2013 Kia Optima body & structure problems

Related recalls

• Recall 22V560000Aug 1, 2022257,998 vehicles
  STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

  Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Optima vehicles. 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.

  Risk: A plate that detaches during a crash may strike an occupant, increasing their risk of injury.

  Remedy: Dealers will secure the headliner plates, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 26, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC245.

What owners say

1. Filed Jul 20, 2026AZBody & Structure

   Paint began chipping/flaking off little by little everytime I washed the car. It’s a common occurrence with snowy white Kia paint in this year

   NHTSA complaint #11751654 · source
2. Filed Mar 11, 2026CABody & StructureLighting

   Paint on car is coming off from hood and doors headlights are not bright had to change to aftermarket to make it brighter

   NHTSA complaint #11723669 · source
3. Filed Nov 20, 2025FLBody & StructureElectrical System

   The computer modular or engine control module yes, it is available for inspection. I can be at risk because my lights flicker off and, on my turn, signals do not work, and it will not go into drive I have to start my car 30 minutes before I can leave for work at 5:30am in the morning. I had a security update on my car and ever since that took place, I had this issue. I just had the P1326 code come up on my car last November took it to Vero Beach Kia and had that update done…

   NHTSA complaint #11700621 · source
4. Filed Oct 27, 2025IDBody & Structure

   I have a 2013 Kia Optima and my paint on the vehicle is pilling so bad and fast it is exposing the body of the vehicle. I have done plenty of research and this is a commonly known problem with the pearl white paint jobs. It will start effecting the body and exterior of my vehicle and then turn efforts onto the inside of the vehicle. This is a huge problem so please as a huge company take responsibility and fix this problem.

   NHTSA complaint #11695755 · source
5. Filed Aug 18, 2025HIBody & Structure

   3 years ago the paint on my car started peeling. I drove my car from rideshare and was unable to continue due to the visual condition of my car. After further research, it's a nationwide problem. I dont have the money to afford a full paint job and put a bad taste in my mouth when thinking about referring people buying a Kia or my next car purchase. I have lost thousands of dollars due to kid's negligence on their paint.

   NHTSA complaint #11681451 · source
6. Filed Aug 6, 2025AZBody & StructureOther / Unknown

   The paint on my car slowly began to peel away on the hood and side panels, eventually exposing almost the entire hood to be bare (Kia was notified and I was denied any sort of help). I had the hood and panels painted out of pocket, shortly after the side rear passenger door has begun with the exact same issue Eventually, my car is going to be missing all paint and just primer. This needs to be addressed in a class action settlement! Otherwise my car is immaculate condition.

   NHTSA complaint #11678894 · source
7. Filed Jul 24, 2025CABody & Structure

   Paint on my kia optima has been peal like the paint job was bad it was never paint it has orginal paint from when it was first operated.

   NHTSA complaint #11675946 · source
8. Filed Jun 25, 2025OHBody & Structure

   While driving 55 mph down the road the window trim flew off of the rear driver side window and a week later the other side flew off hitting the car behind us. Not a very safe thing to be happening while driving.

   NHTSA complaint #11669327 · source
9. Filed Apr 22, 2025NJBody & Structure

   The white paint on my car (Snow White Pearl) has been chipping and peeling off near the windshield and rails on the side as well the hood. This is a known problem for KIA's with this particular white colored paint and KIA should really address is. Touching up just the locations it's happening in is not a fix ... The car needs to be properly repainted to fix the issue. KIA has not addressed this for customers and really need to as this happens for spanning several years and…

   NHTSA complaint #11656164 · source
10. Filed Dec 18, 2024CABody & Structure

    Pearl white color paint chipping, and breaking due to water and air. Bad batch of primer and coating has caused the paint to chip and peel across the body of the car.

    NHTSA complaint #11631347 · source
11. Filed Sep 10, 2024AZBody & Structure

    My car's paint began chipping and peeling about a year ago, it continues to get worse day by day and exposed areas show a bare metal with some areas rusting. This is happening very rapidly and appears the whole car may lose its paint quickly. Please help!

    NHTSA complaint #11613791 · source
12. Filed Aug 8, 2024145,000 miCATowedBody & StructureBrakesEngine

    The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), and 22V560000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle experienced reduced engine power and the engine started overheating. There was no warning light illuminated. The…

    NHTSA complaint #11607297 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology