2013 Kia Optima Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 2%of 1,387 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 20,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the visibility of the 2013 Kia Optima, 2% of the 1,387 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 20,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Driving along on a main road, but not a highway, at about 45 MPH. All of a sudden I heard a massive explosion. My sunroof had exploded. Nothing hit me, it was just random. Thank god it was closed or the glass would have shattered all over me. And now the dealership is saying that it's not covered and was my fault! The car is 4 months old.”
NHTSA complaint #10559764, filed 2014-01, 4,000 miles“My four year old daughter and I were in the car and while driving, the sunroof exploded. It was so loud, almost like a gunshot. A small amount of glass entered the car. I was driving straight, southward, near the osceola exit on I 55. There was absolutely no sign or evidence of anything hitting the glass. Weather conditions were clear and the temperature in osceola today was a high of 76 and low of 68 degrees fahrenheit.”
NHTSA complaint #10970621, filed 2017-04, 65,000 miles“The sunroof on my 2013 Kia Optima exploded out wards raining broken glass down on my heard. The car was not struck by any object and no cars were ahead of me on the road. There was a slight creaking noise and then a violent explosion leaving an up turned crater in the glass roof. The car is currently at the dealer and they deny any knowledge of problems with any sunroofs dispute the recall on similar roofs on other Kia and hyundai models.”
NHTSA complaint #10566798, filed 2014-03, 14,000 miles“I was driving on the hwy approx 1306hrs on may19, 2020. I heard a popped noise like a gun shot or a blow out tire. My steering wheel wasn't wobbling so I looked in my rear mirror to pull over and saw black glass sliding down my rear window . I heard air coming from my sunroof. I was scared nervous and my anxiety was on level 10. I called sharonville police not knowing what to say or do . It was raining and I tried to exit the hwy at the next exit but it was closed . I was only 10mins fri my house I decided to make it home where I felt safe . …”
NHTSA complaint #11325586, filed 2020-05, 14,000 miles“Oil is completely empty before 1000 miles after an oil change. Have switched to synthetic oil and used additives. Nothing has helped and I am adding at least 6-8 quarts for 3000 miles. Also the headlights are horrible. I can not see 10 feet pass my front end at night. This is extremely dangerous and new bulbs do not help. It is a known problem, but Kia could care less. Not only can I not see but I'm driving a death trap that will most likely catch fire like thousands of the 2013 have already. How do these car companies get away with this?”
NHTSA complaint #11193745, filed 2019-04, 99,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10152911Jan 9, 2019TSB: PANORAMA SUNROOF CREAK OR RATTLE NOISE - This bulletin provides the procedure to apply felt tape on the panorama sunroof crossmember on some 2012-2015MY Optima (QF)…
- 10109855Mar 21, 2017TSB: DEFOGGING LOGIC ? NORMAL OPERATION, DISABLING, AND ENABLING - Starting with 2010MY, all Kia vehicles, except Rio (JB), incorporate a defogging logic to prevent the interior…
- 10057239Dec 1, 2014Kia optima /sorento: 2012-2014 rear view camera requires replacement on specific models.
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 3 | 1% |
| 2018 | 1 | 0% |
| 2017 | 4 | 2% |
| 2016 | 38 | 5% |
| 2015 | 9 | 1% |
| 2014 | 12 | 2% |
| 2013 | 21 | 2% |
| 2012 | 28 | 3% |
| 2011 | 11 | 2% |
| 2010 | 2 | 3% |
| 2009 | 2 | 2% |
| 2008 | 14 | 10% |
| 2007 | 33 | 20% |
| 2006 | 13 | 8% |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% |
| 2003 | 5 | 4% |
| 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 28, 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