2013 KIA OPTIMA Complaints

Based on reading some service forms, it seems it may be the hydraulic booster, causing the issue. In order for them to take a look at the brakes system. I was charged a upfront diagnostics fee of $316. While driving warning light comes on " Check brake system " then the car slows down to 10mph immediately. While pressing on the brakes they squeaking, very badly. I have to turn the car off and back on until the flashing " Check brake system" turns off. This happens every 5 to 10 minutes while driving multiple times a day, everyday. This could have caused an accident on multiple occasions. When the warning light comes on, the car immediately goes down to 10mph making it impossible to pullover in time. The car is currently at the dealership for inspection, they're the only ones that i had inspect the car. However reading the Kia forms online alot of other customers are having this same issue. This issue started happening about two months ago. And has progressively gotten worse.

Module 1 7.5 amp fuse continues to short and blow over and over again. Known issues with auto headlamp leveling sensor. Problem continues to happen. Lose my highbeams, shift lock, rear defrost, rearview auto dimmer, steering wheel controls. Anytime the fuse blows

Both front door lock actuators failed within a one month period. It is a safety issue because the actuator is failing in a way that can prevent the door from opening, closing, properly latching and locking. The vehicle is available for inspection. I have taken it to a mechanic to confirm the failure.

I googled and a recall # SC200TE showed it was uncompleted. I called Holly Kia in Felton, Delaware, and they informed me my title is "branded" and therefore not covered under recalls. Then i google the recall again and now its gone.

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, an unknown warning light illuminated, and the vehicle decelerated unintendedly. The accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle failed to accelerate above 10 MPH. In addition, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The contact was informed that an unknown software update was completed, and the brake line was bled; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall associated with the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

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 Number: 18V907000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine); however, VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired because the VIN was not included in recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 250,000.

On July 14, 2026, the vehicle's engine was replaced by an authorized dealership under an official Kia recall. On August 16, 2026, while driving on the highway, heavy smoke suddenly began emitting from the engine compartment. When attempting to slow down, the braking system suffered a total loss of power and failed completely. To stop the vehicle, it had to be steered into the highway median to intentionally scrape against it to force a stop. Immediately upon exiting the vehicle, heavy flames were observed under the engine compartment before completely engulfing the front of the car. The fire department extinguished the fire, and the vehicle is a total loss.

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH with the cruise control activated, there was smoke coming from underneath the passenger’s side of the hood before the vehicle decelerated. The contact stated that moments later there were flames coming from the underneath the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle was parked on the side of the road and flames quickly engulfed the vehicle. The Fire Department was called to the scene and arrived and extinguished the fire. During the fire the vehicle was destroyed and was later towed to a nearby storage facility. While attempting to quickly exit the vehicle the contact fell to the ground and sustained an injured left leg and left side. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact stated that the engine was recently installed related to a recall repair. No additional information was available. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. There was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the vehicle and the vehicle was uncontrollable. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the coupling in the steering wheel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there was no coverage under the warranty extension for the MDPS flexible coupling. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.

I am writing to formally report a dangerous safety defect involving the braking system and the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) on my 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid. While operating the vehicle, severe warning lights illuminated on the dashboard indicating an immediate braking system and stability control failure. A diagnostic scan revealed active fault code C1237, pointing specifically to a primary pressure sensor signal failure embedded inside the internal HECU assembly.This issue presents a severe safety hazard. The failure compromises the vehicle's electronic brake assist, anti-lock braking system (ABS), and active stability systems. This results in unpredictable pedal feel and significantly increased stopping distances, drastically elevating the risk of a high-speed collision.Furthermore, this vehicle architecture relies heavily on clean voltage from the 12-volt battery system. Sudden drops in battery performance appear to trigger cascading communication faults within the HECU network, causing the vehicle to lose crucial safety systems without adequate warning.Kia is aware of severe electrical and internal component defects within the HECU modules of this generation, as evidenced by Safety Recall SC284 (NHTSA Campaign 23V652000) for HECU internal electrical shorts and engine fire risks. However, dealerships are treating related sensor failures inside the exact same HECU assembly (such as the internal primary pressure sensor) as customer-pay maintenance issues, rather than recognizing them as symptoms of a fundamentally defective or failing control unit. Dealership service centers are recommending piecemeal, expensive part replacements (like pedal travel sensors) that do not resolve the underlying safety risk of an internally failing HECU module.I request that the NHTSA investigate whether internal pressure sensor failures (Code C1237) and related electronic brake module collapses on 2011–2015 Kia Hybrid models are connected to the known sub-component defects wi