What 1,371 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Kia Optima Phev

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at 55 mph during rain, the windshield wiper where violently wiping and there was a burning odor coming from the steering wheel. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.

NHTSA ODI 11453897

Smell like gas everyday I don’t want my car get in fire

NHTSA ODI 11452945

The contact owned a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at 20 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, however, the vehicle accelerated to a speed which caused the vehicle to go over a medium and crash into a tree. The air bags did deploy. No warning lights illuminated on the vehicle. The contact was the only person in the vehicle, and sustain injuries to their chest and lower back. There was medical treatment at the scene however the contact did not go to the hospital for further evaluation. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an auto body shop where it was deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 31,000.

NHTSA ODI 11448899

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while inside the vehicle with the engine idling smoke was suddenly present coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The fire department was called to the scene who extinguished the flames. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The vehicle was not yet repaired. No further information was available. The contact indicated that the failed engine was a replacement engine previously installed under a recall campaign. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000. Consumer had the car inspected and was told there was oil leakage but inspection states engine presented with oil inside. *JB

NHTSA ODI 11441467

The contact owned a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 10mph when the contact was struck by another vehicle which resulted in none of the airbags deploying. The contact sustained bruise sternum, bruised heart, and neck injury and sought medical treatment. There was a police report taken and the vehicle was towed to an insurance lot where it was diagnosed as destroyed. The manufacturer was informed of failure and was awaiting a response. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000. Consumer stated air bags did not deploy and seat belt was torn.

NHTSA ODI 11441468

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at 40 - 45 mph, the "Safely Stop And Do Not Drive" warning message was displayed and the vehicle lost motive power. Additionally, a burning odor was detected. This was the third recurring failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed with electrical system failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.

NHTSA ODI 11440827

My engine began smoking while I was driving I pulled over to see where the smoke was coming from and it burst into flames

NHTSA ODI 11439650

My 2013 Kia optima caught fire while I sitting idle in the vehicle in a parking lot outside of an establishment in May of 2021. I started my vehicle, and was finishing up a phone call when I noticed smoke coming from my hood. When I opened the hood to investigate flames shot up from my engine. I called 911 and fortunately the fire department was close and we're able to put out the fire quickly and no one was hurt. If it hadn't been for the phone conversation keeping my attention, I would have taken off normally and the outcome could of been seriously different. I'm not sure what happens when you are actively driving a car that engulfs in flames but I imagine it's not pretty. There was a open recall on my car for a low pressure fuel tube malfunction that was thought to cause fires. The Kia dealership denied I had an open recall asked me to remove car from facility or they would tow it . They were low on space. . They said that they wouldn't cover my car for any reason anyway because it doesn't have the original engine it came with. The engine was replaced by Kia because of engine defect and recall but the local dealership could not see this car history. Eventually I was able to get a case opened with the corporate office and an inspection was done. They still denied me and no one was on the same page as far as car history. Was given the run around. The inspection report and estimate I have contradict one another. They spent 6 to tell me my cars problem is not there fault. They are unable and willing to answer my questions about inconsistencies.

NHTSA ODI 11439604

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 75 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. In addition, the front of the vehicle was in flames. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 127,000.

NHTSA ODI 11439388

On 9/13/2021 about 8:10 pm my neighbor knocked on my door and told me my parked car was smoking and appeared to be catching fire. Black smoke was everywhere I yell for my son to go out to see what was happening while I call fire department seconds later the car begin to go up in flames. Fire department Arrived to put out fire on my 2013 Kia Optima.unsure of cause but from the smell it smelled like some thing electrical . It has been reported to insurance .No recalls have been issued on said vehicle. No previous warnings were issued before fire started .This could have cause a lot of damage to all vehicles parked in front and back of my vehicle had it not been put out in timely matter.

NHTSA ODI 11433000

The contact's ex husband owned a 2013 Kia Optima .The contact stated while her ex-husband was driving at an undetermined speed a 2009 Jeep Liberty cross the center line and crashed into the vehicle. The driver succumbed to his injuries at the scene. There was a report of the driver being located leaning towards the front passenger seat. The air bags deployed. The seat belt was extended and locked but, was torn. The contact stated the driver of the Jeep was intoxicated however there were no reported injuries. The vehicle was towed to a police lot. A police report was filed. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11427761

Car was parked in the driveway we had been home for over 2 hours. Everyone was just about falling asleep, someone knocked on the door and ringing our door bell that our car was on fire. she had called the police and fire department was dispatched. we moved our other vehicle and tried to prevent the house from being damaged by the fire. Fire fighters arrived and it took them about 15 20 min to out out the fire. They blew smoke out of the house and the garage and checked the temperature reading on the car to make sure all the fire was put out. Front end was engulfed in fire. The fire had to be cause by an electrical issue. The safety or the safety was effected by the threat of fire to the people in the home in the unit and the neighbors and the animals in the garage at the time of the fire. Kids were asleep in the home if no one would have told us it would have been too late. It has not caused emotional anxiety for kids and pets in the home. minor damage to home and driveway. Kia has a recall causing the exact issue but this car has not been added to the list. The car has only been inspected by insurance agent and fire department the night of. There was no warning light or any messages given before the fire.

