Page 20 of 28 · complaints 951–1,000 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 →

Structure › BodyFire
Filed Apr 22, 201970,000 milesVA

WAITING ON A RED LIGHT, THE KIA OPTIMA STALLED AND THEN SMOKE STARTED COMING INTO THE CABIN. WITHIN SECONDS THE FRONT OF THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE AND MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN HAD A VERY LIMITED TIME TO GET OUT FROM THE BURNING CAR INTO SAFETY. THE BURNING CAR WAS EVENTUALLY EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. LOCAL POLICE CORDONED OFF THE LANE TO PROVIDE SAFETY FOR MY FAMILY AND OTHERS MOTORISTS ON THE ROAD. THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR AND THE TIME OF THE FIRE WAS AROUND 12:30PM.

Steering
Filed Apr 22, 201960,000 milesTX

THE STEERING WHEEL JUST STARTED MAKING A CLICKING SOUND AND IT SHACKS WHEN I WAS DRIVING

Engine
Filed Apr 19, 2019126,000 milesOR

MY CAR ENGINE SHUT DOWN AFTER MAKING A LEFT TURN, WHICH I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED BY TRAFFIC TURNING RIGHT FROM A FASTER STREET. I HAD TO PLACE THE CAR IN PARK TO RESTART THE ENGINE AFTER A COUPLE TRIES. I NOTICED MY ENGINE LIGHT AND OTHER LIGHTS ON DASH TURNED RED. AFTER A COUPLE TRIES THE ENGINE STARTED AND I SEEN MY OIL LIGHT ALSO SO I THOUGHT MAYBE MY OIL WAS BAD SO I WENT AND HAD AN OIL CHANGE DONE AND AFTER GETTING THAT COMPLETED WAS DRIVING HOME AND MY ENGINE HAS THIS KNOCKING NOISE NOW AND IT SEEMED TO GET WORSE. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT SHOWED THAT THE OVERHEAD CAM SENSOR WAS THE CAUSE OF THE LIGHT. BUT AFTER CHANGING THE OIL THE LIGHT WENT OUT. TECHNICIAN STATED THE CAR WAS A QUART LOW BEFORE THE OIL WAS CHANGED OUT. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE I USED THE BEST OIL AND CHANGED MY OIL ON A REGULAR BASIS AND HAVE RECORDS TO SHOW IF NEEDED.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 18, 2019130,000 milesNC

WHILE DRIVING DASH LIGHTS CAME ON AND OFF.. LOST ACCELERATION POWER. ITERMITTEN POWER. CAME TO A STOPLIGHT LOST ACCELERATION TRIED TO PRESS GAS TO ACCELERATE AND SOUNED LIKE POTS AND PANS BANGING WHILE ACCELERATION HEAR A LOUD BANG AND SHATTERING METAL. MMANAGED TO PULL OVER ON HIGHWAY ..OPENED HOOD AND SAW OIL SUBSTANCE ALL OVER ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND AROUND FIREWALL. PARTS WERE RECOVERED. TOWED. KIA SHOP NOTIFIED AS IT WAS SERVICE FOR THE WARRANTY SHARDS BACK IN OCTOBER OF 2017 AND CLAIMED NO ISSUES. OIL WAS CHANGED.

Engine
Filed Apr 17, 2019SC

RECALL, STEERING WHEEL KNOCK

Engine
Filed Apr 17, 2019123,000 milesGA

WHILE DRIVING, MY DASHBOARD LIT UP AND MY CAR SHUT OFF. WHILE I'M TRAFFIC. I WAS GOING ABOUT 55MPH. I WAS NOT ABLE TO ACCELERATE OR BREAK. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO A NEAR BY PARKING LOT WHERE IT PARKED MY CAR. FROM THERE I TRIED TO RESTART MY CAR, BUT IT NEVER CAME BACK ON.I ATTEMPTED TO TURN IT ON, BUT ALL I HEARD WAS A CLICKING SOUND. IT'S NOT MY BATTERY AS I HAD IT CHECKED NOR DID ANY CODES COME UP ON MY COMPUTER WHEN I HOOKED MY CAR UP. HAD IT TOWED TOWED HOME AND HAVING A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT IN THE MORNING

