61 of the
1,885 complaints about the 2013 KIA Optima are about the
airbag system — 3% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
86,400 miles.
The vehicle is experiencing sudden engine stalling while in motion, a known safety hazard. Despite a documented maintenance history with no issues, the dealer (Bayside Kia) is attempting to deny a Theta II Settlement claim by shifting the narrative to 'engine sludge,' which only appeared as a symptom in June 2025( Walmart oil change) alongside engine performance issues. The vehicle has active codes P0014 and P0017, which are secondary symptoms of the internal bearing wear and metallic debris contaminating the oiling system. KDS Diagnostic tests showed Cylinder 1 at 0.16mm (approaching the 0.20mm failure limit). This clearance proves the connecting rod bearings are worn and reaching the failure threshold; this mechanical wear is the root cause of the engine's inability to operate safely. The presence of metallic debris in the oil is the definitive signature of the Theta II manufacturing defect. Furthermore, the dealer acted in bad faith by attempting to charge for Airbag repairs (Codes B1346/B1481) that are covered under the 15-year Clock Spring Warranty Extension (CS1102). The dealer has dismissed my qualifying maintenance documents, claiming they are 'not official,' which is a direct violation of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. A manufacturer cannot deny a warranty claim because services were performed at third-party facilities, nor can they deny a claim without proving 'exceptional neglect.' I am reporting a refusal to honor a court-ordered safety settlement and an attempt to return an unsafe, stalling vehicle to the road.There is no evidence of engine abandonment or exceptional neglect. I’m considered "in compliance" if I can show I didn't go more than 14 months without servicing or a certain mileage between oil changes.The dealer's dismissal of verified third-party receipts and bank statements is a bad-faith attempt to ignore an inherent manufacturing defect documented by a 0.16mm BCT result and metallic debris.
NHTSA complaint #11736691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Walker, LA
AIR BAGS
As in May 2025 , I purchased 2013 Kia Optima LX sedan with airbag already deployed before bought it. And in June 2025 I took my car to nearest Kia dealership , I found out that I had recalls over other things as well. I made Kia dealership to look at the airbag and do inspection on it. None of Kia employees did not informed me about the airbag, CARFAX information about previous incident to this car before I purchased.
NHTSA complaint #11720904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 107,000 milesValparaiso, IN
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH and attempting to make a right turn, the air bag deployed unexpectedly. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the clock spring and air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the issue would be escalated to the proper department. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.
NHTSA complaint #11719883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 107,000 milesValparaiso, IN
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH and attempting to make a right turn, the air bag deployed unexpectedly. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the clock spring and air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the issue would be escalated to the proper department. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.
NHTSA complaint #11719883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pueblo, COCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
I was in an accident on 10/18/24 where a person switched lanes and hit the front end of my vehicle. My airbags didn't deploy.
NHTSA complaint #11623159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Monroe, GA
AIR BAGS
Airbag warning light continuously on, a 2018 recall that was repaired by KIA dealership and seemingly recurring.
NHTSA complaint #11593304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bishopville, SC
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds or while parked, the electric windows, seats, sunroof, and radio failed to operate as needed. Additionally, when coolant was added to the coolant reservoir, the A/C unit blew warm air for 15 minutes before cooling down. The seat belt warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a car stereo store where it was diagnosed that the radio needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11586406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rhome, TXCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
I was rear ended hit so hard it smashed my whole back end in. None of my airbags deployed. We were hit hard into the center medium of the highway. Lucky no rigs were coming through. Other parties insurance totaled out my vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11582035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Athens, GA
AIR BAGS
airbag light wont go off
NHTSA complaint #11538148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hi hat, KY
AIR BAGS
Every since I purchased this car in 2013 I have had nothing but trouble out of it I have called the Kia company numberous times and they never respond all I asked them to do is replace the car I trusted in Kia I love my car but it is severely dangerous please help me before it gets me and my family hurt
NHTSA complaint #11536805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesRoyal Oak, MICrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, another vehicle t-boned her passenger's side. Only the passenger's side air bag deployed and exploded, causing the contact to sustain coughing spasms. Medical attention was received. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a police department lot. The vehicle was not deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and emailed the contact notification for NHTSA Campaign Number 22V560000 (Structure) associated with the VIN. The manufacturer also opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
NHTSA complaint #11506188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Powell, TN
AIR BAGS
Air bag light malfunction
NHTSA complaint #11492065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Camden, NCCrash1 killed
AIR BAGS
My son owned a Kia Optima built in June of 2013. He was in a motor vehicle accident where he was put in a pit maneuver and Then was T boned on the passengers side causing his body to lay across the front seats and died at the scene. His black box download showed that the seat belt pretensioner was off and both airbags in the front did not go off. I know there is a recall for optimas built before aug 31 of 2012. I believe there was an issue with this vehicle as well. I would hate for there to be anymore deaths or injuries with the later models of these vehicles. I do hope this is looked into further.
