Model year record

2013 Kia Optima

9 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 2,089 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 22V560000

Structure: body: roof and pillars

Component
Structure: body: roof and pillars
Manufacturer
Kia Motors America
Vehicles affected
257,998
Reported to NHTSA
2022-08-01
Owners notified
2022-09-26

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A plate that detaches during a crash may strike an occupant, increasing their risk of injury.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 22V093000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
Kia Motors America
Vehicles affected
72,848
Reported to NHTSA
2022-02-17
Owners notified
2022-08-02

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A fuel leak can increase the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 21V331000

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 Motors America
Vehicles affected
440,370
Reported to NHTSA
2021-05-10
Owners notified
2021-07-02

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

An electrical short in the HECU increases the risk of a fire while parked or driving.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 20V519000

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 Motors America
Vehicles affected
440,370
Reported to NHTSA
2020-08-27
Owners notified
2020-10-20

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 20V100000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
Kia Motors America
Vehicles affected
141,774
Reported to NHTSA
2020-02-21
Owners notified
2020-06-12

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 18V907000

Engine

Component
Engine
Manufacturer
Kia Motors America
Vehicles affected
71,653
Reported to NHTSA
2018-12-19
Owners notified
2019-01-17

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 18V363000

Air bags: air bag/restraint control module

Component
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module
Manufacturer
Kia Motors America
Vehicles affected
507,587
Reported to NHTSA
2018-06-01
Owners notified
2018-09-28

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 17V224000

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Component
Engine and engine cooling: engine
Manufacturer
Kia Motors America
Vehicles affected
618,160
Reported to NHTSA
2017-03-31
Owners notified
2017-06-20

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine67599,642 mi
Steering23040,000 mi
Unknown or other20570,000 mi
Electrical system16085,873 mi
Structure: body13170,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system10376,000 mi
Power train7164,837 mi
Service brakes6930,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic64130,000 mi
Air bags6385,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling55130,000 mi
Vehicle speed control3849,786 mi
Exterior lighting3667,000 mi
Suspension2722,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline26130,000 mi
Seat belts2089,896 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)1949,786 mi
Wheels1970,000 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1214,000 mi
Structure810,000 mi
Visibility/wiper823,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking5117,000 mi
Seats533,600 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights3117,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights3115,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: driver clockspring/spiral cassette2107,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module290,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings287,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: control unit/module290,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal2137,000 mi
Chest clip, buckle, harness1
Electrical system: horn114,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: coil1
Electrical system: wiring114,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1106,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger: intercooler1170,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system174,439 mi
Firerelated1
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control1
Fuel system, diesel: delivery: fuel pump194,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: evaporative emissions: canister1
Hybrid propulsion system1126,000 mi
Interior lighting1
Latches/locks/linkages160,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1116,564 mi
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler1120,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light1190,000 mi
Tires120,000 mi
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems14,234 mi
Tires: tread/belt13,000 mi
Traction control system115,000 mi
Visibility114,000 mi
Visibility: windshield1

The 2012 model has about 1.5 times 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.