Engine
Filed Apr 13, 2019IN

I WAS DRIVING THAN SUDDENLY ALL MY LIGHTS CAME ACROSS MY DASHBOARD.THSN MY CAR CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN SO I PULLED OVER!THANK IT CUT OFF

Unknown or OtherFire
Filed Apr 9, 201991,000 milesAR

MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN I WAS ASLEEP AND BURNED TO THE GROUND

Engine
Filed Apr 4, 201999,000 milesTX

OIL IS COMPLETELY EMPTY BEFORE 1000 MILES AFTER AN OIL CHANGE. HAVE SWITCHED TO SYNTHETIC OIL AND USED ADDITIVES. NOTHING HAS HELPED AND I AM ADDING AT LEAST 6-8 QUARTS FOR 3000 MILES. ALSO THE HEADLIGHTS ARE HORRIBLE. I CAN NOT SEE 10 FEET PASS MY FRONT END AT NIGHT. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND NEW BULBS DO NOT HELP. IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, BUT KIA COULD CARE LESS. NOT ONLY CAN I NOT SEE BUT I'M DRIVING A DEATH TRAP THAT WILL MOST LIKELY CATCH FIRE LIKE THOUSANDS OF THE 2013 HAVE ALREADY. HOW DO THESE CAR COMPANIES GET AWAY WITH THIS?

Air BagsFire
Filed Apr 3, 201979,000 milesMA

I WAS DRIVING FROM WOBURN MA ON NEW BOSTON ROAD HEADED TO WILMINGTON MA AND MY CAR SEEMED TO SHUT DOWN I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER OFF THE STREET NEXT TO A CURB LOCATION 147 NEW BOSTON RD. I TRIED TO START MY CAR PRESSING THE PUSH BUTTON START ONLY LIGHTS CAME ON ON THE OIL HAS ENGINE BATTERY... WHILE STILL SITTING IN THE CAR I WAS TRYING TO MAKE SOME CALLS I SMELLED A BURNING SMELL I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. THE SMOKE INCREASED RAPIDLY I EXITED THE CAR CALLED 911. WHILE WAITING FOR HELP TO ARRIVE I GRABBED SOME ITEMS FROM THE GLOVE BOX AND BACK SEAT THE FRONT OF THE CAR AT THAT POINT FLAMES WERE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD THE FLAMES ESCALATED TO POP THE HOOD A LARGE FIRE HAD IGNIGHTED FROM THE ENGINE AREA THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT OUT THE FIRE. A TOW TRUCK TOWED THE CAR AWAY.

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 1, 201923,000 milesCT

THE TRACTION CONTROL ON THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS. IF THE TIRES SLIP FOR ANY REASON, POWER TO THE ENGINE IS CUT. THIS CAN BE A SLIGHT SLIP FROM WATER ON THE ROAD, STEPPING ON THE GAS TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC, OR DRIVING IN ICY OR SNOW CONDITIONS. YOU HAVE TO GIVE THE CAR AT LEAST 10-20 SECONDS TO MOVE AGAIN. WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC THIS COULD BE DEADLY. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS INCIDENTS WHERE I WAS ALMOST HIT WHILE WAITING FOR THE ENGINE TO RE-ENGAGE. SOMETIMES I AM THEN STEPPING ON THE GAS, CASUSING ANOTHER SLIP AND STALL IN THE SAME INSTANCE, THERE IS A SWITCH THAT CAN BE ENGAGED TO TURN THIS OFF, BUT YOU HAVE TO TURN IT OFF EVERY TIME YOU START THE CAR. I HAVE ASKED AT LEAST THREE DIFFERENT KIA DEALERS ABOUT THIS RIGHT AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE SEE IF IT COULD BE PERMANENTLY TURNED OFF, BUT WAS ALWAYS TOLD NO.

Engine
Filed Mar 30, 2019TX

WAS DRIVING DROWN THE ROAD OUT OF MY SUBDIVISION. ENGINE JUST SHUT DOWN AND WOULDN'T START. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AND JUST SHUT OFF. I AM BLESSED THAT IT DIDN'T HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY.

