NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Kia Optima. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that after he purchased the vehicle from the dealer, he noticed that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer tried to repair the air bag failure however, they were unsuccessful and informed the contact that the vehicle did not need the air bags since it had seat belts and there were many vehicles on the road without air bags. The dealer also informed the contact that the vehicle was previously involved in a collision. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, Fort Collins Kia (2849 S College Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80525) and diagnosed that the air bag wirings were faulty and if the contact was involved in a crash, the air bags would not deploy. Fort Collins Kia (2849 S College Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80525) advised the contact to take the vehicle back to the original dealer since it was a safety failure, and to contact the NHTSA. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000.
PAINT (PEARL WHITE) BEGAN PEELING OFF IN JUNE 2019 ON THE FRONT T AND BACK OF THE ROOF TRIM. ON MARCH 12, 2021 THE PAINT HAS NOW STARTED PEELING FROM THE PASSENGER LEFT SIDE DOOR. ALSO, THE VEHICLE HAS MAJOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS- THE POWER WINDOWS ( ALL BUT THE DRIVER'S WINDOW) QUIT OPERATING ON JANUARY 27, 2021. THE VEHICLE IS A 2013 WITH ONLY 43K MILES ON IT. UNACCEPTABLE
MY CAR IS STALLING WHEN I ACCELERATE AND WHEN I TURN MY CAR ON TO START IT UP IT SMELLS LIKE GAS
PAINT IS CHIPPING OFF OF THE PILLARS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE WINDSHIELD. STARTED APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH AGO. FIRST NOTICED WHILE PARKED UNDER CARPORT. NO ACCIDENTS OR PAINT WORK DONE. THIS IS ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER PAINT JOB.
THE PAINT IS CHIPPING ON THE CARS HOOD, ROOF RAILS AND TRUNK LID TO NO FAULT OF MINE. PAINT IS ALSO BUBBLING ON THE DOORS AND IS STARTING TO CHIP.
BURNS OIL AND ENGINE REVS
MY WHITE PEARL PAINT STARTED OFF AS A LITTLE CHIP AND NOW I HAVE BLOTCHES OF PAINT CHIPS ON MY TRUNK LID
2 FLAT TIRES GETTING OFF WORK
PAINT IS PEELING. IT'S NOT CAUSED BY ANY FRICTION. IT'S DE-LAMINATING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO A FRIEND'S HOUSE NEARBY. THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
MULTIPLE RECALLS ON CAR - BEEN HAVING SIGNIFICANT ISSUES FROM ELECTRICAL TO BREAKS.
ON FEBRUARY 19, 2021 AT AROUND 12:50 A.M., A FRIEND AND I WERE DRIVING HOME IN MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID EX ON A CITY STREET AND WE WERE A LITTLE MORE THAN HALF-WAY HOME WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON CAME ON. I STARTED LOOKING FOR AN OPEN GAS STATION SO I COULD STOP AND CHECK IF THERE WAS ANYTHING VISIBLY WRONG WITH MY CAR. BEFORE I COULD REACH A GAS STATION, I HEARD A TICKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND UPON LOOKING IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR I SAW SMOKE BILLOWING OUT OF THE BACK OF THE CAR AND SAW AND SMELLED SMOKE INSIDE THE CABIN ALSO. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. THE CAR THEN COMPLETELY FILLED WITH SMOKE, SO MY FRIEND AND I GOT OUT OF THE CAR QUICKLY. THE ENGINE AREA BURST INTO FLAMES. I CALLED 911 AND REPORTED IT TO THE POLICE AND WAITED FOR THEM TO COME. THE CAR EXPLODED A COUPLE OF TIMES BEFORE THEY GOT TO ME AND THE FIRE QUICKLY ENGULFED THE CAR REACHING INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE STREET HAD TO BE COMPLETELY BLOCKED OFF FROM ALL TRAFFIC. IT WAS A VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE AS WE BARELY MADE IT OUT OF THE CAR BEFORE IT BURST INTO FLAMES AND HOW RISKY IT WAS BEING IN THE CAR BEFORE IT CAUGHT FIRE. AS FAST AS EVERYTHING HAPPENED WE FEEL LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. IT TOOK THE FIRE CREW ABOUT AN HOUR TO PUT THE CAR OUT. EVERYTHING INSIDE THE CABIN WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. AFTER GETTING A RIDE HOME FROM THE POLICE I STARTED RESEARCHING ONLINE THE ISSUE I HAD JUST GONE THROUGH AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS MANUFACTURER RECALL #SC200TE, NHTSA RECALL #20V750 FOR MY VEHICLE WHICH SEEMED TO FIT THE EXPERIENCE I HAD WITH MY CAR.