NHTSA ODI 11423001

I was driving my car normal speed stop and go and suddenly my vehicle started to smoke and not soon after it was on fire I had my engine replace by keep the 1/21/21-1/31/21 so I’m wondering my why my car is nothing but a metal ashes

NHTSA ODI 11418708

I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY GOING 70MPH WHEN MY ENGINE LOSES POWER AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ON MY DASHBOARD TURN ON. I PULL OVER ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND TRY TO TURN IT BACK ON UNSUCCESSFULLY. SMOKE BEGAN TO COME OUT OF THE HOOD AND I OPENED IT UP TO SEE THE ISSUE. THE SMOKE BEGINS TO INCREASE AND IN A COUPLE IF MINUTES A FIRE STARTED UNDERNEATH/AROUND THE ENGINE

NHTSA ODI 11413112

ON FEBRUARY 19, 2021 AT AROUND 12:50 A.M., A FRIEND AND I WERE DRIVING HOME IN MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID EX ON A CITY STREET AND WE WERE A LITTLE MORE THAN HALF-WAY HOME WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON CAME ON. I STARTED LOOKING FOR AN OPEN GAS STATION SO I COULD STOP AND CHECK IF THERE WAS ANYTHING VISIBLY WRONG WITH MY CAR. BEFORE I COULD REACH A GAS STATION, I HEARD A TICKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND UPON LOOKING IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR I SAW SMOKE BILLOWING OUT OF THE BACK OF THE CAR AND SAW AND SMELLED SMOKE INSIDE THE CABIN ALSO. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. THE CAR THEN COMPLETELY FILLED WITH SMOKE, SO MY FRIEND AND I GOT OUT OF THE CAR QUICKLY. THE ENGINE AREA BURST INTO FLAMES. I CALLED 911 AND REPORTED IT TO THE POLICE AND WAITED FOR THEM TO COME. THE CAR EXPLODED A COUPLE OF TIMES BEFORE THEY GOT TO ME AND THE FIRE QUICKLY ENGULFED THE CAR REACHING INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE STREET HAD TO BE COMPLETELY BLOCKED OFF FROM ALL TRAFFIC. IT WAS A VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE AS WE BARELY MADE IT OUT OF THE CAR BEFORE IT BURST INTO FLAMES AND HOW RISKY IT WAS BEING IN THE CAR BEFORE IT CAUGHT FIRE. AS FAST AS EVERYTHING HAPPENED WE FEEL LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. IT TOOK THE FIRE CREW ABOUT AN HOUR TO PUT THE CAR OUT. EVERYTHING INSIDE THE CABIN WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. AFTER GETTING A RIDE HOME FROM THE POLICE I STARTED RESEARCHING ONLINE THE ISSUE I HAD JUST GONE THROUGH AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS MANUFACTURER RECALL #SC200TE, NHTSA RECALL #20V750 FOR MY VEHICLE WHICH SEEMED TO FIT THE EXPERIENCE I HAD WITH MY CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11397417

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED FIRE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 209,000.

NHTSA ODI 11394468

I WAS SITTING IN MY CAR AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD,THE FIRE DEPARTMENT THINKS IT WAS SOMETHING ELECTRICAL. IT WAS IN PARK WHILE I WAS DROPPING SOMEONE OFF WHO WAS GETTING OUT OF MY CAR

NHTSA ODI 11374627

WHILE DRIVING ON A ROAD WITH MY LITTLE COUSIN. ALL MY FUNCTION LIGHTS CAME ON AND AND MY CAR BEGAN TO STALL AND SLOW DOWN SO STARTED TO PRESS ON THE GAS FOR ACCELERATION A BLOCK DOWN THE WAY WE STARTED SMELLING SMOKE I PANICKED TRYING TO GET OVER AND RAN UP ON THE CURVE AND CAME OFF IT PULLED TO A SAFE SPOT AND ME AND MY COUSIN BOTH EXIT THE VEHICLE QUICKLY WHEN WE GOT OUT MY IT WAS SMOKING REALLY BAD MY COUSIN NOTICED THAT IT WAS ON FIRE UNDERNEATH THE CAR SO I LOOKED AND IT WAS ON FIRE SOMETHING FELL TO THE GROUND ON FIRE UNDERNEATH THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11373782

WE WERE TRAVELING AT AROUND 55-60 MILES AN HOUR AND WERE T-BONES BY A CHEVY AVALANCHE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND MY HUSBAND SWERVED SO THE TRUCK LUCKILY STARTED AT MY DOOR AND COMPLETELY RIPPED AND SMASHED IN THE BACK PASSENGER DOOR AND BACK/ TRUNK OF OUR OPTIMA. BACK WHEEL IS COMPLETELY TURNED OUT. HIT SO HARD IT COMPLETELY TURNED US IN 2 CIRCLES AND BUSTED MY FRONT LICENSE PLATE AND IT HIT ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. I BUSTED MY HEAD OPEN AND RECEIVED 3 STAPLES AND KNEE SHOVED IN DASH BUT NOT 1 AIR BAG IN THIS VEHICLE DEPLOYED!! I HAVE ALWAYS OWNED A KIA!! I WILL NO LONGER PURCHASE A KIA BECAUSE I DO NOT FEEL SAFE!!

