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RECALLROADTHE CAMPAIGN RECORD

MODEL-YEAR RECALL REPORT

2013 Kia Optima recalls

NHTSA's September 21, 2026 snapshot lists 9 safety recall campaigns for the 2013 Kia Optima, spanning 6 component groups. A model match does not confirm that a specific VIN is included.

Official source: NHTSA recall campaign file · Snapshot September 21, 2026

URGENT CAMPAIGN FLAG

NHTSA records include a Park Outside advisory for at least one campaign associated with 2013 Kia Optima. Open the campaign and verify the VIN before operating or parking the vehicle.

Distinct campaigns9not VIN-specific
Component groups6distinct top-level categories
Latest recordSeptember 25, 2023report received
VIN resultNot checkeduse official lookup

01 / OFFICIAL CAMPAIGNS

2013 Kia Optima recall campaigns

The 2013 Kia Optima report contains 9 distinct NHTSA campaigns; the most recently received record is campaign 23V652000 dated September 25, 2023.
PARK OUTSIDE
Component
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Report received
September 25, 2023
Potential units
1,730,192campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

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.

Why it matters: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

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.

Owner notification: March 29, 2024 · Filing manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.

PARK OUTSIDE
Component
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Report received
May 10, 2021
Potential units
440,370campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.

Why it matters: An electrical short in the HECU increases the risk of a fire while parked or driving.

Remedy

Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will install a new multi-fuse, and inspect the HECU for leaks, replacing the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 2, 2021. This recall supersedes previous NHTSA recall number 20V-519. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC212.

Owner notification: July 2, 2021 · Filing manufacturer: Kia Motors America

PARK OUTSIDE
Component
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Report received
August 27, 2020
Potential units
440,370campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.

Why it matters: If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.

Remedy

Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the HECU for leaking brake fluid and replace the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. The recall began October 20, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC197.

Owner notification: October 20, 2020 · Filing manufacturer: Kia Motors America

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 22V560000

Component
STRUCTURE
Report received
August 1, 2022
Potential units
257,998campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.

Why it matters: 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.

Owner notification: September 26, 2022 · Filing manufacturer: Kia Motors America

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 22V093000

Component
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Report received
February 17, 2022
Potential units
72,848campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.

Why it matters: A fuel leak can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel hose, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 2, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-33-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC228.

Owner notification: August 2, 2022 · Filing manufacturer: Kia Motors America

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 20V100000

Component
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Report received
February 21, 2020
Potential units
141,774campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.

Why it matters: If the fuel hose cracks, a fuel leak can occur, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Kia will notify Owners, and Dealers will inspect the low pressure fuel hose for damage or leaking, replacing it as necessary. If no damage or leaking is found, a heat-protective tape will be installed. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began June 12, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC187.

Owner notification: June 12, 2020 · Filing manufacturer: Kia Motors America

Component
ENGINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Report received
December 19, 2018
Potential units
71,653campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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 damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.

Why it matters: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.

Owner notification: January 17, 2019 · Filing manufacturer: Kia Motors America

Component
AIR BAGS
Report received
June 1, 2018
Potential units
507,587campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.

Why it matters: If the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.

Remedy

Kia will notify owners. For model year 2011 Sedona vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to verify the ACU part number and, if necessary, install an extension wire harness kit between the ACU Connector and the Vehicle Harness Connector. For all other affected vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to install the extension wire harness kit. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC165.

Owner notification: September 28, 2018 · Filing manufacturer: Kia Motors America

Component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Report received
March 31, 2017
Potential units
618,160campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.

Why it matters: Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.

Owner notification: June 20, 2017 · Filing manufacturer: Kia Motors America

02 / COMPONENT BREADTH

What defects are listed for the 2013 Kia Optima?

The most frequent component groups in 2013 Kia Optima campaign records are Fuel System, Gasoline (3), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (3), Engine And Engine Cooling (1), Air Bags (1), Engine (1); these counts describe filed campaigns rather than observed failure rates.
Fuel System, Gasoline3
Service Brakes, Hydraulic3
Engine And Engine Cooling1
Air Bags1
Engine1