2013 Kia Optima Hybrid Problems

What owners report

Owners most often report hybrid system warning messages, sometimes followed by a sudden loss of power or a stall while driving. Other common themes are brake or ABS warnings, a brake-related recall whose repair part was reported as not yet available, and sudden surges or hesitation when accelerating. Most hybrid-related reports involve roughly 35,000 to 115,000 miles, and the events are usually described as sudden.

1. 1
   Hybrid propulsion system

   Hybrid system warning messages and stalling while driving

   • 26 complaints (46%)
   • median 78,000 mi at 6.7 yrs old (25 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2015–2026

   Owners describe a hybrid system warning on the dashboard, often with a message telling the driver to stop safely, sometimes followed by the car losing power, shutting off, or stalling at low or highway speed. In some reports the car would not restart and had to be towed. According to complaints, dealers were sometimes unable to duplicate or diagnose the fault, while in other cases a related part was replaced and the warning later returned. Most reports involve roughly 35,000 to 115,000 miles, though some occur at 146,000 miles or more.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the high-voltage battery safety fuse inspection described in the service bulletins has been completed, and request any stored hybrid fault codes from the dealer. During a test drive, watch for hybrid system messages or any loss of power under acceleration.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Today my car cut off as I was driving. The display read hybrid system warning. It then proceeded to say for me to pull over and stop driving this happened to me 3 times over the weekend and I've read many other complaint about the same issue but no one seems to be able to find the problem I also replaced the alternator and that was a waste because right after that was serviced it happened again”

   NHTSA complaint #11143580, filed 2018-10, 78,000 miles

   “Hybrid warning light suddenly came on indicating that I should pull over while I was driving on the freeway. I immediately veered to my left to get to the shoulder, as the car had already died, and I was moving only on momentum. I was almost hit by a car behind me. I waited a while, and the car restarted. The engine light came on and went away later that day. This was a saturday, and I took the car to the dealership on monday. This was not the first occurrence. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11210065, filed 2019-05, 67,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brake recall repair parts not yet available

   • 8 complaints (14%)
   • median 90,000 mi at 11.1 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2023–2026

   Owners report receiving notice of a hydraulic brake recall, but the dealer had no repair part available yet. Complaints often note that no failure had occurred, and some owners feel the manufacturer took too long to make the repair available. Dealers were reported to have confirmed the parts shortage when contacted. Only some reports list mileage, and those range from about 90,000 to 129,000 miles.

   Recall 23V652000

   What to check: Ask the dealer whether the repair part for brake recall 23V652000 is now available and whether the vehicle is covered. A used-car buyer can check for open recalls by VIN before purchase, using the manufacturer or NHTSA recall lookup.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The message Pull Over and Shut Down Vehicle was displayed. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11557827, filed 2023-12, 128,795 miles

   “The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that after driving at various speeds, there was a burning odor present inside the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11580505, filed 2024-04, 90,000 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brake or ABS warning lights and unexpected braking

   • 12 complaints (21%)
   • median 114,497 mi at 11.1 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • filed 2014–2026

   Owners describe a brake or ABS warning that comes on while driving or at startup, sometimes with a message to stop safely. Some report the car slowing sharply to low speed, and some say the ABS unit was replaced after the car lost power. Complaints also describe automatic braking under cruise control that kept slowing the car after the pedal was released, and some say brakes failed after recall-related work was reportedly incomplete. Some reports come from cars with under 5,000 miles, while others are at about 43,000 to 177,000 miles.

