Recalled components: brakes, fuel system, air bags, body structure, and 2 more. Most-described problem: stalling or shutting off (215 complaints, 15%). Most-reported area: engine (625 complaints, 43%; median mileage when it happened: 98,600).
One of the Optima years to avoid
The 2013 drew 148 owner complaints in its first three years, against 53 for a typical Optima year: 2.7 times as many.
Years to avoid: 2012 and 2013. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
Data: NHTSA recall, complaint and investigation filesUpdated Oct 2, 2026
Year to avoid
Includes the Optima Hybrid. Kia replaced the Optima with the K5 for 2021.
10 safety recalls for the 2013 Kia Optima
Parts with a do-not-drive or park-outside recall come first, then the rest, largest first. Within a part, do-not-drive and park-outside recalls come first, then the newest. Summaries are NHTSA's own wording. Open a recall for what is wrong, the fix and the full notice.
Brakes 3 recalls
antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · control unit/module
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Fix: 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.
1,730,192 vehicles.
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.
NHTSA listings: OPTIMA, OPTIMA HYBRID. Kia campaign SC284.
antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · control unit/module
Risk: An electrical short in the HECU increases the risk of a fire while parked or driving.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.
Fix: 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.
440,370 vehicles.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles previously recalled under recall 20V-519.
NHTSA listing: OPTIMA. Kia campaign SC212.
antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · control unit/module
Risk: If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.
Fix: 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.
440,370 vehicles.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles.
Risk: A fuel leak can increase the risk of a fire.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The low pressure fuel hose may be damaged, or missing heat-protective tape, which can result in a fuel leak.
Fix: 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.
72,848 vehicles.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Optima vehicles that were previously repaired under NHTSA recall number 20V-100.
Risk: If the fuel hose cracks, a fuel leak can occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The low pressure fuel hose may deteriorate and crack over time due to heat generated within the engine compartment.
Fix: 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.
141,774 vehicles.
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.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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.
Fix: 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.
71,653 vehicles.
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.
NHTSA listing: OPTIMA. Components: Engine; Fuel system: delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittings. Kia campaign SC172.
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.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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.
Fix: 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.
507,587 vehicles.
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.
Risk: A plate that detaches during a crash may strike an occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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.
Fix: 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.
257,998 vehicles.
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Optima vehicles.
Risk: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
Fix: 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.
294,756 vehicles.
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.
Risk: Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
Fix: 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.
618,160 vehicles.
Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles.
NHTSA listing: OPTIMA. Kia campaign SC147.
Questions about any of these recalls: call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
NHTSA has opened 4 investigations that name the 2013 Kia Optima, not counting audit queries; all 4 are closed. An investigation means NHTSA is reviewing reports of a problem. It is not a finding that the vehicle has a defect.
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.
NHTSA listings: OPTIMA, OPTIMA HYBRID. Component: Air bags (air bag/restraint control module). This investigation names 46 models.
Engine fires
Engineering analysis EA21003Closed Feb 5, 2024 (opened Dec 22, 2021)
On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires… NHTSA's full summary
Preliminary evaluation PE19004Closed Dec 22, 2021 (opened Mar 29, 2019)
During this Preliminary Evaluation (PE), the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) assessed the scope, frequency and potential safety-related consequences of non-crash vehicle fires caused by both engine failures… NHTSA's full summary
NHTSA listings: OPTIMA, OPTIMA HYBRID. Components: Electrical system; Engine and cooling; Engine; Exterior lighting; Unknown or other.
Scope and timeliness
Recall query RQ17003Closed Dec 22, 2021 (opened May 18, 2017)
NHTSA opened Recall Query (RQ) 17-003 to investigate the timeliness and scope of Kia’s Theta II GDI engine recall (Recall No. 17V-224), and Kia’s compliance with reporting requirements.
NHTSA ties this investigation to recall 17V-224, listed above.
NHTSA listing: OPTIMA. Component: Engine.
