10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
61,780 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Kia Optima drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2013 Kia Optima Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #37

Jan 022020

Optima

  • 100,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle independently decelerated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed a code number: P1326. The contact called the nationwide Kia dealer, located at 1600 york rd, lutherville timonium, md 21093, and scheduled an appointment. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #36

Dec 042019

Optima

  • 125,000 miles
Driving and check engine light came on then car just stopped running and would not start, on a state road

- Gainesville, GA, USA

problem #35

Nov 152019

Optima

  • 47,000 miles
2013 Kia Optima sport with approximately 47,000 miles loss of turbo. Pulled out of my garage and my car seemed sluggish. I noticed the engine light was on. As I accelerated my turbo did not seem to kick in and my car would rev up and not accelerate very well. Called Kia they said I have 5 year or 50,000 mile warranty. I told them I also have 10 year 100 mile powertrain warranty. Just ran a recall check and NHTSA states recall on long block engine and turbo recall on my sport model.

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #34

Oct 012019

Optima

  • 120,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Kia issued a recall for the engine burning cylinders causing foreign objects to get into the oil cycle, and causing the car to stall out. So my wife was driving the car along the highway going 70mph and the car completely stalled out and could've resulted in a serious wreck, and if it would've they would have been sued. So my car won't run now, and I get it towed to the dealership after I see this recall about the engine. The dealership test the engine and tell me the engine is fine, but my turbo is actually burning metal and causing foreign objects to get into my oil cycle. Since it's not the engine they are refusing to fix it. The same exact thing the recall is calling for is what is going on in my car but in a different part. They are refusing to go it and want me to pay over $2,500 to have it fixed when it's a serious malfunction on their part. If my wife would've wrecked I'm sure they would be begging to fix it so they didn't get sued! this is not right what is going on, and I'm very unhappy. If it was a consumer problem it would be no big deal but there is a recall going on that is happening to my vehicle that they are refusing to fix because they say the engine test out fine! well the foreign object is still getting into my oil cycle and could've lead to a serious wreck!

- Palmyra, MO, USA

problem #33

Sep 222019

Optima

  • 114,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. While driving 60 mph, the check oil warning indicator illuminated and an abnormal knocking sound was detected. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road where it stalled. The contact noticed smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the motor seized and the vehicle could not be diagnosed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 114,000.

- Elizabethton, TN, USA

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problem #32

Oct 012018

Optima

  • 45,000 miles
Vehicle continues to run hot after regular maintenance and repairs from a certified Kia dealer. Engine had been replaced once and continues to exhibit the same behaviors after multiple attempts at resolving the issue.

- Opelika, AL, USA

problem #31

Jun 252019

Optima

  • 100,350 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This concerns Kia recall SC147. I have a 2013 Kia Optima ex that I purchased used with 98,000 miles on it in February 2019. The car drove perfect without any problems. I recently had the oil changed in June. A couple of weeks later the motor started knocking slightly for no reason after a recent trip to memphis, Tennessee. The engine stalled in traffic so I put it in neutral and I was able to crank it back up. The next morning it was really knocking loudly so I took it to a mechanic who stated the engine was trying to throw a rod.

- Forrest City, AR, USA

problem #30

Jun 202019

Optima

  • 115,300 miles
Vehicle stalls out and loses power while driving. At times engine light may flicker. Sometimes on start up engine will putter likes its not firing on all cylinders. After retstart several times the RPM gage will not move while driving. Dealer drove vehicle but could not fund any codes appearing and problem did not occur while in shop. Problem has been going on for about 3 weeks off and on. On one occasion I was nearly rear ended on the freeway when vehicle stalled out at approximately 65 mph.

- Clinton, MD, USA

problem #29

Jun 272019

Optima

  • 187,256 miles
Im driving in the city streets the car has had a code that came up 1 month after the it is a core to replace tube to the sxl turbo this work was performed at the time of the second engine repair due to recall I have contacted Kia and told them of the issue now currently as I wait for my appointment the service department is so backed up I now have a issue where I can not reverse the car wants to shut off as I accelerate and it feels like there is a parking brake on I told Kia the car jerks going into 1st gear and then accelerates with a jerking motion took it to a local mechanic verified only code that shows up is for the turbo it has a flutter that needs to be adjusted or line replacement but I have proof that that work was already done I do not know if the car will make the appointment time now that it is 5 days out very dangerous due to car is not able to accelerate at a safe speed going into any intersection

- Lancaster, CA, USA

problem #28

Jul 272018

Optima

  • 100,000 miles
Takara recall: My engine had been knocking/shaking for a good minute now. When I have it running and hood open it's just vibrating extremely hard and constantly.I've noticed it wants to stall or no shift correctly after a dead stop and something going into 3rd gear. Even while just idling I can feel the engine shaking the whole car from inside.

- Spiro, OK, USA

problem #27

Mar 042019

Optima

  • 13 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine recall. Dealership first received vehicle repair March 4, 2019 for complete engine replacement due to recall and car become completely immobile while on freeways. And towed to dealership. Dealership informed me first engine failed and reordered a new engine. Received vehicle back from 2nd attempt of engine repair May 16, 2019. Vehicle check engine light illuminated May 31,2019. Returned vheicle back to dealership. Repair to harness and noc sensor. Received vehicle back for repair June 8th. On June 10th vehicle became immobile again while driving out of parking lot and towed to dealership for repair. Waiting on dealership for details of car problems.

