2013 Kia Optima Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/12/2026

609Engine complaints

44.4%Of all 1,371 complaints

#1Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

ENGINE609 · 44.4%

STEERING211 · 15.4%

Unspecified / other184 · 13.4%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM142 · 10.4%

STRUCTURE:BODY118 · 8.6%

Share of the 1,371 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2013 Kia Optima overview page.

What owners report

“MY WIFE, SON AND I WERE ON THE WAY HOME FROM TOWN IN OUR 2013 KIA OPTIMA. I STOPPED AT A LOCAL GROCERY STORE TO…”NHTSA complaint 10714982 — filed 05/06/2015

“HAD OIL CHANGE 5 DAYS PRIOR, AND RECALL FOR ACCELERATION. CALLED THE,DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE FRONT END. WAS ON MY…”NHTSA complaint 10705662 — filed 04/14/2015

“AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A STOP SIGN, WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE TO TURN ONTO A BUSY ROAD MY CAR LOST POWER…”NHTSA complaint 10690780 — filed 02/26/2015

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2013 Kia Optima have engine problems?

Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2013 Kia Optima: 609 of 1,371 complaints on file (44.4%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2013 Kia Optima have in total?

1,371 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 48 involved a crash, 112 involved a fire, 36 reported injuries, and 4 reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.