LOSS OF POWER UPON ACCELERATING. TURBO SEEMS TO BE AFFECTED. PROBLEM STOPS/RESETS SOMETIMES AFTER I TURN OFF THE CAR AND TURN IT BACK ON AGAIN. WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE UP TO 40MPH, THE ENGINE DOESN'T RESPOND APPROPRIATELY. I CAN HAVE MY PEDAL PUSHED TO THE GROUND AND IT WILL STILL TAKE AT LEAST 1-2 MINUTES TO GET UP TO 40 MPH. AFTER IT GETS TO AROUND 40-45 MPH IT SEEMS TO RESPOND BETTER TO ACCELERATION, BUT IT STILL LAGS. COMPUTER THREW CODE P2562.
STEELING WHEEL AND COLUMN IS VERY LOOSE. WHENEVER YOU HIT A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD THE STEELING WHEEL LOOSES CONTROL. IT MAKES A LOUD RATTLING NOISE. ALSO, THE RADIO SYSTEM STOP WORKING. I WOULD TURN MY CAR OFF AND THE STEREO SYSTEM WOULD CONTINUE TO PLAY AND WOULD NOT CUT OFF EVEN WHEN THE CAR WAS TURN OFF. EVEN WITH THE KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE ONLY WAY YOU COULD GET IT TO TURN OFF WAS TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. TOOK CAR TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP THEY STATED THAT THEIR RECALL SYSTEM HAS A NATIONWIDE SHUT DOWN AND THEY DO NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WILL BE ABLE TO REPAIR IT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE OIL PAN WOULD LEAK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V750000 (ENGINE). THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOU FUSZ KIA (1025 N LINDBERGH BLVD, ST. LOUIS, MO 63132) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE OIL PAN NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE RECALL DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF NOT BEING REIMBURSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FORCE THE DEALER TO ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 79,800.
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA ON THE FN INTERSTATE AND THE CAR STALLED!! I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALLS UNTIL SOMEONE THAT ASSISTED HER TOLD HER THIS! I AM DURING YOU! SHE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT! THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF
Pearl white color paint chipping, and breaking due to water and air. Bad batch of primer and coating has caused the paint to chip and peel across the body of the car.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V750000 (ENGINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER KIA OF VACAVILLE LOCATED AT 651 ORANGE DR, VACAVILLE, CA 95687 WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE SOFTWARE NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE SOFTWARE NEEDED WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE MESSAGE (PULL OVER SAFELY) WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER MENTOR KIA (9090 MENTOR AVE, MENTOR, OH 44060, (440)953-1000) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SUBJECTED TO REPAIR UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V750000 (ENGINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS HAD EXCEEDED THE WARRANTY MILEAGE LIMIT AND THERE WOULD BE NO ASSISTANCE PROVIDED IN REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 155,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED FIRE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 209,000.
