2013 KIA OPTIMA

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    engine stall or no start

    103 stranded, 117 unsafe

    220
    incidents
    Typical range: 74,000–130,000 mi

    Median 99,000 mi, based on 256 reports (37% had no usable mileage)

    • "CAR SOMETIMES WILL NOT START WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED & ING SWITCH IS PRESSED ??? *TR"~4,234 mi, complaint #1048807
    • "The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to pull over safely. The check engine warning light was illuminated upon restarting. The vehilce was towed to an unknown location. Th…"~77,611 mi, complaint #2050874
    • "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…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1576242
    • "The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 75 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. In addition, the front of the vehicle was in flames. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to a t…"~127,000 mi, complaint #1777063
    • "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"~710,000 mi, complaint #1683257
  2. #2

    engine internal

    30 stranded, 145 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    177
    incidents
    Typical range: 65,000–130,000 mi

    Median 100,500 mi, based on 188 reports (39% had no usable mileage)

    • "DRIVING ON A CITY ROAD DURING NORMAL TRAFFIC (4:30PM EST) MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE LARGE RATTLING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. AT FIRST I THOUGHT I HAD PICKED UP SOMTHING ON THE ROAD, BUT AS I ACCELERATED/DECCELERATED THE NOISE BECAME LOUDER/SOFTER. I…"~600 mi, complaint #986316
    • "WAS DRIVING ON I45 IN PFLUGERVILLE DOING A U TURN TO GO WEST BOUND. HEARD A LOUD BAND LIKE SOMETHING "FELL OUT" OF THE CAR. PULLED OVER AND THE CAR STARTED TO SHOOT SPARKS AND FLAMES. I WAS WITH MY LITTLE BROTHER AN SOME FRIENDS SO WE ALL JUMPED OUT OF THE C…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1552858
    • "THE CAR STARTED TO MAKE A TICKING SOUND, WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET, QUICKLY TOOK THE CAR TO A SHOP & WAS TOLD THAT THE PART THAT HAD TO GET FIXED HAS TO DO WITH THE CODE PO1326"~99,000 mi, complaint #1619762
    • "DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60MPH ON EXPRESSWAY, GAVE A LITTLE MORE GAS TO PASS SOMEONE AND ENGINE STALLED WHILE SWITCHING LANES AT HIGH SPEED. INFORMED BY KIA DEALERSHIP THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE OF THE CONNECTING ROD BEARING/S."~115,000 mi, complaint #1718814
    • "The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled but restarted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to TSB: PI2002 / PI2…"~200,776 mi, complaint #2182088
  3. #3

    paint and clearcoat

    34 unsafe, 90 annoyance

    124
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=20, median 75,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "PAINT (PEARL WHITE) BEGAN PEELING OFF IN JUNE 2019 ON THE FRONT T AND BACK OF THE ROOF TRIM. ON MARCH 12, 2021 THE PAINT HAS NOW STARTED PEELING FROM THE PASSENGER LEFT SIDE DOOR. ALSO, THE VEHICLE HAS MAJOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS- THE POWER WINDOWS ( ALL BUT T…"~41,000 mi, complaint #1733320
    • "BEFORE I PAID OFF MY CAR IN 12-1-18, MY 2013'KIA OPTIMA'S PAINT STARTED CHIPPING OFF. IT HAS CHIPPED OFF FIRST ON THE HOOD AND THEN ON THE DOOR JAMS ON BOTH FRONT DOORS. I FIND THIS SUSPICIOUS IN THAT WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW, THEY WERE PUSHING AN EXTRA PAINT…"~68,000 mi, complaint #1594682
    • "CAR SMELLED LIKE GAS WHEN AIR WAS ON AND EVEN WITH AIR OFF. FIXED MARCH 2019 AND I BELIEVE I SEE A RECALL FOR IT NOW. WE PAID A PRETTY PENNY TO GET FIXED. MY PAINT ON MY CAR IS COMING OFF EVERYWHERE LIKE BAD NAIL POLISH. IT IS PEELING OFF AND CONTINUES TO…"~89,000 mi, complaint #1714524
    • "SNOW WHITE PEARL PAINT RAPIDLY CHIPPING OFF OF MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA, NO ACCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED TO MAKE THIS PAINT PROBLEM OCCUR. I'M NOT QUITE SURE WHY THE PAINT IS CHIPPING OFF SO EASILY. A LOT OF THE PAINT IS CHIPPING AROUND THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AND HOOD OF T…"~99,000 mi, complaint #1729010
    • "THE PAINT IS PEELING IN SEVERAL AREAS ON THE HOOD, AROUND THE FRONT WINDOW AND ABOVE THE DOORS."~150,000 mi, complaint #1696885
  4. #4

    steering electric assist

    60 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    61
    incidents
    Typical range: 12,000–74,500 mi

    Median 32,500 mi, based on 76 reports (27% had no usable mileage)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AS THE VEHICLE SWAYED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN W…"~800 mi, complaint #1027907
    • "I PURCHASED A 2013 KIA OPTIMA FROM A LOCAL DEALER WHO WAS SELLING IT SECOND-HAND. THE CAR HAS 13,500 MILES ON IT AT PURCHASE. WHEN TEST DRIVING THE VEHICLE I WENT IN A SMALL CIRCLE THAT INCLUDED ONLY VERY MINIMAL HIGHWAY DRIVING. ON JUNE 26,2014 MY FAMILY L…"~13,500 mi, complaint #1090847
    • "THE STEERING GETS STIFF AND TENDS TO STICK WHEN GOING STRAIGHT THIS CAUSES SLIGHT OVER STEERING BACK AND FORTH CONSTANTLY. IT SEEMS TO COME ON WORSE THE LONGER YOU DRIVE. *JS"~30,126 mi, complaint #1155424
    • "STEERING WHEEL HAS A CATCH OR NOTCH SOMETIMES IN COLD WEATHER WHEN TRYING TO TURN THE WHEEL."~72,000 mi, complaint #1429180
    • "MY CAR HAVE BEEN READING MECHANISM ERROR ON THE RADIO FOR 6 MONTHS. RECENTLY MY LIGHTBULB WENT OUT THEN THE OTHER,, I DIDN'T HAVE 100 A PIECE SO I USED HIGH BEAM NOW ONE OF THOSE OUT. MY BACKSEAT INTERIOR LIGHT OUT WHICH ALL IS FINE I'M ASSUMING JUS NEED REPLA…"~200,000 mi, complaint #1550541
  5. #5

    airbag system

    45 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    46
    incidents
    Typical range: 67,500–120,500 mi

    Median 104,500 mi, based on 50 reports (32% had no usable mileage)

    • "I WAS INVOLVED IN A MVA ACCIDENT ON 9/24/2014. I WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT, FACING EAST, TURNING TO GO NORTH, IN SC IA A MAN RAN A RED LIGHT, COMING WESTBOUND AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED HIT THE TRAFFIC GOING SOUTH BOUND WHICH IN TURN THE 1993 FORD EXPLORER HIT ME H…"~11,424 mi, complaint #1119367
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE HORN FAILED TO SOUND. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1550728
    • "The contact owned a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 10mph when the contact was struck by another vehicle which resulted in none of the airbags deploying. The contact sustained bruise sternum, bruised heart, and neck injury and s…"~93,000 mi, complaint #1779961
    • "WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A NOISE, SEEMS TO GET STUCK. " WHEN STATIONARY OR IN MOTION THE HORN DOES NOT WORK. WHEN IN MOTION THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK. WHEN STATIONARY OR IN MOTION, THE STEERING WHEEL HEATER DOES NOT WORK AN…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1536547
    • "WE WERE TRAVELING AT AROUND 55-60 MILES AN HOUR AND WERE T-BONES BY A CHEVY AVALANCHE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND MY HUSBAND SWERVED SO THE TRUCK LUCKILY STARTED AT MY DOOR AND COMPLETELY RIPPED AND SMASHED IN TH…"~164,000 mi, complaint #1695116
  6. #6