   Recall 23V652000

   What to check: Ask whether brake recall 23V652000 has been completed, and check the ABS and brake warning lights during a test drive. Ask the dealer to read any stored ABS or brake fault codes before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Based on reading some service forms, it seems it may be the hydraulic booster, causing the issue. In order for them to take a look at the brakes system. I was charged a upfront diagnostics fee of $316. While driving warning light comes on Check brake system then the car slows down to 10mph immediately. While pressing on the brakes they squeaking, very badly. I have to turn the car off and back on until the flashing Check brake system turns off. This happens every 5 to 10 minutes while driving multiple times a day, everyday. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11761103, filed 2026-08

   “I took my car to riverchase Kia to get a battery and to get the battery installed I have the invoice I was charged $762 and he also told me that he was doing some recalls on wiring and he told me he completed it well recently I was driving and the brakes gave out on me he was supposed to do a recall job on the he cu but he only put a fuse in and press complete on your system to let you all know that he completed the job but he did not complete the job he patched it up and I almost lost my life the Brits gave out on me I pressed the brakes …”

   NHTSA complaint #11767056, filed 2026-09
4. 4
   Vehicle speed control

   Sudden surges or hesitation when accelerating

   • 6 complaints (11%)
   • median 46,500 mi at 5.0 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2014–2026

   Owners describe the car accelerating on its own or surging forward, including with cruise control set at highway speed and at low speed while parking or pulling away from a light. Other complaints describe a noticeable delay before the car responded to the accelerator, or unexpected slowing when the accelerator was pressed. In some complaints, dealers could not reproduce the problem, which owners describe as intermittent. Some reports come from the first few hundred miles of ownership, while others are from about 41,000 to 180,000 miles.

   What to check: During a test drive, check for hesitation or sudden speed changes at low speed and with cruise control engaged. Ask the dealer whether any software update or service record for the throttle or cruise control system is on file.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was at a stop and when theight turned green I let off my brake pedal and lightly put pressure on my gas pedal when the car quickly accelerated on its own and I had to apply my brakes as to not hit the vehicle in front of me. I have had this issue a few other times but always on the highway and when the vehicle was on cruise control. It is not something you can duplicate for a shop to see as it's completely random when it happens.”

   NHTSA complaint #11171662, filed 2019-01, 133,000 miles

   “The mpg has decreased from 38-40 mpg to 30 mpg since I had the fuel injection service performed. The dealer offers no help. Wish I never had it done.....I get sudden surges of acceleration while driving on the highway. I've had to apply the brakes to slow down. Since this is an intermittent problem the dealer states they cannot help me. The newest issue is when turning the temperature down in the car to low it kicks on the AC. This too is an intermittent problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11063148, filed 2018-01, 52,000 miles
5. 5
   Engine

   Engine failures and unexpected idle revving

   • 8 complaints (14%)
   • median 101,100 mi at 8.0 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2017–2024

   Owners describe engine failures, such as a thrown rod, a blown head gasket, or an engine that blew, in some cases after the car stalled or lost power while driving. According to complaints, dealers sometimes recommended engine replacement or a partial rebuild. Complaints also describe idle revving that does not drop after the accelerator is released. All listed mileage falls between roughly 68,000 and 163,000 miles.

   What to check: For a used car, ask for service history that covers engine repairs and any engine replacement. On a test drive, check whether the idle speed stays high after the accelerator is released.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The engine revs while idle periodically and the engine revs still when u let go of the gas. I believe this car was affected by kias latest recall... And causes issues with me being able to brake and such cuz the car engine revs when the gas isnt bein touched. This has been ongoing”

   NHTSA complaint #11051644, filed 2017-12, 68,000 miles

   “1. Driving vehicle on freeway and the engine blew. Kia rebuilt the top half of the engine. 2. Driving vehicle on street and the power steering went out. Took a lot of strength to steer to the side of the road. Kia reset main control unit to fix issue. 3. Driving vehicle on street and the power steering went out again. Kia wants to replace main control unit. Car has passed the warranty by 10k miles. Not covered.”

   NHTSA complaint #11128714, filed 2018-09, 70,000 miles

Buying note. Someone considering this model year may want to ask about hybrid system warning history and confirm whether the high-voltage fuse service and any brake recall repair have been completed. Checking open recalls by VIN and asking for complete service records can help clarify which of these problems apply to a specific car.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 54 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.