Kia Optima Complaints (2013)
1,443 consumer complaints on file.
- #11594387June 14, 2024STRUCTURE:BODY
This is not a safety issue but it is an issue that seems to be happening on many Kia vehicles, especially those with the Snow White paint color. My car is 11 years old but in great shape with only 62,200 miles. The paint looks almost brand new with no other flaws in the car other than there are spots on the hood and roof where the paint is bubbling up and peeling off with no damages to those areas. It appears the paint no longer adheres to the silver primer.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11593304June 9, 2024AIR BAGS
Airbag warning light continuously on, a 2018 recall that was repaired by KIA dealership and seemingly recurring.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11593209June 8, 2024ENGINE
I have maintained my car well since i first bought it. I was randomly cruising [XXX] 2024 at [XXX] and my car stopped and nothing worked. No ignition, my wheel locked, my brakes locked and all i could see was black smoke coming out of engine. I had recently changed the oil on 11th May 2024 so I know that wasnt the oil that messed my car up and on internet it shows the recalls for fire in engine. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11593100June 7, 2024ENGINE
We took the car in for the recalls. ASC245 Headliner plates - they state they still don’t have the part. BSC2484QF HECU fuse. After they replaced the fuse, the car started losing power when driving, as well as the traction control lights were on, and the brake lights were on. I have read on the KIA forum this is happening to multiple people following the fuse replacement. We took the car back to KIA the same day and they told us it was nothing to do with what they did. We have now taken it to another non KIA mechanic. This is extremely dangerous and clearly related.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11591553May 30, 2024UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The paint on my car is peeling. It’s pearl white.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11591584May 30, 2024SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owned a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked and attempting to enter it, she became aware of a strong unknown smell. The contact re-exited the vehicle, and immediately noticed smoke coming from the front side. After this, the vehicle caught on fire. The fire was emanating from the underneath of the vehicle. The fire department was notified and extinguished the fire. The contact was unaware of a police report or a fire department report being filed. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11591222May 29, 2024ENGINE
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result was not provided. The independent mechanic informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11590232May 22, 2024SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while her husband was driving at approximately 65 MPH on a hill, the vehicle started losing automotive power and suddenly stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not able to be restarted and smoke was noticed emanating from the front area, near the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to the contact residence. The contact indicated that while an independent mechanic tried to start the vehicle, he became aware that the vehicle was being overloaded and subsequently fire flames began to be noticed. The mechanic disconnected the alternator and informed the contact it was a manufacturing failure. The local dealer was contacted, however; they stated that it would not be repaired since it was not covered under warranty. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11590239May 22, 2024STRUCTURE:BODY
The paint on my car is peeling off in sheets it is not adhering to the body. There is no way that I believe I can have it repainted because they would have to take all the existing paint off because even if they paint it over it it's not stuck to the body. There is no recall and I really think there should be. My paint is the white pearl paint like everyone else's who's peeling off.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11590078May 22, 2024SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11590014May 21, 2024STEERING
Dealership states I need a new coupling device. They told me this has been a problem in 2013 Optima.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11588700May 14, 2024ENGINE
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, there was white smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe, and the vehicle was decelerating unintendedly. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently. The contact stated that the engine oil was topped off several times; however, there was no warning light notifying the contact that the oil level was low. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11588319May 12, 2024STRUCTURE:BODY
Car paint started peeling on the whole car and according to dealers it's a common problem with the pear paint and I need it fixed
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11588120May 10, 2024ENGINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving or parked, there was an abnormally strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The check engine and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The contact replaced the battery, and the warning lights were deactivated. The contact stated the strong fuel odor persisted and the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a fuel leak. The contact was informed that the fuel injectors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 190,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11588131May 10, 2024SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11587420May 7, 2024STEERING
Flexible steering coupling was faulty and replaced on 02-22-23 under recall. The same part became faulty again on 02-22-24, but Ewald Kia of Oconomowoc refused to replace the defective part without charge. The HECU is under recall so I scheduled a service appointment for recall and when I arrived at Ewald Kia of Oconomowoc, I was advised by service manager that they did no have parts to fix recall.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11587155May 6, 2024SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while her husband was turning off the vehicle, there was an abnormal clicking noise was detected. The window failed to roll down. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact was concerned of the vehicle catching on fire. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11586591May 2, 2024ENGINE
I've had a recall for months that there is no fix for. This is way too long to wait for a fix while there are so many issues with Kia's and Hyundai and getting insured right now. I do not feel safe with this car at this point. 5XXGN4A78DG155676 Sep 25,2023 I've had a recall for months that there is no fix for. This is way too long to wait for a fix while there are so many issues with Kia's and Hyundai and getting insured right now. I do not feel safe with this car at this point. [XXX] Sep 25,2023 Manufacturer Recall NumberSC284QF NHTSA Recall Number23V652 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete Summary KIA AMERICA, INC. HAS DECIDED THAT A DEFECT WHICH RELATES TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXISTS IN CERTAIN 2012-2013 MY OPTIMA VEHICLES. THE HYDRAULIC ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (HECU) MAY EXPERIENCE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT, WHICH CAN RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11586406May 1, 2024ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds or while parked, the electric windows, seats, sunroof, and radio failed to operate as needed. Additionally, when coolant was added to the coolant reservoir, the A/C unit blew warm air for 15 minutes before cooling down. The seat belt warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a car stereo store where it was diagnosed that the radio needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11585950April 29, 2024SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0