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2013 Kia Optima repairs by problem area
Chart based on 98 repairs.
Chart based on 67 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2013 Kia Optima
Engine not specified
| Kia Optima in Colorado, United States Dec 2013 - Dec 2013 | |||
| Dec 2013 11000 mi |
Electric cooling fan shorted out . | ||
2013 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| Kia Optima in Texas, United States Jun 2013 - Jul 2013 | |||
| Jul 2013 11000 mi |
I was occasionally experiencing rough/clunky shifts a few days before, and just prior to the check engine light coming on. Dropped it off at the dealer and was informed that they had to replace the trans oil temp sensor. | ||
| Kia Optima in Texas, United States May 2013 - Mar 2016 | |||
| May 2014 17300 mi |
Backup camera inop | ||
| Feb 2015 33000 mi |
Antenna replaced due to no signal on Sat, traffic, or radio. Ecu update. | ||
| Kia Optima in California, United States Jan 2013 - Mar 2016 | |||
| Sep 2013 7000 mi |
One headlight beam misaligned; corrected under warranty at first oil change. | ||
| Mar 2014 16000 mi |
Headlights misaligned again; positioned too high on previous visit. | ||
| Sep 2014 19000 mi |
Headlights improperly aligned at last visit; 90% fixed, still not perfect | ||
| Dec 2015 26000 mi |
Car wouldn't start in morning; AAA replaced battery and car is back to normal. | ||
| Kia Optima in Minnesota, United States Mar 2013 - Jul 2014 | |||
| Nov 2013 8000 mi |
Kia has a fuse that is pulled as new car is shipped to totally take any load off of battery. This fuse became loose and vehicle would not start. Reseated fuse and all works perfectly. | ||
| Apr 2014 13500 mi |
Continuing problems with vehicle periodically going dead (lights, dash etc)when trying to start. Dealer replaced driver door jamb plate as it was grounding. Problems continue same plus remote start periodically fails. Not resolved. | ||
| Jun 2014 16000 mi |
Problems continue from April. Same exact indications. Has spent numerous days at dealer. Unresolved. | ||
| Jul 2014 16000 mi |
Previously reported electrical problem went unresolved. Traded back to dealer for another Optima. | ||
| Kia Optima in Florida, United States Aug 2013 - Sep 2016 | |||
| Oct 2014 35000 mi |
Door Rubber Strip Wear | ||
| Kia Optima in Virginia, United States Jul 2017 - Jul 2018 | |||
| Oct 2017 45000 mi US $1100 |
Excessive vibration diagnosed as uneven rotor wear, rotors were unable to be machined flat | ||
| Kia Optima in Colorado, United States Apr 2017 - Apr 2018 | |||
| Oct 2017 70000 mi |
The problem ended up being a fuse housing. | ||
| Kia Optima in New York, United States Feb 2015 - Jul 2022 | |||
| Mar 2015 26000 mi |
Cylinder 2 spark plug tip burnt off causing a miss fire. | ||
| Kia Optima in Manitoba, Canada Jan 2014 - Jun 2022 | |||
| Oct 2016 25100 mi |
Replaced inner tie rod | ||
| Feb 2019 39709 mi |
Replaced throttle body | ||
| Sep 2020 48 mi C $125 |
Right outer tie rod replaced. Dlr noticed problem during oil change. repaired elsewhere $100.00 cheaper. | ||
| Kia Optima in Georgia, United States Mar 2013 - Mar 2017 | |||
| May 2014 21500 mi |
Drivers side mirror would not move L&R. The problem was observed on delivery when new but was intermittent. It was determined that the L&R motor in the mirror was defective from the start and will be replaced under warranty. | ||
| Jan 2015 18200 mi |
The navigation stopped working, it did reset and begin to function normally again, but the dealer replaced it without question. One interior light had a short in the switch. Switch replaced under warranty. | ||
| Jul 2016 72800 mi |
Drivers mirror motor will be hopefully repaired by replacing the wiring harness. Attempts have been previously made to make this repair. It has been intermittent in the past, but had failed to activate in all directions now. | ||
