2013 Kia Optima Driver assistance Problems

Brake pedal loses pressure and disengages with brakes. Traction light, maintenance light, hybrid system warning message, check brakes message and parking brake intermittently turns on and off. I called Kirby Kia of Ventura a few weeks ago and let them know about my issue with the car. I explained that I took the car to a mechanic and the diagnostic they did stated the issue with the car could be because of one of the recalls. On 4/10/26 I took my vehicle to Kirby Kia of Ventura for the recalls and asked if they could do the diagnostic. Raul from Kia was the service rep that spoke with me. He stated they would do the recalls and then, if needed, they would perform the diagnostic. Later that day Raul called me and stated the recalls were completed and no issues were found. Several items were found from Kia's point inspection, but none related to the issue at hand. I then asked Raul if they could perform the diagnostic to know what was wrong with my car and he stated that they could do the diagnostic on Monday, 4/13/26. Raul stated he would give me a call around 10 to 11 am, to discuss any issues. Raul called at 10:49 am, and stated no lights on the dashboard have come on and he didn't want to do the diagnostic because the lights weren't on. Kirby Kia of Ventura service department are crooks and only want to assist you if they get money out of you. My car still has the same issue, possibly damage to the HECU from the recall, but Kirby Kia didn't want to run the diagnostic on my car to find out if it was damaged. Kirby Kia of Ventura is a horrible organization and I will never purchase another Kia vehicle for this reason.

NHTSA ID

11730927

Incident

Apr 13, 2026

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that after having the vehicle for a month, while driving approximately 30-40 MPH on a residential street, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The vehicle failed to accelerate above 35 MPH and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle had a Salvaged Title but should still be covered under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine rod bearing failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted regarding the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 137,000.

NHTSA ID

11679028

Incident

Jul 2, 2025

Mileage

137,000 mi

There is an hybrid warning coming on which causes the brakes to loose it’s ability to stop for some reason. It also slows the car to a hault while the engine is in full rev. It’s a huge safety issue as this occurs intermittently with no warning. Last time I was on the freeway, luckily I was able to pull over to the curb without incident. I hit the bumper a little bit but was able to stop safely.

NHTSA ID

11604475

Incident

Jul 22, 2024

Engine problems

NHTSA ID

11552055

Incident

Oct 26, 2023

The car shut off on me while driving

NHTSA ID

11532434

Incident

Jul 15, 2023

The ESC kight keeps turning on . The brake lights wont turn off, it wont let me accelerate while im driving at different speeds or it will decelerate abruptly. Yes its available for inspection. My safety and the safety of my two young children were at risk multiple times. This is my daily driver. And i was driving them to school when the car would not let me accelerate and someone almost hit me from the back. Also it happened to us on the freeway a few times as we are driving 65 mph the car decelerates abruptly almost causing major accidents while my children are in the vehicle with me. Not yet , i called the nearest kia dealer and they didnt have appointment ls until july - august. There were no warning lights at all. At first we didnt know what was the problem. After the few times it happened then the ESC light turned on and it stays on. Also the brake light wont turn off even when the car is off.

NHTSA ID

11528338

Incident

Jun 21, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID

11522511

Incident

May 17, 2023

Mileage

117,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11521647

Incident

Oct 1, 2021

Mileage

114,000 mi

I have a 2013kia optima sx 2.0 turbo my engine need to b replace I never had it replace I have engine problems white smoke n black smoke come out of my hood smoke like it's going to burn up I always have to turn off my car every 15 minutes of driving it overhead n smoke start coming out I been dealing with this for 2 years now can I get a new engine replace

NHTSA ID

11509954

Incident

Mar 3, 2023

After accelerating from a stop and releasing my foot from the gas petal the car will start to accelerate on its own and speed up.

