2013 Kia OPTIMA: complaints, problems and recalls

2013 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE STEERING TO THE RIGHT *TGW THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED, SOMETIMES THE BELT MADE A SQUEAKY NOISE. HE ALSO NOTICED A SLIGHT HESITATION WHEN PULLING OFF FROM A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. *JB THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE DID NOT COME WITH A KEY TO OPEN THE TRUNK. UPDATED 01/22/13 THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS MANY SERIOUS ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER PROBLEMS. UPDATED 06/27/2017*JS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10476362 at NHTSA ↗

AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS VEHICLE IS NOT STABLE. I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED AT THE DEALER AND THEY SAY THAT EVERYTHING IS WITHIN SPECS. VEHICLE DOESN'T PULL IN ONE DIRECTION, BUT IT HAS A HARD TIME TRACKING DOWN THE ROAD. SLIGHT IMPERFECTIONS, WIND, OR TIRE ISSUES WILL CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO DART LEFT/RIGHT. AN IMMEDIATE CORRECTION ON THE STEERING WHEEL IS REQUIRED WHICH IS SLIGHTLY MORE THAN REQUIRED TO RETURN TO CENTER-LINE AND THUS REQUIRES ANOTHER CORRECTION IN THE REVERSE DIRECTION. ANY DEVIATION FROM THE CENTER-LINE REQUIRES TWO CORRECTIONS AND EXTR…

Owner-reported narrative. 2,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10481066 at NHTSA ↗

NEW VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT TRACK IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE VEHICLE WANDERS (DRIFTS) LEFT OR RIGHT. I CONSTANTLY HAVE TO NUDGE THE STEERING WHEEL SLIGHTLY LEFT OR SLIGHTLY RIGHT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LANE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION. I NO LONGER TAKE A MUG OF COFFEE WITH ME AS I DRIVE TO WORK. I HAVE TO KEEP MY EYES DIRECTLY ON THE ROAD AHEAD, ONLY GLANCING BRIEFLY IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR OR SIDE MIRRORS TO CHECK TRAFFIC. IT ALSO DOES THIS AT LOW SPEEDS ON RESIDENTIAL STREETS. HELP! I AM TAKING IT BACK TO THE…

Owner-reported narrative. 25 miles reported. Look up ODI 10484776 at NHTSA ↗

ABOUT A DAY AFTER I BOUGHT MY BRAND NEW 2013 KIA, I NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT. I TOOK IT BACK THAT WEEKEND TO GET AN ALIGNMENT AND THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT IT WASN'T AN ALIGNMENT, BUT THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS OFF. SO, THEY ADJUSTED THAT. WHEN I TOOK DELIVERY OF THE VEHICLE AGAIN, THE ISSUE WAS STILL THERE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THEM AGAIN, AND THIS TIME, THEY SAID THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TWISTED. I THEN MOVED FROM VA TO FL TWO DAYS LATER. AT THIS POINT I ONLY HAD ABOUT 1200 MILES ON MY CAR. DURING THE TRIP, I NOTICED THE STEERIN…

Owner-reported narrative. 498 miles reported. Look up ODI 10486711 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD DRIFT FROM SIDE TO SIDE WHEN BEING DRIVEN AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRAVELING ABOVE 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE AN ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED BUT DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SECOND DEALER WHO SUGGESTED THAT THEY ADJUST THE TIRE PRESSURE. THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS ADJUSTED BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE FAILURE …

Owner-reported narrative. 40 miles reported. Look up ODI 10487468 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE TIRE WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE DID NOT COME EQUIPPED WITH A SPARE TIRE, ONLY A TIRE MOBILITY KIT THAT INCLUDED AN INFLATION DEVICE. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE FAILED TIRE COULD NOT BE INFLATED AND NEEDED TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,000. THE CURRENT MIL…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10491945 at NHTSA ↗

CAR DOES NOT TRACK STRAIGHT WHILE DRIVING OVER 55MPH. DRIVER HAS TO CONTINUALLY CORRECT WHEEL TO KEEP CAR STRAIGHT ON ROAD. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10494657 at NHTSA ↗

I'VE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR ABOUT ONE WEEK. WITHIN THE FIRST TWO DAYS I NOTICED A SLIGHT DRIFTING OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING ABOVE 40 MPH, BUT DISMISSED IT AS BEING CAUSED BY THE HIGH WINDS THAT WERE OCCURRING DURING THAT TIME. OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS, THESE DRIFTING EXPERIENCES LINGERED. THE WORST EXPERIENCE OCCURRED 02/14/13, BETWEEN 5:30PM AND 6:15PM, A HIGH TRAFFIC PERIOD, ON A FREEWAY WHICH IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION. AFTER MAKING A LEFT TURN FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT ONTO THE FREEWAY, I PROCEEDED INTO THE LEFT LANE. WITHIN A FEW FEET, OR…

Owner-reported narrative. 22 miles reported. Look up ODI 10498327 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2017-03-31 (March 31, 2017)

Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.

Consequence: Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.

Reported: 2018-06-01 (June 1, 2018)

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.

Consequence: If the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners. For model year 2011 Sedona vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to verify the ACU part number and, if necessary, install an extension wire harness kit between the ACU Connector and the Vehicle Harness Connector. For all other affected vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to install the extension wire harness kit. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC165.

Reported: 2018-12-19 (December 19, 2018)

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.

Reported: 2020-02-21 (February 21, 2020)

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Optima vehicles equipped with 2.4L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) or 2.0L GDI Turbo engines. The low pressure fuel hose may deteriorate and crack over time due to heat generated within the engine compartment.

Consequence: If the fuel hose cracks, a fuel leak can occur, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Kia will notify Owners, and Dealers will inspect the low pressure fuel hose for damage or leaking, replacing it as necessary. If no damage or leaking is found, a heat-protective tape will be installed. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began June 12, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC187.

Reported: 2020-08-27 (August 27, 2020)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2021-05-10 (May 10, 2021)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2022-02-17 (February 17, 2022)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2022-08-01 (August 1, 2022)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2023-09-25 (September 25, 2023)

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.

Consequence: 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.