| Kia Optima in North Carolina, United States Aug 2012 - Apr 2014 | |||
| Sep 2012 6000 mi |
Short in electrical harness resulting in car shutting off while driving and unable to restart. Corporate flew in to diagnose and a new harness was installed. | ||
| Kia Optima in Saskatchewan, Canada Oct 2012 - Dec 2014 | |||
| Jul 2013 10540 mi |
Driver's airbag replaced due to dash light illuminating | ||
| Kia Optima in Colorado, United States Jul 2012 - Mar 2014 | |||
| Nov 2013 16000 mi |
Noticed transmission fluid leaking. Took the car in, and they ended up having to replace the entire transmission due to a misaligned bushing. | ||
| Kia Optima in Oregon, United States Aug 2012 - Jun 2018 | |||
| Sep 2014 13000 mi |
Plastic Valve cover had a small crack and was leaking oil over the engine. | ||
| Kia Optima in Colorado, United States Jun 2012 - Apr 2014 | |||
| Dec 2013 25000 mi |
AC blower motor replaced. Bearing making lots of noise when cold. Front passenger grab handle in roof wasn't attached to its mount. Handle with headliner would come down when pulling on the handle. | ||
| Kia Optima in Massachusetts, United States Feb 2013 - Aug 2018 | |||
| Apr 2013 2000 mi |
Window would not close Nav system freeze and abends | ||
2013 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
200-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| Kia Optima in New York, United States Sep 2014 - Jun 2017 | |||
| Jun 2015 26000 mi |
replaced compressor | ||
| Kia Optima in Colorado, United States Apr 2016 - Jun 2016 | |||
| May 2016 77000 mi US $200 |
Engine is destroyed despite regular and proper maintenance beyond manufacturer's suggestions. Engine requires replacement but Kia has denied warranty. | ||
| Jun 2016 77000 mi |
Extreme oil consumption | ||
| Kia Optima in Texas, United States Jan 2014 - Jul 2018 | |||
| Sep 2014 30000 mi |
trip switch in steering wheel mount broke...They replaced trip switch assy | ||
| May 2015 42800 mi |
carpet tore on driver side ..right at radius of tunnel and factory floor mat | ||
| Oct 2016 62700 mi |
Ac quit. dealer said condenser bad. Serviced AC sys myself, could not find any leaks, still working fine. | ||
| Jan 2017 67200 mi |
Satellite radio shows "acquiring signal" all the time | ||
| Apr 2017 73000 mi |
Clicking in steering..a known issue with these cars..steering coupler replaced | ||
| Kia Optima in California, United States Sep 2014 - Dec 2016 | |||
| Sep 2016 53000 mi |
Leaking timing chain gasket | ||
| Kia Optima in Ontario, Canada Apr 2015 - Apr 2017 | |||
| Mar 2017 42780 mi C $320 |
replaced rear brake pads, rotors | ||
| Kia Optima in North Carolina, United States Aug 2013 - Jun 2022 | |||
| Apr 2018 71000 mi US $1500 |
I need a new compressor. | ||
| May 2018 75000 mi US $1800 |
New compressor & other parts were needed. | ||
| May 2021 117000 mi |
I have to add oil about once a month, they searched for a leak, but couldn't find one. | ||
| Kia Optima in Alabama, United States Jun 2017 - May 2019 | |||
| May 2019 78029 mi |
Steering wheel had been shaking violently at highway speeds for about a week. Took it in for wheel balance at independent shop. On their recommendation we took it to the dealer for a steering column bushing. This was a know failure point and the dealer replaced it under extended warranty. Totally fixed the vibrations. | ||
| Kia Optima in New York, United States May 2013 - Jun 2022 | |||
| Nov 2021 123000 mi US $500 |
Driver side mirror fell apart. Had to replace entire mirror, not covered by warranty | ||
| Kia Optima in Ontario, Canada Jul 2012 - Dec 2017 | |||
| Jul 2014 41200 mi C $800 |
Stuck springs | ||
| Feb 2015 52700 mi C $990 |
Rear brakes seized, all 4 repolished Fog light out, bulb ordered. Rear plate lights replaced Re-calibrated power stearing | ||
