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EnginePart report

2013 Kia Optima Engine Problems

Complaints
614about this part
Share
44%of 1,387 total for the year
Median mileage
99,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 614 complaints about the engine of the 2013 Kia Optima, 44% of the 1,387 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 99,000 miles. 12 of these say a crash was involved and 88 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

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

“On dec 5, 2020. I was driving on 78 west when suddenly my 2013 Kia Optima ex begin to decrease in speed.within 5 minutes I had to pull over where my car just turned off. Dec 12, 2020 I was told that my engine wasn't turning over and the motor was gone. Just like that. I was very confused and disappointed as I didn't do anything for this to happen.”

NHTSA complaint #11383194, filed 2020-12, 65 miles

“I was driving down the road doing about 45 when I heard a small pop & all my dash lights came on & I lost everything. Car clicks when trying to restart but does not start. Oil light, battery light, eps light & check engine light stay on now. I was told there is a recall on these cars and would like to get it fixed asap as it's my only transportation.”

NHTSA complaint #11361296, filed 2020-09, 126,000 miles

“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

“Takara recall: my engine had been knocking/shaking for a good minute now. When I have it running and hood open it's just vibrating extremely hard and constantly.I've noticed it wants to stall or no shift correctly after a dead stop and something going into 3rd gear. Even while just idling I can feel the engine shaking the whole car from inside.”

NHTSA complaint #11221025, filed 2019-06, 100,000 miles

“Three times- today 10/18/2020 my car is not leaking oil but burning oil. Dangerously low I have to keep checking. No oil on the ground. I smell or a light to service oil comes on. First time 6/10/2020 - 2nd time 10/1/2020 today 10/18/2020 there is still oil but very low, 2qts were put in on 10/1/2020 . The engine is burning oil. I have new spark plugs maybe less than a year.”

NHTSA complaint #11364834, filed 2020-10, 134,600 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202010268%
20199243%
201813257%
201716564%
201642656%
201562362%
201428448%
201361444%
201239843%
201125643%
2010912%
20091412%
20081913%
20071610%
200675%
200431%
200321%
200244%
200121%

Other parts of the 2013 Kia Optima

Steering
213 complaintsOther or unknown
189 complaintsElectrical system
146 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