EngineFire
Filed Mar 28, 201960,000 milesTX

WAS DRIVING ON I45 IN PFLUGERVILLE DOING A U TURN TO GO WEST BOUND. HEARD A LOUD BAND LIKE SOMETHING "FELL OUT" OF THE CAR. PULLED OVER AND THE CAR STARTED TO SHOOT SPARKS AND FLAMES. I WAS WITH MY LITTLE BROTHER AN SOME FRIENDS SO WE ALL JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR. MY MOM PICKED US ALL UP AND TXDOT STAYED WITH THE CAR WHILE MY MOM GOT A TOW TRUCK. MY MOM CALL INSURANCE AND HAD THE CAR TO HER MECHANIC AND WHEN THEY STARTED IT UP IT IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO SHOOT FLAMES AND SPARKS. THEY FOUND A HOLD IN THE ENGINE. THE MECHANIC INSPECTED IT AND HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT ON A 60K MILE CAR. KIA HAS SO MANY RECALLS AND THIS CAR MAKE MODEL AND YEAR WAS IN THE RECALL ABUT NOT THE VIN NUMBER. SOUTHWEST KIA IN AUSTIN TOOK FOREVER TO "INVESTIGATE." THEY ARE NOW TRYING TO SAY THAT IT'S NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS BUT RATHER JIFFY LUBE LEFT A RAG IN CAR THAT GOT SUCKED THROUGH THE DIPSTICKS AND WRAPPED AROUND THE CRANK SHANK. I HAD DRIVEN FROM TEXAS TO ARIZONA TO COLORADO AND BACK TO TEXAS BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. THERE WAS NO PROBLEMS BEFORE THIS. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF THIS RAG FROM PRIOR MECHANICS THAT LOOKED AT IT BEFORE KIA DID THEIR INVESTIGATION. IT IS BELIEVED THAT THIS IS A FAULTY ISSUE WITH KIA AND THEY ARE TRYING TO NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ENGINE CATCHING FIRE. THEY ARE RECALLING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF CARS FOR ENGINE FIRES. WHEN DEALING WITH KIA NOW THEY ARE HOSTILE AND CALL IT AN "ALLEGED FIRE." THEY ARE NOW SAYING AN ADJUSTER NEEDS TO LOOK AT IT BUT THAT WAS OVER

Engine
Filed Mar 27, 2019140,000 milesNH

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON CODE READS HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. WHEN STARTING THE CAR IT IS VERY SLUGGISH AND HAS FLUTTERING RPMS FOR THE FIRST 10 15 MINUTES WHEN DRIVING THE CAR IS JERKY AND HESITANT TO ACCELERATE. THERE IS CURRENTLY A ACTIVE RECALL ON THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP BUT MY VIN IS NOT LISTED UNDER THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH IT WAS LISTED ON THE ENGINE RECALL. WAS TOLD I DID NOT NEED A NEW ENGINE BUT WAS GIVEN AN OIL CHANGE ABS NEW OIL PAN AND THE PROBLEM STARTED SHORTLY AFTER

EngineFire
Filed Mar 26, 2019100,400 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND POWERED DOWN. THE CONTACT'S SON PULLED OVER IN FRONT OF A STORE. WHEN HE OPENED THE HOOD, HE NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THE BUSINESS OWNER OF THE STORE EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH A WATER HOSE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS PRESENT, BUT THE FIRE HAD ALREADY BEEN EXTINGUISHED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BECK & MASTEN KIA (25503 TOMBALL PKWY, TOMBALL, TX 77377, (281) 539-1111). THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,400. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Mar 21, 2019200,000 milesMS