JANUARY 25TH MY ENGINE SMOKED A QUIT RUNNING. MECHANIC INSPECTED TRYED TO TURN ENGINE OVER BY HAND WAS SEIZED AND HAD NO CODES. TOWED TO DEALER . JAN 29TH DEALER CONFIRMS ENGINE IS SEIZED . JAN 31 CALL ENGINE TURNS OVER AND HAS THROTTLE BODY CODE AND ALSO HAS TO MANY MILES TO PERFORM SAFTEY RECALL . I WATCHED MECHANIC TRY TO TURN ENGINE OVER WITH A WRENCH AT CRANKSHAFT AND IT WOULDNT BUDGE AND MECHANIC SCANNED CAR AND IT HAD NO CODES STORED . DEALER NOW WANT ME TO PAY MONEY FOR DIAGNOSIS I SAID NO CALLED KIA CORPORATE. I EXPLAINED TO CORPORATE SAFTEY RECALL HAS NO MILEAGE LIMIT AND THEY STILL DENY REPAIR I EXPLAIN TO CORPORATE THAT I HAD CAR DIAGNOSED AND I BELIEVE THEY WERE ATTEMPTING TO CHARGE ME A FEE BY CHANGING DIAGNOSIS. 10 MINTUES AFTER CALL TO CORPORATE I GET A TEXT FROM DEALER MY CAR IS COMPLETED AND READY FOR PICKUP NO CHARGE . I HAVE CAR TOWED BACK TO OTHER SHOP THEY SCAN FOR CODES AND TRY TO TURN ENGINE OVER BY HAND AGAIN AND NO CODES AND ENGINE STILL SEIZED . 2 WEEKS LATER CORPORATE CALLS AND SAYS THEY WERE WRONG ABOUT RECALL AND THEY WILL BUY CAR BACK. I ASKED IF THEY COULD FIX IT AND SHE SAID YES WE WILL REPLACE ENGINE . 3 DAYS LATER DEALER CALLS ANS SAYS COMPUTERS DOWN NATIONWIDE AND CANT ORDER ENGINE . 3WEEKS LATER DEALER CALLS AND SAYS THEY HAVE TO DO TESTS ON ENGINE BEFORE THEY ORDER NEW . I CA'LL CORPORATE AND FEB 26TH SHE EMAILS ME BACK THAT THE ENGINE WAS ORDERED 2 WEEK LATER DEALER CALLS AND SAYS THEY HAVE TO DO A COMPRESSION INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAK AND OIL PRESSURE REGULATOR TESTS . I ASK CORPORATE WHY THEY SAID ENGINE WAS ORDERD AND THEY REPLIED THATS WHAT THE DEALER TOLD THEM. 2 MONTHS KIA HAS HAD MY CAR AND NOT DONE RHE SAFTEY RECALL IT SEEMS THEY ARE STALLING AND TRYING TO FIND A WAY OUT OF DOING IT.
MY CAR STARTED MAKING A SLIGHT KNOCKING SOUND ON THE MORNING OF 1/21/21 ON KEMP BLVD WHICH IS JUST A CITY STREET AND WITHIN LESS THAN A MILE, IT STOPPED RUNNING AND HAD ME ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES. I WAS ONLY ABOUT 2 STREETS FROM MY HOUSE, I GOT IT TO START AND GOT IT BACK HOME BUT THEN IMMEDIATELY TURNED IT OFF AND IT HAS BEEN PARKED THERE SINCE. I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND WAS NOTIFIED THAT IT WAS FAILURE OF THE ROD BEARING AND THAT I WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE
I have been having electrical/lighting issues for about a year. It initially started with the inside lights intermittently flashing when opening the door or attempting to use the interior lights; however sometimes the automatic interior lights did not come on at all when set to automatically turn on when a door opened, but now the lights don’t come on at all when opening the door. I have also had some headlight and dashboard lights going on and off while driving. I have experienced this on at least 3 occasions since last June or July. I have done some of my own testing by switching the lights to different functions, on and off, etc. Because it has only happened 3 times I’m not sure exactly what the issue is and scared that at some point, they won’t work at all. This is very concerning and obviously a safety issue. In addition, just recently my interior speaker system began having issues when using the hands free call option. With every call I make or take while using the hands free option, the call goes in and out constantly and consistently. It doesn’t happen to those on the other end of the line. It does this every time for about the past month. The speakers work fine when listening to the radio. My phone works perfectly through the regular calling option or on the speaker option but that is not ideal while driving. As new issues continue to pop up, increase, progressively get worse, I’m concerned there could be other current or future electrical problems in the engine or in regular safe functioning of the car leading to melting, fire, or a malfunction while driving, causing catastrophic results.