    engine oil consumption

    40 unsafe

    40
    incidents
    Typical range: 68,000–123,000 mi

    Median 99,000 mi, based on 27 reports (51% had no usable mileage)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE OIL AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TURNED AROUND AND DROVE HOME. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A POOL OF OIL ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWE…"~54,398 mi, complaint #1536000
    • "I HAVE A 2013 KIA OPTIMA GDI ENGINE, I HEAR A NOISE IN THE ENGINE AND LATTER STAR WITH SMOKE LIKE BURNING OIL, THE ENGINE BLOAT"~68,000 mi, complaint #1333085
    • "MY VEHICLE STARTED USING A LOT OF OIL AND WAS LOSING POWER UPON ACCELERATION. I HAD READ ONLINE THAT THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE AND I KEPT HOPING FOR A RECALL. HOWEVER, THE RECALL HASN'T HAPPENED AND I AM ALMOST AT 100,000 MILES. MY CAR STARTED MAKI…"~99,000 mi, complaint #1326604
    • "TAKATA RECALL ENGINE OIL IS BURNING AWAY AND THE REPLACEMENT OF OIL IS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT. USED TWO QUARTS IN LAST 7 DAYS"~126,000 mi, complaint #1572182
    • "EVEN THOUGH KIA SUGGESTS OIL CHANGE INTERVALS OF 7500 I'VE BEEN GETTING MINE CHANGED EVERY 3000 MILES. I STILL HAD 100 MILES TO GO AND I NOTICED MY CAR WAS RUNNING A LITTLE ROUGH AND THEIR WAS A CHANGE IN ITS PERFORMANCE. I CHECKED MY ENGINE OIL AS A PRECAUTI…"~143,000 mi, complaint #1683372
  7. #7

    steering rack mechanical

    32 unsafe, 6 annoyance

    38
    incidents
    Typical range: 33,000–97,000 mi

    Median 60,000 mi, based on 33 reports (35% had no usable mileage)

    • "VEHICLE IS HARD TO HOLD STRAIGHT AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THE STEERING LOCKS INTO A POSITION AND REQUIRES EXTRA EFFORT TO TURN THE WHEEL CAUSING OVER CORRECTION. THIS CAUSES MENTAL AND PHYSICAL FATIGUE ON LONGER TRIPS AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR"~17,000 mi, complaint #1131444
    • "WHEN TURNING, THE WHEEL CLICKS AND THUDS SIDEWAYS AS IF LOOSE. THE STEERING COUPLER SEEMS TO BE THE CULPRIT."~33,000 mi, complaint #1690324
    • "THE STEERING WHEEL JUST STARTED MAKING A CLICKING SOUND AND IT SHACKS WHEN I WAS DRIVING"~60,000 mi, complaint #1560049
    • "WHILE DRIVING OR AT AN IDLING POSITION WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS STRAIGHT AND YOU MOVE IT LEFT OR RIGHT ABOUT AN INCH THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE. IT ALSO DOES THIS WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. IT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT 3WKS NOW. I CALLED THE RECALL CORPORATE…"~93,000 mi, complaint #1608510
    • "STEERING WHEEL SLIPS WHILE TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT"~125,000 mi, complaint #1632880
  8. #8

    alignment and pull

    37 unsafe

    37
    incidents
    Typical range: 0–21,000 mi

    Median 500 mi, based on 43 reports (10% had no usable mileage)

    • "SHORTLY AFTER BUYING MY BRAND NEW 2013 KIA OPTIMA LX I NOTICED ISSUES WITH THE STEERING WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WHEN DRIVING ON ANY TYPE OF HIGHWAY THE CAR WONDERS ONCE I REACH HIGHWAY SPEEDS (USUALLY 65MPH OR MORE). THE FIRST TIME I NOTICED THIS IT…"~500 mi, complaint #1186693
    • "CAR SWAYS BACK AND FORTH. HARD TO KEEP ON THE ROAD. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY ADJUSTED THE STEERING FROM SPORT TO STANDARD. GAVE IT A TRY AND IT STILL CONTINUED TO HANDLE TERRIBLE. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AGAIN AND LEFT IT FOR A FEW DAYS. THEY KEEP TELLING…"~3,000 mi, complaint #1017675
    • "I BOUGHT THE CAR WITH 17996 MILES. AFTER A FEW MILES DRIVING ON THE I-95 I NOTICED THAT THE 2013 OPTIMA HAS A VERY WEIRD STEERING PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING OVER 50MPH. IT'S VERY HARD TO KEEP IT IN A STRAIGHT PATH. YOU HAVE TO CONSTANTLY MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE STE…"~18,000 mi, complaint #1184719
    • "MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA HAS HAD DIFFICULTY REMAINING IN A SRAIGHT LINE ON THE FREEWAY. TENDS TO PULL LEFT AND RIGHT. THE RATE OF TRAVEL IS APROX. 45-65MPH. THERE IS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH "OVERSTEERING" WHEN I ATTEMPT TO RETURN TO THE CENTER OF THE LANE. I HAD BEEN DR…"~33,600 mi, complaint #1304724
    • "WHEN DRIVING THE CAR, IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT LINE - THE CAR WANTS TO WANDER - THE STEERING REQUIRES CONSTANT CORRECTION. I CONTACTED KIA USA WHO TOLD ME THAT THE CAR IS NOT UNDER RECALL. I JUST PURCHASED THE CAR USED FROM A KIA DEALER TWO WEE…"~66,000 mi, complaint #1391937
  9. #9

    other

    24 unsafe, 1 broken, 12 annoyance

    37
    incidents
    Typical range: 70,000–160,500 mi

    Median 91,000 mi, based on 29 reports (74% had no usable mileage)

    • " WE GOT A NEW KIA OPTIMA SXL 2013. THE TYRES ARE FILL WITH NITROGEN GAS. ON OUR LAST STATE INSPECTION WE WERE TOLD THE THERE WAS 25% LEFT ON THE TREAD OF EACH TYRE & WILL REQUIRE CHANGING SOON. STARTED TO CHECK OUT PRICES IN THE AREA AT ALL THE TYRE MERCHANTS.…"~26,500 mi, complaint #1156001
    • "MY CAR RANDOMLY CAUGHT FIRE AT 10:30 PM WHILE IT WAS ALREADY SITTING IN MY DRIVE WAY SINCE 7 PM. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE CAR IS NOW MELTED ON MY DRIVEWAY PAVEMENT. PUTTING MY FAMILY AND MY HOUSE AT DANGER."~65,000 mi, complaint #1548065
    • "I AM CURRENTLY STATIONED IN RAMSTEIN GERMANY WITH THE U.S. AIR FORCE. I CONTACTED KIA TO HAVE THE RECALL CHECKED AND THE WORK COMPLETED. THEY ARE REFUSING SAYING THAT SINCE I AM IN GERMANY THE RECALL DOESN'T AFFECT THEM. THEY ARE ALSO REFUSING TO HONOR MY WARR…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1425872
    • "MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA CAUGHT ON FIRE JUST SHORT OF DRIVING IT FOR ABOUT 15-20 MIN ON 9/23/18. WE GOT NO WARNING ON THE DASHBOARD WE HEARD A LIGHT POP NOISE, THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF WHEN WE GOT OFF THERE WAS FIRE COMING OUT FROM THE HOOD THAT FASTLY SPREAD THROUGHT…"~86,800 mi, complaint #1504961
    • "CAR SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT ON FIRE RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS. NO INJURY BUT DRIVER HAD TO JUMP OUT OF MOVING VEHICLE."~100,000 mi, complaint #1505282
  10. #10

    fuel tank and lines

    1 stranded, 27 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    29
    incidents
    Typical range: 72,000–137,000 mi

    Median 101,500 mi, based on 30 reports (44% had no usable mileage)

