2013 Kia Optima Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was unable to start due to the battery being drained from the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) remaining on while the vehicle was turned off. After recharging the battery, the HECU made a buzzing sound while the battery was no longer charging. Additionally, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode while driving, and the ABS, traction control, and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. A burning odor was inside the vehicle. The contact was concerned about a fire risk. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and determined that the HECU had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer requested maintenance records for the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.

NHTSA ID

11765377

Incident

Sep 10, 2026

Mileage

111,000 mi

Gas smell from under the hood. When taken to the dealership it was diagnosed as the high pressure fuel line. NOTE: The high and low fuel lines have recalls that impact this vehicle make, model, and year BUT not this VIN.

NHTSA ID

11765197

Incident

Sep 15, 2026

Module 1 7.5 amp fuse continues to short and blow over and over again. Known issues with auto headlamp leveling sensor. Problem continues to happen. Lose my highbeams, shift lock, rear defrost, rearview auto dimmer, steering wheel controls. Anytime the fuse blows

NHTSA ID

11760844

Incident

Dec 10, 2025

Both front door lock actuators failed within a one month period. It is a safety issue because the actuator is failing in a way that can prevent the door from opening, closing, properly latching and locking. The vehicle is available for inspection. I have taken it to a mechanic to confirm the failure.

NHTSA ID

11760064

Incident

Jul 15, 2026

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving or while the vehicle was parked, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was leaking fuel from the high-pressure pipe leading to the fuel pump. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V907000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine); however, VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired because the VIN was not included in recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 250,000.

NHTSA ID

11758174

Incident

Aug 20, 2026

Mileage

250,000 mi

On July 14, 2026, the vehicle's engine was replaced by an authorized dealership under an official Kia recall. On August 16, 2026, while driving on the highway, heavy smoke suddenly began emitting from the engine compartment. When attempting to slow down, the braking system suffered a total loss of power and failed completely. To stop the vehicle, it had to be steered into the highway median to intentionally scrape against it to force a stop. Immediately upon exiting the vehicle, heavy flames were observed under the engine compartment before completely engulfing the front of the car. The fire department extinguished the fire, and the vehicle is a total loss.

NHTSA ID

11758049

Incident

Aug 16, 2026

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH with the cruise control activated, there was smoke coming from underneath the passenger’s side of the hood before the vehicle decelerated. The contact stated that moments later there were flames coming from the underneath the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle was parked on the side of the road and flames quickly engulfed the vehicle. The Fire Department was called to the scene and arrived and extinguished the fire. During the fire the vehicle was destroyed and was later towed to a nearby storage facility. While attempting to quickly exit the vehicle the contact fell to the ground and sustained an injured left leg and left side. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact stated that the engine was recently installed related to a recall repair. No additional information was available. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.

NHTSA ID

11756709

Incident

Aug 12, 2026

Mileage

140,000 mi

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. There was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the vehicle and the vehicle was uncontrollable. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the coupling in the steering wheel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there was no coverage under the warranty extension for the MDPS flexible coupling. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.

NHTSA ID

11756253

Incident

Jun 1, 2026

Mileage

139,000 mi

I am writing to formally report a dangerous safety defect involving the braking system and the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) on my 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid. While operating the vehicle, severe warning lights illuminated on the dashboard indicating an immediate braking system and stability control failure. A diagnostic scan revealed active fault code C1237, pointing specifically to a primary pressure sensor signal failure embedded inside the internal HECU assembly.This issue presents a severe safety hazard. The failure compromises the vehicle's electronic brake assist, anti-lock braking system (ABS), and active stability systems. This results in unpredictable pedal feel and significantly increased stopping distances, drastically elevating the risk of a high-speed collision.Furthermore, this vehicle architecture relies heavily on clean voltage from the 12-volt battery system. Sudden drops in battery performance appear to trigger cascading communication faults within the HECU network, causing the vehicle to lose crucial safety systems without adequate warning.Kia is aware of severe electrical and internal component defects within the HECU modules of this generation, as evidenced by Safety Recall SC284 (NHTSA Campaign 23V652000) for HECU internal electrical shorts and engine fire risks. However, dealerships are treating related sensor failures inside the exact same HECU assembly (such as the internal primary pressure sensor) as customer-pay maintenance issues, rather than recognizing them as symptoms of a fundamentally defective or failing control unit. Dealership service centers are recommending piecemeal, expensive part replacements (like pedal travel sensors) that do not resolve the underlying safety risk of an internally failing HECU module.I request that the NHTSA investigate whether internal pressure sensor failures (Code C1237) and related electronic brake module collapses on 2011–2015 Kia Hybrid models are connected to the known sub-component defects wi