| Aug 2015 61760 mi C $800 |
Excessive brake pedal travel Computer needed updating | ||
| Feb 2017 88040 mi C $500 |
Unit of measure on Climate control system changed from metric to imperial and I could not reset myself so I asked the dealer to do it...they could not fix, nor supply a suggestion to do so... | ||
| Mar 2017 89900 mi C $465 |
Wipers started being extremely slow while travelling in USA. Got it inspected and the motor was still fine, but the linkage was not; it needed replacing. Dealer did not have one in stock, but lubricated the mechanism, and when I came back, the replacement was done quickly in 45 minutes. | ||
| Kia Optima in Arkansas, United States Mar 2013 - Aug 2013 | |||
| Apr 2013 11500 mi US $37 |
Plastic rivets in top of door panel rattling. Wind noise from top of drivers side door, and oil change. Both problems were not fixed because dealer couldn't duplicate. Very disappointed in Kia. | ||
| Jun 2013 15000 mi |
Still dealing with rivets rattling and wind noise from driver door. Kia has offered a settlement to stop complaints very disappointed with Kia at this point. | ||
| Kia Optima in North Carolina, United States Apr 2013 - Jun 2018 | |||
| Nov 2017 68000 mi |
Excessive oil consumption. Dealer acknowledges but refused to do any investigation. Recommended oil change despite 2k since last change. | ||
| Kia Optima in Indiana, United States Aug 2012 - Jun 2018 | |||
| Sep 2017 67000 mi US $275 |
Replace intake manifold tuning valve control circuit | ||
| Kia Optima in Connecticut, United States Jan 2013 - Mar 2014 | |||
| Sep 2013 12000 mi |
Clogged A/C discharge hose | ||
| Kia Optima in Illinois, United States Jul 2012 - Aug 2015 | |||
| Sep 2014 16000 mi |
Sunroof functions not working properly. Would open and close but not with "one touch" function. | ||
| Kia Optima in Maryland, United States Mar 2013 - Jun 2018 | |||
| Jun 2016 37000 mi US $265 |
no cool air blowing. needed freon | ||
| Sep 2017 48000 mi US $394 |
replace rotors & pads | ||
| Kia Optima in North Carolina, United States Aug 2012 - May 2020 | |||
| Aug 2016 84900 mi |
Car would not recognize my key, you have to put the car in neutral and it would start. It was really warm and Humid in my area. Sometimes it would do it, sometimes it wouldn't do it. They couldn't find the problem. | ||
| Jul 2017 99000 mi US $500 |
Starter was slipping and wouldn't start all the time Recall notice , the queen had to look at oil to see if engine was defective | ||
| Kia Optima in Tennessee, United States May 2013 - Jun 2017 | |||
| Jun 2013 1000 mi |
Transmission went into limp mode. No codes set. Problem resolved by rebooting (restarting) car. Has not recurred after 1,300 driven. Happened at 216 miles. | ||
| Sep 2013 4000 mi |
Replaced windshield due to stress crack. | ||
| Kia Optima in Massachusetts, United States Mar 2013 - Mar 2017 | |||
| Apr 2013 1000 mi |
Had serious rattle issues when playing radio over half volume, issue NOT fixed. They cannot find the issue. Have an issue with the driver seat shifting when taking tight turns, once again could not find issue. The exterior trim piece over front right wheel was broken, probably in transit, and hanging on the wheel. The part was replaced, however the mechanic broke a large piece off of the front bumper. The bumper was replaced for free. | ||
| Kia Optima in North Carolina, United States Jul 2012 - May 2014 | |||
| Feb 2014 23300 mi |
Right Fog Light bezel (surround- black)peeling. Replaced by the dealer | ||
| Kia Optima in Massachusetts, United States Aug 2013 - Oct 2020 | |||
| Sep 2013 2000 mi |
Car wanders a little on highway. Checked alignment, dealer said fine. Found steering software on wrong setting. Changed it but I still think too much play, too little straight line stability at speed. | ||
