Page 24 of 28 · complaints 1,151–1,200 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 →

Engine
Filed Jul 3, 201775,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND OIL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HUTCHINSON KIA (3931 RIVER PL DR, MACON, GA 31210) WHERE THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WOULD BE AT LEAST A MONTH BEFORE THEY COULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO JEFF SMITH KIA (103 IFFIE RD, PERRY, GA 31069) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE ISSUE LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT YET REPAIR THE VEHICLE DUE TO OTHER VEHICLES NEEDING THE SAME REPAIR. THE DEALER COULD NOT PROVIDE A TIME FRAME FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Engine
Filed Jun 28, 2017124,978 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 90 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE NISSAN KIA DEALER (LOCATED ON 4961 RT 17 M, NEW HAMPTON, NY 10958) WHERE A NOISE TEST WAS PERFORMED. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO FAILURE AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FINE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,978.

Engine
Filed Jun 26, 2017AZ

WIFE AND BABY USE THIS VEHICLE. WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN FROM A STOP, VEHICLE BEGINS TO SLOW AND ALMOST STALL. HAVE HAD TO PULL INTO BIKE LANES QUICKLY IN ORDER NOT TO BE HIT FROM BEHIND. THERE ARE 2 OCCASIONS WHEN THIS OCCURS. 1) WHEN AT A STOP ON A CITY STREET, WAITING TO MAKE A RIGHT. FOOT OFF PEDAL, ACCELERATE, ENGINE BEGINS TO STALL. 2) WHEN ROLLING INTO A RIGHT TURN (ON CITY STREETS) ACCELERATION CAUSES START OF STALL PROCESS. WE HAVE NOT FULLY STALLED AS OF YET. BUT THIS COULD BE A BAD SCENARIO IF IT DOES. WE HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT GAS VAPOR ISSUES WITH THE PHOENIX, AZ HEAT BEING 119 DEGREES, BUT IF THAT WERE THE CASE, IT WOULD HAPPEN OTHER TIMES AND NOT JUST DURING TURNS. THANKS

Wheels
Filed Jun 23, 201714,972 milesPA

NEXEN CP671 TIRES, P215/55R17 - TIRES ARE OEM ON MY KIA OPTIMA, WHICH I PURCHASED NEW. AT 14,972 MILES, MY CAR'S HANDLING CHANGED. THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED BOTH FRONT TIRES HAVE DEVELOPED SIDEWALL BULGES, AS WELL AS EXCESSIVE TREAD WEAR. (TIRES HAD BEEN ROTATED.) I WAS ADVISED TO PURCHASE NEW TIRES IMMEDIATELY AS PRESENT ONES WERE EXTREMELY UNSAFE. I READ THAT THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT FOR THESE TIRES, SO I CALLED NEXEN DIRECTLY TO SEE IF THEY WOULD OFFER A REPLACEMENT, BUT WAS SHOCKED TO HEAR THEY TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY ON OEM TIRES, NOR DO THEY EVEN OFFER A DISCOUNT ON THE PURCHASE OF NEW TIRES. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WON'T BE REPLACING THEM WITH NEW NEXENS WHICH, BY THE WAY, THEIR AGENT TOLD ME THEY DO WARRANT AT NO ADDITIONAL CHANGE.

Engine
Filed Jun 23, 201734,272 milesAL

ENGINE RECALL BY KIA MOTOR CORPORATION AND STEERING DISC RECALL KIA MOTOR COMPANY DEALER SHIP IN RAINBOW CITY ALA DID NOT TAKE PROPER MEASURES WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO GET THE CAR CHECKED. HAVE TO TAKE IT BACK AND NOT SURE HOW SAFE THE CAR IS TO DRIVE BASED ON RECALL NOTICE. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE NOW IN CONTINUING TO THIS CAR DUE TO THE SERIOUS POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUES PLUS I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY RELIABLE MECHANICS THE NEW CAR MOTOR IS NOT ANY BETTER AS WELL PLEASE HELP GETTING KIA MOTOR CORPORATION TO MAKE THEIR CAR PRODUCTS MORE RELIABLE AND SAFE TO DRIVE. I AM TRYING TO MAKE SURE SOMEONE IN MY FAMILY DRIVING THIS CAR REMAINS SAFE

Engine
Filed Jun 21, 2017SC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED (JTS KIA, COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA) AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jun 16, 201756,000 milesMA

THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLAMP HAS DIED. TO MAKE THIS REPAIR YOU NEED TO REMOVE THE RADIATOR EXPANSION TANK, A SMALL SCREW HOLDING THE REAR OF THE LIGHT COVER IN PLACE AND THEN THE ENTIRE LAMP ASSEMBLY BY RELEASING TWO SCREWS ON TOP AND CLIPS BETWEEN HE BODY AND THE LAMP ASSEMBLY FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR. YOU NEED CAR RAMPS TO DO THIS APPARENTLY. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CAN NOT BE DONE IN AN EMERGENCY. I CALLED MY DEALER AND THE LABOR IS ABOUT 45 MINUTES - TO CHANGE A LIGHT BULB! THIS IS FINANCIALLY IRRESPONSIBLE OF KIA TO DESIGN THE CAR SO POORLY. IT IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE IF YOU WERE DRIVING OVERNIGHT AND COULD NOT REPLACE THE BULB. HAVING TO MAKE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT TO CHANGE A LIGHTBULB IS A COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY AND RIDICULOUS SITUATION. IF THE WEATHER WERE INCLEMENT AND YOU CANNOT CHANGE THE BULB YOU ARE IN A REAL PREDICAMENT. THE NTSB SHOULD HAVE A POLICY THAT HEADLAMP REPLACEMENT ACCESS SHOULD BE IN A LOCATION THAT A 7TH GRADER COULD REASONABLE BE EXPECTED TO CHANGE THE BULB WITHOUT HAVING TO REMOVE SIGNIFICANT CAR COMPONENTS. SOMEONE COULD INCUR A BURN MOVING THE EXPANSION TANK IF THE CAR WERE NOT COOLED DOWN ENOUGH. THE ENTIRE PROCESS IS BEYOND COMPREHENSION.

Engine
Filed Jun 12, 201782,000 milesOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE OIL AND CHECK ENGINE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND LATER TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER (WESTON KIA LOCATED AT 22309 SE STARK ST, GRESHAM, OR 97030; (503) 676-2100) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO PROCEDURE OR ETA OF WHEN THE VEHICLE COULD BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL WITH THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-333-4542 AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

EngineFire
Filed Jun 12, 201780,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, LOST POWER COMPLETELY, AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE ENGINE EXPLODED IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD POPPING NOISE AND SMOKE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE PAST THREE MONTHS. KIA IN ALHAMBRA, CALIFORNIA REPLACED THE ENGINE TWO TIMES PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, BUT THE ISSUE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 2, 201780,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE KIA DEALER (FRED ANDERSON KIA OF RALEIGH; 9209 GLENWOOD AVE, RALEIGH, NC 27617; (919) 785-4500) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY, THE FUEL KIT, AND THE FILTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER KIA DEALER (CHRIS LEITH PRE-OWNED SUPERSTORE; 11000 CAPITAL BLVD, WAKE FOREST, NC 27587; (888) 482-1325) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL WITH THE KIA DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-333-4542 AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD GET BACK WITHIN 2 OR 3 BUSINESS DAYS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT CALL BACK. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO PROVIDE A LOANER VEHICLE. CASE NUMBER: 12360215 WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 2, 201745,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR WHEELS AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA OF CLOVIS CALIFORNIA, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT FURTHER TESTING WAS NEEDED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

Engine
Filed May 24, 201770,000 milesNC

ENGINE SEIZED ON INTERSTATE AT 70MPH. I HAVE ONLY 70,000 MILES ON THE ENGINE AND KIA DENIED MY WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH I HAVE 30,000 MILES REMAINING ON THE WARRANTY.