    • "WHENEVER TRYING TO FUEL MY VEHICLE, THE PUMP WOULD CLICK OFF WITHIN SECONDS. I WOULD HAVE TO STAND HOLDING THE PUMP AND RECLICK THE PUMP OVER AND OVER. THIS PROCESS WOULD TAKE 10 TO 15 MINUTES TO FUEL THE VEHICLE. AFTER SEVERAL TRIPS TO THE KIA DEALER TRYING T…"~30,000 mi, complaint #1651295
    • "The contact owns a 2013 Kia OPTIMA. The contact stated that their vehicle was included in a recall for the engine. The contact had received a recall notice regarding a fuel tube in the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer in June who reportedly…"~64,000 mi, complaint #1753891
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING VEHICLE AFTER RUNNING AN ERRAND, SHE SAW FLAMES COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE FRONT HOOD FROM THE ENGINE. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THERE WERE NO INJURI…"~85,000 mi, complaint #1668785
    • "The contact owned a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while his husband was driving approximately 70 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that as the drive…"~130,000 mi, complaint #2045104
    • "ON FEBRUARY 14, 2020 I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY FROM AN APPOINTMENT AND NOTICED THAT MY GAS LIGHT WAS FLASHING AND THE GAUGE WAS WAY BELOW EMPTY. I HAD JUST STOPPED PRIOR TO MY APPOINTMENT AND PUT GAS IN IT. SO, I STOPPED AND PUT MORE IN IT. STILL DIDN'T…"~165,000 mi, complaint #1652861
  11. #11

    wiring harness

    1 stranded, 21 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    24
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=20, median 67,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "THIS VEHICLE HAS AN ELECTRICAL BURNING ODOR QUITE OFTEN, AFTER HAVING DRIVEN SHORT OR LONG DISTANCES. PLEASE REQUIRE KIA TO SOURCE THE ISSUE AND REPAIR, AT THEIR COST, THE ISSUE BEFORE THIS VEHICLE STARTS A FIRE!!!"~11,800 mi, complaint #1506649
    • "WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR, I STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, AND REALIZED THAT MY CAR WAS ON FIRE FROM THE ENGINE AREA. THE ELECTRICAL SHORTED OUT AND I WAS LOCKED IN THE CAR, I HAD TO MANUALLY HOLD THE ELECTRIC LOCK TO BE ABLE TO ESCAPE FROM THE CAR. IT WAS ENGULF…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1464338
    • "CAR LOSSES POWER SUDDENLY AND LURCHES. THIS HAS HAPPEND WHEN CAR IS CRUISING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR WHEN STARTED, STATIONARY. ONCE THAT HAPPENS CAR MAY HAVE TO BE RESTARTED TO WORK AGAIN. SOMETIMES THAT WORKS, SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT. WHEN IT PERSISTS FOR A WHILE,…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1469084
    • "I THOUGHT MY KEY FOB STOPPED WORKING I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP HAD IT TESTED AND THEY SAID IT WAS FINE. THEY SAID IT HAD TO BE THE WIRING IN MY CAR FOR MY ALARM SYSTEM. ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO I WAS GOING TO GET INTO MY CAR. I PUT MY KEY IN THE DOT UNLOCKED IT PU…"~87,000 mi, complaint #1514219
    • "MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA DISPLAYED SEVERAL ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH RADIO PANEL, WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH, SEAT BELT WARNING ON WHILE BUCKLED AND DRIVING, AND DOORS WOULD LOCK ON THEIR OWN WEEKS PRIOR TO THE CAR GIVING OUT ON ME AFTER A QUARTER OF A MILE DRIVE. IT WOULD…"~150,000 mi, complaint #1506242
  12. #12

    steering column

    19 unsafe, 4 annoyance

    23
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN BARELY TURNING LEFT TO RIGHT, AND ALSO SHAKES WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. THE CLUNK NOISE OCCURS ALL THE TIME EVEN WHEN IN PARK AND TURNING THE WHEEL LEFT TO RIGHT. FEELS AS THOUGH IT'S SOMETHING GOING BAD IN THE STEER…"~55,000 mi, complaint #1277616
    • "VEHICLE STEERING HAS BECOME FAULTY. WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED WHILE PARKED OR DRIVING, IT STICKS THEN MOVES FREELY WITHOUT THE WHEELS TURNING. THIS STICKING IS ACCOMPANIED BY A KNOCKING/CLICKING IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS MOST OFTEN HAPPENS WHEN TURN…"~67,000 mi, complaint #1426474
    • "STEELING WHEEL AND COLUMN IS VERY LOOSE. WHENEVER YOU HIT A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD THE STEELING WHEEL LOOSES CONTROL. IT MAKES A LOUD RATTLING NOISE. ALSO, THE RADIO SYSTEM STOP WORKING. I WOULD TURN MY CAR OFF AND THE STEREO SYSTEM WOULD CONTINUE TO PLAY A…"~81,000 mi, complaint #1728867
    • "The contact's son owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal clicking sound was coming from the steering wheel while steering the vehicle in either direction without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle t…"~115,000 mi, complaint #1807972
    • "I HAVE A CLICKING SOUND IN THE STEERING WHEEL. AUTO MECHANIC STATED IT WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE BUSHING OF THE STEERING COLUMN AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE MENTIONED THAT HE THOUGHT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS. IT JUST STARTED OUT OF NOWHERE. THERE HAS BE…"~135,000 mi, complaint #1721585
  13. #13

    brake hydraulics

    1 stranded, 20 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    22
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=21, median 32,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE THE CAR BEGAN TO LOSE POWER EVEN THOUGH I HAD MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. ONCE HOME, AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE STILL ON. DRIVING THE NEXT MORNING WE PAID ATTENTION TO THE BRAKE LIGHT IN THE REA…"~6,900 mi, complaint #1600122
    • "WHILE APPLYING BREAKS I OFTEN GET LOUD RUMBLING NOISE ON CITY STREETS, ALSO WHEN IT RAINS WATER LEAKS ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER FEET UNDER DASH THIS HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND STATIONARY."~32,000 mi, complaint #1539982
    • "I WAS DRIVING MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA ON A DRY ROAD SURFACE. I HAD JUST GONE THROUGH A TRAFFIC LIGHT THAT WAS GREEN FOR ME TO GO. THERE WAS A SLIGHT DOWN GRADE SO I STARTED TO APPLY MY BRAKES BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC AHEAD. WHEN I PRESSED MY BRAKE PEDAL THE CAR WOULD NO…"~72,000 mi, complaint #1476565
    • "suddenly while driving, vehicle produced a hybrid system warning light to stop driving immediately and do not drive. Next warning said to check breaks. Following the warning I tried to park, the car then rolled backwards, while foot was on breaks. breaks did n…"~130,368 mi, complaint #1940997
    • "The contact owned a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that after parking in the garage and turning the vehicle off, approximately six hours later it was discovered that a fire had started in the garage area and had begun to spread inside the townhome. The fi…"~170,000 mi, complaint #2020273
  14. #14

    lighting exterior

    16 unsafe, 3 annoyance

    19
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 75,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "MY HEADLIGHT WENT OUT SUNDAY, 2/23/2015. I PURCHASED A BULB FROM OUR LOCAL AUTO PARTS STORE AND WENT HOME , THINKING I COULD CHANGE THE BULB MYSELF. I TOOK OUT MY TRUSTY CAR MANUAL AND TRIED TO GET DIRECTIONS ON CHANGING THE BULB MYSELF. AFTER FOLLOWING THE IN…"~32,000 mi, complaint #1159617
    • "The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at night, the low-beam headlights failed to properly illuminate the roadway, causing a driving hazard. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact made several unknown local dealers aware…"~53,000 mi, complaint #1866290
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. "~70,000 mi, complaint #1583571
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS DID NOT ILLUMINATE FAR ENOUGH AHEAD OF THE VEHICLE FOR IT TO BE DRIVEN SAFELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CHROME REFLEC…"~115,000 mi, complaint #1500519
    • "DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, AT NIGHT, MY FOG LIGHTS START GOING ON AND OFF. I NEVER REALIZED HOW MUCH THEY ACTUALLY HELP. CAR ISN'T UNDER WARRANTY SO KIA WILL NOT REPLACE. GOOGLE SEARCH SHOWS LOTS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. FOUND OUT IT COULD BE THE LCM - $80…"~172,000 mi, complaint #1650932
  15. #15

