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Electrical systemPart report

2013 Kia Optima Electrical system Problems

Complaints
146about this part
Share
11%of 1,387 total for the year
Median mileage
86,800miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 146 complaints about the electrical system of the 2013 Kia Optima, 11% of the 1,387 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 86,800 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved and 21 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“When istart my vehicle, sometimes the radio does not come on, so I have to pull the fuse and place it back in. Also, I cannot excel past 40mph, otherwise it stalls. The dealership stated I needed a new engine. I was stranded in wyoming, so I had to lease a new Kia. I still owe on my 2013 Optima, which is not drivable. I did not want a new vehicle. I'm very frustrated.”

NHTSA complaint #11352804, filed 2020-09, 128,000 miles

“I was driving on a highway going 70mph when my engine loses power and all the warning lights on my dashboard turn on. I pull over on the shoulder of the road and turn off the vehicle and try to turn it back on unsuccessfully. Smoke began to come out of the hood and I opened it up to see the issue. The smoke begins to increase and in a couple if minutes a fire started underneath/around the engine”

NHTSA complaint #11413112, filed 2021-04, 130,000 miles

“I left work one night and started fine and was driving normal for about 10-15 miles then every single light came on the dash board then couldn't accelerate anymore! It dropped in like 15mph increments until it finally rolled to a stop! I cut the car off and ever since it cut off it hasn't cut back on since me and cousin looked and seen no obvious problems but think the motor locked up completely!”

NHTSA complaint #11386185, filed 2021-01, 15 miles

“I was coming of the freeway when all of a sudden my car just turned itself off. Luckily I was able to manage to pull over to the side quickly enough to avoid any collision. I tried to change the starter because I was told that was bad. It hasn't been able to start up again since it first stopped on me.”

NHTSA complaint #11376866, filed 2020-11, 76,000 miles

“When I start the car the rear break lights flicker rapidly when I press the breaks the 3rd break light won't light up at all, so the only two break light stop working, it causes the anti traction control warning light and the auto-hold warning lights to come on.”

NHTSA complaint #11406789, filed 2021-04, 20,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2020149%
20192311%
20183314%
20172510%
201610414%
201513513%
20146010%
201314611%
201212213%
20116311%
20101317%
20091614%
20081510%
2007148%
20062315%
20052920%
20044520%
20032518%
20021413%
20011712%

Other parts of the 2013 Kia Optima

Engine
614 complaintsSteering
213 complaintsOther or unknown
189 complaintsBody and structure
127 complaintsFuel system
123 complaintsBrakes
114 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
64 complaintsAir bags
62 complaintsEngine cooling
42 complaintsExterior lighting
40 complaintsVehicle speed control
39 complaintsSuspension
26 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2013 Kia Optima

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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