2013 Kia Optima reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 1,383 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Kia Optima over 14 years — 46 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 9 Optima years on this site. NHTSA has 9 recalls on file, including Brake control module, Roof and pillars, and Hoses and fittings.

2012 Kia Optima — Photo by Throwawayacc222, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC0

Complaints

1,383

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (612 of 1,383), then Steering (213) and Electrical system (146). Those filings include 48 that report a crash, 114 that report a fire, 27 that report an injury, and 4 that report a death.

Next to 2012 and 2014

The 2012 Optima has 919 complaints, 35 per year, and the 2014 has 585 complaints, 27 per year. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2012. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2014.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2013 Kia Optima. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (9)

Recall Brake control module 2023-09-25 · NHTSA campaign 23V652000

Summary 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.

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 structure, body, roof and pillars 2022-08-01 · NHTSA campaign 22V560000

Summary 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.

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 gasoline fuel system, delivery, hoses and fittings 2022-02-17 · NHTSA campaign 22V093000

Summary 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.

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 Brake control module 2021-05-10 · NHTSA campaign 21V331000

Summary 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.

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 Brake control module 2020-08-27 · NHTSA campaign 20V519000

Summary 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.

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 gasoline fuel system, delivery, hoses and fittings 2020-02-21 · NHTSA campaign 20V100000

Summary 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.

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 gasoline fuel system, delivery, hoses and fittings 2018-12-19 · NHTSA campaign 18V907000

Summary 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.

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 air bags, air bag control module 2018-06-01 · NHTSA campaign 18V363000

Summary 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.

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 Engine 2017-03-31 · NHTSA campaign 17V224000

Summary 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.

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.

Complaints by component (1383 total)

Engine

612

Steering

213

Electrical system

146

Structure

127

Fuel and propulsion system

Powertrain

Air bags

Service brakes

Hydraulic brakes

Engine and engine cooling

Exterior lighting

Speed control

Fuel system, gasoline

Suspension

Electronic stability control (ESC)

Seat belts

Wheels

Visibility

Visibility and wipers

Seats

Forward collision avoidance

Air brakes

Tires

Latches, locks, and linkages

Chest clip, buckle, and harness

Diesel fuel system

Fire-related

Hybrid propulsion

Interior lighting

Traction control

Show 22 more Show less

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

114

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was unable to start due to the battery being drained from the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) remaining on while the vehicle was turned…"
Hydraulic brakes · filed 2026-09-18
"Gas smell from under the hood. When taken to the dealership it was diagnosed as the high pressure fuel line. NOTE: The high and low fuel lines have recalls that impact this vehicle make, model, and year BUT not this VIN."
Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-09-18
"Module 1 7.5 amp fuse continues to short and blow over and over again. Known issues with auto headlamp leveling sensor. Problem continues to happen. Lose my highbeams, shift lock, rear defrost, rearview auto dimmer,…"
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Unknown or other · filed 2026-08-31
"Both front door lock actuators failed within a one month period. It is a safety issue because the actuator is failing in a way that can prevent the door from opening, closing, properly latching and locking. The vehicle…"
Unknown or other · filed 2026-08-27
"The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving or while the vehicle was parked, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was leaking fuel from the high-pressure pipe…"
Fuel system, gasoline, Engine · filed 2026-08-20

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2013 Kia Optima 4 DR FWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars
2013 Kia Optima Hybrid 4 DR FWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Annual fuel cost
Optima	2.4L, 4-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Front-wheel drive	24	34	27 MPG	$2400
Optima	2.4L, 4-cyl	Manual 6-speed	Front-wheel drive	24	34	27 MPG	$2400
Optima	2L, 4-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Front-wheel drive	22	33	26 MPG	$2500
Optima hybrid	2.4L, 4-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	Front-wheel drive	35	38	37 MPG	$1750
Optima hybrid EX	2.4L, 4-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	Front-wheel drive	35	38	36 MPG	$1800

Specs and fitment

4th generation (JF), 2012–2020

Body styles Sedan

Oil 5W-20 or 0W-20 (2.4L and 2.0L turbo per manual) , 5 qt capacity

Tire size 215/55R17 to 245/45R18 (trim dependent)

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA campaign 18V161000. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Kia Optima hybrid vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a Voltage Protection Device (VPD), designed to protect the high voltage battery module, that may activate inadvertently. If the VPD activates while the vehicle is being operated in Electric Vehicle (EV) mode, there may be a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will remove the VPD switch and install two newly designed Battery Management Systems (BMS) that contain Overvoltage Protection Devices (OPDs), free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC162.

Compare

Previous year 2012 Kia Optima Next year 2014 Kia Optima See every Kia Optima model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Kia Optima reliable?

What are common problems with a 2013 Kia Optima?

Is the 2013 Kia Optima more reliable than the years next to it?

Has the 2013 Kia Optima been recalled?

The 2013 Kia Optima has 9 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2013 Kia Optima?

Owners have filed 1383 complaints about the 2013 Kia Optima with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2013 Kia Optima get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2013 Kia Optima is 30.6 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Optima take?

5W-20 or 0W-20 (2.4L and 2.0L turbo per manual)

What does NHTSA recall 18V-161 cover on the Kia Optima?

NHTSA campaign 18V161000.

What generation is the 2013 Kia Optima?

4th generation (JF) (2012-2020).