Kia Optima Complaints (2013)

1,443 consumer complaints on file.

#11524061May 26, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY
Paint peeling off all over vehicle
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11522981May 20, 2023
ENGINE
My engine locked up for no reason
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11522910May 19, 2023
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V100000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 22V560000 (Structure) however, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. 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
#11522511May 17, 2023
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, ENGINE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was jerking and then lost motive power. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the brake lights remained illuminated while the vehicle was turned off. The vehicle also experienced phantom braking while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that an unknown sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521647May 12, 2023
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The contact owned a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while her son was driving approximately 35-40 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated and was flashing; however, he continued driving the vehicle. The contact stated that she later took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the knock sensor and an unknown component needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, 6 hours later while her son was driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was unable to restart and was towed back to the independent mechanic. The independent mechanic then informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer who confirmed that the engine needed to be replaced. The engine was replaced by the local dealer approximately in October of 2021. The contact then stated that on March 13, 2023, while her son was driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle crossed the center line and crashed into a tree on the other side of the road. The contact stated that the air bags deployed; however, her son was pronounced deceased at the scene. A Police report was filed. The contact stated that the Police Officer informed her that the speedometer was reading 90 MPH at the time of the crash and that the Event Data Recorder (EDR) was destroyed. The contact stated that the engine and transmission dislodged from the vehicle approximately 30-feet. The contact was concerned that the crash might have been caused by unintended acceleration. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
1
#11521443May 10, 2023
STEERING
Flexible coupler in the MDPS (p/n 56315) is failing and it is causing clicking and clunking when the steering wheel is turned to the left and right. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by the dealer. No warning lamps or messages are visible indicating this failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11520268May 3, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the engine had seized. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was determined that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. However, the dealer declined the engine replacement because the contact did not have an unknown engine recall repair performed prior to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that she had not received the unknown engine recall notification. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11520047May 2, 2023
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
My car was sent to Kia on Covington Pike in Memphis, TN to repair the recalls but further repairs were needed stemming from issues with the recall on the low pressure fuel pump
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11519662April 30, 2023
ENGINE
Engine seized and went out while driving a normal road. Normal driving conditions and all of my scheduled maintenance is up to date. The car lost all power and would not accelerate. The engine started smoking
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11519608April 29, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The issue with the car first occurred in 2021 when the vehicle had 109,000 miles. I was driving on the interstate returning from visiting my family when the car began to behave erratically. It started to seize, stall, and accelerated on its own. All of the lights illuminated on the dashboard with the error message hybrid engine, air pull over immediately. This was a serious event because my life as well as others were impacted. The car had just enough power to make it off of the shoulder when it died completely and had to be towed to the nearest dealership. They recommended I have the hybrid battery replaced which I did. That did not correct the issue because less than a year later in 2022 I was once again returning home and the car begin to do the same thing. Stalls, seizes, accelerates on its own and the same lights, the same warning message, and completely loses power when you’re driving! It was again towed to a dealership and this time they recommended I have the spark plugs replaced. The spark plugs were replaced and the day that the car was repaired and picked up it had to then be towed back just a few miles down the road with the same strange behavior, and the same issues. Clearly the recommended repairs are not fixing the root cause problem. And now three times my life as well as other motorists’ lives have been put in danger! I am tired of paying for recommended repairs that are not fixing the root issue when there are several hundred other persons who have been experiencing similar dangerous issues like mine with their vehicles. Kia needs to do something about this!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11519230April 27, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY
Paint defects. Kia admitted about 5-6 years ago that the Snow White Pearl paint on some of their models had issues. Since then they have painted parts of our vehicle 4 or more times. Current issues started in December 2022
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11519095April 26, 2023
ENGINE
Bearings are worn it in the engine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518881April 25, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The reflectors on the low beam headlights have degraded to the point it has failed Virginia state inspection. The safety of myself and others is impacted by reduced nighttime visibility. Distance of vision at night is reduced to only as much distance as the parking lights provide. The dealer has inspected and rejected the vehicle from passing Virginia State inspection and is now not lawfully allowed to be driven. There were no warning lamps to indicate a failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518500April 23, 2023
ENGINE
Apparent engine seizure. Vehicle has been towed to Peak KIA dealership located in Littleton CO. Have been informed by dealership it will take approximately one week before they can diagnose/confirm the engine seizure. Vehicle has LESS than 50,000 miles on it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11517996April 20, 2023
STEERING
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering column experienced excessive shaking and vibration making the vehicle difficult to steer. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure and a service appointment was scheduled. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11517223April 15, 2023
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Issue 1: I did not receive a recall notice for SC172. (NHTSA campaign 18V907000.) The recall began in January 2019. In July 2019 my car broke down with the exact same issue stated in the recall notice. I had to pay $1031.75 for the dealership to repair it. On April 13, 2023 I called Kia Corporate and requested reimbursement for my expense. They said that since the VIN wasn't on their recall list it was my responsibility to pay. I would like NHTSA's assistance in being reimbursed by KIA. I have the original repair documentation. Issue 2: I didn't receive recall notice my car's engine completely seized on 1/4/2023. All of the indicator lights on the dashboard lit up. This occurred on the highway during a heavy rainstorm. This could have caused a major accident, but was able to maneuver car off the highway. I never received any recalls (SC228, SC212, SC200, SC197, SC187, SC147, etc.) anyone of which could be the cause of the seizing. I will upload documents later.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11517096April 14, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY
I own a 2013 Kia optima with 70k miles. I have searches so many forums regarding the defect with the PEARL WHITE paint. The paint began to peel all over my car as soon as I bought it with 16k miles a few years back. I’m concerned for myself and hundreds of other people with the same problems. The issue I am concerned with is when the paint begins to peel on my hood I would be concerned it could possibly block my vision while driving. Not to mention the hundreds of other people I’ve read about with the same problem, and now we are supposed to incure the costs of a complete paint job on a car which could cost thousands of dollars when this white Pearl paint is clearly the issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11517113April 14, 2023
STEERING
Steering coupler went bad. Steering wheel rattles, badly
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11516384April 10, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Chipped paint around my windshield and other areas of the car, such as the trunk and various other areas of the vehicle
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11514476March 29, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V093000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS warning light, the traction control warning light, the check engine warning light illuminated then several other unknown warning lights started to illuminate. The contact then stated that the vehicle hesitated and stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the hydraulic electronic control unit (HECU) failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, 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 and the contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 173,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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