CAR ITSELF. BRAKE PEDAL WAS STIFF AND NOTHING WOULD TURN THE ENGINE ON. IT TOOK OVER 10 MINUTES AND WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO FIRE. HAS HAPPENED TWICE TODAY 7/13/19. THE VEHICLE IS A PUSH BUTTON START WITH BATTERY CHARGE OF 95% AND NEW BATTERIES IN THE FOB.

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights
Filed Jul 12, 201970,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jul 12, 201980,000 milesCA

MY BAKE TAIL LIGHT KEEP MOISTURE AND HOLDS WATER WHEN IT RAINS, WHICH HAS CAUSED ME TO REPLACE BAKE LIGHT OFTEN. THE SEALS ON THE LIGHTS AREN'T AIR TIGHT. IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS.

Engine
Filed Jul 10, 2019117,000 milesSC

ENGINE NOISE, SOUND LIKE SOMETHING LOSE INSIDE. WHILE RUNNING STATIONARY AND MOVING, HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE VEHICLE SINCE NOISE STARTED 3 MONTHS AGO. NOT SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. READ ABOUT RECALL JUST LAST WEEK.

EngineFire
Filed Jul 9, 201992,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS IT CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS BURNED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT SURE IF A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

Engine
Filed Jul 9, 201997,000 milesCA

CHECK ENGINE CAME ON AND CARMAX SAID IT NEEDS A NEW ENGINE

Air Bags
Filed Jul 8, 201983,585 milesVA

CAR STOPPED WORKING MOTOR MAKING LOUD POPPING SOUNDS AND STOPPED ON ME..THERE WAS NO INDICATION OR WARNINGS..

EngineFire
Filed Jul 2, 201995,000 milesOH

MY BRAKES FELT LIKE THEY LOCKED UP AND GAS PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR SO I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT. I WASN'T SURE OF THE PROBLEM AT ALL. I LEFT IT THERE FOR APPROXIMATELY 4HOURS BEFORE COMING BACK TO IT. I WANTED TO SEE IF THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED BEFORE CALLING A TOW TRUCK. AFTER I HIT THE IGNITION TO START MY CAR IT BEGAN TO SMOKE IN THE ENGINE. I CALLED 911 AND BY THE TIME THEY GOT THERE IT BEGAN TO SHOOT FLAMES FROM THE ENGINE. ALL THE DAMAGE WAS IN THE ENGINE AND IT WAS COMPLETELY MELTED TO NOTHING. MY INSURANCE ADJUSTER SAID SHE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING SO BAD LIKE THAT IN AN ENGINE. THE MAN AT THE COLLISION CENTER TOLD HER THAT IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS FUELED BY GASOLINE IN THE ENGINE. OBVIOUSLY THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG IN THE ENGINE FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. I AM JUST GLAD I WASN'T DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN IT HAPPENED. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW A VEHICLE CAN BE SITTING STATIONARY AND CATCH ON FIRE. MY CAR IS AT A TOTAL LOSS ACCORDING TO MY INSURANCE ADJUST TODAY. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED WITH WHAT HAPPENED AND NOW I AM WITHOUT A CAR. I WANT SOME ANSWERS AS TO WHY MY ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND I FEEL THAT KIA NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT HAPPENED. THIS WAS THE FIRST CAR I HAVE EVER PURCHASED ON MY OWN AND I HAVE NOT EVEN HAD IT A YEAR AND THIS HAPPENS.

Engine
Filed Jun 28, 201964,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED IN TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND COULD NOT RESTART THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER RESTARTED AND DRIVEN TO QUATRO MOTORS (24820 PLYMOUTH ROAD, REDFORD MI, 48239, 313-794-9494) FROM WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO GLASS MAN KIA (28000 TELEGRAPH RD, SOUTHFIELD, MI 48034, (855) 237-2819) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

Steering
Filed Jun 27, 201968,000 milesUT

THERE IS A SMALL RUBBER-LIKE COUPLING IN THE STEERING MECHANISM. IT FAILED AND PRODUCED ABOUT A QUARTER TURN OF SLACK IN THE STEERING WHEEL. IN READING TO ONLINE POSTS IT APPEARS THAT FAILURE IS COMMON. THE PARTS TECHNICIAN AT THE KIA DEALERSHIP DIDN'T NEED TO LOOK UP THE PART NUMBER...HE JUST REACHED IN A DRAWER NEARBY AND PULLED A NEW ONE OUT. THE PROBLEM CHANGED FROM A OCCASIONAL CLICK TO VERY SLOPPY STEERING WHILE DRIVING ON A 2 MILE STRETCH OF RUTTED ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH.. I HAVE ATTACHED A PICTURE OF THE FAILED PART AND ONE OF THE NEW PART.

Engine
Filed Jun 25, 2019100,000 milesIL

MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND LUCKILY I DIDNT GET INTO ACCIDENT AND WAS ABLE TO PARK NEARBY TO WAIT FOR A TOWED TRUCK. THIS IS VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO

Engine
Filed Jun 22, 2019104,000 milesTN

MY FRIEND WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND WHILE IN THE TURNING LANE MY CAR SHUTS OFF. CAR WOULD NOT TURN ON AND IT WOULD NOT TAKE A JUMP. THE LOCATION WAS A BUSY STREET IN MEMPHIS.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Jun 20, 201974,439 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WITHIN FIVE MINUTES OF ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT'S LIPS AND EYES STARTED TO BURN AND THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE CABIN. THE FAILURES OCCURRED AFTER THE CONTACT FILLED THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE COULD NOT BREATHE INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR MADE HER SICK. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT AT CROWN KIA (5500 34TH ST N, ST. PETERSBURG, FL 33714, (844) 921-3247). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,439.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jun 20, 201991,000 milesFL

MY KIA WOULD JUST CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC IF I IDLING AT A LIGHT OR AT A STOP SIGN. I EVEN NOTICED WHEN I WHEN TO PUT FUEL IN THE TANK THE CAR HAD A HARD TIME TURNING BACK ON.

EngineCrash
Filed Jun 18, 2019100,000 milesOK

TAKARA RECALL: MY ENGINE HAD BEEN KNOCKING/SHAKING FOR A GOOD MINUTE NOW. WHEN I HAVE IT RUNNING AND HOOD OPEN IT'S JUST VIBRATING EXTREMELY HARD AND CONSTANTLY.I'VE NOTICED IT WANTS TO STALL OR NO SHIFT CORRECTLY AFTER A DEAD STOP AND SOMETHING GOING INTO 3RD GEAR. EVEN WHILE JUST IDLING I CAN FEEL THE ENGINE SHAKING THE WHOLE CAR FROM INSIDE.

Engine
Filed Jun 14, 2019TX

SEE SERVICE REPORT

Engine
Filed Jun 13, 2019120,794 milesMI

WHILE DRIVING ON WESTBOUND 696 AT APPROX 70 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BLINKING. ENGINE MILEAGE 120,794 RECALL SERVICE PERFORMED AT KIA DEALER AT 116,214 MILES.

Engine
Filed Jun 11, 201913 milesCA

ENGINE RECALL. DEALERSHIP FIRST RECEIVED VEHICLE REPAIR MARCH 4, 2019 FOR COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT DUE TO RECALL AND CAR BECOME COMPLETELY IMMOBILE WHILE ON FREEWAYS. AND TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME FIRST ENGINE FAILED AND REORDERED A NEW ENGINE. RECEIVED VEHICLE BACK FROM 2ND ATTEMPT OF ENGINE REPAIR MAY 16, 2019. VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED MAY 31,2019. RETURNED VHEICLE BACK TO DEALERSHIP. REPAIR TO HARNESS AND NOC SENSOR. RECEIVED VEHICLE BACK FOR REPAIR JUNE 8TH. ON JUNE 10TH VEHICLE BECAME IMMOBILE AGAIN WHILE DRIVING OUT OF PARKING LOT AND TOWED TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. WAITING ON DEALERSHIP FOR DETAILS OF CAR PROBLEMS.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jun 10, 2019FL

WHEN DRIVING MY VEHICLE I CAN SMELL GAS FUMES INSIDE OF THE CAR. THIS STARTED ON THE LATTER PART OF LAST YEAR. I CONTACTED MY THE CENTER THAT SERVICES MY CAR. TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE ASKED THEM TO CHECK FOR THE SMELL. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY DIDN'T SMELL ANYTHING. I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC FEE THE HAVE IT CHECKED. I HAVE SCHEDULED TO HAVE MY CAR SERVICED ON JUNE 18 AND I WILL BE PAYING TO HAVE IT RUN THEM. CURIOUS IF THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM. I HAVE BECOME VERY INSECURE IN DRIVING MY CAR. WHAT ELSE CAN I DO IN THIS CASE?

