My 2013 Kia optima has a safety hazard recall and I want to know why is Kia dragging its feet on a possible fire hazard on a hecu fuse.....seems like a simple fix... But I am [xxx] old and cannot drive my car and must park it outside in this cold weather.....please ntsb look into what is taking so long for a simple fuse replacement.....thank you information redacted pursuant to the freedom of…
2013 Kia Optima electrical problems
severe 130 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
130
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
4crashes
20fires
When does it fail?
Of the 130 electrical complaints filed for the 2013 Kia Optima, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 16 model years of Kia Optima we track for electrical problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 130.
Owners have filed 130 electrical 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.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Kia optima. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the eternal sault PCM system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The…
On or around Oct.15th 2023, My abs light, engine light, and all these other lights came on. So i got it home i got a recall notice in the mail that day saying to park my car away from structures and other vehicles. So i had it towed to a kia dealer here in town. they had it for a week. they said they performed a diagnostic on it and replaced the recall part to come get it. So i go get it i drive…
The car dealership i bought my kia from is fully aware of this safety recall, Should he have sold me the car with out telling me? Can I take this car back and get my money back?
Had electrical 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 electrical problem on the 2013 Kia Optima?
It's a meaningful issue. 130 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 53 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 60,000 and 110,000 miles, with the median around 85,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 60,000; a quarter make it past 110,000. 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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.