FIRST MY CAR HAS 80,000 MILES AND I DO ALL HIS REGULAR SERVICES ON TIME. I OWN THIS CAR 5 YEARS AGO,I DO EVEN EXTEND THE WARRANTY AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE BUT I NEVER USE IT BECAUSE THE CAR WAS GIVING ME NO PROBLEMS AT ALL. TODAY I WAS DRIVING TO THE STORE USING THE FREEWAY AND AFTER 10 MINUTES THAT I LEAVE MY HOUSE I STARTED HEARING A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR THE ENGINE AND INCREASES LITTLE BY LITTLE.I JUST TAKE THE CLOSEST EXIT AND PULL OVER BECAUSE THE NOISE WAS TOO MUCH FOR CONTINUE DRIVING.I JUST PARKED MY CAR ON DAVIS STREET IN SAN LEANDRO AND I TRY TO CALL SOMEONE TO HELP ME ..I DECIDE NO TO DRIVE MY CAR BACK HOME I JUST TOWED TO MY HOME. I'M SO UPSET BECAUSE THE CAR IT'S PRETTY MUCH LOW MILES TO GIVE THAT KIND OF PROBLEMS ..THANK YOU
DURING A COMMUTE TO WORKSITE THE CAR WAS DRIVING NORMALLY FOR THE FIRST 10 MILES. NO SOUNDS, NO DASH LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. NO SIGNAL THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG. AS I DROVE NORMALLY THROUGH THE ROUTE, I ENTERED THE HIGHWAY AND ACCELERATED TO NEARLY 65 MPH. AFTER A MOMENT OR SO OF DRIVING THE CAR SUDDENLY FELT AS IF THE ENGINE HAD NO POWER. I PULLED MY FOOT OFF THE GAS, THEN I CHECKED THE DASH LIGHTS, I MADE SURE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROPER AUTOMATICS MODE AND NOT MANUAL (IT FELT LIKE IT WAS THROWN INTO NEUTRAL OR A LOWER GEAR), I ALSO VERIFIED CRUISE CONTROL WAS OFF. EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE. I PRESSED THE GAS TO ACCELERATE BACK UP TO SPEED AND THE CAR BEGAN SHAKING VERY VIGOROUSLY. THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. BECAUSE I WAS NOT IN A SAFE AREA TO STOP, I TRIED TO COAST TO THE NEAREST EXIT. I IMAGINE I WAS COASTING AND ACCELERATING INTERMITTENTLY (FOR ONLY A FEW SECONDS AT A TIME) FOR ANYWHERE FROM ONE-HALF TO TWO MILES BEFORE THE NEXT EXIT. IT IS HARD TO GUESS THE DISTANCE BECAUSE IT WAS DARK DURING THE INCIDENT. ONCE I MADE IT TO THE EXIT, THE ENGINE WAS NO LONGER PROVIDING POWER AT ALL - MEANING I WOULD PRESS THE GAS AND NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT EVEN REV. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER SAID THAT BECAUSE THE CAR DID NOT HAVE A CODE OF P1326 THAT THE ISSUE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER KIA'S EXTENDED ENGINE WARRANTY. I AM TRYING TO FIGHT FOR THEM TO HONOR THE WARRANTY. NO LUCK SO FAR. THEY QUOTED A $7500 REPAIR. CAR IS PERFECTLY MAINTAINED. I JUST PUT NEW SPARK PLUS AND A NEW SERPENTINE BELT ON 9 WEEKS AGO (AT THE KIA DEALERSHIP OF COURSE- ONLY PLACE I DO MAINTENANCE AT).