Unknown or Other
Filed May 23, 2017136,000 milesGA

KIA ENGINE RECALL - ON APRIL 2, 2017 MY CAR STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A SURFACE STREET (CHASTAIN RD) AND TO BE TOWED (USAA ROADSIDE) TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP (PEPBOYS). THE MECHANIC STATED THAT ENGINE WAS GONE. I HAD JUST HAD THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP (COBB COUNTY KIA, KENNESAW, GA) 2 DAYS PRIOR FOR ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND A VEHICLE CHECK. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO THE DEALERSHIP (COBB COUNTY KIA) WHO HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED (MARIETTA TOWING) TO THEM AT THEIR EXPENSE AND CITED THE DIAGNOSIS (ENGINE FAILURE). THE MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR, HEAD MECHANIC AND I VIEWED THE ENGINE TOGETHER THEY BOTH REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE AND IT WAS WELL MAINTAINED. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ISSUE BE THERE IS NO GUIDANCE ON THE REPAIR AS OF YET. JOSEPH, THE MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR HAD A TROUBLE TICKET SUBMITTED ON MY VEHICLE BUT MY VIN IS STILL NOT REFERENCED ON THIS SITE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS HAD MY CAR FOR OVER A MONTH AND HALF WITHOUT ANY REPAIR GUIDANCE FROM KIA MOTOR CORP. ALL WHILE KNOWING OF THE ENGINE ISSUES. PLEASE HELP ME. I NEED MY CAR.

Engine
Filed May 23, 201763,000 milesOH

MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA HAS AN ENGINE SPUTTER THAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A WHILE NOW. IT IS INTERMITTENT AND COMES AND GOES. WHEN I TALKED TO A SERVICE PERSON ABOUT IT AT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP, HE SAID THAT IT IS POSSIBLE THAT DEBRIS IN CAN GET LOOSE AND CAUSE FUEL INJECTORS TO CLOG. MY PARTICULAR KIA OPTIMA IS NOT SHOWING THAT IT IS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

EngineFire
Filed May 12, 201778,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 77 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY FLAMES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

Engine
Filed May 10, 201780,000 milesFL

TURBO CHARGER MALFUNCTION. MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ISSUE SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AS THERE WAS NO OTHER INDICATORS AS WHY IT FAILED. IT RESULTED IN LOOSE BOLTS, THE COMPLETE TURBO CHARGER NEEDING TO BE REPLACED, AND ALL NEW HOSES.

Engine
Filed May 9, 2017CA

THE ENGINE POWERED OFF AUTOMATICALLY AFTER THATT, DUTCH BOAR BECOMES TO LIGHTNING ALL THE ICONS, SO IT STILL NEVER POWER IN.

Power Train
Filed May 9, 201744,500 milesNM

TRANSMISSION SHIFTS UP AND DOWN VERY OFTEN UNDER 35 MPH DURING CITY DRIVING. HARD SHIFTING UP AND DOWN.

Service BrakesCrash
Filed May 5, 201797,585 milesSC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNINJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,585.

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash1 injured
Filed May 1, 2017LA

MY VEHICLE LAUNCHED INTO THE SIDE OF A BUILDING AS I WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO LAUNCH FORWARD WHILE IN MOTION AND WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN IN MOTION AND PULLING AROUND A CAR OR POT HOLE.

Engine
Filed May 1, 201794,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE MOTOR SEIZED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

Engine
Filed Apr 25, 20171 milesWI

I HAVE A 2013 KIA OPTIMA, WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY ENGINE SEIZE, I COULD HAVE GOTTEN INTO A MAJOR CAR ACCIDENT. MY CAR STOPPED ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC I AM PURSUING A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST KIA. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Apr 24, 2017PA

SUNROOF IS NOT CLOSING PROPERLY; KIA IS UNWILLING TO FIX IT UNDER THEIR WARRANTY. FOG LIGHT SWITCH BROKE AND THEY WILL ALSO NOT FIX IT UNDER THEIR 60K WARRANTY. BOTH OF THESE ITEMS OCCURRED BEFORE THE DATE SELECTED; THIS WAS THE DATE THAT KIA NOTIFIED ME OF THEIR DECISION. ALSO, THE MILEAGE AT WHICH THESE OCCURRED WAS BEFORE 60K AND JUST AFTER 60K WERE ON THE VEHICLE.

Unknown or OtherCrash3 injured
Filed Apr 23, 201718,500 milesNC

IN JUNE 2014MY DATE BELOW OF CRASH ON THE DAY IS APPROXIMATELY , I WAS DRIVING MY BRAND NEW 2013 KIA OPTIMA, I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND MY ENGINE STALLED AND LOST COMPLETE POWER LOCKING UP EVERY CONTROL IN THE CAR. IT HAPPENED ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY IN JACKSONVILLE, NC AND LEFT ME STRANDED I WAS HIT IN MY REAR END BY 2 CARS CAUSING A 3 CAR CRASH. AT THE TIME KIA WOULD TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY. NOW IN 2016 THAT THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE ENGINE CAUSING STALLING AND LOSING POWER OF THE ENGINE AND CONTROL OF THE CAR. IN TOP OF THIS RECALL I JUST FOUND OUT THEY KNOWINGLY SOLD THIESE CARS WHILE KNOWING IT HAD THIS DEFECT WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH OR CASTROPHIC PROBLEMS. WHICH IN MY CASE IT DID CAUSE A A 3 CAR CRASH.

