2013 Kia Optima Hybrid problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes, Hydraulic (9) · Engine (6) · Electrical System (6)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Kia Optima Hybrid model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
45 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/Module 2023-09-25 · campaign 23V652000 · 1,730,192 vehicles ⚠ PARK OUTSIDE
Defect: 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. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
Engine 2020-12-02 · campaign 20V750000 · 294,756 vehicles
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
Risk: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.
Service bulletins (147)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Visibility/Wiper 2026-08-28 · TSB_CLI049_R2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: partial repair – electrical a/c compressor - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin provides information regarding the partial repair of the air
Fuel/Propulsion System 2026-07-15 · SC269_OWNR_401 · Service Campaign
voluntary service campaign: owner renotification (sc269 flight #401) - this document is the owner renotification advising that kia is conducting a voluntary service campaign to inspect and, if necessary, replace the high-voltage fuse in 2013-2016 my optima hybrid vehicles.
Back Over Prevention: Warnings 2025-12-09 · PS797 · Other
pitstop: technical operations: external damage to ultrasonic sensor: this pitstop provides information related to parking distance warning (pdw) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. the pdw system alerts the driver while parking, by calculating distance based on the difference in signal
Power Train 2025-04-17 · TSB_TRA046_R5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: transmission fluid application guide - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid ty
Fuel/Propulsion System 2025-03-25 · SC269_OWNR_301 · Service Campaign
voluntary service campaign: owner renotification (sc269) - this document is the owner renotification advising that kia conducting a voluntary service campaign to inspect and, if necessary, replace the high-voltage fuse in 2013-2016 my optima hybrid vehicles.
Engine 2024-11-07 · PI2002YZ_TSB_R3 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: product improvement campaign: engine replacement instructions for dtc p1326 (pi2002y/z) - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin provides inform
Showing the 6 most recent of 147 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-22 · Suspension“hybrid battery low won't crank but turns on and says park do not drive check charging system …”
2026-09-25 · Service Brakes“i took my car to riverchase kia to get a battery and to get the battery installed i have the invoice i was charged $762 and he also told me that he was doing some recalls on wiring and he told me he completed it well recently i was driving and the brakes gave out on me he was supposed to do a recall job on the he cu but he only put a fuse in and pr…”
2026-08-31 · Service Brakes“based on reading some service forms, it seems it may be the hydraulic booster, causing the issue. in order for them to take a look at the brakes system. i was charged a upfront diagnostics fee of $316. while driving warning light comes on " check brake system " then the car slows down to 10mph immediately. while pressing on the brakes they squeaki…”
2026-08-26 · Engine“i googled and a recall # sc200te showed it was uncompleted. i called holly kia in felton, delaware, and they informed me my title is "branded" and therefore not covered under recalls. then i google the recall again and now its gone. …”
2026-08-21 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 180,000 mi“the contact owns a 2013 kia optima. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, an unknown warning light illuminated, and the vehicle decelerated unintendedly. the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. the vehicle failed to accelerate above 10 mph. in addition, there was an abnorm…”
2026-07-15 · Steering“the car lights have dimmed tremendously, i replaced lights by myself with no luck over the years. it has just come to my attention, they knew and addressed reported problems but never sent a recall or safety notice that the reflective material designates. my car is at the dealer and confirmed this is the problem, your help would be great. also, a s…”
2025-03-06 · Electrical System:propulsion System:hybrid Management · 146,000 mi“the contact owns a 2013 kia optima hybrid. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "hybrid battery system warning - pull over -do not drive" was displayed, prompting the contact to pull over and discontinue driving the vehicle. the vehicle was towed to the residence. the abs and tpms warning lights were illuminate…”
2024-11-21 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 177,000 mi“the contact owns a 2013 kia optima hybrid. the contact stated while driving approximately 30 mph, the vehicle lost power and the brake pedal was pumped to slow the vehicle as needed. additionally, the "hybrid system warning! safely stop and do not drive" and "check brake" messages were displayed. the vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagn…”
2024-10-31 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 43,494 mi“the contact owns a 2013 kia optima hybrid. the contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the abs and engine warning lights illuminated. the contact called the local dealer and was informed that the failure was not related to the repair of nhtsa campaign number: 23v652000 (service brakes, hydraulic). the vehicle was not repaired. the manufactur…”
2024-05-10 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic“the contact owns a 2013 kia optima hybrid. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 23v652000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the local dealer was not contacted. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.