The Snow White Pearl paint is peeling off of the hood and roof of the car (delamination).
2013 KIA OPTIMA IN AUGUST 2019 STARTING STALLING OUT AND WOULDN'T START. THEN MY ENGINE STARTING KNOCKING. MY CAR WOULD STILL START BUT WOULD ONLY GO 20-30 MPH WHILE MAKE KNOCKING ENGINE NOISES. TOOK MY KIA OPTIMA TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED THE ENGINE DUE TO RECALL. BUT DIDN'T REPLACE THE STARTER, AFTER I GOT MY CAR BACK MY STARTER WENT OUT COMPLETELY! MY CAR WON'T START. DEC 2020 TOOK MY KIA TO KIA DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS MY STARTER. I HAVE TO PAY $800 FOR STARTER REPLACEMENT. I TOLD THEM I HAD THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE ENGINE RECALL. FOUND OUT KIA REPLACED 5 OUT 7 STARTERS WHEN THEY REPLACED THE ENGINE DUE TO RECALL. BUT THEY WON'T REPLACE MY STARTER BECAUSE IT'S BEEN OVER A YEAR FROM THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. I TOLD THEM MY CARS BEEN PARKED THE ENTIRE YEAR 2020 DUE TO COVID AND I THOUGHT I JUST NEEDED A BATTERY. I BOUGHT A BATTERY BUT MY CAR STILL WOULD START. I KNOW MY STARTER WAS DAMAGED DUE TO MY ENGINE AND OIL LEAK DUE TO RECALL & KIA SHOULD REPLACE THE STARTER UNDER THE ENGINE WARRANTY FOR THE RECALL. MY CARS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP AND I DON'T HAVE $800 TO FIX THE STARTER. MY STEERING WHEEL WAS SHAKING AND MAKING NOISES, I PAID KIA TO FIX IT 2020 NOW I FOUND THERE'S A CUFF LINK RECALL AND KIA WILL REIMBURSE ME. I KEEP HAVING TROUBLE WITH 2013 KIA OPTIMA! I WILL NEVER BUY A KIA AGAIN! BUYER BEWARE!
DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60MPH ON EXPRESSWAY, GAVE A LITTLE MORE GAS TO PASS SOMEONE AND ENGINE STALLED WHILE SWITCHING LANES AT HIGH SPEED. INFORMED BY KIA DEALERSHIP THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE OF THE CONNECTING ROD BEARING/S.
MY CAR IS TICKING AND BATTERY KEEPS GOING DEAD IT CUT OFF ON THE HIGHWAY HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED HOME
CAR STARTED VIBRATING AND MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE WHILE BEGINNING DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY. THE KNOCKING GOT WORSE AND THE ENGINE STALLED SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. PULLED OVER ON HIGHWAY SHOULDER AND SMELLED BURNT OIL AFTER CAR STOPPED. CHECKED OIL LEVELS AND TEMPERATURE WERE WITHIN ACCEPTABLE RANGES. ENGINE APPEARED TO BE SIEZED AFTER ATTEMPTING TO TURN ON THE VEHICLE AGAIN. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AWAY FROM HIGHWAY.
I LOANED MY CAR TO MY SON A FEW MONTHS AGO AND HE SAID THERE WAS NO OIL SHOWING ON THE DIPSTICK. HE ADDED OIL AND I HAVE BEEN HAVING TO ADD OIL REGULARLY TOO SINCE THEN. I'VE ALWAYS HAD TOYOTAS IN THE PAST AND COULD "ALWAYS" DEPEND ON THE OIL LEVEL STAYING SAFE BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. I HAVE 148,000 MILES ON MY CAR. I KEPT CARS IN THE PAST WITH DOUBLE THAT MILEAGE WITH NO ENGINE PROBLEMS. I STILL OWE $4,000 ON MY CAR AND NEED TO KEEP IT A LONG TIME. THE KIA SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME MY CAR WOULD HAVE TO BE KNOCKING IN ORDER FOR THEM TO HONOR THE RECALL. I'M SURE IF MY SON DIDN'T CATCH THE PROBLEM THAT THE ENGINE WOULDN'T BEEN KNOCKING SOON. THE PRODUCTION DATE OF MY CAR FALLS IN THE AFFECTED DATES LISTED ON RECALL # 17V-224. IS THERE ANY WAY TO GET MY ENGINE REPAIRED THROUGH THAT RECALL? THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.