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 20, 201721,235 milesPR

I HAD MY PASSENGER REARVIEW MIRROR BROKEN HANGING BY THE WIRES. THEY REPLACED IN DEALER AFTER I INSISTED ON A REPLACEMENT. BEFORE THEY REPLACED, I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVERS REAR VIEW MIRROR. LOOKS LIKE THEY ARE TOO FRAGIL. WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH IT?

Engine
Filed Apr 19, 201782,000 milesOR

MY ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING AT 82,000MILES LOST POWER ON RODE HAD CAR TOWED HOME

Engine
Filed Apr 14, 201799,123 milesMD

I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, AND AT THE LIGHT I NOTICED MY ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING A LITTLE BUT THERE WAS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, OIL LIGHT, ETC NOTIFYING ME OF ANY PROBLEM. I GAVE IT A LITTLE GAS TO GET UP THE HILL AND MY CAR SHUT OFF ALMOST INSTANTLY AND I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC HELPLESSLY TRYING TO GET OVER. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A KIA DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC AND WAS TOLD THE ENGINE WAS BLOWN AND KIA WASNT HONORING MY ENGINE REPLACEMENT.

Engine
Filed Apr 14, 201782,000 milesOR

ENGINE FAIL LOCKED UP 82,000

Engine
Filed Apr 10, 201778,000 milesTX

ON NOV 18 2016 WHILE DRIVING DOWN A MAJOR HIGHWAY MY CAR JUST SHUT OFF. ALL THE LIGHTS LIGHT UP ON THE DASH AND BEFORE I PULLED OVER , I WAS DRIFTING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I GOTTEN THE CAR TO ANCIRA KIA IN SAN ANTONIO TX WHERE IT SAT TILL DEC 28 2016 BEFORE RECEIVING A CALL. THE DEALERSHIP HAD SAID THE WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER WHAT HAD HAPPEN. THE FIRST EXCUSE THEY SAID WAS DUE TO SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. AFTER PROVIDING RECEIPTS SHOWING THE CAR MAINTENANCE, THEY SAID IT WAS DUE BECAUSE I LET MY CAR SEAT FOR A YEAR WHILE I WAS DEPLOYED. AFTER ASKING HOW THIS COULD BE IF THE CAR WASN'T MOVED, THEY SAID THEY FOUND METAL SHAVINGS IN MY ENGINE. KIA HAD MY CAR CLOSE TO 60 DAYS FIGHTING WITH ME ON WHY THEY WOULD NOT FIX MY CAR. IT FORCED ME TO TRADE THE CAR IN SO I CAN GO TO WORK AND PROVIDE FOR MY FAMILY. MY QUESTION IS, IF THERE'S A RECALL ON MY CAR HOW WOULD I GO ABOUT FAILING PAPERWORK ?

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 7, 2017118,000 milesLA

ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO LACK OF OIL PRESSURE.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Apr 4, 201728,300 milesOR

NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH STEERING IN THE YEAR VEHICLE WAS OWNED, WAS BOUGHT PREOWNED WITH 25K MILES ON IT, NOW WITH 28K MILES ON IT. ON DAY OF ACCIDENT, ROADS WERE DAMP, WHILE DRIVING ON ROAD LITTERED WITH NUMEROUS POT HOLES AND BUMPS, CAME AROUND A CORNER ON WHAT SEEMED TO BE BUMP FREE PAVEMENT, STEERING JERKED RIGHT, CAR VEERED INTO THE GRASSY TERRAIN ALONGSIDE ROAD, COULD NOT REGAIN CONTROL OF CAR AS STEERING WAS FIGHTING ME NO MATTER WHAT I DID, RAISE IN TERRAIN FORCED PASSENGER SIDE DOWN AN DRIVER SIDE OF CAR INTO AIR, CAR CAME TO REST NEAR SIDE OF ROAD ON IT'S PASSENGER SIDE, ALSO AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS CAR IS SUPPOSEDLY SAFE I BELIEVE I SURVIVED THANKS TO AN ANGEL ABOVE KEEPING ME SAFE.

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 4, 201765,000 milesAR

MY FOUR YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND I WERE IN THE CAR AND WHILE DRIVING, THE SUNROOF EXPLODED. IT WAS SO LOUD, ALMOST LIKE A GUNSHOT. A SMALL AMOUNT OF GLASS ENTERED THE CAR. I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT, SOUTHWARD, NEAR THE OSCEOLA EXIT ON I 55. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO SIGN OR EVIDENCE OF ANYTHING HITTING THE GLASS. WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR AND THE TEMPERATURE IN OSCEOLA TODAY WAS A HIGH OF 76 AND LOW OF 68 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT.

Steering
Filed Mar 27, 201730,000 milesAL

THE STEERING WHEEL HAS DEVELOPED A POPING OR CLICKING WHEN YOU TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. IT STOPS AFTER YOU'VE TURNED THE WHEEL MORE THAN A 1/4 TURN BUT IT FEELS LIKE THE STEERING IS NOT RESPONSIVE UNTIL YOU'VE GOTTEN PAST THAT INITIAL 1/4 WHEEL TURN. IT STARTED A WHILE BACK BUT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. IT WILL MAKE THE SOUND ANYTIME THE WHEEL IS TURNED IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU ARE DRIVING OR SITTING STILL.

EngineFire
Filed Mar 14, 201720,000 milesLA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE CONTACT'S AUNT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL, SO THE DRIVER STEERED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER OF THE VEHICLE LIFTED THE HOOD AND NOTICED FLAMES. BOTH OCCUPANTS MOVED AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FILED A REPORT AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 13, 2017MS

CAR WE'RE NOT KEEP RUNNING IT CUTS OFF ENGINE LOCKED UP.

Engine
Filed Mar 13, 2017135,000 milesNJ

I JUST RECENTLY HAD MY LOCAL DEALER DUE MY ROUTINE OIL CHANGE ON MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA EX. ABOUT TWO WEEKS FROM WHEN THIS WAS DONE. I STARTED TO NOTICE SOME SLUGGISH IN MY ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND THEN AFTER HEARING A LOW KNOCKING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE. I DECIDED TO CHECK THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL TO SEE IF I WAS LOW DUE TO A PAST EXPERIENCE WITH A CAR HAVING A BAD VALVE COVER GASKET. SO, WHEN I CHECKED MY OIL LEVEL ON THE DIPSTICK IT WAS BETWEEN THE LOW AND FULL LINE. THINKING THAT THIS WAS JUST MAYBE DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE DEALER HAD NOT PUT ENOUGH OIL IN DURING THE OIL CHANGE. I JUST BOUGHT TWO QUARTS OF 5W20 ENGINE OIL TO BRING THE OIL BACK TO THE FULL LINE ON THE DIPSTICK AND NOT VISUALLY SEEING ANY SIGNS OF OIL LEAKING ANYWHERE. HOWEVER, JUST ONE WEEK FROM WHEN I ADDED THE TWO QUARTS OF OIL. I STARTED TO HEAR THE KNOCKING SOUND AGAIN AND TO FIND OUT THAT I AM DOWN 1 QUART OF OIL. I DECIDED THEN TO PARK MY CAR UNDER A PIECE OF CARDBOARD FOR A DAY AND DO A THOROUGH LOOK FOR ANY SIGNS OF OIL LEAKING IN THE ENGINE BUT, I DID NOT COME ACROSS ANY OIL LEAKING ANYWHERE. I DECIDED THEN TO DO SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET TO SEE IF OTHER KIA OWNERS WERE HAVING THIS ISSUE AND FOUND THAT MANY OTHER KIA OWNERS WITH THIS GDI MOTOR ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE WITH SOME OWNERS HAVE THE MOTOR SEIZE DUE TO THE ENGINE OIL BEING LOST IN THE ENGINE BY DEFECTIVE CONNECTING RODS THAT FAIL IN THE ENGINE. I HAVE EVEN FOUND OUT THAT HYUNDAI HAS A RECALL ON THIS SAME ENGINE THAT IS BEING USED IN MY

Steering
Filed Jan 31, 201721,000 milesKS

WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, MY STEERING WHEEL SEEMS TO STICK. I AM CONSTANTLY OVER CORRECTING TO GET IT UNSTUCK AND STAY ON THE ROAD. IT HAPPENS TO THE LEFT AS WELL AS TO THE RIGHT. *TR