MY CAR HAVE BEEN READING MECHANISM ERROR ON THE RADIO FOR 6 MONTHS. RECENTLY MY LIGHTBULB WENT OUT THEN THE OTHER,, I DIDN'T HAVE 100 A PIECE SO I USED HIGH BEAM NOW ONE OF THOSE OUT. MY BACKSEAT INTERIOR LIGHT OUT WHICH ALL IS FINE I'M ASSUMING JUS NEED REPLACEMENT. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN I SAW SMOKE THEN A LOUD POP MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP,, BRAKES IN ALL I BARELY MADE IT OFF THE ROAD THE WHEEL WAS SO TIGHT. I GET OUT TO A EXPLODED TIRE TORE UP BUMPER AND FENDER. EPS ENGINE LIGHT ALONG WITH A FEW OTHERS ARE ON. I GET MY CAR TOWED GET THE CRACKED RIMMED FIXED AND PROCEEDING TO FIX BUMPER AND FENDER BECAUSE I NATURALLY ASSUMED BAD TIRES. TODAY I'M DRIVING AGAIN I SUDDENLY SEE SMOKE THEN THE ENTIRE CAR SHUTS DOWN. I'VE TRIED A BOOST EVERYTHING CAME ON EXCEPT THE ENGINE. I TRIED PUTTING THE KEY IN THE SIDE COMPARTMENT STILL NOTHING. ALL LIGHTS ARE ON,, ON THE DASHBOARD ENGINE TIRE PRESSURE ETC. I REALLY CAN'T SAY WHAT'S THE PROBLEM BUT THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS HAPPENED. I'M LOSING MONEY AND MY CAR. I'M WITHOUT A CAR AS OF NOW.!

Electrical System
Filed Mar 21, 2019200,000 milesMS

I RECENTLY REPORTED PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR I FORGOT TO MENTION THAT IT KEEPS READING MY KEY IS NOT IN VEHICLE WHICH MY KEY WILL BE INSIDE THE CAR, I'LL HAVE TO PUT MY KEY IN THE COMPARTMENT IN GLOVE BOX, IT USE TO WORK BUT AFTER EVERYTHING SHUTDOWN YESTERDAY IT WON'T START AT ALL.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 21, 201965,000 milesCO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE HORN FAILED TO SOUND. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. ALSO, SINCE THE AIRBAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED THE FOLLOWING NO LONGER WORKS: HORN, CRUISE CONTROL, ECO, RESET AND TRIP, ELECTRIC WINDOWS ARE SPERATIC; MEANING WHEN YOU GO TO ROLL WINDOWS UP THEY START TO ROLL UP 1/4 OF THE WAY THAN THEY ROLL DOWN. *BF..*JB

Steering
Filed Mar 19, 2019KS

TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER (NOV16 60523 MILES) BECAUSE THE STEERING HAD A STICKING ISSUE WHILE DRIVING. A TSB WAS PERFORMED AND IT DID NOT CORRECT THE ISSUE. THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. THE DEALER SAID IT WOULD BE A 50/50 COST AS IT WAS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. ON 18 MAR 2019 WE TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN DUE TO STICKING. IT WAS JUST OVER 2 YEARS AND 13677 MILES AGAIN THEY TOLD US IT WAS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THESE ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS GOING OUT AS IT CONTROLS THE STEERING OF THE CAR AND AS WE CAN TELL YOU HAS CAUSED SOME OVER STEERING WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL STICKS AND ADDITIONAL PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO GET THE VEHICLE TO RESPOND TO THE STEERING INPUT

Engine
Filed Mar 19, 2019TX

ISSUES WITH THE ENGINE- THETA II ENGINE SINCE 2015 (PREVIOUS OWNER LIZ REPORTED). I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE MARCH 2018 AND SENT IT IN KIA A MONTH LATER. LOCAL DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BUT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY I PURCHASED DIDN'T APPROVE IT BECAUSE IT WAS A PREVIOUS PROBLEM (2015 ) OVAL DEALERSHIP TOLD ME ENGINE IS CONSUMING OIL AND THEY DO NOT KNOW WHERE THE OIL IS GOING. IT BLOWING SMOKE AND NOT DRIVABLE. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP (ANCIRA KIA) SINCE JANUARY AND KIA CORPORATE HAS BEEN PAYING MY RENTAL.

Unknown or OtherFire
Filed Mar 18, 2019MD

ON MARCH 7, 2019, MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA CAUGHT FIRE WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING. SHE PARKED THE CAR IN A PUBLIC PARKING LOT AND REALIZED THE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. THANK GOD SHE IS PHYSICALLY OKAY, AND NO ONE ELSE WAS INJURED. MY CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS, ANOTHER CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS, AND A THIRD CAR WAS DAMAGED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NO FAULT OF THE MOTORIST, RATHER PRODUCT MALFUNCTION. ANY SUGGESTIONS WELCOME.

