10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
39,631 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Kia Optima steering problems

steering problem

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2013 Kia Optima Owner Comments (Page 2 of 10)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #165

Feb 232022

Optima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Steering the vehicle is a struggle. Jerky, not smooth at all. I've had it repaired once over 2 years ago. Same issue has returned... It's like a hard workout for my upper arms. I have done my research, and other owners have complained about the same issue. LONG trips are a nightmare. Any/all help would be greatly appreciated. This has been going for at least the LAST 6 months!

- Orangevale, CA, USA

problem #164

Feb 142022

Optima

  • miles
In 2013 we were driving to NC it was raining the steering just left the car completely un steerable thank God it had came back to be able to control the car...told dealership about it they acted like I was crazy....needless to say we don't drive it when it's raining...if we get caught in rain we use extra caution and very slow speeds..at this point it was a new car hadn't even had 150 miles on

- Shreve, OH, USA

problem #163

Jan 012021

Optima

  • miles
Steering has a notchy feel. Binds releases and binds

- Sussex, NJ, USA

problem #162

Sep 232021

Optima

  • 152,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 60-70 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently stalled. The brake warning light and several other unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated she was able to partially veer to the side of the road as the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact stated she was unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The battery was jumped with some assistance and the vehicle restarted. The contact stated she drove the vehicle to the dealer however, the failure reoccurred as she was pulling into the parking lot. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 152,000.

- Warner Robins, GA, USA

problem #161

Sep 222021

Optima

  • miles
The steering is loose while driving. It has a lot of play when turning. We took to the mechanic for an alignment and he said that the steering column was the problem. He did not fix because he told us he believed there was a recall. I checked and there is no recall. However, I have reviewed other complaints and there are several related to this same issue.

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #160

Apr 112021

Optima

  • 165,000 miles
While my husband was driving the vehicle the engine shut off and locked up. Luckily he wasnt on a major highway with lots of vehicles. He was on a straight road but had trouble pulling the vehicle off the road because everything was locked up. This is a known recall on Kia vehicles and the dealership is denying to fix it. There is an open class action lawsuit against Kia for engine failure that we will be signing.

- Bastrop, TX, USA

problem #159

Feb 082021

Optima

  • 81,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Steeling wheel and column is very loose. Whenever you hit a small bump in the road the steeling wheel looses control. It makes a loud rattling noise. Also, the radio system stop working. I would turn my car off and the stereo system would continue to play and would not cut off even when the car was turn off. Even with the keys out of the ignition. The only way you could get it to turn off was to disconnect the battery. Took car to the Kia dealership they stated that their recall system has a nationwide shut down and they do not know when they will be able to repair it.

- Riverdale, GA, USA

problem #158

Jun 012020

Optima

  • 132,000 miles
The contact's girlfriend owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while his girlfriend was driving 25 mph, the steering wheel jerked to the left independently. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The driver continued driving to her destination. The vehicle was taken to metro Kia of madison (5442 wayne terrace, madison, wi 53718, (608) 443-5700) where it was diagnosed with needing the ECU software updated. The vehicle had not been repaired as of yet. The contact also stated that the engine was replaced in July of 2020. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.

- Jefferson, WI, USA

problem #157

Feb 022021

Optima

  • 93,000 miles
My daughter was driving my 2013 Kia Optima on the fn interstate and the car stalled!! I was never notified of any recalls until someone that assisted her told her this! I am during you! she could have been seriously hurt! the engine completely shut off

- Tappahannock, VA, USA

problem #156

Dec 032020

Optima

  • 135,000 miles
I have a clicking sound in the steering wheel. Auto mechanic stated it was an issue with the bushing of the steering column and it needed to be replaced. He mentioned that he thought there was a recall for this. It just started out of nowhere. There has been no incidents or wrecks to cause it. Is there a recall to have this replaced?

- New Port Richey, FL, USA

problem #155

Dec 192020

Optima

  • 176,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Starting making a noise in shut off

- Longs, SC, USA

problem #154

Jul 032020

Optima

  • miles
My steering wheel would shake, move up and down, make clicking and knocking noises as I am driving. When I hit a speed bump the noises get worse in my steering wheel and the shaking and moving gets worse. Took my car to Kia dealership they fixed it & I paid around $80. Now I found there's a recall on the cufflinks in the steering wheel. Kia knew about this problem and didn't notify me & charged me to fix it. The only reason I found out about it was my car wouldn't start and I had my car towed to Kia & asked about other recalls. I had my engine replaced due to recall & I have extended warranty on the engine replacement. But Kia doesn't want to replace my starter. Sound familiar" Kia did the same thing to me with my steering wheel, they made me pay to fix the steering wheel and now say I can get reimbursed and there's a recall. Now they want me to pay for the starter but my engine had a recall which replaced the starter and battery. Kia replaced 5 out 7 batteries when they replaced the recalled engines. I will try to get reimbursed from Kia for the steering wheel repairs now that I found out there's a recall on the shaking steering wheel. But I couldn't find the recall online anywhere" I bought my Kia in 2019 and I've had problems ever since I bought it! Kia wants me to pay for it out of pocket and then they tell me it's a recall later on so I can get reimbursed!

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #153

Dec 152020

Optima

  • 180,000 miles
I was going down a road in my town lpga in daytona beach, when all of a sudden I heard this weird sound then my accelerating stopped even though I had my foot on the gas. The car engine would not accelerate even though I had my foot on the gas it finally slowed down where I came to a complete stop got to the side of the road and all of my engine sensor lights came on and my car engine will not roll over or even start my battery just turns on. It's as if it's just stopped working completely no one has given me a answer the tow driver is the one who told me that Kia Optimas were having recall issues on they're cars with exact problems like mine. I love my Optima I take really good care of it so it really hurts that there isn't much I can do about my car.

- Daytona Beach, FL, USA

problem #152

Sep 162020

Optima

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving making a left or right turn, a clicking sound occurred coming from the steering wheel. The contact also stated that when the vehicle drove over a bump in the roadway, there was a rattling sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact called herb chambers Kia of burlington (93 cambridge St, MA-3A, burlington, MA 01803) and informed the dealer of the failure. The dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not subjected to a recall. The contact stated that the vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be repaired due to the repair and diagnostic fees. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

- Stoneham, MA, USA

problem #151

Dec 122020

Optima

  • 107,770 miles
While driving, there was play in the steering wheel causing the steering wheel to feel loose while driving over bumpy roads. There was also a clicking sound coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle was not responding properly to the movement of the steering wheel. Plastic steering couple needed to be replaced at the cost of the part and 3 labor hours.

- Litchfield Park, AZ, USA

problem #150

Sep 012020

Optima

  • 36,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving, there was play in the steering wheel causing the steering wheel to feel loose while driving over bumpy roads. There was also a clicking sound coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle was not responding properly to the movement of the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to an independnent mechanic who was not able to duplicate the issue without referring the vehicle to the dealer. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not covered since there was no recall and the warranty had expired. They also said the issue might be with a coupling pin in the steering system. The dealer Kia of huntington (1720 E. jericho turnpike, huntington station, NY 11743, (631) 546-0200) was contacted and an appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 36,000.

- Huntington, NY, USA

problem #149

Aug 152015

Optima

  • 38,000 miles
The car made a loud noise an the stringl lock

- Lancaster, CA, USA

problem #148

Oct 152020

Optima

  • 90,000 miles
Kia kirby ventura has removed (2) or more active dangerous recalls from VIN# of the vehicle that is unfortunately in my nane. Recall 1, steering wheel mdps unit. I have a letter notification dated April 24 2017 no recall#. plus recall 18V363000 air bag control unit that should apply but never received recall notice. Recall#17V224 engine stall/freeze issue I have recall notifice plus a notice from the United States district court for the central district of California abt specific recall that does effect car. I made 2 attempts at Kia kirby ventura last year, before covid19, to get engine recall fixed car was experiencing symptoms as described almost casued serious accidents on freeway. I was denied by service manager david bodjanac since dealership, during 2nd visit to have engine recall fixed, Kia kirby ventura removed recall from VIN# asked me where did I get recall notice from? engine issue not fixed. Fast forward to today, thurs 10/15/20 early evening im coming up to corner engine stalled twice as I was slowing down approching, turning. Luckily I was driving at slower rate of speed. Coming out of turn car ultimatly made into my parking lot w/out crashing luckily no one was out walking. Engine car froze. Luckily in front of parking space, managed to force car in parking spot. Now disputing w/Kia kirby ventura, sm david bodjanac, who denied engine recall or any recall. Kia kirby ventura service w/undoubtedly tell me issue w/car has nothing to do w/any recalls. Had I been on fwy which I drive on 2, 3 times a day or been driving at higher rate of speed on street as I was I would have been killed. Kirby Kia ventura said they w/give 0 for car not running due to recall but still in good condition fully loaded. If car running they mite give me $5500-$6000max..per kb not running cars value $6923- $8852 in fair condition /mechanical issues & $7851-$9790 in good condition.

- Ventura, CA, USA

problem #147

Sep 092020

Optima

  • miles
The motors on all my windows went out and my steering wheel wheel shakes and rattles really bad, it's concerning

- Benton, AR, USA

problem #146

Sep 292020

Optima

  • 93,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 20 mph and making a right turn, he heard an abnormal popping sound prior to the air bag warning light illuminating. Upon inspection, the contact became aware that the horn had popped out of place and was raised inside of the steering wheel which made the horn defective. Despite the failure, the contact drove the vehicle his residence. The contact called South shore Kia (1128 sunrise hwy, copiague, NY 11726) and was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000. The VIN was not available.

- Huntington Station, NY, USA

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