When I was driving all the lights came on on the dashboard and I couldn't accelerate at all then it cut off and haven't been able to jump it off or anything! We've looked to see if we could find out why but it's just died and I think the motor locked up!
2013 Kia Optima cruise control problems
severe 25 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
25
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
1crash
1fire
1injury
What stands out
Of the 13 model years of Kia Optima we track for cruise control problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 25.
Owners have filed 25 cruise control complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2013 Optima has recurring complaints of engine stalling, loss of power, and brake failures that dealers claim to be design or cannot replicate—not isolated incidents. Aggressive traction control can cut power dangerously during normal acceleration; budget for potential engine work and verify any dealer software updates were fully applied.
Owners of the 2013 Kia Optima report multiple engine and powertrain failures. Engine stalling occurs at stop lights, during acceleration, and on highways without warning, sometimes with check engine lights and engine knocking. Several report the engine dies and won't restart. Dashboard lights illuminate before or during these events, and in at least two cases, brakes become unresponsive when the engine stalls—a serious safety hazard.
Unintended acceleration is reported at traffic lights with the engine revving to 7000 RPM or the vehicle surging forward despite the brake pedal being pressed. One owner reports launching into a building while pulling into a parking space.
Traction control triggers too aggressively, cutting power by up to 95% during minor wheel slip or small bumps while accelerating—creating dangerous situations on highways and busy roads. Owners note this differs sharply from normal traction control in other vehicles. One owner found relief by disabling traction control entirely.
Engine performance issues include rough running, loud knocking with visible motor shaking at idle, and rich fuel mixture producing strong gasoline smell in the cabin. One owner reports significantly worsened fuel economy and fumes prominent near the exhaust outlet.
Vehicle speed limitation occurs suddenly, capping speed at 20–30 mph with all warning lights on. Sensor failures are documented (vehicle speed sensor, turbo boost position sensor circuit). Kia dealers typically claim the car is fine or driving behavior is normal, and are often unable to replicate intermittent failures.
Same Kia Optima cruise control reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended acceleration
Engine accelerates without driver input, sometimes while vehicle is stopped or at traffic light. Reported as sudden surge to high RPM or forward motion while foot is on brake or at idle.
When: Occurs at stop lights, while stopped, or during normal driving; mostly at low speeds under 20 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revs to 7000 RPM without driver input; Vehicle surges forward with foot on brake; Vehicle accelerates on its own after releasing gas pedal; Engine accelerates then decelerates at highway speeds
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers unable to replicate issue; no repairs completed
Loss of power / limp mode with traction control engagement
Vehicle loses 90%+ of engine power when traction control activates, typically triggered by slight wheel slip during acceleration or bumps. Car comes to rolling stop, making highway merging and acceleration dangerous.
When: When accelerating onto highway, pulling from stop on wet/slippery surfaces, or going over small bumps while accelerating
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of 95% power when traction control kicks in; Car comes to rolling stop during acceleration; Inability to safely merge onto busy highway; Sluggish acceleration with hard time reaching speed limit; Power loss when tires slip slightly
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported replacement of hydraulic ABS assist module and ECU reprogramming under warranty cost approximately $1600 for part plus $900 labor; part number 58920-2T550
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers claim this is normal designed behavior; multiple forums report same issue
Engine stalling while driving or at idle
Engine stalls intermittently while driving at various speeds, at stop lights, or during acceleration. Often accompanied by loss of power, engine knocking, or grinding noise. Restarting sometimes restores normal function.
When: At stop lights, during slow acceleration, on highway at 65-70 mph, when turning or pulling out; mostly under 100,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls and quits; Loss of power while accelerating; Engine knocking and shaking at idle; Grinding noise when attempting acceleration; Check engine light illuminates before stall; All dashboard lights come on; Engine won't restart after stall
Codes mentioned: Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership software upgrade related to 2.4L GDI engine recall performed but did not resolve issue; mechanic indicated possible need for engine replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Software upgrade for 2.4L GDI engine recall applied; dealers state engine test passed despite ongoing symptoms
Brake system failure / loss of braking
Brake pedal becomes unresponsive or brakes fail completely during engine stall events or power loss conditions. Owners unable to slow or stop vehicle during safety-critical moments.
When: When engine stalls while driving, during hill holding function failure, or simultaneous with loss of power
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal unresponsive; Unable to apply brakes during stall; Brakes fail when engine dies; Smoking from dash and engine during stall with brake failure
Excessive fuel consumption and gasoline smell
Engine runs rich with strong gasoline smell throughout cabin and at exhaust outlet, accompanied by significantly worse fuel economy. Owners report strong fumes especially when accelerating.
When: Intermittent, most noticeable on startup and during acceleration
Symptoms owners cite: Strong gasoline odor in cabin on startup; Odor worsens on acceleration; Fumes more prominent toward rear/exhaust; Greatly worsened fuel economy; Burning through fuel at fast pace; No visible fuel leak
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia dealership declined to run diagnostic without $129 fee; stated no gasoline smell was detected but did not test drive vehicle
Speed limitation / governor activation (limp mode)
Vehicle enters reduced-speed mode limiting maximum speed to 20-30 mph, with all warning lights illuminated. Occurs suddenly during normal highway driving, making vehicle unable to maintain traffic speed.
When: While driving on expressway at 60+ mph
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle speed limited to 30 mph maximum; Cannot accelerate above 20-30 mph; All dashboard lights illuminate; Grinding noise during speed limitation
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer inspection found vehicle fine but issue recurs; owners paid $145 for diagnostic
Traction control sensitivity causing false activation
Traction/skid control system overly aggressive, cutting engine power excessively in response to minor wheel slip or terrain changes. Differs from normal traction control behavior in other vehicles.
When: When accelerating from stop, on wet roads, over small bumps, or merging onto highway
Symptoms owners cite: TCS engages excessively during normal acceleration; Power reduction out of proportion to wheel slip; Car loses 95% power from minor traction event; Traction control light activation
Repairs/costs cited: Some owners disable traction control to safely accelerate
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers state this is designed behavior
Engine knock and excessive motor vibration
Engine knocks loudly with severe vibration felt throughout vehicle, especially at idle. Often accompanied by stalling and rich-running condition.
When: During idle, at stop lights, during stall events
Symptoms owners cite: Loud motor knock; Entire motor shaking noticeably; Vibration felt while driving; Most noticeable at idle
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership software upgrade for 2.4L GDI engine applied; mechanic stated engine test passed but may need replacement
Sensor/electrical failures causing power loss
Vehicle speed sensor failure, turbo boost position sensor circuit failure, and other electrical/sensor issues cause loss of power, acceleration failures, and inability to operate.
When: Various; one case noted at 76,678 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Gears fail to shift; Engine warning light illuminates; Sudden loss of power; Failed acceleration response; Turbo boost sensor circuit fault
Codes mentioned: Vehicle speed sensor failure, Turbo boost position sensor circuit
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in some cases but vehicle not repaired; dealers unable to replicate intermittent failures
Synthesized from 25 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had cruise control trouble with your 2013 Kia Optima?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2013 Kia Optima?
It's a meaningful issue. 25 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 19 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 18,000 and 124,978 miles, with the median around 49,786. A quarter of owners report trouble before 18,000; a quarter make it past 124,978. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Kia/Optima.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.