2013 Kia Optima Brakes Problems
NHTSA lists 132 brake complaints for the 2013 Kia Optima, 10% of all complaints filed for that model year, with a median failure mileage of 91,000. Three related brake recalls exist, including HECU brake fluid leak campaigns 20V519000 and 21V331000.
- Brakes complaints
- 132
- 10% of 1,383
- Crashes reported
- 6
- Fires reported
- 14
- Injuries reported
- 2
- Median mileage
- 91,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 3
Typical brake symptoms owners report
- Brake pedal is depressed but the vehicle fails to stop, sometimes resulting in a rear-end collision.
- Vehicles reportedly lose braking ability along with sudden stalling or loss of power while driving at highway speed.
- Owners report smoke or fire originating near the engine or underneath the vehicle, in some cases traced by mechanics to the ABS Control Module or HECU.
- An abnormal noise from the parked, powered-off vehicle preceded a loud pop and smoke from the engine area.
- Some owners describe unexpected acceleration or surging while trying to brake, leading to a collision with a building or nearby vehicles.
When 2013 Kia Optima brake complaints were filed
First complaint Mar 20, 2014, latest Sep 18, 2026.
Brakes recalls for the 2013 Kia Optima
- 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 21V331000May 10, 2021Brakes440,370 vehiclesPark Outside
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Kia 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.
Risk: An electrical short in the HECU increases the risk of a fire while parked or driving.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will install a new multi-fuse, and inspect the HECU for leaks, replacing the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 2, 2021. This recall supersedes previous NHTSA recall number 20V-519. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC212.
- NHTSA 20V519000Aug 27, 2020Brakes440,370 vehiclesPark Outside
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Kia 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.
Risk: If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the HECU for leaking brake fluid and replace the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. The recall began October 20, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC197.
Brakes complaints by Optima model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many brake complaints does the 2013 Kia Optima have?
- NHTSA lists 132 brake-related complaints for the 2013 Kia Optima, which is 10% of the 1,383 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a brake recall for the 2013 Kia Optima?
- Yes. NHTSA lists three brake-related recalls covering this vehicle: campaigns 20V519000 and 21V331000 for a Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) brake fluid leak that can cause an electrical short, and campaign 23V652000 which also involves brakes.
- At what mileage do 2013 Optima brake problems typically show up?
- NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage at failure of 91,000 miles for brake-related issues on the 2013 Optima.
- Have the 2013 Optima's brake problems caused crashes or fires?
- NHTSA data tied to this brake complaint category records 6 crashes, 14 fires, and 2 injuries for the 2013 Kia Optima.
- Is brake failure worse on the 2013 Optima than other model years?
- The 2013 model year's brake complaint share is 10%, similar to 2011 (9%) and 2015 (10%), but lower than 2012 (11%) and 2019 (11%), and higher than 2016 (4%) and 2017 (3%).