Engine
Filed Jun 8, 201963,000 milesCO

ENGINE BURNING OIL. KNOCKING WHEN ACCELERATING.

EngineFire
Filed Jun 5, 2019110,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SPEED SUDDENLY DECREASED BEFORE STALLING. SMOKE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER LIFTING THE HOOD FLAMES WERE PRESENT COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. DURING THE INCIDENT THE A VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A FIRE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HIS 3 CHILDREN WERE PRESENT AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED ASSISTANCE WITH A RENTAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Engine
Filed Jun 4, 2019126,000 milesTX

TAKATA RECALL ENGINE OIL IS BURNING AWAY AND THE REPLACEMENT OF OIL IS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT. USED TWO QUARTS IN LAST 7 DAYS

Engine
Filed Jun 2, 2019150,000 milesNC

WAS DRIVING VEHICLE 65 MPH ON INTERSTATE HWY WHEN ENGINE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING OF ANY KIND. VEHICLE WILL NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED

Engine
Filed May 26, 2019102,000 milesOH

MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA SX BURNS EXCESSIVE OIL AND PRODUCES EXCESSIVE EXHAUST SMOKE. THE DEALERSHIP ORIGINALLY TOLD ME I HAD A FAULTY EXHAUST CONTROL VALVE. AFTER I REPLACED THAT VALVE, HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM(S) PERSISTED. AT MY LAST SERVICE VISIT, THE DEALERSHIP SIMPLY TOPPED-OFF THE OIL TO GET THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION AND CHECK OIL WARNING LIGHTS TO GO OFF. UPON LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP, I SOON DISCOVERED THAT THE EXCESSIVE EXHAUST SMOKE REMAINED. THE ONLY TIME THE EXCESSIVE EXHAUST SMOKE DISSIPATES IS WHEN MOST OR ALL OF THE OIL HAS BURNED OFF. (THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT A SECOND DEALERSHIP SIMPLY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T DIAGNOSE OR FIX THE PROBLEM.)

Unknown or Other
Filed May 23, 2019TX

PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT , IT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 7 TIMES AND PER SOUTHWEST KIA THE ENTIRE KIT WOULD HAVE TO BE CHANGED. AND IT'S ONLY THE PASSENGER SIDE THAT HAS THE ISSUE. THE DATE REFLECTS THE MOST RECENT TIME IT'S HAPPENED

Unknown or Other
Filed May 22, 201951,276 milesCA

DRIVING HOME ON THE HIGHWAY ON A SUNDAY EVENING ON MAY 19, 2019 IN OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, MY SUNROOF (SPECIFICALLY, THE MIDDLE PANEL OF THE THREE GLASS ROOF PANELS ON THE KIA OPTIMA SX 2013) SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING CRACKED, LETTING OFF AN EAR-PIERCING POP. I DROVE TO A SAFE PLACE WITH MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON, HEARING PIECES OF GLASS FALL OFF OF MY CAR INTO THE LANE BEHIND ME. THE SUNROOF WAS CLOSED AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, AND FORTUNATELY, THE FABRIC SUN SHADE UNDERNEATH WAS CLOSED, SO I WAS SPARED FROM THE SHOWER OF GLASS AND INJURY OTHER CAR OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED DURING THIS EXPLOSION OF GLASS. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND ME AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT AND NO DEBRIS, AND I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A SMOOTHLY PAVED ROAD. WHEN I INSPECTED THE SUNROOF, THERE WAS A HUGE HOLE IN THE CENTER OF THE GLASS PANEL AND THE BROKEN GLASS AROUND THE HOLE WAS POINTING UPWARD INTO THE SKY. THE ENTIRE GLASS PANEL WAS SHATTERED BUT STILL IN PLACE. THERE WAS NO DEBRIS OR A ROCK INSIDE THE SUN SHADE UNDERNEATH THAT COULD EXPLAIN THE HOLE. IT WAS ALTOGETHER EERIE AND VERY FRIGHTENING AND TRAUMATIZING, AND I WAS GRATEFUL I WASN'T KILLED BY ANY POTENTIAL ACCIDENT THAT COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THIS UNSAFE SUNROOF EXPLOSION. I AM IN PROCESS OF GETTING IT REPAIRED AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR USED, AND I HAVE MADE A CLAIM WITH BOTH MY CAR INSURANCE COMPANY (GEICO, WHO HAS NOT BEEN VERY HELPFUL IN ACKNOWLEDGING THIS AS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT), AND WITH KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS

Exterior Lighting
Filed May 22, 2019MO

PASSENGER HEADLIGHT KEEPS BURNING OUT.

