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

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that her daughter was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a nearby independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was then informed by the mechanic that the VIN was included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and needed to be repaired by the dealer. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer and currently remained at the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 136,753.

NHTSA ODI 11529083

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact initially received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where he was informed that no issues were found with his vehicle. The contact insisted that a knocking noise could be heard from the vehicle but the dealer stated otherwise. The contact was informed that if the knocking noise he heard persisted, to take the vehicle back to the dealer. The contact stated that the vehicle started to consume an excessive amount of oil and the knocking noise persisted. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle back to the dealer where he was informed that sludge and metal fragments were found in the engine. The contact was informed by the dealer that the manufacturer would be notified about the failure; however, the contact had not yet heard from the dealer or the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11454985

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, an abnormal knocking sound began to emit from the engine as the vehicle began to sputter and hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal. The oil warning light illuminated the instrument panel as the engine stalled. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer for repair. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with an engine failure but later informed him that an investigation was launched by the manufacturer and the result found that there was not enough evidence that the bearing wear had caused the engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11448957

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the engine replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 128,122

NHTSA ODI 11439499

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, she heard an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. The oil warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she depressed the accelerator pedal however, the vehicle hesitated to respond. The contact stated that she was able to drive the vehicle however, the vehicle was shuddering while driving and stalled several times. The contact stated she was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to schedule an appointment for diagnosis. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that they could not cover the repair of the vehicle because the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN tool showed that the VIN was included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

NHTSA ODI 11438699

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11423645

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING 40 MPH, SHE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER STATED THAT THE OIL LEVEL WARNING LIGHT AND ANOTHER UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED HE ARRIVED AND PUSHED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.

NHTSA ODI 11355005

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONSUMED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL AND THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL CLINKING NOISE. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE AND OIL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND FLASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SOUTHWEST KIA OF ROCKWALL (1790 INTERSTATE HWY 30, ROCKWALL, TX 75087, (469) 402-2900) WHERE AN ENGINE KNOCKING TEST WAS PERFORMED, BUT IT FAILED TWICE. IN ADDITION, OIL WAS ADDED TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO WHAT WAS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,,856. *TT *TR

NHTSA ODI 11243579

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WITHIN FIVE MINUTES OF ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT'S LIPS AND EYES STARTED TO BURN AND THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE CABIN. THE FAILURES OCCURRED AFTER THE CONTACT FILLED THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE COULD NOT BREATHE INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR MADE HER SICK. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT AT CROWN KIA (5500 34TH ST N, ST. PETERSBURG, FL 33714, (844) 921-3247). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,439.

NHTSA ODI 11221440

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION IN MARCH OF 2017. THE DEALER (KIA ATLANTA SOUTH, 7310 JONESBORO RD, MORROW, GA 30260) STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11109691

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO CHANGE LANES, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE EZ CAR CONNECTION LLC DEALER (459 VERSAILLES RD, FRANKFORT, KY 40601, 502-444-0012) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 106,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11104046

I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL ON MY KIA OPTIMA. DRIVING HOME FROM WORK (NEW JERSEY) ON THE PA TURNPIKE WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED. LUCKILY, I WAS NOT REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AND INJURED OR KILLED. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST AUTOBODY SHOP (PEP BOYS). THIS WAS LATE AT NIGHT, MOST BUSINESSES/PLACES WERE CLOSED. I INCURRED A TOWING BILL, HOTEL BILL, CAR RENTAL BILL AND SERVICE BILL BECAUSE I WAS UNAWARE OF THE RECALL FROM KIA REGARDING THE ENGINE. I SUBMITTED A REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FROM KIA FOR THE COST/FEES I INCURRED. I RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THAT THEY ARE DENYING THE CLAIM.