NHTSA ID

11467078

Incident

May 10, 2022

I purchased my vechile Dec 28 2021, after driving it exactly one month, as I was driving on the high way my vechile shut off it was the scariest thing that has happened to me the car couldn't brake turn on nor accelerate I had to pull over on the break from being in the middle lane i had to be cautious due to vechile passing fast. Once the car stopped. Had to pay for towing due a state police showing up regardless if I had it on my insurance. I lost my good paying job due to this due to working 45 min away. I had my recall appointment for March 10th already scheduled before hand and my car was parked for a Lil over a month then towed to the dealer. It's been 2 months and yet no vechile nor a temp vechile provided from the dealer told me there's nothing they can do. I called 3 days ago and they keep telling me nothing has been done yet anther month my vechile has to be there. It's crazy that the repairs has nothing to do with me nor my fault and I had to loose a 30 dollar paying job backed me up on rent car payment and everything else and still no consideration.

NHTSA ID

11462973

Incident

Jan 29, 2022

Traction control is too sensative. I was in a stop sign. Then tried to press the acceleration but vehicle lost power. Too sensative traction control caused me to stall in the middle. There were car coming from the left or right to me. I am glad I was at safe distance and could regain control of the car.

NHTSA ID

11460973

Incident

Apr 15, 2022

MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA SUDDENLY LOST POWER WHEN PULLING OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY. WHEN DIAGNOSED IT SAYS TURBO BOOST POSITION SENSOR CIRCUIT

NHTSA ID

11408584

Incident

Apr 17, 2021

Mileage

145,000 mi

I LEFT WORK ONE NIGHT AND STARTED FINE AND WAS DRIVING NORMAL FOR ABOUT 10-15 MILES THEN EVERY SINGLE LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH BOARD THEN COULDN'T ACCELERATE ANYMORE! IT DROPPED IN LIKE 15MPH INCREMENTS UNTIL IT FINALLY ROLLED TO A STOP! I CUT THE CAR OFF AND EVER SINCE IT CUT OFF IT HASN'T CUT BACK ON SINCE ME AND COUSIN LOOKED AND SEEN NO OBVIOUS PROBLEMS BUT THINK THE MOTOR LOCKED UP COMPLETELY!

NHTSA ID

11386185

Incident

Dec 20, 2020

Mileage

15 mi

WHEN I WAS DRIVING ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON ON THE DASHBOARD AND I COULDN'T ACCELERATE AT ALL THEN IT CUT OFF AND HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO JUMP IT OFF OR ANYTHING! WE'VE LOOKED TO SEE IF WE COULD FIND OUT WHY BUT IT'S JUST DIED AND I THINK THE MOTOR LOCKED UP!

NHTSA ID

11385798

Incident

Dec 20, 2020

Mileage

15 mi

KIA KIRBY VENTURA HAS REMOVED (2) OR MORE ACTIVE DANGEROUS RECALLS FROM VIN# OF THE VEHICLE THAT IS UNFORTUNATELY IN MY NANE. RECALL 1, STEERING WHEEL MDPS UNIT. I HAVE A LETTER NOTIFICATION DATED APRIL 24 2017 NO RECALL#. PLUS RECALL 18V363000 AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT THAT SHOULD APPLY BUT NEVER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE. RECALL#17V224 ENGINE STALL/FREEZE ISSUE I HAVE RECALL NOTIFICE PLUS A NOTICE FROM THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA ABT SPECIFIC RECALL THAT DOES EFFECT CAR. I MADE 2 ATTEMPTS AT KIA KIRBY VENTURA LAST YEAR, BEFORE COVID19, TO GET ENGINE RECALL FIXED CAR WAS EXPERIENCING SYMPTOMS AS DESCRIBED ALMOST CASUED SERIOUS ACCIDENTS ON FREEWAY. I WAS DENIED BY SERVICE MANAGER DAVID BODJANAC SINCE DEALERSHIP, DURING 2ND VISIT TO HAVE ENGINE RECALL FIXED, KIA KIRBY VENTURA REMOVED RECALL FROM VIN# ASKED ME WHERE DID I GET RECALL NOTICE FROM? ENGINE ISSUE NOT FIXED. FAST FORWARD TO TODAY, THURS 10/15/20 EARLY EVENING IM COMING UP TO CORNER ENGINE STALLED TWICE AS I WAS SLOWING DOWN APPROCHING, TURNING. LUCKILY I WAS DRIVING AT SLOWER RATE OF SPEED. COMING OUT OF TURN CAR ULTIMATLY MADE INTO MY PARKING LOT W/OUT CRASHING LUCKILY NO ONE WAS OUT WALKING. ENGINE CAR FROZE. LUCKILY IN FRONT OF PARKING SPACE, MANAGED TO FORCE CAR IN PARKING SPOT. NOW DISPUTING W/KIA KIRBY VENTURA, SM DAVID BODJANAC, WHO DENIED ENGINE RECALL OR ANY RECALL. KIA KIRBY VENTURA SERVICE W/UNDOUBTEDLY TELL ME ISSUE W/CAR HAS NOTHING TO DO W/ANY RECALLS. HAD I BEEN ON FWY WHICH I DRIVE ON 2, 3 TIMES A DAY OR BEEN DRIVING AT HIGHER RATE OF SPEED ON STREET AS I WAS I WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. KIRBY KIA VENTURA SAID THEY W/GIVE 0 FOR CAR NOT RUNNING DUE TO RECALL BUT STILL IN GOOD CONDITION FULLY LOADED. IF CAR RUNNING THEY MITE GIVE ME $5500-$6000MAX..PER KB NOT RUNNING CARS VALUE $6923- $8852 IN FAIR CONDITION /MECHANICAL ISSUES & $7851-$9790 IN GOOD CONDITION.

NHTSA ID

11364816

Incident

Oct 15, 2020

Mileage

90,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD DOING ABOUT 45 WHEN I HEARD A SMALL POP & ALL MY DASH LIGHTS CAME ON & I LOST EVERYTHING. CAR CLICKS WHEN TRYING TO RESTART BUT DOES NOT START. OIL LIGHT, BATTERY LIGHT, EPS LIGHT & CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAY ON NOW. I WAS TOLD THERE IS A RECALL ON THESE CARS AND WOULD LIKE TO GET IT FIXED ASAP AS IT'S MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION.

NHTSA ID

11361296

Incident

Sep 25, 2020

Mileage

126,000 mi

MY CAR IS GETTING A P2562 CODE WHICH IS FOR THE TURBOCHARGER BOOST CONTROL POSITION SENSOR. I'M HAVING A SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN ENGINE POWER AND FUEL ECONOMY.

NHTSA ID

11359972

Incident

Jul 16, 2020

9/5/2020 ROUGHLY 10:00 AM ENTERING THE ONRAMP TO GET ON I10 WEST. CAR LOST ACCELERATION, NEVER REACHED 40 MPH, THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE, TOOK FOOT OFF GAS, ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, CAR LOST ALL POWER AND TURNED OFF. I WAS ABLE TO PULL ONTO RIGHT SHOULDER AND PARK VEHICLE. CAR WAS TOWED TO MY HOME. I CALLED ALL STAR KIA IN SAN BERNADINO CA, UNABLE TO ASSESS VEHICLE FOR 7 - 10 DAYS. CALLED PALM SPRINGS KIA MULTIPLE TIMES ON EXTENDED HOLD. WHEN WE CONNECTED, I WAS INFORMED THAT MY VEHICLE WOULDNT BE LOOKED AT UNTIL 9/18/2020.

NHTSA ID

11353406

Incident

Sep 5, 2020

Mileage

150,000 mi

I HAVE A KIA 2013 OPTIMUM SXL, YESTERDAY AUG 30 MY KIA OUT OF NOWHERE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THEN IT PROCEEDS TO STOP ON THE FREEWAY IN TRAFFIC!! WHILE I'M GOING 65 NOW IT WON'T START AT ALL THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON BUT MY ENGINE KNOCKS AND THEN CUTS OFF. YES I DID HAVE OIL IN MY CAR IN FACT IT'S ON THE FULL LINE SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND WATS GOING ON THE ENGINE KNOCKING REALLY HARD NOT LEAKS ON MY CAR AT ALL EVEN WHEN I APPLY PRESSURE TO ACCELERATE IT STAYS ON 0 THEN ENGINE KNOCKS AGIN AND THEN BACK OFF I TRIED 3 TIMES AND HAD TO ENDE UP PUSHING MY CAR OUT OF TRAFFIC

