10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 14
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
34,500 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2013 Kia Optima Owner Comments (Page 4 of 9)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #107

Jan 022022

Optima 4-cyl

  • miles

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

Hello. Last week while driving on a motorway 80 mph engine in my 2013 optima SX 2.0 TGDI just stopped working. Due to fact this engines had problems and Kia recalled owners to replace seized engine, I would like to ask you here, how could I get help in this case. Thing is my car was imported to Europe (Poland) in 2014. Had 3 owners since new (first in US and two previous ones in Poland). Car ran smooth and without any problems till last Monday. Unfortunately engine just stopped on my way work, thanks God without any accident, just passed off motorway and waited for assistance. My mechanic said is impossible to turn an engine even manually, so it must be seized. Could you advise how I could get help from Kia to replace my engine? I-??ve called Kia customer helpline, they redirected me to closest Kia dealer, and no one heard about these recalls on US market. Could you advise where I should report my case, to get any information how this recall could be done here with cooperation with Kia USA. Expecting yours [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Kosakowo, NY, USA

problem #106

Jan 032022

Optima

  • miles
The paint has started to peel above the doors in all 4 corners and is now peeling on the passenger side of the hood.

- Lincoln, CA, USA

problem #105

Jan 022020

Optima

  • miles
All my paint on my WHITE Kia is coming off. So many white Kia-??s are having This problem.

- Chino, CA, USA

problem #104

Nov 132020

Optima

  • miles

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

A year ago, the paint started falling off of the roof rails on my 2013 Kia Optima. It is continuing to peel away. The color I have is Snow White Pearl. I have contacted my dealership and have been told that there is only a 3 year, 36,000 mile warranty on the paint and since I am outside of those parameters, there is nothing they can do for me. I have also taken it to a body shop to find out about repainting the areas and get an estimate for having the work done.

- Township Of Washington, NJ, USA

problem #103

Nov 152021

Optima

  • miles
Engine recall completed. Two weeks after..Engine light on due to a Crack in the emissions system..

- Rochester, NY, USA

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problem #102

Dec 202021

Optima

  • miles
Engine stopped while driving. Would not start afterwards after researching I see it happens to those years and certain models were recalled wondering if mine possibly got missed in that recall, based off the recall seems exactly what happened to mine has plenty oil keep maintained well and only drive back and forth to work.

- Empire, CA, USA

problem #101

Jun 012018

Optima

  • miles

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

My paint stated chipping ang peeling about 3 years ago, I did not think much of it until I saw several people who also have pearl snow white paint having the same issues. I ordered touch up paint and a clear coat to try and stop it in the areas that it is peeling. I have had someone rear end me but this is not where the issues with the paint are. It is on my hood, doors, sides etc. I have always parked in a garage or covered parking and have no hail damage etc

- Irving, TX, USA

problem #100

Dec 062021

Optima

  • miles
When driving without any warning regardless of speed a hybrid system failure message appears and then check brakes. It causes me to then lose all brake control in the ability to give it gas and I have to Coast to a stop it's almost caused a collision three times now. And the car no matter if it's off or on sitting in my driveway it always makes a crackling noise and it makes a crackling noise when I hit the brake as well

- Brookville, OH, USA

problem #99

Nov 292021

Optima

  • miles
About 2 weeks ago my Kia Optima I started noticing a burning smell coming from under the hood. I took it into an auto shop and they could not find anything wrong. Just recently, the burning smell accompanied smoke from under the hood.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #98

Mar 102020

Optima

  • miles
Paint peeling

- Corona, CA, USA

problem #97

Nov 152021

Optima

  • miles

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

Was driving the car up a hill and alarm starting dinging and gave a notice something to the effect of Stop Safely. The car died and I was unable to move the car out of the traffic lane. People behind were blowing their horn and I did not feel safe to get out of the car. Eventually someone stopped to block traffic and we were able to roll the car back out of traffic.

- Canton, GA, USA

problem #96

Jun 052021

Optima

  • miles
I have a 2013 Kia Optima EX, on the steering wheel, I hear a knocking sound while turning the wheel. I was informed that there was a recall for the rubber coupler replacement. I never received a recall letter from Kia Motors. I am very concerned about driving the vehicle because the sound is getting louder.

