repaired · 2025 Q4
Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
Park outsideRisk. An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
2013 Kia OptimaProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 1,388 owner complaints about the 2013 Kia Optima, most often about the engine. It is covered by 9 safety recalls, and for recall 23V-652 the manufacturer reports only 28% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 7, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2013 Kia Optima has problems
1,388 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
614Engine97 crash/fire/injury
213Steering7 crash/fire/injury
147Electrical system26 crash/fire/injury
127Structure16 crash/fire/injury
94Fuel/propulsion system
64Power train
62Air bags
59Service brakes
53Service brakes, hydraulic
27721 other systems32 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 614 | 97 |
| Steering | 213 | 7 |
| Electrical system | 147 | 26 |
| Structure | 127 | 16 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 94 | 10 |
| Power train | 64 | 5 |
| Air bags | 62 | 21 |
| Service brakes | 59 | 9 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 53 | 8 |
| 21 other systems | 277 | 32 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
9 recalls
2013 Kia Optima recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2024 Q2
Body: roof and pillars
Risk. A plate that detaches during a crash may strike an occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
repaired · 2024 Q2
Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk. A fuel leak can increase the risk of a fire.
repaired · 2023 Q2
Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
Park outsideRisk. An electrical short in the HECU increases the risk of a fire while parked or driving.
Show 5 more recalls
repaired · 2022 Q3
Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
Park outsideRisk. If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.
repaired · 2022 Q1
Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk. If the fuel hose cracks, a fuel leak can occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
repaired · 2020 Q2
Engine
Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
repaired · 2020 Q1
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module
Risk. If the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash…
repaired · 2018 Q3
Engine and engine cooling: engine
Risk. Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Kia.
Mileage at failure
When do engine problems start?
99kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 365 engine complaints. 51% were reported before 100,000 miles.
26under 30k miles186under 100k miles179100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Engine
24 owners mentioned a cost$2,750median
Middle half: $700 – $6,252
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2013 vs. every other Optima year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Optima median. How we score
'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2013 Kia Optima safety ratings
2013 Kia Optima 4 DR FWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side barrier★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
- Rollover: 5 stars (9.6% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
8 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2013 Kia Optima, and the recalls they led to.
- Hyundai and Kia ABS Module FiresOpen
- Non-crash Vehicle FiresLed to recall 19V-204
- Throttle control system vulnerabilitiesNo recall
- Loss of Motive PowerNo recall
- Electrical overstressLed to recall 20V-024
- Engine FiresLed to recall 23V-877
- Non-crash Vehicle FiresLed to recall 20V-519
- Scope and TimelinessLed to recall 19V-101
In owners' words
What Optima owners report
Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. While driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power but continued to drive under reduced power, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The failure nearly caused a crash. The vehicle was taken to O'Reilly's, where three knock sensor codes were…
Despite documenting this catastrophic internal mechanical destruction, the authorized franchise dealer has issued a written directive instructing the driver to operate this structurally compromised vehicle on public roads for a 1,000-mile oil consumption test with explicit instructions not to add,…
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…
Own a 2013 Optima?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.