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 14, 20197 milesFL

BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF AFTER I TURN OFF MY CAR. SOMETIMES THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND BACK LIGHTS POPS ON EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS OFF AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. THE SLIPPERY WHEN WET LIGHT STAYS ON AT ALL TIMES. WHEN I AM DRIVING THE CAR AND I HAVE TO USE THE BRAKES TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN THE CAR MOVES VERY SLOWING AND STALLS. SOMETIMES WHEN I AM DRIVING THE CAR LOOSES POWER. I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE TWICE AND THE CAR JUST LOST POWER AND BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN. THIS WAS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. NOW THE CAR HAS NO POWER.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Mar 14, 201989,625 milesDE

EVAPORATIVE GAS FUMES INSIDE AND SMELLS LIKE SOMETHING IS BURNING

Structure › BodyFire
Filed Mar 13, 201965,000 milesFL

MY CAR RANDOMLY CAUGHT FIRE AT 10:30 PM WHILE IT WAS ALREADY SITTING IN MY DRIVE WAY SINCE 7 PM. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE CAR IS NOW MELTED ON MY DRIVEWAY PAVEMENT. PUTTING MY FAMILY AND MY HOUSE AT DANGER.

Steering
Filed Mar 13, 201977,000 milesUT

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO TRAVEL SAFELY IN A LANE BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL CONSTANTLY NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED IT VEERS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT THE STEERING FEELS LIKE IT HAS A FLAT SPOT IN STEERING THAT WON'T STAY STRAIGHT

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 12, 2019KS

BRAKES SOMETIMES DON'T RESPOND, IT MADE A SOUND FROM THE BRAKES THE OTHER DAY, MY BRAKES STOP LIKE IF THERE IS SNOW ON THE STREETS

EngineFire
Filed Mar 11, 2019150,000 milesCT

ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. CAR ACTING FUNNY PULLED INTO REST STOP. SMELLED SMOKE AND FLAMES STARTED COMING OUT OF THE HOOD. CAR IS NOW TOTALED. THE ENGINE HAD BEEN REPLACED DUE TO A PREVIOUS KIA RECALL. CAR IS TOTALED.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 9, 201942,000 milesPA

DASHBOARD AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING CAR. KIA DEALER INSPECTED CAR AND ADVISED DRIVER'S-SIDE FRONTAL AIRBAG IS NONFUNCTIONAL UNTIL CLOCKSPRING IS REPLACED. DEALER DID NOT HAVE PART AVAILABLE. MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000.

Engine
Filed Mar 8, 201986,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MENTOR KIA (440-953-1000, LOCATED AT 9090 MENTOR AVE, MENTOR, OH 44060) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WERE METAL SHAVINGS IN THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE DEALER WOULD BE CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 86,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

EngineFire
Filed Mar 7, 201981,000 milesFL

WHILE DRIVING OFF THE INTERSTATE THE KIA OPTIMA STARTED TO SMOKE AND WHEN PULLED OVER FLAMES STARTED TO COME FROM THE HOOD(CAR STILL ONE). THE FLAMES ONLY GOT BIGGER AND EVENTUALLY TOTALED THE VEHICLE .

Engine
Filed Mar 6, 201999,900 milesCT

I WAS DRIVING AROUND 45 MILES AND HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING, SAFELY STOP AND DO NOT DRIVE. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 3 MORE TIMES ON THE WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER TOLD ME TO REPLACE THE BATTERY. THE SIGN CAME BACK UP AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES OF DRIVING.

