Kia Optima Complaints (2013)
1,443 consumer complaints on file.
- #11501294January 11, 2023STRUCTURE:BODY
The door latches don't spring back into a position that allows the door to be closed again, once it has been opened. I have to stick my finger in the latch hole in the door while pulling out the latch handle to put the latch back into the position where the door will close. So far, this problem has effected three of the four doors in my sedan.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11501341January 11, 2023SERVICE BRAKES
I have 2 separate issues. 1. Anti-lock brakes don't always work properly. They have locked up in the rain many times. 2. My white pearl paint started chipping two years ago and now has large spots missing with bubbling in other areas.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11500866January 9, 2023FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
UNKNOWN There are recalls for the vehicle and the Kia dealership hasn’t sent any letters notifying I had to find out online.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11500432January 6, 2023FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 22V560000 (Structure) and 22V093000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the high-pressure fuel pump needed to be replaced before servicing the recall repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11498451December 21, 2022ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1. Vehicle refuse to start had to have it towed to a shop to have a new battery placed in 2. Replacement of battery caused a short in stereo system resulting in the replacement with a new stereo system 3. Engine began to knock 12/19/22 took car to Car-Mart was given a list of mechanics to call made an appointment with Dominion in Farmington Arkansas for the morning of December 21st 4. Car decelerated and check engine light came on just before Exit 70 on I-49 near Johnson Mill Boulevard pulled over to the side of the interstate was able to move the vehicle forward to Exit 70 at 20 miles per hour to get off the interstate and park at Casey's General Store on Don Tyson Parkway in Springdale 5. Car was towed to Dominion Auto in Farmington Arkansas 6. I was not informed of any recall on my vehicle or any dangers impose to me or my family including my two small children upon purchase of the vehicle or registration of the vehicle or within 90 days of registration 7. Came to this website to post a complaint and found out I not only have one recall but two that I was unaware of
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11498080December 19, 2022FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Recently my vehicle started smelling of raw fuel. I took the vehicle to my mechanic and was advised it was the fuel line issue that KIA had recalled the vehicle for. I contacted my KIA dealer and was advised my particular VIN was not on recall for the fuel line. KIA recalled the 2013 KIA Optima GDI Turbo for the fuel line issues but only certain VIN's. This vehicle was affected by the engine recalls. It initially had a short block engine replacement prior to the engine recall and subsequently that engine failed and the vehicle was replaced with a long block engine in 2018. The new engine has 30,000 miles on it. The VIN number does not have the original engine or potentially the original fuel line. How is KIA determining the current fuel line issue is not on my VIN? This is a 2013 KIA Optima GDI turbo. The vehicle does not have the original engine or likely the original fuel line. The vehicle has been serviced by KIA several times and the engine and fuel lines have been replaced. The vehicle at the time of manufacturing had 1 specific line but no one knows which fuel line is currently in my vehicle. I am requesting KIA contact me and advise they will honor this fuel line repair under the recall and I am questioning why only certain VIN's were recalled. KIA cannot definitively determine which fuel line is in each vehicle because most of the engines were replaced in the 2013 model based on the widespread engine recall/replacement of the engines. This is a major safety issue that needs to be addressed. If the initial recall was done on the manufacturers VIN info, the engine and fuel line data is flawed since these vehicle engines were replaced. There is too much of a coincidence in the fuel line issue on my vehicle and the recall despite what KIA is stating.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11498142December 19, 2022ENGINE
I got onto a highway on ramp, I had to slightly accelerate due to it being busy & my car started knocking & the check engine started flashing. Engine oil level is good but it has a Rod knock.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11497588December 15, 2022EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, INTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11497001December 12, 2022HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
