2013 KIA Optima problems
Owners have filed 1,883 complaints about the 2013 KIA Optima with NHTSA. Engine accounts for 32.4% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of steering at 11.3%.
Complaints1,883
Crashes77
Fires171
Injuries56
Deaths7
What owners report breaking
Engine 32.4% · 611
Steering 11.3% · 213
Unknown or other 9.8% · 184
Electrical system 7.8% · 146
Structure 6.7% · 127
Fuel/propulsion system 4.9% · 92
Power train 3.4% · 64
Air bags 3.2% · 61
Severity
Of those complaints, 77 describe a crash, 171 describe a fire, 56 report an injury and 7 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 19 model years of the KIA Optima in this data, 2013 draws the most complaints of any of them.
Filings have fallen off, 375 in the last three years against 541 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 84,900 miles.
In owners' own words
The contact owns a 2013 KIA Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle required to be jump started several occasions in order to start. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the alternator was drained and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000. The vin was not provided. Engine · reported at 30,000 miles
While my husband was driving the vehicle the engine shut off and locked up. Luckily he wasnt on a major highway with lots of vehicles. He was on a straight road but had trouble pulling the vehicle off the road because everything was locked up. This is a known recall on KIA vehicles and the dealership is denying to fix it. There is an open class action lawsuit against KIA for engine failure that we will be signing. Engine · reported at 165,000 miles
I am currently stationed in ramstein germany with the u.S. Air force. I contacted KIA to have the recall checked and the work completed. They are refusing saying that since I am in germany the recall doesn't affect them. They are also refusing to honor my warranty. Email is the best to contact me or via cell [xxx]. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (FOIA), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6). Engine · reported at 70,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…