Structure › BodyFire
Filed Feb 28, 201935,000 milesMO

"TAKATA RECALL". MY KIA HAS BEEN RECALLED SEVERAL TIMES, THE MOTOR HAS BEEN RECALLED TWICE. THE SECOND TIME, I HAD MY FAMILY WITH ME GOING TO ARKANSAS, AND THE CAR STALLED AS WE WERE GOING THROUGH A STOP LIGHT, ANOTHER VEHICLE ALMOST HIT US. I HAVE LOST WAGES FROM WORK, LOST TIME WAITING TO GET MY VEHICLE FIXED, IT HAS CAUSED STRESS AND ANXIETY AND RIGHT NOW I JUST GOT THREE MORE RECALL LETTERS IN THE MAIL. THESE CARES ARE UNSAFE, BUT UNFORTUNATELY IT IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. I WANT KIA HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND TO GET THESE DANGEROUS CARS OFF THE STREETS BEFORE SOME GETS KILLED.

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 16, 2019145,000 milesIN

THE RADIO IS NO LONGER FUNCTIONING AND I HAVE SEEN OTHER VIDEOS WHERE PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE.

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 14, 201932,000 milesMI

WHILE APPLYING BREAKS I OFTEN GET LOUD RUMBLING NOISE ON CITY STREETS, ALSO WHEN IT RAINS WATER LEAKS ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER FEET UNDER DASH THIS HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND STATIONARY.

Engine
Filed Feb 12, 201989,000 milesWI

I OWN A 2013 KIA OPTIMA, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE STARTED TO MISFIRE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE AT THE TIME WAS -50 WITH THE WINDCHILL. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY CALLED ME TO LET ME KNOW THAT THE #2 CYLINDER WAS JUNK. THEY THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A BAD COIL PACK BUT WHEN SWITCHED TO THE #1 CYLINDER THE MISFIRE CODE DIDN'T FOLLOW THE COIL PACK, IT CODE STAYED AT CYLINDER #2 EVEN WITH A BRAND NEW PLUG. THE SPARK PLUGS HAD BEEN REPLACED IN SEPTEMBER 2018, THE SAME ISSUE THAT CAUSED THE PLUGS TO FAIL IN SEPTEMBER WHEN THE PLUGS WERE CHANGED OUT HAPPENED AGAIN ON THIS OCCASION (FEBRUARY 6, 2019). I WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE KIA REPAIR SHOP THAT THERE WAS AN UPDATE TO THE ECM THAT NEEDED TO BE DONE TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING, BUT WHEN I CONTACTED KIA TO SEE IF THEY WOULD COVER THE REPAIR OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE UPDATE WAS NOT PERFORMED KIA REFUSED TO COVER THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE, WHICH IS THE ONLY SOLUTION BECAUSE THE SPARK PLUG FAILED AND BLEW APART IN THE CYLINDER BECAUSE THE ECM UPDATE WAS PERFORMED. WHEN I ASKED KIA WHY THE REPAIR WAS NOT BEING COVERED THEY STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT ALLOWED TO DISCLOSE THAT INFORMATION TO ME AND THAT IT WAS PROPRIETARY INFORMATION. I OPENED A CASE NUMBER (13034007) WITH KIA AND ASKED THEM TO PROVIDE ME WITH INFORMATION AS TO WHY THEY WON'T COVER THE REPAIR AND THEY HAVE YET TO RESPOND BACK TO ME, IT IS NOW FEBRUARY 12 AND HAVEN'T RECEIVED A RESP

Engine
Filed Feb 8, 2019MN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V907000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). LUTHER KIA OF BLOOMINGTON (1701 AMERICAN BLVD W, BLOOMINGTON, MN 55431, (612) 424-7641) STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE REMEDY FOR THE PREVIOUS NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY PERFORMED. IN SOME CASES, THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL HOSE MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED, MISALIGNED, OR IMPROPERLY TORQUED DURING THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE. AS A RESULT, A FUEL LEAK COULD OCCUR AND INCREASE THE RISK OF FIRE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WAS ON A NATIONAL BACKORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Seat BeltsCrash1 injured
Filed Feb 8, 201989,896 milesTX

I WAS T-BONED IN THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CAR WAS SPUN A COUPLE TIMES BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THE PASSENGER IN THE CAR WHO WAS PREVIOUSLY WEARING THE SEATBELT IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT THE SEATBELT WAS NO LONGER BUCKLED. WE BELIEVE THE SEATBELT CAME UNDONE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE EVERYONE ELSE IN THE VEHICLE HAD BRUISING AND BURNS FROM THEIR SEATBELTS BUT THE PASSENGER DID NOT.

