2013 Kia Optima problems and recalls

Owner complaints on the 2013 Kia Optima include 4 fatality reports, 48 crashes and 114 fires across 1,381 filings.

1,381
Complaints
9
Recalls
48
Crash reports
114
Fire reports
36
Injuries
93.5
Severity index

Severity index 93.5 High. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 93.5p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 22 of 145 by severity index among 2013 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 85% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2013 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

EngineEngine: 612 complaints (44.3%)612 44%SteeringSteering: 213 complaints (15.4%)213 15%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 186 complaints (13.5%)186 13%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 146 complaints (10.6%)146 11%StructureStructure: 127 complaints (9.2%)127 9%Service BrakesService Brakes: 114 complaints (8.3%)114 8%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 92 complaints (6.7%)92 7%Power TrainPower Train: 64 complaints (4.6%)64 5%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE61244.3%
STEERING21315.4%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER18613.5%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM14610.6%
STRUCTURE1279.2%
SERVICE BRAKES1148.3%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM926.7%
POWER TRAIN644.6%

Complaints filed per year

0851702012: 52013: 362014: 452015: 532016: 552017: 902018: 952019: 1652020: 1622021: 1472022: 1282023: 1342024: 1292025: 822026: 55 (partial year)121314151617181916520212223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20125
201336
201445
201553
201655
201790
201895
2019165
2020162
2021147
2022128
2023134
2024129
202582
2026 (year to date)55
Filings in 2023 to 2025 were close to 2020 to 2022 (345 against 437).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
18V90700019/12/2018FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSKia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The h
18V36300001/06/2018AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULEKia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt prete
20V10000021/02/2020FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSKia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Optima vehicles equipped with 2.4L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) or 2.0L GDI Turbo engines. The low pressure fuel hose may deteriorate and crack over time due to heat generated within the engine compartment.
20V51900027/08/2020SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULEKia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.
21V33100010/05/2021SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULEKia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles previously recalled under recall 20V-519. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.
17V22400031/03/2017ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINEKia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
22V09300017/02/2022FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSKia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Optima vehicles that were previously repaired under NHTSA recall number 20V-100. The low pressure fuel hose may be damaged, or missing heat-protective tape, which can result in a fuel leak.
22V56000001/08/2022STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARSKia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Optima vehicles. The right and left headliner plates may not be secured properly, which can result in the plates detaching in the event of a side curtain air bag deployment.
23V65200025/09/2023SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULEKia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Con

Other Kia Optima model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 9 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-03. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.