    engine turbo supercharger

    1 stranded, 16 unsafe, 1 broken

    18
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=22, median 115,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "ON 2/19/2015 AT 8:30 A.M. MY WIFE DROVE OUR 2013 KIA OPTIMA APPROXIMATELY 6 MILES TO THE LOCAL SUPERMARKET AND THEN DROVE THE 6 MILES BACK HOME. MAXIMUM SPEEDS REACHED WERE NO MORE THAN 50 MPH WITH THE MAJORITY OF THE DRIVE BEING AT 35 MPH. ABOUT HALFWAY HOM…"~22,286 mi, complaint #1162561
    • "TURBO CHARGER MALFUNCTION. MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ISSUE SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AS THERE WAS NO OTHER INDICATORS AS WHY IT FAILED. IT RESULTED IN LOOSE BOLTS, THE COMPLETE TURBO CHARGER NEEDING TO BE REPLACED, AND ALL NEW HOSES."~80,000 mi, complaint #1376887
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CABLE DAHMER OF KANSAS CITY LOCATED AT ([REDACTED ADDRESS], KANSAS CITY, MO 64114 [REDAC…"~115,000 mi, complaint #1654714
    • "TURBO SHUTTING OFF CAUSING VEHICLE TO NOT ACCELERATE"~122,000 mi, complaint #1660422
    • "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…"~187,256 mi, complaint #1584914
  16. #16

    hv system fault reduced power

    2 stranded, 15 unsafe

    17
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. THE CAR TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE THE HYBRID SYSTEM."~109,000 mi, complaint #1724497
    • "I WAS DRIVING THEN THE CAR SHUTOFF ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. IT STATED HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING DO NOT DRIVE. THE CAR WILL NOT START AND GETS A FEW GAUGE LIGHTS."~110,000 mi, complaint #1687256
    • "'GLOW RELAY RECALL' VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND THE CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE AND REQUIRED ME TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS SCANNED FOR THE CODE AND CAME UP AS P1326 'GLOW RELAY STUCK ON'. I LOOKED IT…"~116,250 mi, complaint #1602592
    • "MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA EX WITH A 2.4L...I WAS DRIVIN DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR WENT INTO A LEMP MODE. HAD CAR SCANED CODE IS P1326 SAME AS OTHER KIAS SAME YR LOOKED ONLINE TO SEE IF I HAD RECALLS ON MY CAR AND THERE IS NOT"~171,800 mi, complaint #1608038
  17. #17

    stability and traction control

    15 unsafe

    15
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=20, median 22,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "DURING THE FIRST INCLEMENT WEATHER I ENDURED WITH THIS CAR (LATE NOV/EARLY DEC 2013) THERE WAS SOME SNOW AND ICE. I CAME TO A STOP THEN PULLED OUT TO TURN RIGHT. THE NEAREST TRAFFIC WAS 2 BLOCKS AWAY. AS I TRIED TO TURN, MY CAR STOPPED THEN STARTED, STOPPED, S…"~5,000 mi, complaint #1048265
    • "I HAVE FOUND THE TRACTION CONTROL TO BE TOO DRASTIC AT TIMES. WHEN PULLING ON TO A HIGHWAY THERE IS USUALLY A SMALL BUMP (DIFFERENCE IN HEIGHT, ABOUT 2", BETWEEN THE ROAD AND THE PARKING AREA). IF I'M ACCELERATING (WHICH YOU USUALLY HAVE TO DO TO GET ONTO A B…"~15,000 mi, complaint #1076176
    • "MY KIA GETS STUCK IN A FEW INCHES OF SNOW OR ANY ICE. SLIDES EASILY IN RAIN OR ICY OR COLD WEATHER. I LIVE IN THE MIDWEST. I HAVE BEEN PUSHED BY STRANGERS, COUNTLESS TIMES, TRYING TO GET ME OUT OF SUBDIVISIONS BECAUSE THIS CAR WILL NOT MOVE. I HAD TO CALL A…"~22,000 mi, complaint #1039863
    • "MY ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL BOX HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH ONLY 66,000 MILES. THE STEERING BECAME BUMPY WITH NOISE. IT HAPPENED WHEN SLIGHTLY TURNING THE WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION."~66,000 mi, complaint #1612058
    • "MY CAR QUITS WHILE DRIVING. WARNING LIGHTS FLASH OFTEN ON DASHBOARD EVEN AFTER"~160,000 mi, complaint #1685669
  18. #18

    sunroof

    14 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    15
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=18, median 22,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "DRIVING ALONG ON A MAIN ROAD, BUT NOT A HIGHWAY, AT ABOUT 45 MPH. ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A MASSIVE EXPLOSION. MY SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED. NOTHING HIT ME, IT WAS JUST RANDOM. THANK GOD IT WAS CLOSED OR THE GLASS WOULD HAVE SHATTERED ALL OVER ME. AND NOW THE DEALE…"~4,000 mi, complaint #1032136
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, HE HEARD A VERY LOUD NOISE AND AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT THE SUN ROOF HAD EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN VERIFIED THE F…"~15,369 mi, complaint #1062889
    • "I WAS ON MY WAY HOME ONE EVENING FROM WORK. THERE WAS NO OTHER VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME BUT SEVERAL BEHIND ME. I HAD JUST STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT AND HAD JUST STARTED TO SPEED UP AND THERE WAS A 'BIG BOOM/EXPLOSION', I HAD SERIOUSLY THOUGHT IT WAS A GUN SHOT.…"~38,000 mi, complaint #1043025
    • "DRIVING HOME ON THE HIGHWAY ON A SUNDAY EVENING ON MAY 19, 2019 IN OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, MY SUNROOF (SPECIFICALLY, THE MIDDLE PANEL OF THE THREE GLASS ROOF PANELS ON THE KIA OPTIMA SX 2013) SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING CRACKED, LETTING OFF AN EAR-PIERCING P…"~51,276 mi, complaint #1568359
    • "I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND HEARD A LOUD BOOM, IT SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION OR AS IF SOMEONE WAS SHOOTING. SCARED THE CRAP OUT OF ME. I THEN HEARD AND FELT WIND COMING INTO MY KIA. I PULLED OVER AND MY FRONT ROOF OF MY PANORAMIC SUNROOF HAD A…"~92,000 mi, complaint #1458530
  19. #19

    fuel pump

    1 stranded, 11 unsafe, 2 broken

    14
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=22, median 99,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "WE WENT TO START THE VEHICLE AND IT SPUTTERED AND FAILED TO START. ONCE IT FINALLY DID IT WAS "JUMPY" AND THERE WAS A LOT OF BLACKISH SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST. THE VEHICLE THEN HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON SO WE GOT THAT TESTED AT AN AUTOMOTIVE STORE WITH AN…"~5,000 mi, complaint #1664382
    • "MY CAR BEGAN TO SMELL LIKE GAS WHEN DRIVING AND MY CAR STARTED JERKING, AND MAKING A WEIRD NOISE..SO I PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT SMELLED LIKE FUEL THROUGH MY AIR VENTS WHILE DRIVING, AND WHEN I POPPED THE HOOD TO LOOK UNDER IT WITH MY BOYFRIEND T…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1533949
    • "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 hi…"~75,000 mi, complaint #1863613
    • "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON CODE READS HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. WHEN STARTING THE CAR IT IS VERY SLUGGISH AND HAS FLUTTERING RPMS FOR THE FIRST 10 15 MINUTES WHEN DRIVING THE CAR IS JERKY AND HESITANT TO ACCELERATE. THERE IS CURRENTLY A ACTIVE RECALL ON THE HIGH…"~140,000 mi, complaint #1552391
    • "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, TOOK CAR TO LOCAL O'REILLY AUTO PARTS FOR THEM TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. GAVE CODE P0091 WHICH YEILDED PART PR536 - FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. CALLED RICK CASE KIA, DULUTH, GA (ABSOLUTE TERRIBLE SERVICE/CUSTOMER SERVICE, NUMEROUS T…"~170,000 mi, complaint #1650931
  20. #20