Engine
Filed Feb 5, 201985,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING AN OIL CHANGE AT MONTROSE KIA IN SHEFFIELD (5033 DETROIT RD, SHEFFIELD, OH 44054, (440) 934-6699), THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN AN UNKNOWN RECALL REGARDING THE ENGINE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, STATED THAT EVERYTHING WAS FINE, AND REMOVED THE RECALL FROM THE VIN. AFTERWARDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE WHEN DRIVING AND ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING TO SCHEDULE A FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

Air Bags
Filed Feb 4, 2019120,000 milesNC

WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A NOISE, SEEMS TO GET STUCK. " WHEN STATIONARY OR IN MOTION THE HORN DOES NOT WORK. WHEN IN MOTION THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK. WHEN STATIONARY OR IN MOTION, THE STEERING WHEEL HEATER DOES NOT WORK AND THE RADIO VOLUME CONTROL DOES NOT WORK. AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Feb 2, 2019GA

SINCE I HAVE BROUGHT MY CAR, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES OUT AND ALSO STATES THAT I DON'T HAVE GAS IN MY CAR... MY CAR HASN'T BEEN IN ANY TYPE OF ACCIDENT AND IT SHOULD BE THIS WAY WHEN THE CAR IS STILL IN GOOD CONDITION AND WELL TAKEN CARE OF. I'M NOT A MECHANIC AND HAVEN'T MESS WITH ANYTHING FOR THIS TO BE HAPPEN.. WHILE DRIVING ONCE I FILL UP MY GAS TANK. I CAN DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD THEN ALL OF SUDDEN THE CAR WILL SO NO GAS AND IT'S EMPTY. THE GAS LIGHT WILL STAY ON OR FLICKER OFF AND ON... SO THEREFORE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL STAY ON BC OF THIS. SINCE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, INSPECTION CAN'T BE DONE

Engine
Filed Feb 2, 2019WI

THE VEHICLE MAKES A VERY LOUD RUMBLING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING. I HAVE MAINTAINED OIL CHANGES, TUNE UPS, AND REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE

Engine
Filed Feb 1, 201958,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING, BRAKES, AND SEVERAL OTHER ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, JENKINS KIA OF OCALA (2305 SW COLLEGE RD, OCALA, FL 34471, (352) 414-4553) WAS INFORMED OF A KNOCKING SOUND IN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

Engine
Filed Feb 1, 201954,398 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE OIL AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TURNED AROUND AND DROVE HOME. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A POOL OF OIL ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CENTER TREAD OF THE OIL FILTER HOUSING DETACHED AND COMPLETELY LEAKED OUT. THE OIL COOLANT UNIT ALSO FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,398.

Engine
Filed Jan 31, 2019CA

DRIVING UPHILL IN SUNOL CLOSE TO FREMONT I-680 WHEN I HEARD A CLICKING NOISE APPEARS TO BE THE ENGINE. THE NOISE GOT LOUDER THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR NO LONGER ACCELERATE. THE ENGINE STARTED TO SHAKE SO I PULLED OVER AND EXIT FREEWAY. THE CAR THEN STOPPED ANG ALL ELECTRICAL LIGHT CAME UP ON THE DASHBOARD. I TRIED STARTING THE CAR, IT JUST SHAKE THEN DIED RIGHT AWAY. I THEN HAVE IT TOWED TO AN AUTO SHOP IN STOCKTON. THE MECHANIC SAYS SOMETHING CAME OFF LOOSE FROM THE ENGINE AND IT NEEDS AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT. A NEW ENGINE WOULD BE $5K TO $8K. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WHY A 5 YRS OLD CAR THAT HAS 114K ALL OF A SUDDEN HAVE AN ENGINE FAILURE WITH NO WARNING. THEY HAD ME CALLED KIA CONSUMER AFFAIR. THEY TOWED MY CAR TO THEIR PREFERRED KIA DEALERSHIP TO GET DIAGNOSE. I HAVE FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL OF THIS VEHICLE SC147. THE DEALERSHIP WILL PERFORM A DIAGNOSTICS TOMORROW THEN THEY WILL CALL ME FOR THE RESULTS. IF THE CAUSED OF ENGINE FAILURE CAUSED BY THE RECALL, THEY WILL REPLACE IT WITH A NEW ONE AND PROVIDE A LOANER CAR.