NHTSA ID

11752403

Incident

Jul 2, 2026

I own a 2013 Kia Optima and I am experiencing recurring fuel system-related symptoms. The fuel gauge fluctuates even when the vehicle has a full tank of fuel, causing an inaccurate fuel level reading. In addition, the vehicle has begun to hesitate during operation, which raises concern that there may be an underlying fuel delivery or fuel system issue. I previously experienced a similar issue years ago, and I believe the vehicle was repaired during a Kia recall or service campaign. The problem has now returned, and I am concerned that the previous repair may not have permanently corrected the issue or that there may be a related defect affecting other vehicles. The combination of an inaccurate fuel level reading and engine hesitation could create a safety concern because the driver may not know the true amount of fuel remaining and may experience unexpected loss of power while driving. I am requesting that this issue be investigated to determine whether it is related to a previous recall repair, a fuel system defect, or another safety-related condition affecting the 2013 Kia Optima.

NHTSA ID

11751927

Incident

Apr 2, 2026

Paint began chipping/flaking off little by little everytime I washed the car. It’s a common occurrence with snowy white Kia paint in this year

NHTSA ID

11751654

Incident

Jan 1, 2023

the engine revs high and transmission wont shift and when you turn the steering wheel ya get a loud click and the steering wheels jumps

NHTSA ID

11751411

Incident

Feb 12, 2026

The steering column From the car has diminished causing dangerous shaking on highway at high speeds

NHTSA ID

11749153

Incident

Jul 7, 2026

The contact owned a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed on the main road of a T-intersection, the contact blacked out before another vehicle crashed into the front passenger's side of the vehicle. The contact stated that the front of the vehicle sustained severe damages, and there was more damage on the front passenger's side of the vehicle. The air bags deployed. The contact stated that the seat belt retracted excessively, causing the contact to be pinned in the seat and to sustain severe injuries. The contact was assisted out of the seat and was partially unconscious. The contact was unsure if any warning lights were illuminated after the crash. A Police report was filed. The ambulance transported the contact to the hospital. The contact sustained a fractured L2 and back, ruptured bowel, and intestines and internal bleeding in the stomach. The contact underwent surgery and physical therapy. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a related recall. A complaint was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ID

11744952

Incident

Mar 1, 2023

Mileage

130,000 mi

Large delamination of paint on the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11743072

Incident

Dec 31, 1969

The contact stated that while driving the vehicle began to unexpectedly slow and then stalled. The vehicle was unable to restart. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage 215,000.

NHTSA ID

11739531

Incident

May 1, 2026

Mileage

215,000 mi

I was driving on the high way and my car completely stopped I towed it to a shop and the engine seized

NHTSA ID

11737743

Incident

Apr 19, 2026

My 2013 Kia Optima was running fine at 65 mph when suddenly the engine stalled. I then coasted to the shoulder and smelled burning plastic. As soon as I opened the hood the engine started being consumed in fire, it quickly went to a very large engine fire that consumed the front half of the car. There were no other vehicles involved with this incident. Vehicle is a total loss.

NHTSA ID

11737190

Incident

May 9, 2026

The vehicle is experiencing sudden engine stalling while in motion, a known safety hazard. Despite a documented maintenance history with no issues, the dealer (Bayside Kia) is attempting to deny a Theta II Settlement claim by shifting the narrative to 'engine sludge,' which only appeared as a symptom in June 2025( Walmart oil change) alongside engine performance issues. The vehicle has active codes P0014 and P0017, which are secondary symptoms of the internal bearing wear and metallic debris contaminating the oiling system. KDS Diagnostic tests showed Cylinder 1 at 0.16mm (approaching the 0.20mm failure limit). This clearance proves the connecting rod bearings are worn and reaching the failure threshold; this mechanical wear is the root cause of the engine's inability to operate safely. The presence of metallic debris in the oil is the definitive signature of the Theta II manufacturing defect. Furthermore, the dealer acted in bad faith by attempting to charge for Airbag repairs (Codes B1346/B1481) that are covered under the 15-year Clock Spring Warranty Extension (CS1102). The dealer has dismissed my qualifying maintenance documents, claiming they are 'not official,' which is a direct violation of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. A manufacturer cannot deny a warranty claim because services were performed at third-party facilities, nor can they deny a claim without proving 'exceptional neglect.' I am reporting a refusal to honor a court-ordered safety settlement and an attempt to return an unsafe, stalling vehicle to the road.There is no evidence of engine abandonment or exceptional neglect. I’m considered "in compliance" if I can show I didn't go more than 14 months without servicing or a certain mileage between oil changes.The dealer's dismissal of verified third-party receipts and bank statements is a bad-faith attempt to ignore an inherent manufacturing defect documented by a 0.16mm BCT result and metallic debris.