    starter

    8 stranded, 5 unsafe

    13
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=15, median 108,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I WAS COMING OF THE FREEWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR JUST TURNED ITSELF OFF. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO MANAGE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE QUICKLY ENOUGH TO AVOID ANY COLLISION. I TRIED TO CHANGE THE STARTER BECAUSE I WAS TOLD THAT WAS BAD. IT HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO S…"~76,000 mi, complaint #1709562
    • "I WAS DRIVING ON A MAIN ROAD ABOUT 50 MILES AN HOUR WHEN CAR LOST ABILITY TO ACCELERATE, LIGHTS AND EVERYTHING WERE STILL ON. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A SIDE STREET TO PULL OVER AND PARK THE CAR. I SHUT IT OFF AND THEN WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART IT BLACK SMOKE WITH…"~102,000 mi, complaint #1695950
    • "2013 KIA OPTIMA IN AUGUST 2019 STARTING STALLING OUT AND WOULDN'T START. THEN MY ENGINE STARTING KNOCKING. MY CAR WOULD STILL START BUT WOULD ONLY GO 20-30 MPH WHILE MAKE KNOCKING ENGINE NOISES. TOOK MY KIA OPTIMA TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED THE ENGIN…"~110,000 mi, complaint #1717565
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AT EVERGREEN KIA (LOCATED AT [REDACTED ADDRESS], CHICAGO, IL 60643, [REDACTED PHONE]). THE DEALER REPLACED…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1627928
    • "WHILE ON THE FREEWAY THE VEHICLE FROZE UP AND LOCKED. WE SMELT A STRONG BURN ODOR. MECHANIC CHECKED FUSES AND WE THOUGHT IT WAS WIRING OR POSSIBLY THE MOTOR BUT TURNS OUT THE STARTER WENT BAD. THE BURN SMELL CAME FROM THE COIL WIRE ON THE STARTER."~190,000 mi, complaint #1568480
  21. #21

    abs module

    12 unsafe

    12
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "WHEN BRAKING ON A ROUGH SURFACE (NOT NEW PAVEMENT) THE BRAKE PEDAL KICKS BACK UP IN QUICKLY, AND BRAKING POWER IS LOST DURING THE UPKICKING. VERY DANGEROUS, AS THERE IS NO WAY TO COME TO A SECURE, SAFER STOP IN A TRAFFIC SITUARION. NOT TALKING ABOUT EMERGENC…"~15,000 mi, complaint #1459598
    • "THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED ON THIS CAR. IF YOU WOULD HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD WHILE ACCELERATION THE CAR WOULD DETECT A SPINNING CONDITION AND CAUSE MAJOR DECELERATION BEING VERY DANGEROUS WHEN ENTERING A FREEWAY IN MODERATE TRAFFIC TAKING THE VEHICLE…"~48,000 mi, complaint #1414392
    • "HAD OIL CHANGED AND DROVE ABOUT 500 FEET FROM DEALERSHIP WHEN CAR SHUT DOWN IN MIDDLE OF STREET. TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AND ABOUT TO RUN OVER ME. CARS SLIDING ON BRAKES TO AVOID MY STALLED CAR IN THE STREET. TRIED TO TURN INTO PARKING LOT TO GET OFF STREET BUT IT W…"~54,000 mi, complaint #1680388
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOSIE WHEN STARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS IN HER HAND AND THE CAR WAS OFF BUT STILL WAS HEARING THE NOISE. WHEN SHE OPENED THE HOOD TO DISCONNECT THE BA…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1684087
  22. #22

    transmission automatic

    11 unsafe

    11
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "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."~20,000 mi, complaint #1434993
    • "TRANSMISSION SHIFTS UP AND DOWN VERY OFTEN UNDER 35 MPH DURING CITY DRIVING. HARD SHIFTING UP AND DOWN."~44,500 mi, complaint #1376823
    • "MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA SXL ONLY SIX MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING. I AM 2,000 MILES OVER THE WARRANTY AS I AM THE SECOND OWNER. AFTER RESEARCHING WARRANTY HISTORY, I HAVE FOUND THIS CAR HAS HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED TWICE ALREADY, AND DRA…"~62,150 mi, complaint #1406241
    • "I STOPPED IN A PARKING SPACE AND SHIFTED INTO PARK AND TURNED OFF THE CAR. WHEN I STEPPED OUT OF THE CAR IT STARTED ROLLING. I JUMPED BACK ON THE CAR AND STEPPED ON THE BRAKE. THE LEVER WAS IN PARK BUT THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN DRIVE OR NEUTRAL. I COULD HAVE BEE…"~63,528 mi, complaint #1695834
    • "The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered and lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle, but the failure recurr…"~130,000 mi, complaint #2009942
  23. #23

    glass and windshield

    6 unsafe, 3 annoyance

    9
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "I WAS DRIVING ON THE HWY APPROX 1306HRS ON MAY19, 2020. I HEARD A POPPED NOISE LIKE A GUN SHOT OR A BLOW OUT TIRE. MY STEERING WHEEL WASN'T WOBBLING SO I LOOKED IN MY REAR MIRROR TO PULL OVER AND SAW BLACK GLASS SLIDING DOWN MY REAR WINDOW . I HEARD AIR COMING…"~14,000 mi, complaint #1664637
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A PEBBLE STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD AND CAUSED A MINOR CRACK. UPON TRYING THE CLEAN THE AREA, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FILM ON THE WINDSHIELD WAS STARTING TO DETACH. THE DEALE…"~24,000 mi, complaint #1396069
    • "SHORTLY AFTER GETTING ONTO THE FREEWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK IN THE MORNING I HEARD A LOUD POP FOLLOWED BY WHAT SOUNDED LIKE LIGHT RAIN HITTING THE CAR AND THE ROAR OF THE FREEWAY. WE QUICKLY PULLED THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND UPON LOOKING AT THE ROOF O…"~30,000 mi, complaint #1140138
    • "WHILE DRIVING ON A [REDACTED ADDRESS] WITH MY SON AND A FRIEND, GOING ABOUT 25 MPH ON A CLEAR DAY AT NOON, WE HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT COME FROM THE MOON ROOF CAUSING ME TO SWERVE. ONCE I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND ASSESS THE SITUATION, WE FOUN…"~55,000 mi, complaint #1297819
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE WASHING THE VEHICLE, WATER WAS OBSERVED IN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEALANT AROUND THE HEADLIGHTS WAS FAILING. THE H…"~67,000 mi, complaint #1333682
  24. #24

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    9 unsafe

    9
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "REAR SEAT BELTS IN CLOTH SEAT CONFIGURATION DO NOT HOLD THE BUCKLE IN AN EXPOSED POSITION SO THAT A CHILD OR AN ADULT CAN REASONABLY OPERATE IT. MOST VEHICLES HAVE A PLASTIC SHEATH THAT HOLD THE BUCKLE EXPOSED SO THAT IT IS ACCESSIBLE. IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBL…"~17,904 mi, complaint #1133648
    • "SEAT BELT FOR LEFT REAR SEAT DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE FEMALE PART SINKS INTO THE SEAT POCKET WHEN ATTEMPTING LATCHING SUCH THAT IT WILL NOT ACCEPT THE MALE PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT. THE HARDER THE PUSH OF THE MALE PART, THE MORE THE FEMALE PORTION R…"~29,000 mi, complaint #1410787
    • "I WAS ATTEMPTING TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. I UNBUCKLED MY SEATBELT AND THEN LEANED FORWARD TO PICKUP SOMETHING OFF THE FLOOR. WHEN I STARTED TO RELEASE THE SEATBELT AND THE SHOULDER STRAP PULLED MY HEAD INTO THE HEAD REST MY MY NECK. THE MORE I PULLED THE SEATBEL…"~70,545 mi, complaint #1067982
    • "OPTIMA'S DRIVER'S-SIDE SEAT BELT STOPPED WORKING AND THE BACK SEAT MIDDLE SEAT BELT, (RARELY USED), STOPPED WORKING DUE TO INABILITY TO CLICK (LOCK) INTO PLACE. CAR IS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA GDI & IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION IN EVERY OTHER ASPECT SEEN & KNOWN."~129,000 mi, complaint #1320738
    • "The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle and fastening his seat belt, the seat belt warning light remained illuminated. After unfastening the seat belt, the seat belt warning light turned off. The vehicle was taken…"~187,000 mi, complaint #1921623
  25. #25