The contact owned a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, a bystander alerted him that his vehicle was on fire. The contact exited the vehicle and discovered that the front driver-side tire well had caught fire. Another motorist who witnessed the fire stopped and extinguished the fire with a fire extinguisher. The fire department was called to the scene and inspected the vehicle to ensure that the fire was extinguished. The police department also arrived at the scene. Neither police nor fire report was filed. The vehicle was initially towed to the contact's home and then to a dealer where an inspection discovered that the hybrid battery may have been the source of the fire. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer for further investigation. The contact made multiple attempts to reach the manufacturer but was unsuccessful. The vehicle was deemed a complete loss. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11496695December 9, 2022FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the odor of fuel was present inside the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who performed the recall repair for NHTSA Recall Campaign: 22V09300 (Fuel System, Gasoline). After retrieving the vehicle, the odor was still present inside the vehicle. The contact also stated that there was fuel leaking underneath the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 91,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11495906December 3, 2022ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, FIRERELATED
On 1/7/2022 I was driving my 2013 Kia Optima on the freeway heading home and was passing an eighteen wheeler when my car started slowing down even when trying to accelerate, luckily I was far enough ahead and was able to get off the freeway. Had the car towed to the Dealership and was told the engine failed but would be replaced free of charge due to class action suit settlement in 2020. Engine was replaced at 79,319 miles and picked up on 1/22/2022. On 11/08/2022 my son-in-law was driving the car home from work and was on the freeway with heavy traffic at 5:00pm when he first smelled gasoline and then saw smoke from engine compartment. He was in the left hand lane and pulled into the median area and stopped the vehicle and got out when the car caught fire. He called 911 immediately. By the time the police and fire department got there the car was totaled. Luckily no body was injured or killed. I have contacted KIA Consumer Affairs and was given a case number and was assured they would get me a replacement vehicle. I had the car moved from the holding lot and towed to the Dealership where I purchased it and have had it serviced regularly. As of 12/03/2022 we are still without a car and $857 towing fee and waiting on a KIA INSPECTION and decision.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11495840December 2, 2022ENGINE
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to a Goodyear Service Center to be diagnosed. The mechanic retrieved an unknown code for engine failure. The contact then stated that the following day the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but not assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11494523November 22, 2022FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
2013 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 22V-093. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHEN PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO PERFORM SAFETY RECALL.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11492877November 9, 2022STEERING
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the steering wheel became stiff. The contact stated that while accelerating the steering wheel started to shake abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the power steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that there was no recall for the failure. The failure mileage was 72,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11492065November 3, 2022AIR BAGS
Air bag light malfunction
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11492188November 3, 2022ENGINE, STEERING, STRUCTURE:BODY
1. The vehicle has been smoking and constantly burning all the oil. 2. Paint has been pealing all over the car. 3. Electronic parking brakes not working at all now and vehicle will not pass inspection. 4. Electronic steering assist not working tripping the warning light on the dash.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11491496October 30, 2022STRUCTURE:BODY
My 2013 KIA Optima in Snow White Pearl "SWP" has delaminating and pealing paint issues all over the body of the car. Mainly in the front bumper, hood and A pillars of the car. It extends to every single panel of the car even obscure out of the way areas. Only the paint is affected. The body underneath shows no sing of denting from a hard hit of any type. The paint simply delaminates on its own.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11491532October 30, 2022ENGINE
Leak and/or cracked oil pan around the drain plug. Due to past issues regarding the crankshaft bearings I fear the oil consumption could assist in the issue. Also fear the oil leaking neak the exhaust and catalytic converter could ignite a fire beneath the vehicle. Vehicle has not been inspected by a dealership yet. And there have been no dash lights to indicate the problem. It was found while trying to investigate oil spots on ground beneath vehicle
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11490816October 25, 2022STRUCTURE:BODY
The paint is chipping off and looks horrible.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11490585October 24, 2022UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Snow white paint on optima is chipping bubbling and coming off. now certain areas are starting to rust. this has gotten worse in the last year i have noticed multiple cars in that color peeling in the same areas. hood and roof area. some are worse then mine. i called kia and there is no known issue. if you goggle snow white kia paint issue there are multiple forums. estimates to repaint are more than what the car is worth. if i were to trade my car in there would be issues with the paint cause a decrease in value. car is good condition no machinal issues or body issues other than the paint
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0