NHTSA ID

11352111

Incident

Aug 29, 2020

Mileage

143,000 mi

SO FROM THE START I BOUGHT THE CAR $5000 CASH FROM A DEALERSHIP WHO PROMISED A 3 MONTH WARRANTY 3 WEEKS INTO HAVING THE CAR I DECIDED TO TAKE A ROAD TRIP FOR MY GRADUATION PARTY FROM HIGH SCHOOL I'M ABOUT 2 HOURS OUT FROM MY CITY GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY CAR JUST STOPS ACCELERATING AND FLASHING A ENGINE LIGHT WHILE I'M ON A ONE WAY HIGHWAY TRACTOR TRAILERS AND CARS ARE GOING 80MPH BEHIND MEANWHILE MY CAR CAN'T ACCELERATE LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITHOUT LOSING MY LIFE SO I CALL THE DEALERSHIP AND HE HANGS UP AND SAYS THERE'S NOTHING HE CAN DO THERE'S NO WARRANTY AT ALL AND I'M JUST IN SHOCK I'M STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY WITH NO ONE NEAR ME THAT I KNOW SO I END UP PAYING THE TOW TRUCK $600 TO GO BACK TO MY CITY TAKE THE CAR TO MECHANIC HE SAYS IT'S THE KNOCK SENSOR HE ' FIXED' IT ON THE WAY HOME FROM PICKING IT UP FROM THE MECHANIC I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AGAIN THE CAR DOES THE SAME EXACT THING BUT THIS TIME IT WAS WORSE BECAUSE CARS WAS RIGHT BEHIND ME ALMOST HIT ME AND SWERVED AND ALMOST TOOK THERE OWN LIFE AND MY CAR JUST WON'T ACCELERATE ANYMORE AND SOUNDS HORRIBLE KNOCKING SOUND WHILE CARS ARE COMING STRAIGHT BEHIND ME I PULLED OVER EVENTUALLY GOT IT TOWED BACK TO THE MECHANIC AFTER PAYING HIM HE SAYS HE'S STILL TRYING TO FIX IT I HONESTLY JUST WANT TO BE SAFE IN MY CAR THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO GET ME TO COLLEGE NOW IM OUT OF A CAR AND COLLEGE FUNDS DUE TO FIXING THE CAR AND CAN'T EVEN GO DUE TO LACK OF SAFETY ON VEHICLE IT WAS VERY TRAUMATIZING AND IMPACTING ON MY LIFE .

NHTSA ID

11350733

Incident

May 23, 2020

Mileage

70 mi

MY CAR QUITS WHILE DRIVING. WARNING LIGHTS FLASH OFTEN ON DASHBOARD EVEN AFTER

NHTSA ID

11350039

Incident

Aug 13, 2020

Mileage

160,000 mi

I WAS RIDING DOWN THE ROAD CAR JUST STOPPED AFTER STOPPED TRY TO CRANK AGAIN WOULDN'T CRANK WHEN IT DID CRANK IT HAD NO POWER SPUTTERED

