general problems of the 2013 Kia Motor Optima

The vehicle is experiencing sudden engine stalling while in motion, a known safety hazard. Despite a documented maintenance history with no issues, the dealer (bayside kia) is attempting to deny a theta ii settlement claim by shifting the narrative to 'engine sludge,' which only appeared as a symptom in June 2025( walmart oil change) alongside engine performance issues. The vehicle has active codes p0014 and p0017, which are secondary symptoms of the internal bearing wear and metallic debris contaminating the oiling system. Kds diagnostic tests showed cylinder 1 at 0. 16mm (approaching the 0. 20mm failure limit). This clearance proves the connecting rod bearings are worn and reaching the failure threshold; this mechanical wear is the root cause of the engine's inability to operate safely. The presence of metallic debris in the oil is the definitive signature of the theta ii manufacturing defect. Furthermore, the dealer acted in bad faith by attempting to charge for airbag repairs (codes b1346/b1481) that are covered under the 15-year clock spring warranty extension (cs1102). The dealer has dismissed my qualifying maintenance documents, claiming they are 'not official,' which is a direct violation of the magnuson-moss warranty act. A manufacturer cannot deny a warranty claim because services were performed at third-party facilities, nor can they deny a claim without proving 'exceptional neglect. ' I am reporting a refusal to honor a court-ordered safety settlement and an attempt to return an unsafe, stalling vehicle to the road. There is no evidence of engine abandonment or exceptional neglect. I’m considered "in compliance" if I can show I didn't go more than 14 months without servicing or a certain mileage between oil changes. The dealer's dismissal of verified third-party receipts and bank statements is a bad-faith attempt to ignore an inherent manufacturing defect documented by a 0. 16mm bct result and metallic debris.

The contact owns a 2013 kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving 5 mph and attempting to make a right turn, the air bag deployed unexpectedly. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the clock spring and air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the issue would be escalated to the proper department. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.

As in may 2025 , I purchased 2013 kia Optima lx sedan with airbag already deployed before bought it. And in June 2025 I took my car to nearest kia dealership , I found out that I had recalls over other things as well. I made kia dealership to look at the airbag and do inspection on it. None of kia employees did not informed me about the airbag, carfax information about previous incident to this car before I purchased.

I was in an accident on 10/18/24 where a person switched lanes and hit the front end of my vehicle. My airbags didn't deploy.

Airbag warning light continuously on, a 2018 recall that was repaired by kia dealership and seemingly recurring.

I was rear ended hit so hard it smashed my whole back end in. None of my airbags deployed. We were hit hard into the center medium of the highway. Lucky no rigs were coming through. Other parties insurance totaled out my vehicle.

Airbag light wont go off.

The contact owns a 2013 kia Optima. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds or while parked, the electric windows, seats, sunroof, and radio failed to operate as needed. Additionally, when coolant was added to the coolant reservoir, the a/c unit blew warm air for 15 minutes before cooling down. The seat belt warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a car stereo store where it was diagnosed that the radio needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Air bag light malfunction.

The contact owned a 2013 kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, another vehicle t-boned her passenger's side. Only the passenger's side air bag deployed and exploded, causing the contact to sustain coughing spasms. Medical attention was received. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a police department lot. The vehicle was not deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and emailed the contact notification for NHTSA campaign number 22v560000 (structure) associated with the VIN. The manufacturer also opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

My paint has been chipping really bad. Also I had a few recalls taken care of at modesto kia once I got my vehicle back and drove it back home (about an hour and a half away) I started smelling something burning, I looked under the hood and couldn't find anything wrong so then a few days later I smelled the same thing but this time I heard a loud pop I got out and noticed my fog light had shattered, and the housing is completely burned. So now my fog lights won't work and I have to make sure the fog lights are turned off because I don't want there to be power going to the loose wires, the head lights get extremely hot to the touch the fog light got so hot it burned a hole through the bumper. Then about two weeks ago the airbag light turned on and it won't turn off, I did some research and found out that when the air bag light is on there is a huge chance the airbags won't deploy. I have a baby so I really hope that isn't the case, because if a hair on his head gets harmed because of kia I will be suing.

I am terrified the car is going to catch fire. You can fully inspect if need be. Most of the electronics in my car malfunction, since the start of buying it, windows roll down but not up from front button, sometimes my sunroof will open randomly, or when going to close will just reopen, my seat buttons dont always work, etc. But the newest thing that is scaring me and doesnt seem to be just cosmetic like the other electronic things it my air bag light randomly coming on, my driver air bag light comes on and the moment it does my passenger air bag light turns off with nobody in the seat. So driver airbag will not be deploying but my passenger one will, with nobody in the seat. On top of that it vibrates and rough idles so badly its actually randomly turned off in the morning when I first start it. I have had my engine replaced and upgraded, and my turbo replaced already. I'm scared its not safe. I have not taken it to the dealer, as when I call them they tell me they are booked out for months.

My son owned a kia Optima built in June of 2013. He was in a motor vehicle accident where he was put in a pit maneuver and then was t boned on the passengers side causing his body to lay across the front seats and died at the scene. His black box download showed that the seat belt pretensioner was off and both airbags in the front did not go off. I know there is a recall for Optimas built before Aug 31 of 2012. I believe there was an issue with this vehicle as well. I would hate for there to be anymore deaths or injuries with the later models of these vehicles. I do hope this is looked into further.

My car has been having a check engine light on for over 9 months now and it cannot pass the smog test and when connected to the scanner it gives the code 0449 and b1347. I have tried to fix the evap leak and the code still comes out and the airbag light is always on now.