- Henderson, NC, USA

problem #95

Nov 032021

Optima

  • miles
Driving at night the engine sputtered and stalled in traffic. Lost power to steering and had to get off main road. Towed to a mechanic and was told there was no oil in the engine and the entire engine needs to be replaced. The oil has been changed as required but constantly low and needing to be topped up. He advised checking the VIN for a recall with this particular car model having a previous recall. I checked there were no open recalls. The engine is being replaced.

- Dandridge, TN, USA

problem #94

Jun 012020

Optima

  • miles
The stock paint on the car is chipping and peeling away without any damage being done to the paint. Specific locations are the A pillars next to the windshield. The quality of the paint and clear coat comes into question, as this is also happening on my mother's white painted Kia, and this is a common issue amongst most Kias painted in any variation of white from the manufacturer.

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

problem #93

Jun 012018

Optima

  • miles
I bought my pearl Kia Optima in 2013 and the paint started chipping in 2018 or so. It started on the side by the windows, then my hood, then it went with the top portion of the vehicle (now rusty) then it began in the trunk area. It gets worse when the weather changes to cold temperatures or rain.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #92

Sep 242021

Optima

  • miles
My car suddenly turned off while driving and would not restart. I had it towed to the dealer to find out that the engine seized and the starter failed. I had the engine replaced under warranty but they would not cover the starter even though the dealer told me that the starter failed as a result of the engine seizing up. Within 2 days after the engine was replaced, the check engine light started to come on when accelerating from a stop and would start bucking. This was very dangerous, and I was almost rear ended a few times while merging into traffic because the car was very hesitant and would buck. I think the starter should be covered because it broke as a result of the motor seizing up. I also believe that my transmission was also damaged when the motor seized now causing the check engine light and bucking. I now have to bring my car back to the dealer to get checked out again.

- Harvest, AL, USA

problem #91

Sep 232021

Optima

  • miles
09/23/2021- paint flaking in a large strip along the passenger side molding by the windshield. 09/24/2021- Took my car to Mylars Auto Refinishing for quote as well as TAVO's. Paint flaking along drivers side molding by windshield and up further along. I contacted KIA Red Rock Doug told me there was no open recall for my car. 09/25/2021 - paint flaking on corner of trunk. 09/28/2021 - called KIA Red Rock spoke with Charles, he confirmed no open recall on my car. Said coming in would be a waste of my time, that I should contact KIA directly and open a claim. Found this information to file claim with NHTSA. Also contacted Progressive Insurance Co. and was advised this is not a claim to be filed with them due to it being a manufactures defect. Drove to Kia Red Rock and spoke with Keith Wilkinson, Asst. Manager/Service Dept. He stated I would have to contact KIA Corporate and file a claim with them and gave me the #1-800-333-4542.

- Montrose, CO, USA

problem #90

Sep 252021

Optima

  • miles
On our way home on 9/25/21, we were driving down I80 driving 70 mph and the car stopped with no prior indication. All the lights came on when we were getting off of the interstate. The car coasted down the off ramp with a semi behind me and a car in front of me. This could have caused a major accident as this is a very busy exit with trucks behind coming and going. My whole family could have lost their lives. This was the first time this happened. I was able to get the car started again but it felt like the power was not the same when driving it. I immediately came home and googled the symptoms and other Kia Optima owners are facing the same issues.

- Minooka, IL, USA

problem #89

Sep 142021

Optima

  • miles
I was driving down the interstate and all of the sudden the message -??pull over safely and stop driving...check the hybrid engine system.-?? The car started to stall and seize up. Thankfully it didn-??t die right in front of a semi on the interstate and I was able to at least make it off a nearby ramp before it died completely. I called my insurance for roadside assistance and it was towed to the nearest Kia dealer. They were unable to diagnose it because it would not turn on. They had to replace the hybrid battery before it could be diagnosed. I was also told that a safety fuse had been -??fried-?? and they are still running tests.

- Salisbury , NC, USA

problem #88

Sep 132021

Optima

  • miles
On 9/13/2021 about 8:10 pm my neighbor knocked on my door and told me my parked car was smoking and appeared to be catching fire. Black smoke was everywhere I yell for my son to go out to see what was happening while I call fire department seconds later the car begin to go up in flames. Fire department Arrived to put out fire on my 2013 Kia Optima.unsure of cause but from the smell it smelled like some thing electrical. It has been reported to insurance.No recalls have been issued on said vehicle. No previous warnings were issued before fire started.This could have cause a lot of damage to all vehicles parked in front and back of my vehicle had it not been put out in timely matter.

- Los Angeles , CA, USA

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