2013 Kia Optima Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 1%of 1,387 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 89,896miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the seat belts of the 2013 Kia Optima, 1% of the 1,387 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 89,896 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was t-boned in the passenger side. The car was spun a couple times before coming to a stop. The passenger in the car who was previously wearing the seatbelt immediately noticed that the seatbelt was no longer buckled. We believe the seatbelt came undone almost immediately because everyone else in the vehicle had bruising and burns from their seatbelts but the passenger did not.”
NHTSA complaint #11175711, filed 2019-02, 89,896 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11120792, filed 2018-08, 68,000 miles“I was attempting to get out of the car. I unbuckled my seatbelt and then leaned forward to pickup something off the floor. When I started to release the seatbelt and the shoulder strap pulled my head into the head rest my my neck. The more I pulled the seatbelt to loosen it, the tighter it got. Nothing helped. Finally my friend who had been driving, removed the side panel and then removed the locking mechanism on the seatbelt to release my neck.”
NHTSA complaint #10593389, filed 2014-05, 70,545 miles“Seat belt for left rear seat does not function properly. The female part sinks into the seat pocket when attempting latching such that it will not accept the male portion of the seat belt. The harder the push of the male part, the more the female portion retracts into the seat. I have brought this problem to the attention of my Kia dealer on two occasions but they claim it is a design or manufacturing problem and they cannot offer a solution, in spite of the safety concerns I have for my passengers - especially my grandchildren. …”
NHTSA complaint #11030187, filed 2017-09, 29,000 miles“Optima's driver's-side seat belt stopped working and the back seat middle seat belt, (rarely used), stopped working due to inability to click (lock) into place. Car is a 2013 Kia Optima gdi & is in excellent condition in every other aspect seen & known.”
NHTSA complaint #10909722, filed 2016-09, 129,000 milesSeat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 4 | 3% |
| 2019 | 2 | 1% |
| 2018 | 5 | 2% |
| 2017 | 8 | 3% |
| 2016 | 3 | 0% |
| 2015 | 2 | 0% |
| 2014 | 1 | 0% |
| 2013 | 18 | 1% |
| 2012 | 5 | 1% |
| 2011 | 2 | 0% |
| 2010 | 2 | 3% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 3 | 2% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2005 | 3 | 2% |
| 2004 | 6 | 3% |
| 2003 | 1 | 1% |
| 2002 | 2 | 2% |
| 2001 | 5 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2013 Kia Optima
614 complaintsSteering
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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 Kia Optima
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