Steering has a notchy feel. Binds releases and binds
My paint is peeling all over my car. I’ve stored it in a garage and kept very good care of it, but it keeps getting worse.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40-50 MPH, THE HOOD INADVERTENTLY OPENED AND CRACKED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,564.
THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE STALLED & SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING, WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. IT GAVE ZERO PRIOR WARNING, THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO SPUTTERING, NO INDICATION OF AN ISSUE. AT THE TIME, IT HAD A QUARTER TANK OF GAS (AT LEAST THE GAUGE SAID SO). AAA FILLED THE TANK AND WE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, WITHOUT ISSUE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP OUT OF CONCERN IT MAY HAPPEN AGAIN (ON THE FREEWAY WHERE IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT), AND THEY SAID IT'S A FAULTY TURBO CHARGER CAUSING A "LOSS OF POWER." GIVEN THERE WERE NO ISSUES WHILE DRIVING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, I'M NOT SURE I AGREE WITH THE "LOSS OF POWER." BUT REGARDLESS, IF THE TURBO IS BAD, IT'S AMONG THOUSANDS OF OTHER 2013 KIA OPTIMAS WITH TURBO & ENGINE ISSUES THAT ARE ALL WAY TOO SIMILAR TO BE COINCIDENCE. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS ALMOST 4K TO REPLACE IT, WITHOUT ANY GUARANTEE IT'LL ACTUALLY FIX THE ENGINE STALLING ISSUE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND VIBRATE WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED BEFORE GOING INTO LIMP MODE AND STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER SOUTH HILLS KIA LOCATED AT 3644 WASHINGTON RD, MCMURRAY, PA 15317 WHO REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.
DRIVING THE CAR AFTER MULTIPLE CHANGES AND RECHARGING OF ALTERNATOR AFTER ENGINE RECALL. OVER THE COURSE OF 3 MONTHS, THE CAR HAS STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD TWICE AFTER DISPLAYING ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND THEN SHUTTING DOWN. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME, I AM GETTING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON THIS CAR SERVICED.
WHEN I WAS DRIVING ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON ON THE DASHBOARD AND I COULDN'T ACCELERATE AT ALL THEN IT CUT OFF AND HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO JUMP IT OFF OR ANYTHING! WE'VE LOOKED TO SEE IF WE COULD FIND OUT WHY BUT IT'S JUST DIED AND I THINK THE MOTOR LOCKED UP!
I LEFT WORK ONE NIGHT AND STARTED FINE AND WAS DRIVING NORMAL FOR ABOUT 10-15 MILES THEN EVERY SINGLE LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH BOARD THEN COULDN'T ACCELERATE ANYMORE! IT DROPPED IN LIKE 15MPH INCREMENTS UNTIL IT FINALLY ROLLED TO A STOP! I CUT THE CAR OFF AND EVER SINCE IT CUT OFF IT HASN'T CUT BACK ON SINCE ME AND COUSIN LOOKED AND SEEN NO OBVIOUS PROBLEMS BUT THINK THE MOTOR LOCKED UP COMPLETELY!