| Kia Optima in New York, United States Sep 2012 - Jul 2013 | |||
| Jul 2013 2000 mi |
Cruise control,reset, trip buttons failed. | ||
| Kia Optima in California, United States Jun 2012 - Jun 2015 | |||
| May 2013 7000 mi |
replace a part that was defective in the A/C compressor | ||
2013 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
159-horsepower 2.4L I4 Hybrid 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| Kia Optima in Ontario, Canada May 2013 - Jun 2022 | |||
| Feb 2015 16120 mi |
Backup camera died. Covered by warranty | ||
| Jun 2016 26660 mi |
replaced right rear tie-rod end link under warranty. | ||
| Sep 2016 29140 mi |
Kia door light on sill burnt out. Replacement part has to be ordered and replaced | ||
| Jun 2017 34720 mi |
Slight knocking noise in drivers front side when turning or braking. They said it was strut bearing at first and replaced it. Came back with the problem again when a different tech said that the calipers needed to be cleaned and lube. The last guy was right. Took the car in and with 20 minutes had completed his work. Problem completely resolved under warranty. | ||
| May 2018 42160 mi C $100 |
Here an occasion ticking/clacking sound in the front end somewhere. Can't easily reproduce... Strut bearing was replaced under extended warranty, but sound is still there on occasion. | ||
| Kia Optima in California, United States Apr 2013 - Sep 2018 | |||
| Aug 2016 75000 mi |
Wheel bearing in front, drivers side needed to be replaced. Belt idler on air conditioner was going bad. | ||
| Oct 2016 79000 mi |
After front bearing replacement, bigger problem with transmission was identified. Transmission was replaced. | ||
| Sep 2018 122000 mi US $150 |
Front, drive side axle making unusual noise. Was removed, rust cleaned on it and the front hub, and then reinstalled. | ||
| Kia Optima in Quebec, Canada Feb 2014 - Jan 2015 | |||
| Aug 2014 4960 mi |
They adjusted the trunk and repaired the facing of the paint. They adjusted the trunk and repaired the facing of the paint. | ||
| Kia Optima in Georgia, United States Jun 2014 - Jun 2015 | |||
| May 2015 29100 mi US $1150 |
Radiator assembly replaced, core support replaced | ||
| Kia Optima in Pennsylvania, United States Apr 2014 - Jul 2020 | |||
| Sep 2014 9000 mi |
The brake pedal occasionally squawks when depressed, either when the car is moving or stopped. The dealer test drove the car themselves, and declared the noise to be 'normal' and related to activation of the regenerative brakes. | ||
| Jul 2017 56000 mi |
Right front axle replaced under warranty - it had been clicking. Replaced a valve section connected to the brake pedal. The pedal produced a loud squawk sound when depressed in warm weather since new. | ||
| Kia Optima in California, United States Jun 2013 - Jun 2022 | |||
| Nov 2016 29500 mi US $93 |
Transmission not shifting properly, lag at acceleration Spoiler discoloring. Was told since it was out of warranty (by 3 months) would not be repaired. Repair completed after my attorney spoke to corporate. | ||
| Jun 2018 37000 mi US $10 |
Weather stripping on sunroof loosened. I reattached. Second time this has happened. | ||
| Jan 2022 54000 mi US $250 |
Replace battery that would drain on a cold night. Was told this was usual but after asking around found out not true so took car to a different shop. | ||
| Kia Optima in Ontario, Canada Jan 2014 - Jul 2018 | |||
| Sep 2016 99200 mi C $800 |
Replaced lower control arms including bearings on both sides of the front. | ||
| Jul 2018 150040 mi C $90 |
Front and Rear Brake Pads only | ||
2013 Kia Optima 4-door
4-cylinder automatic 2WD
| Kia Optima in Florida, United States Apr 2013 - Jun 2014 | |||
| Jun 2014 6000 mi |
Replaced trunk lock. | ||
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