2013 KIA OPTIMA Complaints

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine, and the vehicle failed to properly accelerate. While the contact’s wife was driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer, who discovered metal shavings inside the engine oil and informed the contact that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 211,000.

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 / PI2002A. The contact discovered there was an issue with the damage to the connecting rod bearing. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the battery needed to be replaced. There was an abnormal sound when the vehicle was started. The contact stated that there were metal shavings in the oil and the control valve. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where a broken valve and lifter were found, and the dealer determined that the engine needed to be disassembled. The dealer stated that there were metal shavings in the oil and the control valve. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there was no repair under recall for the failure. Additionally, the manufacturer requested the oil change records. The failure mileage was approximately 200,776.

As in May 2025 , I purchased 2013 Kia Optima LX sedan with airbag already deployed before bought it. And in June 2025 I took my car to nearest Kia dealership , I found out that I had recalls over other things as well. I made Kia dealership to look at the airbag and do inspection on it. None of Kia employees did not informed me about the airbag, CARFAX information about previous incident to this car before I purchased.

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH and attempting to make a right turn, the air bag deployed unexpectedly. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the clock spring and air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the issue would be escalated to the proper department. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.

The contact owned a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle, the contact became aware of black smoke coming from the floorboard with a burning plastic odor, and the battery warning light illuminated. The contact called her husband and was informed to exit the vehicle. The contact exited the vehicle and seconds later the vehicle exploded. The front of the vehicle blew up onto the windshield and the steering wheel detached and struck the driver’s side seat. The fire was extinguished by the Fulton County Fire Department. A Fire Report and Police Report were filed; however, the reports were not yet provided to the vehicle owner. The contact experienced severe emotional distress. The contact stated due to the emotional distress of the fire, she suffered a miscarriage from the stress and had scratches from having to jump out of the window. There was no medical assistance sought. Several personal items inside the vehicle were also lost due to the fire and additionally, the contact lost employment due to the fire. The VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the vehicle had not been repaired prior to the fire. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard then to a Kia dealer. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 193,876.

The contact owned a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while his niece was driving the vehicle at 65 MPH, a strong fuel odor began to emit from the vehicle without warning. The vehicle then began to violently shake as the contact's niece began to exit the highway. Upon pulling over and exiting the vehicle, black smoke began to emit from the vehicle as both police and fire officials were in the vehicle's vicinity and witnessed the fire. As the vehicle quickly became engulfed in flames, the fire department quickly arrived at the scene and extinguished the fire. No injuries were reported, and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the niece's home, where it remained in her possession. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000(Service Brakes, Hydraulics). The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and an investigator was scheduled to visit the niece's home and inspect the vehicle; the investigator never arrived, and the vehicle had yet to be inspected. The vehicle was destroyed as a result of the fire. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

My car suddenly caught fire in my driveway tonight 2/6/26 roughly around 9:40 PM. Fire department has been dispatched to come out and investigate if the fire has been properly extinguished and it does warrant any further safety hazards until Kia can be notified and resolve this issue.

After getting the vehicle back from the auto shop for repair in the fuel injector because my car wasn't starting after I purchase it from a third party. anyways after I got the vehicle back my temperature gauge was sky rocket getting high and higher and my temperature blinker with the red light on the dashboard with the boiling hot water icon temperature and I took it in the shop and it stated on the invoice

I received a recall notice for my 2013 Kia Optima, VIN #: [XXX] related to engine issues and an increased risk of fire. After receiving the recall notice, my vehicle began smoking and briefly caught fire while in operation. I immediately shut the vehicle off, and the smoke and fire stopped. For safety reasons, the vehicle was towed by my insurance company to my aunt’s residence, which was the closest safe location at the time. The vehicle was unsafe to drive. No injuries occurred, and the fire department was not called because the fire stopped once the vehicle was turned off. I believe this incident is related to a known safety defect and recall involving Kia Optima engine fires. I have contacted Kia multiple times regarding this issue, and there have been delays in addressing or repairing the vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal and stalled. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the engine had seized and to tow the vehicle to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was confirmed that the engine had failed. The contact was informed that since the vehicle had a branded title, it could not be repaired. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The contact stated that back in October 2024, the vehicle had been in a hit-and-run accident. The insurance company had declared the vehicle a total loss. The contact kept the vehicle and registered it with the rebuilt title. The contact stated that the engine on the vehicle was the original engine. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that Kia Customer Care called and advised the contact that the manufacturer declined the request for the repairs. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.