2013 Kia Optima Hybrid Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 9%of 56 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 4,200miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid, 9% of the 56 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 4,200 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“Shortly after purchase took a trip to texas to see my daughter. On three separate occasions on that trip; was going down the interstate with the cruise control set, all of the sudden it started accelerating all on it's own... The 1st time I questioned if I had accidently bumped something, the 2nd also and the 3rd allowed it to act on its own and before I knew it was almost 100mph. Thankfully the brake engages.. When I returned home I immediately took it in for check and was told they could not recreate the problem so nothing could be done.. …”
NHTSA complaint #10747724, filed 2015-08, 500 miles“This hybrid has a very dangerous hesitation on driver's request for any significant acceleration. Regardless of if the car is stationary or at speed a request for any sudden acceleration is met by a very significant hesitation before any noticable response is made. That is for all speeds and conditions. This both with the eco function engaged or disengaged. That is not safe.”
NHTSA complaint #10608382, filed 2014-07, 40 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10089987Apr 24, 2015Pitstop: smart pedal feature - the smart pedal is an integral part of the engine management system (ems) functionality which monitors and prevents the simultaneous activation…
- 10109672Jun 6, 2014PITSTOP: SLIGHT VARIATION IN THE ?SET? SPEED AFTER SETTING CRUISE CONTROL - A few customers have complained about their vehicle briefly accelerating beyond the set cruising speed…
Vehicle speed control: other model years
Other parts of the 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid
22 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsEngine
14 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsHybrid propulsion system
5 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology