2013 Kia Optima: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
1,381 NHTSA owner complaints · 9 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The Optima shares the Sonata's Theta II engines and the same recall history, and its 2013 and 2015 model years carry the highest counts — engine knocking, stalling and fire risk, addressed by the 2017 recall and the extended engine warranty. From 2017 the Optima improves sharply, and the 2018–2020 cars score around 90. Read the full note on the model page. 2013 specifically: this is one of the years the note above says to approach with care — 1,381 complaints on record, verdict AVOID.
Read the guide
Used Kia Sorento, Sportage and Soul: the recall years and the good years after them, including 2013 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-01.
Owner complaints: 1,381 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 106.23
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
Module 1 7.5 amp fuse continues to short and blow over and over again. Known issues with auto headlamp leveling sensor. Problem continues to happen. Lose my highbeams, shift lock, rear defrost, rearview auto dimmer, steering wheel controls. Anytime the fuse blows
Both front door lock actuators failed within a one month period. It is a safety issue because the actuator is failing in a way that can prevent the door from opening, closing, properly latching and locking. The vehicle is available for inspection. I have taken it to a mechanic to confirm the failure.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving or while the vehicle was parked, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was leaking fuel from the high-pressure pipe leading to the fuel pump. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V907000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine); however, VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer was contacted; h…
Recalls: 9 campaigns (7 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 18V363000 | Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module | Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. 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. |
| 22V560000 | Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars | Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Optima vehicles. |
| 21V331000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module | Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles previously recalled under recall 20V-519. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short. |
| 22V093000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Optima vehicles that were previously repaired under NHTSA recall number 20V-100. The low pressure fuel hose may be damaged, or missing heat-protective tape, which can result in a fuel leak. |
| 18V907000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been… |
| 20V100000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Optima vehicles equipped with 2.4L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) or 2.0L GDI Turbo engines. The low pressure fuel hose may deteriorate and crack over time due to heat generated within the engine compartment. |
| 23V652000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module | Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. |
| 20V519000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module | Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short. |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a mid-size car of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 26 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,400
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Engine612 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Steering213 complaints · typical job: Electric power-steering rack or column motor replacement (5.0 h labour + parts)$1,020–$2,500
- Unknown Or Other186 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Electrical System146 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Structure127 complaints · typical job: Body, subframe or corrosion repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,070–$2,920
- Service Brakes114 complaints · typical job: Pads, rotors and caliper service, both axles (3.0 h labour + parts)$580–$1,140
Other Kia Optima years
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2013 Kia Optima?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Engine (612 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2013 Kia Optima a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is AVOID with a reliability score of 26/100, computed from 1,381 NHTSA complaints and 9 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2013 Kia Optima's most common problem?
612 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2013 Kia Optima sit in the Engine group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is cooling-system or timing-drive repair: about 6.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $1,040–$2,220 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2013 Kia Optima cost to run per year?
About $6,768 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $33,840 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2013 Kia Optima have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaign(s) for the 2013 Kia Optima, 7 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 01/06/2018. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other midsizes of about the same age.
What will a 2013 Kia Optima really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Strong evidence — 1,381 complaints, 9 recalls on record
- 1381 NHTSA complaints on record (106.2/yr of exposure) — worse than a typical year of this model (44.1/yr)
- 9 recall campaigns, 7 touching safety-critical systems