NHTSA complaint #11475153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
San Francisco, CA
AIR BAGS
My car has been having a check engine light on for over 9 months now and it cannot pass the smog test and when connected to the scanner it gives the code 0449 and B1347. I have tried to fix the EVap leak and the code still comes out and the airbag light is always on now.
NHTSA complaint #11471884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tuolumne, CA
AIR BAGS
My paint has been chipping really bad. Also I had a few recalls taken care of at modesto Kia once I got my vehicle back and drove it back home (about an hour and a half away) I started smelling something burning, I looked under the hood and couldn't find anything wrong so then a few days later I smelled the same thing but this time I heard a loud pop I got out and noticed my fog light had shattered, and the housing is completely burned. So now my fog lights won't work and I have to make sure the fog lights are turned off because I don't want there to be power going to the loose wires, the head lights get extremely hot to the touch the fog light got so hot it burned a hole through the bumper. Then about two weeks ago the airbag light turned on and it won't turn off, I did some research and found out that when the air bag light is on there is a huge chance the airbags won't deploy. I have a baby so I really hope that isn't the case, because if a hair on his head gets harmed because of Kia I will be suing.
NHTSA complaint #11461428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Azle, TX
AIR BAGS
I am terrified the car is going to catch fire. You can fully inspect if need be. Most of the electronics in my car malfunction, since the start of buying it, windows roll down but not up from front button, sometimes my sunroof will open randomly, or when going to close will just reopen, my seat buttons dont always work, etc. But the newest thing that is scaring me and doesnt seem to be just cosmetic like the other electronic things it my air bag light randomly coming on, my driver air bag light comes on and the moment it does my passenger air bag light turns OFF with nobody in the seat. So Driver airbag will NOT be deploying but my passenger one will, with nobody in the seat. On top of that it vibrates and rough idles so badly its actually randomly turned off in the morning when i first start it. I have had my engine replaced and upgraded, and my turbo replaced already. I'm scared its not safe. I have not taken it to the dealer, as when I call them they tell me they are booked out for MONTHS.
NHTSA complaint #11460023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,000 milesShelby, NCCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 10mph when the contact was struck by another vehicle which resulted in none of the airbags deploying. The contact sustained bruise sternum, bruised heart, and neck injury and sought medical treatment. There was a police report taken and the vehicle was towed to an insurance lot where it was diagnosed as destroyed. The manufacturer was informed of failure and was awaiting a response. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000. Consumer stated air bags did not deploy and seat belt was torn.
NHTSA complaint #11441468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesFort Collins, CO
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that after he purchased the vehicle from the dealer, he noticed that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer tried to repair the air bag failure however, they were unsuccessful and informed the contact that the vehicle did not need the air bags since it had seat belts and there were many vehicles on the road without air bags. The dealer also informed the contact that the vehicle was previously involved in a collision. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, Fort Collins Kia (2849 S College Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80525) and diagnosed that the air bag wirings were faulty and if the contact was involved in a crash, the air bags would not deploy. Fort Collins Kia (2849 S College Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80525) advised the contact to take the vehicle back to the original dealer since it was a safety failure, and to contact the NHTSA. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000.
