2013 Kia Optima transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Jul 19, 2026PAEngineSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain

   the engine revs high and transmission wont shift and when you turn the steering wheel ya get a loud click and the steering wheels jumps

   NHTSA complaint #11751411 · source
2. Filed Mar 27, 2026WATowedEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while a family member was driving the vehicle at 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The driver pulled over to the side of the road where the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the residence, where an independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine and transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11727508 · source
3. Filed Mar 20, 2026ILBrakesSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain

   Vehicle: 2013 Kia Optima SXL VIN: [XXX] While driving on a highway at approximately 55–58 mph, the rear driver-side electronic parking brake (EPB) motor housing failed with a loud bang. Immediately after, there was heavy smoke and a strong burning smell. The vehicle became very difficult to drive, and the wheel began screeching and dragging as if the brake had locked. The failure appears to have caused the rear brake caliper to seize while the vehicle was in motion. This…

   NHTSA complaint #11725980 · source
4. Filed Jan 5, 2026NMEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   The engine began exhibiting symptoms consistent with the known bearing wear defect covered under the manufacturer’s safety recall, including knocking noises, loss of power, and engine malfunction. The condition worsened to the point that the vehicle became unsafe to operate due to the risk of engine seizure and sudden loss of propulsion while driving. The vehicle was inspected by a Kia dealership, which confirmed engine damage consistent with the recall defect. The engine…

   NHTSA complaint #11708860 · source
5. Filed Oct 21, 2025CAEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   I have had 2 incidents of engine ceasure in my 2013 Kia Optima SX w/ Limited package. Once it ceased on the freeway causing me to have a minor collision with the offramp guide rail and just recenting on 10/18/2025 it happened again on the 405 with loud knocking sounds engine light flashing and no real engine power after ceasing. My engine was previously repaired under warranty with case number XXX which should have extended the warranty along with the existing recall for the…

   NHTSA complaint #11694839 · source
6. Filed Sep 13, 2025TNTransmission & Drivetrain

   Car was in park at our home and not running. I was outside and noticed the car rolling backward. I thought my wife was leaving at first, but then noticed no one was in the driver's seat. I ran after the car got the door open and was pulling on it to stop it when it became stuck in a ditch between my driveway and the neighbor's driveway. After getting the keys and trying to start the car, it would not. The shifter was all the way in the park position but the reverse light was…

   NHTSA complaint #11687108 · source
7. Filed Jun 3, 2025MIEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   Bought car 2020, engine failed and was consuming oil like it was fuel after 50-60K miles in 2022, Serra Kia Misdiagnosed and charged me $900 for ignition coil and combustion chamber cleaning that was not needed nor refunded when I was denied replacement due to me NOT letting engine lock up(Service manager basically told me to do so to be approved) or a P1326 code, charged +\-$8,000 for engine to be replaced. Horrible experience, engine was fine at first, then shortly after…

   NHTSA complaint #11664564 · source
8. Filed Jun 17, 2024ILEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   Car stopped accelerating on the highway. Check engine lights and other lights went on. Dealership is refusing to inspect the car without the CEL staying on. My family's life is at risk as long as Kia deems this car safe to drive. The dealer and corporate refuse to inspect it without a check engine light staying on when starting up again.

   NHTSA complaint #11594891 · source
9. Filed Sep 23, 2023CAEngineOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

   In March 2023 car stopped in the middle of an intersection with no warning. “Hybrid system warning” on dashboard lit up as well as all other lights. Dealer said repair was under warranty because of faulty spark plugs which were a safety recall. Prior to this all safety recalls were taken to dealer yet the problem still occurred. On July 2, 2023, the car stopped on the freeway. All lights lit up and the “Hybrid system warning” came up. The car began to smoke. The car was…

   NHTSA complaint #11546157 · source
10. Filed Aug 11, 202357,000 miDETowedEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power and stalled. Several attempts to restart the vehicle failed. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer but was not yet diagnosed.…

    NHTSA complaint #11537916 · source
11. Filed Jul 25, 2023155,000 miSCBrakesLightingTransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while parking the vehicle and attempting to turn off the vehicle, the message “Shift to Park” was displayed. The contact restarted the vehicle, shifted the vehicle into drive and then shifted back to park and the contact was able to shut off the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed. On another occasion, the contact stated while pulling out the driveway the brakes applied unintendedly with the brake light remaining…

    NHTSA complaint #11534449 · source
12. Filed Jul 24, 2023MITransmission & Drivetrain

    Hello, I had my vehicle's engine replaced by a dealership (Reason - recall on engine and failure on freeway that has me traumatized!!!) and due to the labor done at Kia Tullahoma, TN my transmission has failed causing a near mishap crash on the freeway due to transmission slip. Noticed transmission fluid leaking. After taking it to another dealership (Kia Anderson, SC) they inspected and said that the labor performed by previous dealership had caused the malfunction. Today…

    NHTSA complaint #11534042 · 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