The contact owns a 2013kia 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, bruise 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 is awaiting a response. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

The contact owns a 2013 kia Optima. The contact stated that after he purchased the vehicle from the dealer, he noticed that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer tried to repair the air bag failure however, they were unsuccessful and informed the contact that the vehicle did not need the air bags since it had seat belts and there were many vehicles on the road without air bags. The dealer also informed the contact that the vehicle was previously involved in a collision. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, fort collins kia (2849 s college Ave, fort collins, CO 80525) and diagnosed that the air bag wirings were faulty and if the contact was involved in a crash, the air bags would not deploy. Fort collins kia (2849 s college Ave, fort collins, CO 80525) advised the contact to take the vehicle back to the original dealer since it was a safety failure, and to contact the NHTSA. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000.

Multiple recalls on car - been having significant issues from electrical to breaks.

Horn dosen't blow or nothing works on steering wheel.

Tl- the contact owns a 2013 kia Optima ex . The contact stated that the air bag warning illuminated the horn failed. The contact contacted the dealership by phone kia of irvine California located at 45 oldfield, irvine, CA 92618 949-612-9514) who informed the contact that the failures discussed were not covered under NHTSA campaign: 18v363000 (air bags). The contact did not take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 66,000. Gl.

My daughter rear ended another car. Her air bags did no deploy and her seat belt didn't lock. Fortunately no one was hurt.

Car stopped working motor making loud popping sounds and stopped on me. . There was no indication or warnings. .

I was driving from woburn MA on new boston road headed to wilmington MA and my car seemed to shut down I was able to pull over off the street next to a curb location 147 new boston rd. I tried to start my car pressing the push button start only lights came on on the oil has engine battery. . . While still sitting in the car I was trying to make some calls I smelled a burning smell I noticed smoke coming from the front of the car. The smoke increased rapidly I exited the car called 911. While waiting for help to arrive I grabbed some items from the glove box and back seat the front of the car at that point flames were coming from under the hood the flames escalated to pop the hood a large fire had ignighted from the engine area the fire department put out the fire. A tow truck towed the car away.

Took vehicle in for service a month ago for airbag recall as was told would not inflate in crash. Called kia corp. To ask status as I have heard nothing more after calling each week and was told my car was ready as of that moment. Picked up car and transmission (light came on and died) in middle of 4 lane hwy 5o'clock traffic as I was in motion approaching traffic light at within a mile of leaving regal kia and was then told that the airbag was still not working as the extra fix was outside of the recall and I would be responsible for. I could have been in a major accident during stall as I went in for a airbag recall and left with a dead transmission and airbag was not fixed, putting my life in danger within minutes of leaving the same dealership that earlier months cleared my car as perfect except for tune-up because of another previous recall. I was not placed in requested loaner to match my vehicle size as needed due to my family size for 4 weeks. This is not acceptable by any means as a customer.

I just want to make sure that a repair is available and been approved for the kia Optima 2013 airbag defect. I checked the NHTSA website and it still says the recall is incomplete and no repair is available. I requested a loaner vehicle from kia a month ago and they were very slow to provide one just letting me know yesterday that they would have to find a dealer that has a loaner/rental program or otherwise I would have to purshase my own rental and they would reimburse me when the repair became available. Today when I asked them for the reimbursement policy in writing before I went out to get a rental, they then told me a repair just became available and for me to take it to the dealer to be fixed. Because of the run around I got, I want to make sure that the repair is legit being its not showing on the NHTSA site.

Takata recall - we called dealer ball kia in national city, CA & were told that we would receive a letter. For us to call back then & that we had to continue to operate an un-safe vehicle until the letter arrived and a appointment could be made. This car could kill us upon impact!!! please, there has to be a better & safer solution.

Clock spring in steering wheel broke. Has been like this for year.

Haven't anything happened just yet, but I have received a notice in the mail.

On September 28th my husband was in a accident where he turned a corner at 8mph and hit the rear end of a boat on a trailer. The whole front of the car was crunched and the car is now a total loss and was totaled. The air bags never went off and if I were in the car with my two small children this would have been a different story.

I have had two head on collisions with my 2013 kia Optima, neither were major but impact was above 30mph in both cases. During both incidents neither time did airbags ever deploy. One would think airbags would have deployed in those situations, but they did not. Additionally since I purchased the car I have had electrical problems that the manufacturer could not fix. After hearing about airbags and electrical issues relating to the kia forte and Hyundai sonatas I believe this airbag issue could be effecting a wider range of vehicles possibly including 2011 kia sorrentos as well.

I was traveling 65mph when a deer ran out in front of the car. The front in was crushed in and the airbag did not release. I was told that with the force impact of the deer the airbag should have came out.

I was involved in a mva accident on 9/24/2014. I was stopped at a light, facing east, turning to go north, in SC IA a man ran a red light, coming westbound at a high rate of speed hit the traffic going south bound which in turn the 1993 Ford explorer hit me head on. Pushed my 2013 kia Optima 40ft from the light. The impact was pretty intense and I was hit head on and no air bags deployed, as I looked in the back seat my back seats were laying down, before the impact they were in a up position and fully locked. . Updated 10/17/14.

I was exiting to turn right onto the street when I looked down for a few seconds and hit the median head on. There was a big terra-cotta pot with a tree planted in it that I hit hard. It ripped the front bottom part of my car off and broke my transaxle. It wouldn't drive anymore and it totaled my car. None of the airbags ever came out even when I hit head on. I had to go to the hospital for a cscan. I ended up with a concussion for almost three months and still have a knot on my head. I was also wearing my seat belt.

Every since I purchased this car in 2013 I have had nothing but trouble out of it I have called the kia company numberous times and they never respond all I asked them to do is replace the car I trusted in kia I love my car but it is severely dangerous please help me before it gets me and my family hurt.