CarBrief

The 2013 Kia Optima has 1,441 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, the most of any Optima model year in our data[1][2]. It also has 10 recalls on file, several of them about fire risk[2][3].

1,441owner complaints[1]
10recalls[2]
26–37MPG combined (EPA)[4]
5★NHTSA overall rating[5]

Most reported problems

Owners reported problems to NHTSA in 1,441 complaints[1]. These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name several parts. 116 mention a fire, 49 a crash, 38 injuries and 4 deaths[1].

Here are the biggest groups:

Component group Complaints
Engine[6] 665
Steering[7] 217
Unknown or other[8] 195
Electrical system[9] 167
Brakes[10] 130
Structure[11] 127
Fuel/propulsion system[12] 94
Power train[13] 71

Engine. Engine complaints include 89 fires, and the median mileage at failure was 100,000[6]. In a sample of 12 engine complaints we read, 5 describe the car losing power or stalling while driving, 3 describe loud rattling, clanking or knocking, and 2 describe smoke or flames from under the hood[6].

Steering. Steering complaints have a median failure mileage of 40,000[7]. In a sample of 12 steering complaints we read, all 12 describe the car drifting or pulling so the driver has to keep correcting[7]. 5 say an alignment or dealer visit did not fix it, and 5 say it shows up at higher speeds[7].

Electrical. In a sample of 12 electrical complaints we read, 4 describe trouble starting the car or a key that was not recognized, and 4 link problems to car washes, rain or wet conditions[9].

Brakes. In a sample of 12 brake complaints we read, 3 describe pedal vibration or grinding, 3 describe the car not stopping as expected, and 3 describe anti-lock or traction systems acting unexpectedly[10].

The power train group has 71 complaints[13].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 10 recalls tied to this car[2]. Recalls cover certain vehicles, so ask a Kia dealer whether a specific car is included. Newest first:

Fuel economy

EPA combined ratings depend on the version:

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
2.0L turbo, Automatic 6-spd[23] 22 / 33 / 26 $2,600
2.4L, Automatic 6-spd[24] 24 / 34 / 27 $2,500
2.4L, Manual 6-spd[25] 24 / 34 / 27 $2,500
Hybrid EX, Automatic (AM6)[26] 35 / 38 / 36 $1,850
Hybrid, Automatic (AM6)[4] 35 / 38 / 37 $1,800

All are front-wheel drive and run on regular gas[23][24][25][26][4]. Annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA rates the 4-door front-wheel-drive Optima 5 stars overall, 5 for frontal, 5 for side and 5 for rollover, with a rollover risk of 9.6%[5]. The Optima Hybrid has the same ratings[27].

Engine and size

EPA lists a 2.0L 4-cylinder rated at 274 hp[28] and a 2.4L 4-cylinder rated at 159 to 200 hp depending on version[29]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
4DR Sedan LX/EX/EX Luxury[30] 191 in 72 in 57 in 110 in 3,206 lb
4DR Sedan EX Turbo/SX[31] 191 in 72 in 57 in 110 in 3,384 lb
4DR Sedan Hybrid/Hybrid Premium[32] 191 in 72 in 57 in 110 in 3,490 lb

How 2013 compares with other years

2001: 143 complaints, 3 recalls20012002: 107 complaints, 3 recalls2003: 141 complaints, 2 recalls20032004: 225 complaints, 1 recalls2005: 144 complaints, 0 recalls20052006: 155 complaints, 2 recalls2007: 167 complaints, 2 recalls20072008: 144 complaints, 3 recalls2009: 116 complaints, 1 recalls20092010: 75 complaints, 1 recalls2011: 628 complaints, 6 recalls20112012: 1,029 complaints, 6 recalls2013: 1,441 complaints, 10 recalls1,44120132014: 621 complaints, 7 recalls2015: 1,021 complaints, 4 recalls20152016: 763 complaints, 5 recalls2017: 306 complaints, 4 recalls20172018: 243 complaints, 3 recalls2019: 213 complaints, 1 recalls20192020: 153 complaints, 0 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Optima model year. The 2013 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20011433
20021073
20031412
20042251
20051440
20061552
20071672
20081443
20091161
2010751
20116286
20121,0296
20131,44110
20146217
20151,0214
20167635
20173064
20182433
20192131
20201530

NHTSA data for Optima model years 2001 through 2020 shows 2013 at the top for both counts, with 1,441 complaints and 10 recalls[2]. The next highest complaint counts are 2012 with 1,029[2] and 2015 with 1,021[2]. The next highest recall count is 2014 with 7[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so read them as a rough signal, not a failure rate.