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    8 unsafe

    8
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "MY ENGINE WAS REPLACED DUE TO A RECALL FOR HESITATION/LOCK UP IN NOVEMBER 2017. NOT LONG AFTER REPLACEMENT THE NEW ENGINE BEGIN TO HESITATE LIKE THE OLD ENGINE. IT HAS CONTINUED TO DO THIS, BECOMING WORSE. IT IS USUALLY A DOUBLE HESITATION. IN OTHER WORDS TH…"~5,000 mi, complaint #1535194
    • "AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A STOP SIGN, WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE TO TURN ONTO A BUSY ROAD MY CAR LOST POWER HALFWAY INTO THE INTERSECTION. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE. MY FIRST REACTION WAS TO PUSH HARDER ON THE GAS PEDAL, AS THERE WERE CARS COMING AT…"~25,000 mi, complaint #1160709
    • "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 DE…"~52,000 mi, complaint #1429724
    • "WHILE ACCELERATING VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER EVEN THOUGH GAS PEDAL WAS PRESSED. THERE WERE NO RPMS SHOWING AT ALL NO MATTER WHAT SPEED I WAS DRIVING. CAR WOULD ACCELERATE UNTIL ENGINE POWER LOST, I WOULD LET OFF THE GAS, CAR WOULD SHIFT HARD AND THEN I COULD…"~75,300 mi, complaint #1595948
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE STARTED LOSING MOTIVE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY ACTIVATED THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF…"~175,592 mi, complaint #1692685
  26. #26

    unintended acceleration

    7 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED AND THE VEHICLE SURGED AS THE ENGINE RPM'S INCREASED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. TH…"~3,000 mi, complaint #1036347
    • "ON 5/15/14 AT APPROX. 0430AM, WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. WITH MY RIGHT FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. BECAUSE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE CAR MOVED LESS THAN TWO FEET. I THEN PLACED T…"~19,700 mi, complaint #1065482
    • " The contact owned a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at 20 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, however, the vehicle accelerated to a speed which caused the vehicle to go over a medium and crash into a tree. The air bags did deploy. No w…"~31,000 mi, complaint #1790271
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE CONTACT'S MOTHER WAS BEHIND THE WHEEL AND THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE HER FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE STEERING ABILITY FAILED AND PREVENTED HER FROM TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. TH…"~56,500 mi, complaint #1238695
  27. #27

    control module

    1 stranded, 5 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "ON JAN 2ND, MY ECM MODULE WENT OUT ON MY CAR. THIS PART KIA TELLS ME IS RECALLED FOR 15-18 DAYS- TODAY IS JAN 15TH- THERE IS NO PART- THEY TELL ME THIS IS THE PART ENGINE COMPUTER MODULE THAT RUNS THE CAR. ALL LIGHTS CAME ON IN MY CAR, AND I COULD NOT ACCELER…"~85,000 mi, complaint #1531367
    • "THE ISSUE BEGAN APPROXIMATELY MID-MAY '17 WHILE MY CAR WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY (55MPH SPEED LIMIT, SAME SPEED LIMIT FOR EACH TIME I EXPERIENCED THE ISSUES IN THIS SUMMARY). I HONKED MY HORN AND PRESSED ON MY BRAKES (DUE TO ANOTHER CAR MAKING AN UNSAFE LAN…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1411365
  28. #28

    backup camera

    2 unsafe, 3 annoyance

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "THE REAR CAMERA DOES NOT COME ON IMMEDIATELY AND SOMETIMES I HAVE BACKED UP20-40 FT BEFORE IT ENGAGES. IT IS A PROBLEM AND I RECENTLY WAS HIT BY ANOTHER CAR WHEN I WA BACKING UP BECAUSE I DIDN'T SEE THEM COMING AT ME. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE THE BEGINNI…"~42,000 mi, complaint #1352335
    • "BACK UP CAMERA IS NOT WORKING. NO ACCIDENT ACURRED, STARTED THE CAR, PUT IN REVERSE AND THE SCREEN IS COMPLETELY BLACK."~44,000 mi, complaint #1451053
    • "BACK UP CAMERA STOPPED WORKING THE SCREEN IS BLACK. IT STARTED WHEN IT RAINS IT WOULDN'T WORK THEN WHEN IT GOT SUNNY IT WOULD COME BACK ON. BUT NOW IT'S NOT WORKING AT ALL"~54,000 mi, complaint #1474583
    • "THE BACKUP CAMERA FAILED. IT STOPPED WORKING WHEN BACKING UP IN THE DRIVEWAY. KIA DID NOT COVER REPLACEMENT UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH KIA ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN SAYING TO REPLACE THE CAMERA IN AREAS THAT HAVE HIGH HUMIDITY AND COLD WEATHER WITH A…"~66,000 mi, complaint #1350226
    • "BACK UP CAMERA NOW A SMOKEY HUE AROUND THE PICTURE AND IT'S NOT VERY CLEAR."~950,000 mi, complaint #1530765
  29. #29

    battery and charging

    3 stranded, 2 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "DRIVING THE CAR AFTER MULTIPLE CHANGES AND RECHARGING OF ALTERNATOR AFTER ENGINE RECALL. OVER THE COURSE OF 3 MONTHS, THE CAR HAS STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD TWICE AFTER DISPLAYING ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND THEN SHUTTING DOWN. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME, I…"~45,000 mi, complaint #1717603
    • "I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE BATTERY SINCE 2014 I CALLED WHEN IT ORIGINALLY STARTED TO SEE IF THERE WERE RECALLS AND THEIR WASNT. THE CAR IS DEAD DUE TO BATTERY FAILURE IF YOU LEAVE IT FOR A MORE THAN 3-[REDACTED ADDRESS] IT TO WORK AND HAVE TO GET A JUMP AT TH…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1289942
    • "MY CAR KEEPS HAVING SOME KIND OF AN ELECTRICAL GLITCH WHERE IT SEEMS MY BATTERY IS DEAD COMPLETELY WIPES THE MEMORY FROM THE CAR THEN IT'LL START 1 MINUTE LATER, TIRES KEEP GETTING EATING FROM THE INSIDE JUST ABOVE THE RIM, MOTOR HAS BEEN MAKING A TICKING NOIS…"~89,000 mi, complaint #1609553
    • "MY BATTERY INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON HUDSON BRIDGE RD. AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT THE CAR WOULD NOT TAKE OFF AFTER THE LIGHT CHANGE. I TRIED TO TURN THE CAR OFF TO RESTART, BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN OFF OR MOVE. THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE H…"~180,000 mi, complaint #1627845
    • "MY CAR IS TICKING AND BATTERY KEEPS GOING DEAD IT CUT OFF ON THE HIGHWAY HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED HOME"~910,000 mi, complaint #1716956
  30. #30

    power windows and locks

    3 unsafe, 1 broken, 1 annoyance

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW FELL DOWN INTO THE DOOR . WHEN THE DEALERSHIP REMOVED THE DOOR TO LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED THEY FOUND WHERE THE PLASTIC WHEEL AND WIRES THAT HELP THE WINDOW GO UP AND DOWN HAD BROKE THEY FELT IT WAS A MALFUNCTION VERY COSTLY TO REPLA…"~40,000 mi, complaint #1502383
  31. #31

    door latch and hinge

    2 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR AJAR WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED WITH THE DOORS SECURELY LOCKED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE CAUSED THE BATTERY TO BE DRAINED. SPARKS NISSAN KIA ([REDACTED ADDRESS], MONROE…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1659992
  32. #32

    driveshaft axle cv

    1 stranded, 2 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "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…"~22,500 mi, complaint #1447711
    • "TL* 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…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1490733
    • "THE GEARBOX YOKE PLUG DETACHES WHENEVER YOU DRIVE AND HIT A BUMP OR POTHOLE CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAKE A NOISE. THE NOISE WORSENS AS YOU DRIVE NO MATTER IF YOU'RE TURNING A CORNER BUT ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING OVER ANY TYPE OF ROUGH OR BUMPY ROAD CONDIT…"~77,000 mi, complaint #1671238
  33. #33