A preliminary evaluation is NHTSA's first step, to gather information and decide whether to look further. An engineering analysis is a deeper review, usually opened after a preliminary evaluation. A recall query is a review of whether a recall covered the right vehicles or whether its fix works. NHTSA lists investigations by make, model and model year only, so one can apply to only some versions of a model, such as one engine; its summary says which.
What owners report
Owners have filed 1,438 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Optima. Below, they are sorted by the problems owners describe and by the areas NHTSA files them under. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Problems owners describe
Stalling or shutting off215 · 15%
Median 100,000 miles at failure, from 157 reports with mileage
Engine failure or replacement187 · 13%
Median 100,300 miles at failure, from 112 reports with mileage
Smoke or a burning smell139 · 10%
Median 102,000 miles at failure, from 97 reports with mileage
Check engine light126 · 9%
Median 103,000 miles at failure, from 91 reports with mileage
Loss of power or limp mode107 · 7%
Median 99,000 miles at failure, from 65 reports with mileage
Won't start67 · 5%
Median 110,000 miles at failure, from 50 reports with mileage
Shaking, shuddering or vibration64 · 4%
Median 98,500 miles at failure, from 44 reports with mileage
Engine knocking, ticking or rattling56 · 4%
Median 112,500 miles at failure, from 42 reports with mileage
Median 98,600 miles at failure, from 376 reports with mileage
Steering217 · 15%
Median 40,000 miles at failure, from 147 reports with mileage
Electrical system167 · 12%
Median 77,000 miles at failure, from 86 reports with mileage
Body structure127 · 9%
Most named: body (119) · Median 70,000 miles at failure, from 37 reports with mileage
Brakes126 · 9%
Median 100,000 miles at failure, from 60 reports with mileage
Fuel and propulsion system93 · 6%
Median 80,000 miles at failure, from 44 reports with mileage
Powertrain71 · 5%
Median 65,900 miles at failure, from 52 reports with mileage
Unknown or other195 · 14%
Median 70,000 miles at failure, from 73 reports with mileage
A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%. Mileage is shown where at least 15 owners reported it.
Kia Optima recalls and complaints by model year
The highlighted bars are the 2013 model year. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are lower. Counting complaints filed in each model year's first three years, the 2013 Optima drew the most (148).
Owner complaints
2013: 1,438 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Kia Optima
Model year
Complaints
2010
75
2011
627
2012
1,028
2013
1,438
2014
617
2015
1,021
2016
760
2017
305
2018
243
2019
211
2020
148
Safety recalls
2013: 10 recallsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, Kia Optima
Model year
Recalls
2010
1
2011
6
2012
6
2013
10
2014
7
2015
4
2016
5
2017
4
2018
3
2019
1
2020
0
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for each version it tested. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimate of the chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
In the 1,438 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Kia Optima, the problems described most are stalling or shutting off (215), engine failure or replacement (187), and smoke or a burning smell (139). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.
Is the 2013 Kia Optima safe?
In NHTSA crash tests every tested version of the 2013 Kia Optima earns 5 stars overall. The table above lists each tested version.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2013 Kia Optima?
No. NHTSA's investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026, lists no open investigations for the 2013 Kia Optima, not counting audit queries. It lists 4 closed ones; the most recent closed on Sep 19, 2024.
How do I check if my Optima has an open recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard, door jamb or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup lists unrepaired recalls for that exact vehicle. Safety recall repairs are free at Kia dealers.
Sources and method
NHTSA recalls file (NHTSA datasets), dated Oct 2, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Oct 2, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026. Defect petitions, which ask NHTSA to open an investigation, are listed apart and only while open. Audit queries, which check whether a company met its recall and reporting duties rather than whether a vehicle has a problem, are not listed.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP).
NHTSA model names covered: OPTIMA, OPTIMA HYBRID.
Complaint counts are unverified owner reports. They rise with sales volume and time on the road, so compare model years with care. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.