NHTSA ID

11736691

Incident

Apr 30, 2026

We were told by the mechanic that the engine was locked up after the car refused to drive faster than approximately 23 mph. We had to have the car towed from Boone, NC which was about 200 miles. The car is at our house and is available for inspection upon request. I have made repeated calls to different Kia dealers asking for a call back to assist me with direction but there will never be a returned phone call. As far as I know, there has been no inspection of the engine or vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11736295

Incident

Dec 31, 1969

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine unexpectedly seized without warning. The contact stated that after the vehicle lost motive power, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that no diagnostic trouble codes were found. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

NHTSA ID

11734855

Incident

Apr 30, 2026

Mileage

125,000 mi

Code : P1777 Transmission- oil pump A issue with the Valve cover gasket leaking into the engine causing a misfire. Making the car suddenly stop while driving which is very unsafe. I took the car to the dealership and they want to charge me for the repairs. I have 2 kia optima hybrid and both cars have the same issue around the same mileage. There were no warning lights during the time it was at the shop. I believe later down the line the engine will stall out and it should be fixed now while under warranty. However I received no help from the dealership unless I am willing to pay upfront. In addition to this there are electrical issues the front seats aren't moving immediately when the button is pressed. The steering wheel buttons barely work along with the radio. This is a huge problem that needs to be fixed.

NHTSA ID

11734775

Incident

May 1, 2025

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and failed to exceed 60 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the knock sensor and the harness had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred on several occasions, and the vehicle was driven or towed to the dealer as needed. The dealer cleared the diagnostic trouble codes and informed the contact that a recall repair would not be completed unless the engine made loud knocking sounds or seized. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine made an abnormally loud sound and seized. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the engine was not eligible for replacement due to a lack of maintenance records because the contact did not have all the oil change service records available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 297,000.

NHTSA ID

11734651

Incident

Apr 29, 2025

Mileage

297,000 mi

Clanking noise is steering column and very loose steering.

NHTSA ID

11733341

Incident

Apr 21, 2026

While driving my KIA Optima on the interstate the rear subframe suffered catastrophic structural failure, resulting in the steering wheel going out of alignment, the rear passenger side wheel tilting with the bottom of the tire being far out compared to the top. This resulted in the rear of the vehicle swaying side to side and being difficult to maintain in a straight path. This vehicle was previously serviced under KIA Campaign SC141 (internal subframe corrosion) at Griffin KIA on April 27, 2017. Despite this safety remedy being performed the subframe rotted through and snapped. This is a remedy failure. The anti-corrosion was applied by the manufacturer failed to prevent the exact structural failure it was designed to mitigate. I have physical evidence (Repair Order #92144) proving the remedy was performed and photographic/video evidence of the subsequent structural break. The manufacturer (KIA) has denied assistance, claiming the failure is "unrelated" to the corrosion campaign despite the part being the exact component covered by the campaign." SC141 involved the inject of wax into the metal components of the subframe of the vehicle and was KIA's response to the NHSTA's concerns about the metal components of their vehicles being unable to withstand salt in the Rust Belt states. The campaign only was for the vehicles in the rust belt states. KIA was very aware this was a safety issue and attempted to avoid a recall by issuing this campaign. The campaign failed and as a result my life was put at risk. I asked KIA for a good will repair of the rusted subframe but they refuse indicating the believe the part that clearly broke due to rust is unrelated to the safety campaign. Several of their employees stated it was very clear the part broke due to rust with one indicating he had a list of rusted parts needing replaced. I'd like the NHTSA to review this failed campaign and ensure the safety of all vehicles relying on this failed safety measure.

NHTSA ID

11733232

Incident

Apr 10, 2026