NHTSA ODI 11081628

MY KIA GETS STUCK IN A FEW INCHES OF SNOW OR ANY ICE. SLIDES EASILY IN RAIN OR ICY OR COLD WEATHER. I LIVE IN THE MIDWEST. I HAVE BEEN PUSHED BY STRANGERS, COUNTLESS TIMES, TRYING TO GET ME OUT OF SUBDIVISIONS BECAUSE THIS CAR WILL NOT MOVE. I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK AND HE MENTIONED HE HAD TO TOW 3 OF THESE SAME FANCY VEHICLES THAT WERE STUCK IN A SMALL AMOUNT OF SNOW. I AM UNABLE TO PARK IN MY GARAGE BECAUSE THE CAR IS NOT DEPENDABLE IF ANY SNOW OR ICE IS ON THE DRIVEWAY. I DRIVE FOR A LIVING AND I HAVE BEEN STUCK IN PATIENT'S DRIVEWAYS. THEY LAUGH AND SAY THE OTHER NURSES DO NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THEIR CARS. THIS IS HUMILIATING. THIS CAR COSTS ALMOST 40,000. IT SHOULD BE DEPENDABLE INSTEAD IT IS UNRELIABLE AND DANGEROUS: OTHER CARS MAY RUN INTO ME WHEN MY CAR STARTS SLIDING BACKWARDS ON THE STREETS. I HAVE LITERALLY BEEN STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I HAVE HAD TO CALL IN SICK SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE MY CAR WILL NOT BACK OUT A FEW FEET FROM MY DRIVEWAY IF THERE IS 3 INCHES OR MORE OF SNOW ON THE GROUND. ALSO THE ENGINE WHINES ALOT. IT SEEMS TO LAG IN SHIFTING AND THE RPM GOES UP TO ALMOST 4 BEFORE IT WILL SHIFT INTO 4TH GEAR. I AM AFRAID THE ENGINE WILL EXPLODE OR BLOW UP. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10565171

REGARDING TO THE PREVIOUS COMPLAINT, VEH WAS TAKEN TO DEALER ON 3/15/2013 TO ADJUST THE ALIGNMENT UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO THE ALIGNMENT ISSUE STARTING AFTER THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED AT 3,400 BY THE DEALER. LEFT THE DEALER AND IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOW TURNED TO THE LEFT AND THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE CAR PULLED TO THE RIGHT SIGNIFICANTLY. THE SAME DEALER WAS CONTACTED ON 3/18/13 REGARDING THE ISSUE. DUE TO THE RECENT ENGINE REPLACEMENT, ONE ALIGNMENT TRIP AND A DISTANCE OF ROUGHLY 50 MILES TO THE SHOP, THE DEALER AUTHORIZED A LOANER TO BE BROUGHT TO MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT SO THAT THE DRIVER COULD TAKE THE VEH TO HE SHOP. VEH WAS PICKED UP THAT EVENING AT THE DEALER AND STEERING WHEEL SEEMS TO BE LEVEL. THERE IS STILL A LEFT TO RIGHT CONSTANT HANDLING ISSUE AND VEHICLE SEEMS TO HAVE A VIBRATION UNDER 35 MPH. VEH HAS NOW SPENT 11 DAYS IN THE SHOP (9 DAYS FOR ENGINE REPLACEMENT AND 2 DAYS FOR TWO ALIGNMENTS) AND HAS BEEN OWNED FOR JUST UNDER 12 WEEKS. VEH IS ALSO SLOW/SLUGGISH LEAVING A STOPPED POSITION AND MPG'S ON CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 60MPH HAVE FALLEN FROM 33MPG TO 29.5MPG SINCE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. DATE COMPLAINT FILED: 03/13/2013 COMPONENT(S): ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING DATE OF INCIDENT: 03/11/2013 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10502730 MANUFACTURER: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NO. (VIN): 5XXGN4A70DG... SUMMARY: DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS ON A SLOW 35MPH ROADWAY AND NOTICED OPTIMA PULLS TOWARD THE CROWN (CENTER) OF THE ROAD (WHICH IS AGAINST SLOPE). DROVE VEHICLE ON 45MPH AND 60MPH ROADWAY AND SAME SITUATION. ENGINE WAS REPLACED AT 3,400 MILES DUE TO PISTON #3 FAILING. BASED ON CURRENT ISSUES TO DATE, I WOULD NOT PURCHASE ANOTHER OPTIMA. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10504172

DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS ON A SLOW 35MPH ROADWAY AND NOTICED OPTIMA PULLS TOWARD THE CROWN (CENTER) OF THE ROAD (WHICH IS AGAINST SLOPE). DROVE VEHICLE ON 45MPH AND 60MPH ROADWAY AND SAME SITUATION. ENGINE WAS REPLACED AT 3,400 MILES DUE TO PISTON #3 FAILING. BASED ON CURRENT ISSUES TO DATE, I WOULD NOT PURCHASE ANOTHER OPTIMA. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10502730

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

NHTSA ODI 10476362