NHTSA ID

11344142

Incident

Aug 8, 2020

Mileage

710,000 mi

ON MAY 10, 2020 @7:32 AM I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND CAME TO A STOP LIGHT WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN MY CAR STALLED AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD TURNED ON. I PULLED OVER AND STARTED THE BACK UP AND MADE IT HOME. THE NEXT DAY I DROVE ABOUT 10 MILES AND THE CAR SEEMED FINE BUT AS I GET TO THE STOP LIGHT THE CAR STARTED MAKING A GRINDING SOUND LIKE METAL AND I COULDN'T ACCELERATE SO I PULLED OVER AND THE CAR DIED IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. THE NEXT MORNING I CALL AAA AND HAD CAR TOWED BACK TO MY HOME. THE NEXT DAY AAA CAME OUT AGAIN AND CHECKED MY BATTERY, STARTER, AND SYSTEM SOMETHING AND THEY WERE ALL WORKING GOOD. I CALLED STEVE SCHMITT KIA ON HALLS FERRY ROAD AND ASKED WAS THERE ANOTHER RECALL ON MY CAR FOR THE ENGINE, THE LADY PAUSED AND THEN SAID "WE DON'T HAVE THE PARTS YET, " SHE THEN SAID HOLD ON AND CAME BACK AND SAID "WE DON'T HAVE ANY RECALLS ON THIS CAR. ON OCTOBER THE 1 , 2019 I TOOK MY CAR TO KIA FOR A RECALL ON MY MOTOR AND LOOKING AT THE RECEIPT THEY REPLACED ELEMENT AIR FILTER, ADJUSTED ALIGNMENT FOUR WHEELS, MOUNT AND BALANCE 2 TIRES, REPLACED CABIN AIR FILTER PLUS A OIL CHANGE WHICH I PAID FOR. MY CAR HAS BEEN SITTING SINCE MAY 13, 2020 . I FREQUENTLY GO OUT AND CHECK IT AND IT STARTS AND I HEAR A KNOCKING SOUND .( ENGINE FAIL) *TR *BF *AS

NHTSA ID

11326079

Incident

May 10, 2020

Mileage

84,000 mi

I WAS ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND WENT TO MOVE TO THE SECOND LANE IT WAS FINE EXCEPT I MY CAR BEGAN TO STALL AND SLOW DOWN MAKING THIS GRINDING NOISE WHEN I TRIED TO GAIN SPEED... ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON AND I COULDN'T GO FASTER THAN 30 MILES PER HOUR. ALL WHILE INCOMING TRAFFIC WAS COMING AT ME GOING ABOUT 60 MILES PER HOUR I HAD TO GAIN COMPOSURE. PUT ON MY HAZARDS AND PULL OVER... IT WOULDN'T LET ME GO ABOVE 20 WHEN I PULLED OVER.... I WAS FREAKING SCARED ONCE I PULLED OVER I WAS SHAKING AND CRYING HAD TO GAIN COMPOSURE... I BELIEVE I CAUGHT THIS ON MY DASH CAM. I [XXX] HATE THIS KIA... IT BY GRACE MY KIDS WEREN'T IN THE CAR WITH ME AND THAT THE VAN BEHIND ME SWITCHED LANES AT THE LAST SECOND.... I HAVE TAKEN MY KIA 2 TIMES TO THE KIA REPAIR DEALERSHIP, THE FIRST ONE WAS FREE THE SECOND TIME I HAD TO PAY 145 JUST TO BE SEEN. MIND YOU I WENT TO THE KIA REPAIR DEALERSHIP IN BERWYN AND THEY SAY IT'S FINE.... IT'S NOT FINE THAT MY CAR COULDN'T GO ABOVE 30 MILES ON THE EXPRESS WAY, IT'S NOT FINE THAT I WAS ALMOST IN A COLLISION IT'S NOT FINE. KIA WILL NOT REPAIR THESE CARS UNTIL SOMEONE DIES.... I CAN'T TAKE THIS CHANCE WITH MY CHILDREN. I WILL BORROW MY MOM'S TOYOTA UNTIL THIS PROBLEM IS RECTIFIED. I AM A SINGLE MOM MY KIDS ONLY SOURCE OF INCOME AND SUPPORT I DON'T HAVE TIME TO BE OFF FROM AN INJURY THAT MAY OCCUR OR LACK OF RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION. I WILL HAVE TO SEE IF MY DASH CAM CAUGHT THE INCIDENT BEFORE MY CAR SHUT OFF... I WILL SEND IT LATER IF IT DID. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

11318137

Incident

Mar 15, 2020

Mileage

86,337 mi