Federal safety advisory

Park this vehicle outside and away from structures until the repair is completed.

Model year record

2013 Kia Optima Hybrid

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 95 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 23V652000

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module

Component: Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Vehicles affected: 1,730,192
Reported to NHTSA: 2023-09-25
Owners notified: 2024-03-29

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 20V750000

Engine

Component: Engine
Manufacturer: Kia Motors America
Vehicles affected: 294,756
Reported to NHTSA: 2020-12-02
Owners notified: 2021-01-25

Defect description

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.

Safety risk

An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Electrical system	21	41,000 mi
Engine	14	68,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	11	90,000 mi
Unknown or other	9	54,844 mi
Power train	7	67,000 mi
Hybrid propulsion system	5	67,000 mi
Service brakes	5	4,720 mi
Steering	5	70,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	5	4,200 mi
Exterior lighting	4	—
Electronic stability control (ESC)	3	58,000 mi
Electrical system: propulsion system: hybrid management	2	146,000 mi
Air bags	1	85,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	1	94,223 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light	1	100,200 mi
Suspension	1	65,000 mi

The 2012 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2014 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

AQ23002Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.