NHTSA ODI 11361018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING A LONG DISTANCE ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN ON ITS OWN AS ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS FLICKERED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE SAW SMOKE AND FIRE THROUGH THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED IT WAS DIFFICULT TO EXIT THE VEHICLE SINCE ALL ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS FAILED. THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS QUICKLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF A POLICE OR FIRE REPORT FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INFORMED THE CONTACT THERE WAS A ELECTRICAL FAILURE WITHIN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET AND CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DECLARED TOTALED BY HIS INSURANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,800.

NHTSA ODI 11355142

I NOTICED THE PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING ROUGHLY 65 MPH. MY VEHICLE PRETTY MUCH WENT INTO LIMP MODE. I WAS ONLY ABLE TO TRAVEL AT A CERTAIN TOP SPEED. OVER HEATING THEN BECAME A VERY DRASTIC ISSUE. I LOOKED ON THE NHSTA WEBSITE FOR ANY KNOWN RECALLS THERE WERE SOME FOR MY YEAR AND MODEL BUT MINE WASN'T LISTED? I CALLED A FAMILY MECHANIC AND DESCRIBED IN MORE GREATER DETAIL ABOUT MY ISSUE FROM START TO FINISH, HE ADVISED ME NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE THAT IT WAS DISPLAYING THE EXACT QUALITIES AS THE LISTED RECALL AND I SHOULD CALL KIA MOTOR COMPANY TO HAVE THE LOOK INTO MY CLASS OF VEHICLES FURTHER. LONG STORY SHORT I WAS BASICALLY LEFT HOMELESS IN A CITY AND STATE PRETTY MUCH BEAT ON THE WHOLE IDEA OF EVERY GETTING MY CAR BACK AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT IT DROPPED BELOW 28 DEGREES OUTSIDE. I WAS APPROXIMATELY 200 MILES FROM HOME. BECAUSE OF THIS CORPORATIONS NEGLIGENCE. I LOST MORE THAN A GOOD NIGHT SLEEP I HAD TO START BACK OVER AGAIN AND I'M UNFORTUNATELY AN ONLY CHILD WITH NO PARENTS SO IT WAS VERY MIND BOGGLING.. I MADE REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO COME TO SOME SORT OF AGREEMENT WITH KIA TO NO AVAIL. SOME ONE WENT SO FAR AS TO STEAL A SAFE OUT OF MY VEHICLE. WHICH I HAD PROFESSIONALLY INSTALLED AND VANDALIZED THE INSIDE OF MY CAR BEYOND REPAIR. THANKS KIA, FOR VICTIMIZING ME TO MAKE YOUR MILLIONS.

NHTSA ODI 11353252

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOSIE WHEN STARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS IN HER HAND AND THE CAR WAS OFF BUT STILL WAS HEARING THE NOISE. WHEN SHE OPENED THE HOOD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY AND WALK AWAY WITH THE KEYS IN HER HAND, THERE WAS A LOUD POP AND SMOKE STARTED TO COME FROM THE ENGINE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT IT LOOKED LIKE THE ABS BRAKE MODULE CAUGHT FIRE AND THEY EXTINGUISHED THE SMOKE. A POLICE AND FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SERRA KIA (12304 30 MILE RD, WASHINGTON, MI 48095) AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS BRAKE MODULE AND HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED YET DUE TO PART NEEDED TO BE ORDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER AN INVESTIGATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.

NHTSA ODI 11348783

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE SUDDENLY SMOKE AND FLAMES WERE SCENE COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE OWNER SUSTAINED AN INJURED RIGHT FINGER WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE HOOD. NO MEDICAL TREATMENT WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY AS IT WAS DESTROYED BY THE FIRE. THE LOCAL DEALER ALM KIA SOUTH (4310 JONESBORO RD. UNION CITY, GA) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AS WELLS THE MANUFACTURER WERE A CASE WAS OPENED. THE CONTACT STATED HE HAD RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V100000 (FUEL SYSTEM. GASOLINE), HOWEVER, WHEN HE CONTACT THE DEALER HE WAS UNABLE TO SCHEDULE A RECALL REPAIR APPOINTMENT FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.

NHTSA ODI 11330872

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER SPOUSE WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE COOLANT AND ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR AND FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE SMOKE EXTINGUISHED ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND WAS MAKING AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE ALSO NOTICED OIL LEAKING IN THE REAR OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT CONTACTED GUNTHER KIA (1900 S STATE RD 7, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33317 (954) 800-2125) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

NHTSA ODI 11330054

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING VEHICLE AFTER RUNNING AN ERRAND, SHE SAW FLAMES COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE FRONT HOOD FROM THE ENGINE. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT FILED. THE CONTACT CALLED HER INSURANCE COMPANY WHO TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A BODY SHOP. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED THE VEHICLE AFTER CONDUCTING AN EXAMINATION. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER THREE WEEKS AFTER THE FIRE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER : 20V-100000 ( FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ODI 11328532