NHTSA complaint #11418340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Massapequa, NY
AIR BAGS
MULTIPLE RECALLS ON CAR - BEEN HAVING SIGNIFICANT ISSUES FROM ELECTRICAL TO BREAKS.
NHTSA complaint #11397773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,000 milesHuntington Station, NY
AIR BAGS
TL* 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.
NHTSA complaint #11361985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesBelleville, IL
AIR BAGS
THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND HORN AND STEERING WHEEL BUTTONS DON'T WORK
NHTSA complaint #11351727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philadelphia, PA
AIR BAGS
MY AIR BAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO OUT, SO I TOOK CAR TO MECHANIC AND HE REPLACED CLOCK SPRING AND AIR BAG LIGHT STILL ON. SO LOOKED UP RECALLS FOR KIA 2013 AND I SEE AIR BAG DEFAULT AND I CALLED KIA AND WAS TOLD EVEN THAT WAS A PROBLEM FOR SOME KIA 2013 MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED BECAUSE OF MY VIN. I WENT BACK TO MECHANIC AND HE STATED THAT IT WAS AN AIR BAG ISSUE WITH KIA AND SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BECAUSE IT IS SAME ISSUE THEY RECALLED KIA OPTIMA 2013 REGARDLESS OF VIN IT IS WITHIN THE YEAR OF RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #11351718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hickory, NC
AIR BAGS
HORN DOSEN'T BLOW OR NOTHING WORKS ON STEERING WHEEL
NHTSA complaint #11318724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Virginia Beach, VA
AIR BAGS
PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT SENSOR R/F SEAT CUSHION THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON CAR WAS NOT IN MOTION
NHTSA complaint #11286610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,500 milesGuttenberg, IA
AIR BAGS
I HAVE OWNED MY VEHICLE FOR 3 YEARS. MY AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT HAS COME ON FIR I THE 2ND TIME. I SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY ARE SHOWING NO DESIRE TO LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM WITHOUT THE BEING A SIZABLE EXPENSE TO MYSELF. ALSO MY BACK UP CAMERA IS SHOWING SIGNS OF CONNECTION ISSUES. BOTH I FEEL ARE A SSFETY CONCERN OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11268651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Quincy, MA
AIR BAGS
CLOCK SPRING IN STEERING WHEEL BROKE. HAS BEEN LIKE THIS FOR YEAR.
NHTSA complaint #11266953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 66,000 milesAnaheim Hills, CA
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE HORN FAILED TO SOUND. KIA OF IRVINE (LOCATED AT 45 OLDFIELD, IRVINE, CA 92618, 949-612-9514) WAS CALLED AND STATED THAT THE FAILURES WERE NOT COVERED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V363000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
NHTSA complaint #11255095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,500 milesByron, GACrash
AIR BAGS
MY DAUGHTER REAR ENDED ANOTHER CAR. HER AIR BAGS DID NO DEPLOY AND HER SEAT BELT DIDN'T LOCK. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS HURT.
NHTSA complaint #11244694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 139,372 milesCarrollton, TX
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO CLASSIC KIA CARROLLTON (2920 N INTERSTATE 35E, CARROLLTON, TX 75007, (866) 559-8140) TO BE REPAIRED PER UNKNOWN RECALLS REGARDING THE ENGINE AND AIR BAGS. THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR 85 DAYS, BUT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SRS MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $854. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE DEALER WAS DISHONEST AND DID NOT TELL HER ABOUT THE SRS MODULE AT THE TIME OF THE INITIAL REPAIR. THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE SRS MODULE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE AIR BAG RECALL. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE DEALER AND FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF PEOPLE BRINGING THEIR VEHICLES IN FOR RECALL REPAIRS AND EXPERIENCED OTHER ISSUES AFTERWARDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND AGREED WITH THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,372.
NHTSA complaint #11244232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 83,585 milesHerndon, VA
AIR BAGS
CAR STOPPED WORKING MOTOR MAKING LOUD POPPING SOUNDS AND STOPPED ON ME..THERE WAS NO INDICATION OR WARNINGS..
NHTSA complaint #11230295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.