- Manteca, CA, USA

problem #26

Oct 152018

Optima

  • miles
Took vehicle in for service a month ago for airbag recall as was told would not inflate in crash. Called Kia Corp. To ask status as I have heard nothing more after calling each week and was told my car was ready as of that moment. Picked up car and transmission (light came on and died) in middle of 4 lane hwy 5O'clock traffic as I was in motion approaching traffic light at within a mile of leaving regal Kia and was then told that the airbag was still not working as the extra fix was outside of the recall and I would be responsible for. I could have been in a major accident during stall as I went in for a airbag recall and left with a dead transmission and airbag was not fixed, putting my life in danger within minutes of leaving the same dealership that earlier months cleared my car as perfect except for tune-up because of another previous recall. I was not placed in requested loaner to match my vehicle size as needed due to my family size for 4 weeks. This is not acceptable by any means as a customer.

- Mulberry, FL, USA

problem #25

Sep 302018

Optima

  • 108,141 miles
My car is parked in the driveway at my job. It had been parked there since 2:50 pm. At 11 pm I went outside after clocking out and it would not crank. However, all my lights in the inside and on my dashboard remained working. Upon trying to turn over my key, my car would make a clicking sound. After ab 10 minutes other things began to fade out such as my lights. I also could not use my remote key anymore to lock or unlock my doors. I only had this car a month, and it is still in the condition it was bought in. I'm not sure what the problem is or what could have caused this problem.

- Clarksville, TN, USA

problem #24

Aug 212018

Optima

  • 99,918 miles
August 21, 2018, we had the car towed to gossett Kia motors (dealership) because it would not start.. the car has a push button start, whenever we tried to start the car by pressing the start button and pushing down on the brake pedal the car would not start. The dealership was unable to find a problem because the car would start for them. We drove the car home the same day. On the night of August 22, 2018, the car would not start, same as described above. On August 23, 2018, we had the car towed to the dealership and it was repaired and returned to us August 25, 2018. Today, August 30, 2018, the car did not start and exhibited the same problem as the previous two times. We will have the car towed to the dealership at their convenience. Luckily for us, each time the car did not start it was parked in our driveway. Special note, on August 2, 2018, we took the car to the dealership for brake repair work. Additionally, one of the tow truck drivers stated he towed several Kia Optima's with the same described problem.

- Bartlett, TN, USA

problem #23

Aug 262018

Optima

  • 140,000 miles
Diving at 40 mph. Come to a stop at red light and engine begins making a slight noise. No warning gauges or warning light go off. Start driving to drive again and 2 blocks later a very loud mechanical bang and the engine shut down. Would not restart. Oil light went out using the starter while trying to restart. Never got the engine restarted. Car is now at Kia of lansdale after I had to pay for towing. I perform courier services to us treasury dept and us attorney in philadelphia area. I need this car back desperately. Last oil change was 2000 miles ago with full synthetic oil. Always have used full synthetic. When I got the car pulled over and got out the smell of oil burning was clearly evident to myself and another gentleman who stopped to see if I needed any help. I believe this is an absolute recall related issue.

- Lansdale, PA, USA

problem #22

Aug 082018

Optima

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. When the contact shifted the gear into reverse, the vehicle failed to reverse. The gear shifter was then shifted into park, but failed to engage and the vehicle rolled backwards down an incline. The contact had to apply the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to glassman Kia (28000 telegraph rd, southfield, mi 48034, (888) 452-1360) where it was diagnosed that the front passenger side axle drive shaft was corroded through and became detached. The drive shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty and offered no further assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

- Farmington Hill, MI, USA

problem #21

Oct 262017

Optima

  • 22,500 miles
The axle and wheel broke off and flew into 2 parked cars. It totaled our car.my husband had just turned off of a busy street to a small street. He was going about 15 miles per hour. He heard a loud noise and the airbags went off. He got put of the car and saw what happened. His axle and wheel broke off and flew into the 2 parked cars. Kia is not cooperating at all and there has been a recall for this exact problem on the same model, but different year.

- Allentown, PA, USA

problem #20

Dec 092014

Optima

  • 20,000 miles
Transmission shifts hard, jerky, hesitates, engine light comes on and off, this happens on and off, have to stop and restart car sometimes, this is a serious issue. Been happening on and off for years, no solutions so far.

- Port St Lucie, FL, USA

problem #19

Dec 042017

Optima

  • 130,000 miles
"takata recall" my engine started shaking and the car stopped!

- Federal Way, WA, USA

problem #18

Nov 012017

Optima

  • 52,000 miles
When I press down on the accelerator while already moving, in order to pass or get on the a highway the engine will rev up very high but there will be no increase in speed. This has been happening since I purchased the vehicle and I first reported it to the deal in 2014. They say they can not get it to do it and because they have no code to go by, can do nothing. Now the care has only 500 miles left on the warranty. I recently realized the urgency of the situation as I was entering the turnpike where construction was taking place. There was little room for error and little time to see who was coming. I saw a semi coming but knew if I accelerated I could get on in time. I pushed down on the accelerator and this happened. I took my foot off and put it back on and fortunately it kicked in. No one would have known this was a defect of the car if I was hit by the semi. I am hearing from others that they are having the same problem. I would warn others not to trust this manufacturer.

- Wichita, KS, USA

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