2013 KIA Optima Fuel/propulsion System Problems
Owners have filed 94 complaints with NHTSA about fuel/propulsion system problems on the 2013 KIA Optima, 7% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 80,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “pressure fuel” (14% of reports).
- 94fuel/propulsion system complaints
- 80,000median miles at failure
- 1mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- 61%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Pressure fuel: mentioned in 13 of 94 complaints (14%)
- Like gas: mentioned in 5 of 94 complaints (5%)
- Make model: mentioned in 5 of 94 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do fuel/propulsion system problems happen?
Based on 44 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 94 complaints, 1 mention a crash, 10 a fire.
KIA Optima fuel/propulsion system complaints by model year
| Model year | Fuel/propulsion System complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Optima | 12 | 8% | — |
| 2019 Optima | 17 | 8% | — |
| 2018 Optima | 13 | 6% | 68,000 |
| 2017 Optima | 20 | 8% | 81,000 |
| 2016 Optima | 53 | 7% | 72,708 |
| 2015 Optima | 46 | 5% | 90,000 |
| 2014 Optima | 42 | 7% | 77,500 |
| 2013 Optima | 94 | 7% | 80,000 |
| 2012 Optima | 42 | 5% | 80,000 |
| 2011 Optima | 23 | 4% | 89,843 |
| 2010 Optima | 1 | 1% | 118,000 |
| 2009 Optima | 1 | 1% | 140,000 |
| 2008 Optima | 3 | 2% | 160,000 |
| 2007 Optima | 2 | 1% | 124,000 |
| 2006 Optima | 5 | 3% | 81,481 |
| 2005 Optima | 1 | 1% | 97,000 |
| 2004 Optima | 1 | 0% | 62,000 |
| 2003 Optima | 3 | 2% | 108,000 |
| 2002 Optima | 2 | 2% | 94,049 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (0)
No safety recall lists fuel/propulsion system for the 2013 KIA Optima. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Despite documenting this catastrophic internal mechanical destruction, the authorized franchise dealer has issued a written directive instructing the driver to operate this structurally compromised vehicle on public roads for a 1,000-mile oil consumption test with explicit instructions not to add…
Gas smell from under the hood. When taken to the dealership it was diagnosed as the high pressure fuel line. NOTE: The high and low fuel lines have recalls that impact this vehicle make, model, and year BUT not this VIN.
On July 14, 2026, the vehicle's engine was replaced by an authorized dealership under an official Kia recall. On August 16, 2026, while driving on the highway, heavy smoke suddenly began emitting from the engine compartment. When attempting to slow down, the braking system suffered a total loss of…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2013 KIA Optimas have fuel/propulsion system problems?
No. NHTSA has 94 owner complaints about fuel/propulsion system for the 2013 KIA Optima (7% of the 1,386 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2013 KIA Optima fuel/propulsion system?
No recall currently lists fuel/propulsion system for this vehicle.
At what mileage do fuel/propulsion system problems start?
The median reported mileage is 80,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about fuel/propulsion system problems on the 2013 KIA Optima?
The most frequent phrase is “pressure fuel”, in 13 of 94 complaints, followed by “like gas” (5).
Other 2013 KIA Optima problems
- Engine problems (613)
- Steering problems (213)
- Electrical System problems (146)
- Structure problems (127)
- Power Train problems (64)
- Air Bags problems (62)
- Service Brakes problems (59)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (53)
See all 2013 KIA Optima problems or fuel/propulsion system problems across all Optima years.