The Lemon Index
Subscribe

All cars · Kia Optima

2013 Kia Optima.

The 2013 Kia Optima is about average by owner complaints: 205 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 107, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about steering, it has 9 recalls, and it gets 26 to 37 mpg combined. The best Kia Optima year is 2017.

107Lemon Index · 100 = average car

About average.

Best year 2017 · Worst year 2001

Kia Optima
Photo shows a 2018 Kia Optima. Vauxford, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · background removed

Before you buy. What matters most for this car.

Most common problemSteering39% of owner complaintsRecalls9Free fix at any dealerBetter year to buy20171.9× fewer complaints than averageGovernment investigation1 openOwners reported enough to trigger one
Owner complaints205first 3 years
Fuel economy26–37 mpgcombined, EPA
Crash test★★★★★NHTSA overall

How serious. Out of 1,441 owner complaints, owners reported:

49crashes
29injuries
116fires
169tows
Under government investigation235 repair notes from Kia

Every Kia Optima year. 2013 is highlighted. Lower is better.

20012332.3× the complaints2002102about average20031171.2× the complaints2004641.6× fewer complaints2005641.6× fewer complaints20061601.6× the complaints20071191.2× the complaints2008881.1× fewer complaints2009771.3× fewer complaints2010791.3× fewer complaints2011851.2× fewer complaints201295about average2013107about average2014661.5× fewer complaints201598about average2016871.1× fewer complaints2017531.9× fewer complaints2018571.8× fewer complaints2019551.8× fewer complaints2020551.8× fewer complaints202192about average20221121.1× the complaints2023135early read · 1.4× the complaints202468early read · 1.5× fewer complaints2025120early read · 1.2× the complaints

What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.

steering39%
engine20%
speed control8%
electrical7%
suspension7%

Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.

Transmission problems in every Kia Optima year →

When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.

half by 82K
0K50K100K150K200K

Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 41K to 118K miles on the car (816 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.

  • engine complaints mostly came at 70K–126K miles
  • steering complaints mostly came at 12K–90K miles
  • electrical complaints mostly came at 41K–109K miles

Recalls 9

  • brakes 2023

    The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

  • body structure 2022

    The right and left headliner plates may not be secured properly, which can result in the plates detaching in the event of a side curtain air bag deployment.

  • fuel system, gasoline 2022

    The low pressure fuel hose may be damaged, or missing heat-protective tape, which can result in a fuel leak.

Show all 9 recalls
  • brakes 2021

    Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.

  • brakes 2020

    Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.

  • fuel system, gasoline 2020

    The low pressure fuel hose may deteriorate and crack over time due to heat generated within the engine compartment.

  • fuel system, gasoline 2018

    The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.

  • airbags 2018

    In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.

  • engine 2017

    Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.

Check a VIN for open recalls

Problems Kia told dealers about

Kia sent dealers 235 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

  • Ecm upgrade - steering logic improvement - this bulletin provides information related to the…
  • Smart pedal feature - the smart pedal is an integral part of the engine management system (ems)
  • Wty004 - 2011-2014 my optima (tf/qf) engine short block warranty extension (wty004) - this

Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.

Government investigations

  • OpenHyundai and kia abs module fires2023
  • ClosedLoss of motive power2022–2023
  • ClosedThrottle control system vulnerabilities2021–2023
  • ClosedEngine fires2021–2024

NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.

Safety

Stability controlStandard
Collision warningNot offered
Lane departure warningNot offered
NHTSA front crash test of the 2013 Kia Optima
Front crash test · NHTSA
Crash test details
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Kia Optima 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
Kia Optima Hybrid 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
Fuel cost and engines

About $1750–2450 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.

In owners' words

I was driving down the highway at 65 mph and I heard a loud noise, my car started slowing down and I could hear a clanging noise, I stopped and parked and it was knocking loudly. Still can't drive it.

2013 Kia Optima owner · NHTSA complaint 10881793
More owner reports

Vehicle will not track straight. Vehicle wonders left and right at speeds of 40 mph or higher. Has been doing this since I purchased it.

NHTSA complaint 10544500

Steering wheel sticks in middle driving down the road, makes a click when it breaks loose. Car is almost impossible to hold straight driving

NHTSA complaint 10824976

Quick answers

Is the 2013 Kia Optima reliable?

About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 107; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Kia Optima year by this measure is 2017.

What are the most common 2013 Kia Optima problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (39%), engine (20%) and speed control (8%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2013 Kia Optima have?

9 safety recalls (latest: brakes). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2013 Kia Optima get?

26 to 37 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).

Is the 2013 Kia Optima safe?

NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.

At what mileage do 2013 Kia Optima problems start?

Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 41,000 and 118,000 miles. The middle report was at 82,000 miles, from 816 complaints.

Does the 2013 Kia Optima have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.

How much does the 2013 Kia Optima cost in fuel a year?

About $1750 to $2450 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.

What engines does the 2013 Kia Optima have?

2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.

What Kia Optima year is better than the 2013?

By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2017, 2019 and 2020.

Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data