2013 Kia Optima Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 11 Optima years
The 2013 Kia Optima ranks worst of 11 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 100 and 1,383 complaints, including 114 fires and 9 recalls. Engine problems dominate at 48% of complaints, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other Optima years.
- Complaints
- 1,383
- Recalls
- 9
- Crashes / fires
- 48 / 114
- Injuries / deaths
- 36 / 4
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 27
- 24 city / 34 hwy
Top 2013 Kia Optima problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine670 (48%)
- Steering213 (15%)
- Other188 (14%)
- Electrical System175 (13%)
- Structure & Body134 (10%)
- Brakes132 (10%)
- Fuel System123 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain64 (5%)
- Airbags60 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires43 (3%)
What owners report
- Engine catches fire while driving, sometimes after a prior engine-replacement recall, with owners describing smoke, flames, and loss of steering or brakes before pulling over.
- Engine stalls or loses power suddenly on the road, followed by smoke and in some cases a full engine fire minutes later.
- Airbags fail to deploy in front or head-on crashes, even at highway speed or after significant vehicle damage.
- Brakes fail to stop the car when the pedal is depressed, leading to rear-end collisions.
- Side mirror and window housing design creates blind spots that owners say hide oncoming vehicles at intersections.
2013 Kia Optima recalls
9 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V652000Sep 25, 2023Brakes1,730,192 vehiclesPark Outside
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Kia 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 Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
- NHTSA 22V560000Aug 1, 2022Structure & Body257,998 vehicles
Structure:body:roof and pillars
Kia 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.
Risk: A plate that detaches during a crash may strike an occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will secure the headliner plates, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 26, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC245.
- NHTSA 22V093000Feb 17, 2022Fuel System72,848 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Kia 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.
Risk: A fuel leak can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel hose, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 2, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-33-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC228.
2013 Kia Optima fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 24 MPG
- Highway
- 34 MPG
- Combined
- 27 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,400
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2013 compared with other Optima years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Kia Optima reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2013 Optima has the highest complaint index (100) of all 11 Optima model years tracked, ranking worst overall and rated Avoid relative to other years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2013 Kia Optima?
- Engine issues make up 48% of complaints (670 of 1,383), including 89 fires, with a median mileage at failure of 99,061.5 miles.
- Does the 2013 Kia Optima have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 2013 Optima, covering brakes, fuel system, engine, airbags, and structure/body components, including a low-pressure fuel hose recall and an HECU brake fluid leak recall.
- How does the 2013 Optima compare to other years?
- The 2013 Optima has a complaint index of 100, higher than every other tracked year; the 2020 Optima has the lowest index at 10 and is rated Best.