EngineCrashFire
Filed May 22, 2019114,000 milesVA

A RECALL WAS ISSUED TO ME BY KIA IN 2017 WHEN WE HAD THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE TOTALLY REPLACED. ON MAY 16, 2019 MY SON WAS DRIVING WHEN PASSERBY'S WERE HONKING AND FLASHING THEIR LIGHTS AT HIM. HE NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE, WHEN HE LOST STEERING, AND BREAKS. HE JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR WHILE MOVING AND THEN THE CAR EXPLODED, A TOTAL OF 3 SEPARATE TIMES BEFORE FIRE AND EMERGENCY PERSONNEL ARRIVED ON SCENE. FIRE REPORT AND INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY.

Engine
Filed May 22, 2019190,000 milesTX

WHILE ON THE FREEWAY THE VEHICLE FROZE UP AND LOCKED. WE SMELT A STRONG BURN ODOR. MECHANIC CHECKED FUSES AND WE THOUGHT IT WAS WIRING OR POSSIBLY THE MOTOR BUT TURNS OUT THE STARTER WENT BAD. THE BURN SMELL CAME FROM THE COIL WIRE ON THE STARTER.

Engine
Filed May 22, 2019156,000 milesNJ

CAR STOPPED WHILE PROCEEDING THROUGH A TOLL. TRIED GETTING A JUMP TO START IT. MOTOR WOULD NOT TURN OVER .STARTER HAD A STEEL EVERY TIME TRYING TO START IT.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 26, 2019124,000 milesAR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V363000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED CRAIN KIA OF SHERWOOD (5830 WARDEN RD, SHERWOOD, AR 72120, (501) 436-4852 23502) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PREVIOUSLY COMPLETED ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 12843689. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO PROVIDED A LOANER VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Engine
Filed Apr 23, 2019107,000 milesAR

I OWN A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE FIRST TIME I NOTICED THE ISSUE, I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE MILES FROM HOME ON A FAMILY TRIP. I NOTICED THE OIL LIGHT FLICKERING WHEN I DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR, AND ALSO SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I PULLED OFF AT THE NEAREST SERVICE STATION AND CHECKED THE OIL AND FOUND NO OIL ON THE DIPSTICK OTHER THAN SOME BURNT OIL RESIDUE. THE STRONG BURNING SMELL AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE OPENING. I IMMEDIATELY ADDED OIL AND HAVE BEEN KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON IT EVER SINCE. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND HAVE LEARNED OF THE MANY PROBLEMS THAT KIA OWNERS ARE HAVING WITH THESE PARTICULAR ENGINES. THE DEALERSHIP CONDUCTED A OIL CONSUMPTION TEST AND DETERMINED THE CAR IS LOSING A LITTLE OVER A QUART OF OIL EVERY 1000 MILES OR SO, BUT ISN'T LEAKING ANYWHERE. I HAVE READ MANY OF THE STORIES OF ENGINE FAILURES AND FIRES CAUSED BY THIS AND I DO NOT WANT TO EXPERIENCE THIS WHILE ON THE ROAD WITH MY FAMILY. THIS CAR ONLY HAD ABOUT 107,000 MILES ON IT WHEN I FIRST NOTICED THIS OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND SHOULD NOT BE GOING THROUGH OIL LIKE THIS WITH SO LITTLE MILES ON IT. THE DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME THAT THERE IS NO WARRANTY THAT COVERS THIS AND NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED DESPITE ALL OF THE TROUBLE KIA OWNERS ARE HAVING. I DON'T TRUST THE CAR ON THE ROAD WITH MY FAMILY AND I DON'T KNOW WHERE ELSE TO TURN. PLEASE HELP WITH THIS. THANK YOU!

Engine
Filed Apr 23, 20197,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V907000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO SOUTHSIDE KIA (9401 ATLANTIC BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32225, (904) 406-7779) THREE TIMES TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2013 Kia Optima → · Every Optima year → · How the figures are calculated →