2013 Kia Optima Kia Optima 2013

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2013 Kia Optima repairs by problem area

Engine (16%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (7%)

Brakes and Traction Control (10%)

Suspension and Steering (11%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (33%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (13%)

Other (9%)

Chart based on 98 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2013 Kia Optima.

2013 Kia Optima repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (4%)

$500 - $999 (12%)

$100 - $499 (15%)

< $100 (69%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

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 . 

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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 

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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 

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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 

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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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2013 Kia Optima Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2013 Kia Optima problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.