Should you buy a used 2013 Optima?

The record is mixed. The car earns 5 stars in NHTSA crash ratings[5], and EPA ratings are decent, especially for the hybrids[4]. But this year also has the most complaints and recalls of any Optima year listed[2]. Engine reports are the biggest group, and several recalls involve fire risk[6][3][19]. If you are looking at one, ask whether every recall repair was done, and ask for the engine and service history. Merge the first two sentences, for example: The record is mixed, with 5 stars in NHTSA crash ratings[5] and decent EPA ratings, especially for the hybrids[4].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Kia Optima?
Engine is the largest group in NHTSA complaints at 665 of 1,441, followed by steering at 217[1][6][7].
How many recalls does the 2013 Kia Optima have?
NHTSA lists 10 recalls on file[2]. They cover brake control units, fuel hoses, engine problems, air bags and headliner plates[3][14][15][21][22].
What is the gas mileage of a 2013 Kia Optima?
The 2.4L gets 27 combined MPG, the 2.0L turbo 26, and the hybrids 36 to 37[24][23][26][4].
Is the 2013 Kia Optima safe?
NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall[5]. It also has an air bag control unit recall[21].
Is 2013 a bad year for the Kia Optima?
It has the most complaints (1,441) and recalls (10) of the model years listed[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 1,441 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Kia Optima (49 mention a crash, 116 a fire, 38 injuries, 4 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Kia Optima model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 23V652, filed September 25, 2023: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock / Traction Control / Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit / Module . NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for Optima Hybrid, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (AM6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 35 city / 38 highway / 37 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.6%. NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 665 complaints name the engine component group (12 crashes, 89 fires, 15 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 217 complaints name the steering component group (6 crashes, 1 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 195 complaints name the unknown or other component group (4 crashes, 16 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 167 complaints name the electrical system component group (6 crashes, 21 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 76,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 130 complaints name the brakes component group (7 crashes, 12 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 127 complaints name the structure component group (5 crashes, 11 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 94 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (1 crashes, 10 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 71 complaints name the power train component group (3 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,918). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. Recall 22V560, filed August 1, 2022: Structure › Body › Roof And Pillars. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 22V093, filed February 17, 2022: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 21V331, filed May 10, 2021: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock / Traction Control / Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit / Module . NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 20V750, filed December 2, 2020: Engine. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 20V519, filed August 27, 2020: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock / Traction Control / Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit / Module . NHTSA recall database
  19. Recall 20V100, filed February 21, 2020: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
  20. Recall 18V907, filed December 19, 2018: Engine. NHTSA recall database
  21. Recall 18V363, filed June 1, 2018: Air Bags › Air Bag / Restraint Control Module. NHTSA recall database
  22. Recall 17V224, filed March 31, 2017: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine. NHTSA recall database
  23. EPA rating for Optima, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 33 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  24. EPA rating for Optima, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 34 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  25. EPA rating for Optima, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 34 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  26. EPA rating for Optima Hybrid EX, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (AM6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 35 city / 38 highway / 36 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  27. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.6%. NHTSA vehicle records
  28. EPA Test Car List, 2013 Kia Optima with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 274 hp. www.epa.gov
  29. EPA Test Car List, 2013 Kia Optima with 2.4L 4-cylinder: rated 159 to 200 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  30. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, OPTIMA 4DR SEDAN LX/EX/EX LUXURY: length 191 in, width 72 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 3,206 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  31. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, OPTIMA 4DR SEDAN EX TURBO/SX: length 191 in, width 72 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 3,384 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  32. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, OPTIMA 4DR SEDAN HYBRID/HYBRID PREMIUM: length 191 in, width 72 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 3,490 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.