    engine head gasket

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM FAILED, BLOWING THE HEAD GASKET, 66,000"~66,000 mi, complaint #1464551
    • "The contact's son owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while his son was driving 50-60 MPH, the engine started overheating. The driver pulled to the side of the road and added coolant to the vehicle. The driver then drove to the residence. The contact st…"~128,000 mi, complaint #2057884
    • "TURNER KIA DIAGNOSIS MY VEHICLE OF OVERHEATING CONDITION REVEALED COMBUSTION GASSES GETTING INTO COOLANT. INTERNAL ISSUE ALLOWING COMBUSTION PRESSURE TO GET INTO COOLING SYSTEM WHICH IS HAMPERING COOLING EFFICIENCY AS WELL AS CAUSING AREACTION OFF COOLANT. WHE…"~181,000 mi, complaint #1699477
  34. #34

    evap system

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "EVAPORATIVE GAS FUMES INSIDE AND SMELLS LIKE SOMETHING IS BURNING"~89,625 mi, complaint #1548559
  35. #35

    infotainment head unit

    1 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "THE STEREO SYSTEM MAKES BEEP SOUNDS WHEN YOU PUSH THE BUTTONS BUT THE MUSIC SOUNDS, RADIO, AND PHONE WON'T COME THROUGH SPEAKERS AT ALL. I DO KNOW THAT THE KIA SOUL HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM AND WAS RECALLED FOR IT OUR CAR HAS 95,000 MILES ON IT SO I DON'T KNOW WH…"~95,000 mi, complaint #1640851
    • "ON MAY 21, 2020, I'D TAKEN MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA EX FOR A SIMPLE OIL CHANGE AT HAWKINSON KIA, MATTESON, IL. THE SERVICE DEPT. TECH CONDUCTED ADD'L INSPECTIONS, AS THEY USUALLY PERFORM, MADE RECOMMENDATIONS, INCLUDING SERPENTINE BELT REPLACEMENT. I'D AGREED TO BEL…"~105,000 mi, complaint #1673778
    • "THE RADIO IS NO LONGER FUNCTIONING AND I HAVE SEEN OTHER VIDEOS WHERE PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE."~145,000 mi, complaint #1540412
  36. #36

    key fob and immobilizer

    1 stranded, 2 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "MY PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED 5 SEPARATE TIMES. MY CAR WON'T CRANK AFTER SITTING ANYWHERE FROM 2 MINUTES TO ALL NIGHT. I STOP AND PARK MY CAR, PUT GEAR IN PARK AND PRESS THE BUTTON TO STOP THE ENGINE. WHEN I TRY TO GET BACK IN IF MY DOOR IS LOCKED, SOMETIMES I CA…"~42,000 mi, complaint #1474080
    • "The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle was stolen. The vehicle had been repaired by the dealer for an unknown recall for the anti-theft system. The vehicle was stolen, and the anti-theft feature fa…"~90,000 mi, complaint #2072918
    • "I RECENTLY REPORTED PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR I FORGOT TO MENTION THAT IT KEEPS READING MY KEY IS NOT IN VEHICLE WHICH MY KEY WILL BE INSIDE THE CAR, I'LL HAVE TO PUT MY KEY IN THE COMPARTMENT IN GLOVE BOX, IT USE TO WORK BUT AFTER EVERYTHING SHUTDOWN YESTERDAY IT…"~200,000 mi, complaint #1550677
  37. #37

    noise or vibration unspecified

    1 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "FIRST MY CAR HAS 80,000 MILES AND I DO ALL HIS REGULAR SERVICES ON TIME. I OWN THIS CAR 5 YEARS AGO,I DO EVEN EXTEND THE WARRANTY AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE BUT I NEVER USE IT BECAUSE THE CAR WAS GIVING ME NO PROBLEMS AT ALL. TODAY I WAS DRIVING TO THE STORE US…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1720740
    • "ENGINE NOISE, SOUND LIKE SOMETHING LOSE INSIDE. WHILE RUNNING STATIONARY AND MOVING, HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE VEHICLE SINCE NOISE STARTED 3 MONTHS AGO. NOT SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. READ ABOUT RECALL JUST LAST WEEK."~117,000 mi, complaint #1582833
  38. #38

    power steering hydraulic

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A WARNING LIGHT INDICATING THAT THE HYDRAULIC ASSEMBLY POWER UNIT NEEDED TO BE SERVICED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO KIA OF CERRITOS ([REDACTED ADDRESS], CERRITOS, CA 90703; [REDACTED PHONE])…"~97,125 mi, complaint #1703463
  39. #39

    tire failure

    1 stranded, 2 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HIS GIRLFRIEND, WHO WAS THE DRIVER AND OWNER OF A 2013 KIA OPTIMA EQUIPPED WITH PIRELLI P4 FOUR SEASONS PLUS TIRES, SIZE: 215/55/R17 (NA). WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE TREAD SEPARATED AND DAMAGED THE SIDE RE…"~3,000 mi, complaint #1480513
    • "NEXEN CP671 TIRES, P215/55R17 - TIRES ARE OEM ON MY KIA OPTIMA, WHICH I PURCHASED NEW. AT 14,972 MILES, MY CAR'S HANDLING CHANGED. THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED BOTH FRONT TIRES HAVE DEVELOPED SIDEWALL BULGES, AS WELL AS EXCESSIVE TREAD WEAR. (TIRES HAD BEEN ROTATED…"~14,972 mi, complaint #1386868
    • "ON NOV 22ND MY SON WAS DRIVING IN DETROIT AT 11PM WHEN THE BACK PASSENGER TIRE BLEW. WENT TO THE TRUNK TO GET THE SPARE AND THAT'S WHEN WE DISCOVERED IT DIDN'T COME WITH A SPARE. NEXT DAY GOT IT TOWED AND PAID 234$ FOR A NEW TIRE. ON DEC 21ST, HUSBAND DRIVING…"~20,000 mi, complaint #1069475
  40. #40

    wheel or rim

    2 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "DEAR NEXEN & SOUTHWEST KIA 39650 LYNDON B. JOHNSON FWY, DALLAS, TX. 75237 [REDACTED PHONE]: I AM REACHING OUT TO YOUR COMPANY IN HOPES OF GAINING RESOLUTION ON A RECENT SAFETY ISSUE I EXPERIENCED WITH YOUR TIRES. ON JUNE 28TH 2013 I PURCHASED A MOTOR VEHIC…"~25,000 mi, complaint #1049443
    • "MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON DARBY ROAD IN HAVERFORD, PA GOING ABOUT 30 MPH. SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER SAFELY STOPPING SHE INSPECTED THE CAR AND FOUND THAT THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS NO LONGER STRAIGHT UP AND DOWN BUT WA…"~25,100 mi, complaint #1157717
    • "THE CHROME ON THE WHEELS IS SEPARATING FROM THE WHEEL/RIM. ALL AROUND THE LUG NUTS AREA THE CHROME IS PEALING OFF."~82,000 mi, complaint #1418766
  41. #41

    engine cooling

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "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."~45,000 mi, complaint #1602387
  42. #42

    exhaust system

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "DURING THE SECOND OIL CHANGE AT THE DEALERSHIP, I INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S EXHAUST WAS VERY STRONG AND WAS COMING INTO THE VEHICLE BOTH AT SPEED AND WHILE SITTING. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO HAVE ONLY PREMIUM FUEL IN IT TO ST…"~6,300 mi, complaint #1071347
    • "The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the ABS and check engine warning light was illuminated. The ve…"~150,370 mi, complaint #1953514
  43. #43

    fluid leak unspecified

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "CAR SMELLS LIKE IT IS CONSTANTLY LEAKING OIL. THE SMELL IS VERY NOTICEABLE. I WILL BE TAKING IT IN ON 1/8/2021"~97,000 mi, complaint #1718226
  44. #44

    fuel injector

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA HAS AN ENGINE SPUTTER THAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A WHILE NOW. IT IS INTERMITTENT AND COMES AND GOES. WHEN I TALKED TO A SERVICE PERSON ABOUT IT AT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP, HE SAID THAT IT IS POSSIBLE THAT DEBRIS IN CAN GET LOOSE AND CAUSE FUEL…"~63,000 mi, complaint #1379820
    • "The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving or parked, there was an abnormally strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The check engine and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The contact replaced the battery, and the warning l…"~190,000 mi, complaint #1990649
  45. #45

    hv battery and range

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "I WAS DRIVING AROUND 45 MILES AND HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING, SAFELY STOP AND DO NOT DRIVE. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT [REDACTED ADDRESS] TO THE DEALERSHIP. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER TOLD ME TO REPLACE THE BATTERY. THE SIGN CAME BACK UP AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES OF DRIVING."~99,900 mi, complaint #1545886
  46. #46

    mirror

    1 unsafe, 1 broken

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "AT A 4 WAY STOP, (STOP SIGNS ONLY) THE CAR TO MY LEFT WAS COMPLETELY OBSCURED BY THE SIDE MIRROR AND WINDOW HOUSING. STREET LIGHTS ABSORBED HIS HEADLIGHTS, CAR WAS DARK BLUE. AFTER LOOKING BOTH WAYS I LET OFF THE GAS TO PROCEED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION TO SEE…"~6,000 mi, complaint #1121487
    • "I HAD MY PASSENGER REARVIEW MIRROR BROKEN HANGING BY THE WIRES. THEY REPLACED IN DEALER AFTER I INSISTED ON A REPLACEMENT. BEFORE THEY REPLACED, I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVERS REAR VIEW MIRROR. LOOKS LIKE THEY ARE TOO FRAGIL. WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH IT?"~21,235 mi, complaint #1372240
  47. #47

    seat mechanism

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "I AM COMPLAINING ABOUT THE HEADREST. THERE NEEDS TO BE AN ADJUSTMENT FOR THE ANGLE OF THE HEADREST. THE HEADREST MOVES UP AND DOWN, FORWARD AND BACKWARD BUT THE ANGLE CAN NOT BE ADJUSTMENT."~3,500 mi, complaint #1229437
    • "The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the seat cushions on both the front driver’s and passenger’s seats had separated from the frame of the vehicle. Both the dealer and the manufacturer were informed of the failure; and the contact was i…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1849509
  48. #48

    suspension struts shocks

    1 unsafe, 1 broken

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THERE IS A LOUD CLANKING NOISE WHEN STEERING OR HITTING BUMPS. THIS HAPPENS OVER TIME AND HAS SIGNIFICANTLY GOTTEN WORSE. IT SEEMS TO BE UNSAFE NOW AND MY VEHICLE IS EVEN BELOW 100K MILES SO THIS SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE AT ALL."~88,000 mi, complaint #1631056
  49. #49

    throttle and pedal

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT AND TRYING TO GO AFTER THE LIGHT TURNS GREEN ACCELERATOR WON'T GO DOWN AND MOVE CAR FORWARD BECAUSE IT STICKS AND I HAVE TO TAKE FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR AND PUSH IT DOWN AGAIN TO GET IT TO GO. THIS IS NOW HAPPENING EVERY DA…"~11,205 mi, complaint #1089375
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ALL STAR KIA OF BATON ROUGE (LOCATED AT [RED…"~95,477 mi, complaint #1389794
  50. #50

    timing belt or chain

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA STARTED MAKING A TICKING NOISE AT IDLE AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT INTO MY DEALERSHIP, AFTER THEY GOT ME FOR ABOUT $800 FOR ODDS AND ENDS, THEY SAID MY TIMING NEEDS INSPECTED. I SAID DO IT. THEN LATER GOT A CALL FROM THE SERVICE…"~97,000 mi, complaint #1683997
  51. #51

    unknown

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "THE CAR MADE A LOUD NOISE AN THE STRINGL LOCK"~38,000 mi, complaint #1707496
  52. #52

    wheel bearing

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "STEERING WHEEL WOBBLING AND CAUSING SLACK FOR NO REASON. BEARING OR BOLT HAS GONE OUT. DOLLAR PART WILL COST 350 TO FIX HAS TO BE DONE BY DEALERSHIP UNSAFE AND RIDICULOUS."~80,000 mi, complaint #1524256
    • "WHEN I AM DRIVING MORE THAN 65 MPH, MY STEERING WHEEL SHAKES FOR 3 SECONDS, STOPS, AND THEN CONTINUES UNTIL I GO UNDER [REDACTED ADDRESS] OVER A BUMP OR OBJECT, IT SHAKES AS WELL. THERE IS A LOUD CLICKING WHEN TURN THE WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT."~110,000 mi, complaint #1656668
  53. #53

    ac compressor and refrigerant

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM FAILED AND WOULD NOT BLOW COLD AIR. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO ADVISED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT THEY HAD NOT…"~11,000 mi, complaint #1000437
  54. #54

    adas collision warning

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "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 th…"~117,000 mi, complaint #1895577
  55. #55

    brake booster

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I was driving up the [XXX] north and where [XXX] merges to [XXX] I'm going 65mph on the far left side, and my dash starts beeping and reads WARNING STOP VEHICLE CHECK BRAKES. MY brakes go out, pedal to the floor sounding like grinding gears and doing some ma…"complaint #1970660
  56. #56

    brake pads and rotors

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I HAD MY BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS REPLACED IN NOVEMBER 2017. THE SERVICE DEPT AT THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED, THEY WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION AND WERE BEYOND SALVAGING. I HAD THEM REPLACED. IN APRIL, I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE SERVICE, INCLUDING AN OIL C…"~37,987 mi, complaint #1491634
  57. #57

    corrosion and rust

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "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 to…"complaint #2199731
  58. #58

    emissions aftertreatment

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Engine recall completed. Two weeks after..Engine light on due to a Crack in the emissions system.."complaint #1784232
  59. #59

    engine mounts

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "The front of the car rattles the engine, rattles and makes noise, my engine already blew up and it had to be replaced, I don’t think the dealer put the engine back in the right way with all the mounts, I’ve also brought the car in for service several times, an…"complaint #1908296
  60. #60

    heater core and blower

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the driver's side seat heater was overheating. The contact stated that he attempted to set the heater to the lowest setting; however, the seat continued to overheat to the point that…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1944488
  61. #61

    horn

    1 broken

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "HORN DOSEN'T BLOW OR NOTHING WORKS ON STEERING WHEEL"complaint #1655242
  62. #62

    interior trim

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THIS IS NOT A SAFETY PROBLEM. THE CARPET HAS WORN THROUGH (THREADBARE) JUST IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER SEAT. I ASKED THE DEALER ABOUT IT AND THE REP TOLD ME IT HAPPENS WITH DRIVERS THAT ARE SIX FEET TALL. THE SPOT THAT IS WORN IS ON A RAISED SURFACE (COVER?) OF SO…"~10,000 mi, complaint #972115
  63. #63

    lighting interior

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "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…"complaint #1859596
  64. #64

    parking brake

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I WAS DRIVING MY CAR DOWN A HILL, I HAD THE RIGHT OF WAY SO I DID NOT NEED TO ENGAGE MY BRAKES AT A STOP LIGHT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL. THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKES AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN HIT BECAUSE OF THIS MA…"~17,000 mi, complaint #1183088
  65. #65

    software or update

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT'S GIRLFRIEND OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS GIRLFRIEND WAS DRIVING 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED TO THE LEFT INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER CONTINUED DRIVING TO HER DESTI…"~132,000 mi, complaint #1728860
  66. #66

    tpms

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE TIRE WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE DID NOT…"~1,000 mi, complaint #957130
  67. #67

    wiper and washer

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at 55 mph during rain, the windshield wiper where violently wiping and there was a burning odor coming from the steering wheel. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not dia…"~20,000 mi, complaint #1797695

NHTSA investigations

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for KIA OPTIMA directly.