Engine
Filed Jan 30, 201915,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE MADE ABNORMAL NOISES. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PROS KIA GLENDALE (818-745-1400, LOCATED AT 400 S BRAND BLVD, GLENDALE, CA 91204) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000.

Steering
Filed Jan 30, 201973,500 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73,500.

Engine
Filed Jan 29, 20195,000 milesNC

MY ENGINE WAS REPLACED DUE TO A RECALL FOR HESITATION/LOCK UP IN NOVEMBER 2017. NOT LONG AFTER REPLACEMENT THE NEW ENGINE BEGIN TO HESITATE LIKE THE OLD ENGINE. IT HAS CONTINUED TO DO THIS, BECOMING WORSE. IT IS USUALLY A DOUBLE HESITATION. IN OTHER WORDS THE CAR HESITATES SLIGHTLY, STARTS MOVING THEN HESITATES AGAIN MORE SERIOUSLY. THE LAST TIME IN DECEMBER, 2018 THE CAR DID THIS I WAS MAKING A TURN. IT WAS SERIOUS TO THE POINT THAT AN ONCOMING CAR HAD TO STOP. THIS IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE FIRST ENGINE. I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF DRIVING THIS CAR. THE CAR HAS 34,000 MILES BUT ONLY 5,000 ON THE REPLACED ENGINE.

Engine
Filed Jan 28, 201979,105 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 12631362. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,105.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jan 24, 201960,000 milesNC

MY CAR BEGAN TO SMELL LIKE GAS WHEN DRIVING AND MY CAR STARTED JERKING, AND MAKING A WEIRD NOISE..SO I PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT SMELLED LIKE FUEL THROUGH MY AIR VENTS WHILE DRIVING, AND WHEN I POPPED THE HOOD TO LOOK UNDER IT WITH MY BOYFRIEND THERE WAS A LEAK, AND IT WAS SPEWING OUT FUEL OUT OF THE PUMP. WHAT WAS THE SCARIEST PART ABOUT IT IS THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT OR ANY THING THAT TOLD ME THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK WE HAD TO FIND OUT FOR OURSELVES. I HAD CALLED KIA TO SEE IF THEY WOULD REPLACE IT BECAUSE IT BASICALLY WAS A BRAND NEW CAR WITH ONLY 60,000 MILES ON IT AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT UNDER ORIGINAL WARRANTY SO THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME. I HAD TO BUY THE PART MYSELF WHICH COSTED ME AROUND 500 DOLLARS, THEN I HAD TO BUY A FUEL LINE WHICH WAS ANOTHER 50, THEN GET IT REPLACED WHICH COSTED ME ANOTHER 200. I WAS EXTREMELY UPSET BECAUSE IT WAS BASICALLY A BRAND NEW CAR DOING THIS.. AND I WANT TO BE REIMBURSED FOR MY TROUBLES. I WAS OUT OF WORK, COULDN'T DRIVE MY VEHICLE, AND HAD TO PAY FOR A PROBLEM THAT WAS NOT MY FAULT. IT WAS THE MANUFACTURES FAULT. I AM GLAD I CAUGHT IT WHEN I DID AND PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE MY CAR BOYFRIEND AND I COULD HAVE BURSTED INTO FLAMES. I AM EXTREMELY UPSET. I AM NEVER BUYING ANOTHER KIA AGAIN UNLESS THEY REIMBURSE ME FOR THE TROUBLES THEY HAVE CAUSED ME AND MANY OTHERS. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE MY KIA NOW KNOWING THAT ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN TO IT, OR THAT MY FUEL PUMP MAY GO OUT ANOTHER TIME. THE ENGIN

EngineFire
Filed Jan 21, 201992,700 milesFL

ABOUT THREE MONTHS AFTER HAVING MY ENGINE REPLACED DUE TO A RECALL, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING.

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 →