Unknown or OtherCrash
Filed Jan 30, 201742,000 milesVA

THE REAR CAMERA DOES NOT COME ON IMMEDIATELY AND SOMETIMES I HAVE BACKED UP20-40 FT BEFORE IT ENGAGES. IT IS A PROBLEM AND I RECENTLY WAS HIT BY ANOTHER CAR WHEN I WA BACKING UP BECAUSE I DIDN'T SEE THEM COMING AT ME. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE THE BEGINNING OF MY NEW CAR OWNERSHIP IN 2012. DEALERSHIP SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE CAMERA.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 23, 201742,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE RPMS INCREASED RAPIDLY WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE REMOTE PUSH TO START STOPPED WORKING AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 20, 201766,000 milesIN

THE BACKUP CAMERA FAILED. IT STOPPED WORKING WHEN BACKING UP IN THE DRIVEWAY. KIA DID NOT COVER REPLACEMENT UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH KIA ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN SAYING TO REPLACE THE CAMERA IN AREAS THAT HAVE HIGH HUMIDITY AND COLD WEATHER WITH AN IMPROVED PART. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE.

Power Train
Filed Jan 19, 2017OH

SOMETIMES HAVE TROUBLE WITH THE STEERING, IT DOESN'T LOCK UP BUT IT GETS STUCK AND DOESN'T RESPOND TO SMALL MOVEMENTS (FEELS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL IS A FIGHT AGAINST THE MOVEMENT) WHEN DRIVING LONGER DISTANCE IN A STRAIGHT LINE.... I ALSO HAVE SOME PROBLEMS WITH THE SHIFTING WHEN I'M DRIVING SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 20 AND 30 MPH AND FEATHERING THE GAS PEDAL (USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN GOING UP AN INCLINE). LIKE THE CAR DOESN'T KNOW WHAT GEAR IT SHOULD BE IN AND SLIPS BETWEEN GEARS.... HOPE THIS HELPS YOU AND YOU COULD HELP ME THANK YOU *TR

Seat Belts
Filed Jan 9, 2017FL

SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE,IT GOT TIGHTER ANN WOULD NOT RELEASE WHILE IN LOWE'S PARKING LOT. THERE WERE 4 PEOPLE AND AN OFF DUTY POLICEMAN TRIED TO HELP AND FINALLY STATED THAT THE BELT WOULD HAVE TO BE CUT AND THEY DID. I WAS IN DIRE STRESS AND BREATHING PROBLEM AND IN DIRE NEED OF IMMEDIATE RELEASE. A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE.

Steering
Filed Jan 4, 201775,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE IN WHICH THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSELY CONNECTED AND NOT ALIGNED. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT AN ALIGNMENT WAS UNABLE TO BE COMPLETED BECAUSE THERE WAS A RECALL THAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED FIRST FOR THE STEERING. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO CALL A DEALER. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Dec 29, 2016GA

MY STEERING HAS BEEN LOOSE SINCE 65K MILES AND CONTINUED TO DRIFT. HOWEVER THIS BIENG MY 4TH CAR I LET IT SLIDE AND WAS WAITING FOR TIME TO DO A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. HOWEVER AT 73K MILES THE EPS SENSOR WENT OFF AND NOW IS HARD TO DRIVE. THE EPS ON ALL MY VEHICLES NEVER HAD ISSUES UP TILL ITS DEATH WAY OVER 250K MILES. THE EPS SENSOR CAME ON AFTER A STOP SIGN. THEN I HEARD A SNAP THEN THE CAR WENT INTO MANUAL STEERING MODE. NOW THE EPS SENSOR IS OFF AND THE CAR IS WORKING FINE.

Engine
Filed Dec 27, 201630,000 milesKY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE REQUIRED TO BE JUMP STARTED SEVERAL OCCASIONS IN ORDER TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS DRAINED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

Steering
Filed Dec 14, 201657,000 milesMD

AT FIRST I THOUGHT THE ALIGNMENT WAS OFF HOWEVER AFTER HAVING MY CAR ALIGNED THE STEERING IS STILL LOSE AND AT ANY GIVEN SPEED THE CAR DRIFTS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT VERY EASILY. IT'S DANGEROUS!!! *TR