STARTING MAKING A NOISE IN SHUT OFF
I WAS GOING DOWN A ROAD IN MY TOWN LPGA IN DAYTONA BEACH, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD THIS WEIRD SOUND THEN MY ACCELERATING STOPPED EVEN THOUGH I HAD MY FOOT ON THE GAS. THE CAR ENGINE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE EVEN THOUGH I HAD MY FOOT ON THE GAS IT FINALLY SLOWED DOWN WHERE I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP GOT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ALL OF MY ENGINE SENSOR LIGHTS CAME ON AND MY CAR ENGINE WILL NOT ROLL OVER OR EVEN START MY BATTERY JUST TURNS ON. IT'S AS IF IT'S JUST STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY NO ONE HAS GIVEN ME A ANSWER THE TOW DRIVER IS THE ONE WHO TOLD ME THAT KIA OPTIMAS WERE HAVING RECALL ISSUES ON THEY'RE CARS WITH EXACT PROBLEMS LIKE MINE. I LOVE MY OPTIMA I TAKE REALLY GOOD CARE OF IT SO IT REALLY HURTS THAT THERE ISN'T MUCH I CAN DO ABOUT MY CAR.
WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO FEEL LOOSE WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPY ROADS. THERE WAS ALSO A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RESPONDING PROPERLY TO THE MOVEMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL. PLASTIC STEERING COUPLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF THE PART AND 3 LABOR HOURS.
ON DEC 5, 2020. I WAS DRIVING ON 78 WEST WHEN SUDDENLY MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA EX BEGIN TO DECREASE IN SPEED.WITHIN 5 MINUTES I HAD TO PULL OVER WHERE MY CAR JUST TURNED OFF. DEC 12, 2020 I WAS TOLD THAT MY ENGINE WASN'T TURNING OVER AND THE MOTOR WAS GONE. JUST LIKE THAT. I WAS VERY CONFUSED AND DISAPPOINTED AS I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING FOR THIS TO HAPPEN.
SUDDENLY THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED TO THE CAR ON THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH ON A HIGHWAY. IF THERE WERE ANY CARS BEHIND ME, I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN REAR ENDED, AT A VERY HIGH SPEED, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN SEVERE INJURY. I WAS NOT ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR ANYTHING MORE THAN 5MPH DUE TO THE BREAK CONSTANTLY BEING APPLIED TO THE CAR RESULTING IN ME NOT BEING ABLE TO MERGE ACROSS THE HIGHWAY SAFELY TO THE SIDE. THE CAR GAVE THE "CHECK BRAKE" ALERT ALONG WITH "HYBRID SYSTEM FAILURE". THE KIA DEALERSHIP IN FREMONT, CALIFORNIA DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE. ATTACHED IS THE DIAGNOSIS REPORT. THERE WAS A BRAKE FLUID LEAK INSIDE THE HYDRAULIC ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (HECU), POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. THAT IS EXACTLY SAME ISSUE AS KIA RECALL 20V519000 ISSUED IN AUGUST 2020. IF THE HECU SHORT CIRCUITS, THERE IS AN INCREASED RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. KIA NEEDS TO ADD THIS VIN TO THE RECALL. IT'S SAME YEAR MODEL AS RECALL. DEALER ADVISED TO REPLACE A PART 58620-4U301. KIA SHALL PROMPTLY ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. GREATLY APPRECIATE IT.
I HAVE A CLICKING SOUND IN THE STEERING WHEEL. AUTO MECHANIC STATED IT WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE BUSHING OF THE STEERING COLUMN AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE MENTIONED THAT HE THOUGHT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS. IT JUST STARTED OUT OF NOWHERE. THERE HAS BEEN NO INCIDENTS OR WRECKS TO CAUSE IT. IS THERE A RECALL TO HAVE THIS REPLACED?
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHCILE STALLED AND FAILED TO RESTART. THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING FROM VEHICLE. THERE WAS ABNORMAL ODOR OF FUEL DETECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA OF ORANGE PARK (6373 BLANDING BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32244, (904) 758-2612) BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V907000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the low-beam headlight was not providing proper illumination while driving, making it difficult to see the roadway. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 176,000.
My paint is chipping away on my hood and frame around windshield.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS DECELERATING INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BEARING AND ENGINE SEIZED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. THE CAR TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE THE HYBRID SYSTEM.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026