Engine
Filed Dec 14, 201631,500 milesTX

I BOUGHT MY 2013 OPTIMA SXL WITH 26K MILES. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND MY CAR NOW HAS UNDER 32K MILES ON IT, AND STARTED SHAKING WITH SMOKE COMING OUT FROM THE HOOD AND IT TURNED OFF. TRIED TO TURN IT BACK ON BUT IT WAS DEAD I CALLED ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE TO GET IT TOWED TO A KIA DEALERSHIP. NEXT DAY I GET A CALL FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY SAID THE ENGINE WAS BLOWN AND THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WONT COVER IT DUE TO SLUDGE FOUND ON THE ENGINE WTF!! IT'S A NEW CAR! SO TO GET IT FIXED THEY ARE CHARGING ME $9,400.00 DOLLARS THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY. AND I KEEP CALLING THEM ASKING WHY THE WARRANTY DOESN'T WANT TO COVER THE CHARGES AND THEY SAY IT'S BECAUSE OF THE SLUDGE FOUND DUE TO POOR MAINTENANCE WHICH IS NOTHING BUT BS. I DON'T EVEN HAVE A YR WITH THIS CAR AND NOW I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. AND THE SAD THING IS THAT I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF REVIEWS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND KIA IS NOT DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. I WILL HAVE TO GET A REPO BECAUSE I CAN'T KEEP PAYING FOR A JUNK CAR. I WILL NEVER BUY FROM KIA EVER IN MY LIFE. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 14, 20167,000 milesGA

VEHICLE: KIA OPTIMA 2013 ISSUE DESCRIPTION: IF LOOSING SLIGHTLY TRACTION (KIA OPTIMA IT IS VERY SENSITIVE, ALL IT TAKES IS SOME DIRT ON THE GROUND, A LITTLE RAIN, MOISTURE ON THE PAVEMENT, OR BUMPY ROAD) THE SYSTEM WILL KILL ALL THE ENGINE POWER BETWEEN 1 TO 2 SECONDS WHEN YOU START FROM A STAND STILL (BRINGS THE CAR TO A STOP). THIS MAKES THE CAR NOT MOVE AND GET INTO DANGEROUS SITUATIONS WHEN ENTERING AN INTERSECTIONS BECAUSE CARS APPROACHING MIGHT HIT THE CAR. THE SITUATION CAN BE REPEATED ONCE THE SYSTEM RELEASES THE POWER, LOSING TRACTION AGAIN, EXTENDING ADDITIONALLY 1 TO 2 SECONDS TO THIS SITUATION. LOOSING TRACTION IS EVEN EASIER WHEN THE WHEELS ARE TURNED. I OPENED A TICKET ON KIA CUSTOMER AFFAIRS (K3229681) ONCE THE DEALER DID NOT EVEN TESTED THE CAR WITH ME, AND I GOT THE TYPICAL ANSWER IF THEY DO NOT HAVE A RECALL ON THIS SUBJECT (IT IS THE WAY IT WORKS) AFTER MANY CALLS AND VISITS, I WAS ABLE TO GET FROM THE MANUFACTURE'S KIA CUSTOMER AFFAIRS VERBALLY CONFIRM IT IS THE WAY SHOULD WORK, IMMOBILIZING THE CAR FOR 1 TO 2 SECONDS. THE ONLY SOLUTION PROVIDED IS TO DISABLE THE TCS WHICH BASED ON THE MANUAL DISABLES ALSO THE ESP. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED BY OTHER OWNERS ON MULTIPLE FORUMS, AND NO OTHER CAR I DROVE WORKS IN THAT WAY, NOT EVEN MY HYUNDAI SONATA 2013 WHICH IS THE SAME CAR BUT WITH DIFFERENT BODY. MODE INFORMATION ON THE ATTACHED DOCUMENT.

Steering
Filed Dec 13, 2016CA

WHEN DRIVING THE CAR FROM ANY SPEEDS THE CAR WILL DRIFT. WANDERING NOT STABLE GOES IN TO OTHER LANES WITHOUT YOU DOING IT. HOLDING THE STEERING WHEEL WITH BOTH HANDS CONSTANTLY RESTEERING BACK AN FORTH WITHOUT TRYING NOT TO OVER STEER BY STAYING IN YOUR LANE AN NOT STEERING IN TO ANOTHER VEHICLE. . NOT A SAFE VEHICLE TO DRIVE. VERY UNSTABLE. *TR

Steering
Filed Dec 7, 201612,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.

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 →