TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: HIGH-VOLTAGE BATTERY SAFETY PLUG FUSE INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides information associated with the "Hybrid System Warranty Extension Program" (WTY029) to inspect and, if necessary, replace the High Voltage Battery (HVB) Safety Plug Fuse Assembly or Main Fuse on 2013-2016MY Optima Hybrid (TF HEV) vehicles produced from September 27, 2012 through July 22, 2015.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Kia Optima fuel system problems
severe Owners of the 2013 Kia Optima have filed 23 NHTSA complaints about the fuel system, typically surfacing around 91,000 miles at roughly $1,200 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See fuel system across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
23
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,200
| Model year | fuel system complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Optima | 12 |
| 2013 Optima (this page) | 23 |
| 2015 Optima | 9 |
| 2016 Optima | 8 |
2fires
1injury
What stands out
Of the 6 model years of Kia Optima we track for fuel system problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 23.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering fuel system on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: COMBINATION TSB / SERVICE ACTION: AIR FILTER AND NVLD REPLACEMENT (SA447) - This bulletin provides the procedure to perform an evaporative leak test and replace the Fuel Tank Air Filter, and, if necessary, the Natural Vacuum Leak Detector (NVLD) on some 11-16MY Kia vehicles listed in the table below, which may experience an evaporative leak concern with DTC P0456.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: SPECIAL SERVICE INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS FOR GDI HIGH PRESSURE FUEL SYSTEM - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides information relating to all Kia vehicles equipped with Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engines. In these engines highly pressurized gasoline is injected via a common fuel rail and injectors that deliver fuel directly into the combustion chamber of each cylinder. In comparison, in a conventional Multi-Point Fuel Injection (MPI) engine, the gasoline is injected into the intake port of each cylinder at a relatively low pressure. Due to high fuel pressure in a GDI system, servicing the GDI system requires special attention
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB - SERVICE ACTION: TURBO OIL FEED LINE REPLACEMENT (SA300) - This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the turbo oil feed line on some 2011-2015MY Optima (TF), produced from November 1, 2010 through August 30, 2011, 2012-2015MY Optima (QF), produced from August 31, 2011 through October 2, 2015, and 2011-2015MY Sportage (SL) vehicles, produced from December 30, 2010 through November 6, 2015, equipped with Theta 2.0T-GDI engine, which may exhibit an oil leak at the turbo oil feed line.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗PIT STOP: GDI INJECTOR SPRAY TIP DEPOSITS - A design feature of vehicles equipped with a Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) system is the placement of each fuel injector directly into the engine cylinder head assembly. Therefore, it is completely normal for the combustion process to create deposits on the injector spray tip surfaces.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2013 Kia Optima's fuel system shows a clear pattern of rupturing fuel lines and tubing, leading to substantial gasoline leaks that have caused two confirmed vehicle fires while parked and while driving. Owners also report fuel odor inside the cabin, inability to refuel the vehicle (fuel backs up and spills), and engine stalls without warning at highway speeds. One stall at 30 mph left the owner stranded and required engine replacement. Accelerator pedal sticking has been reported at lower speeds, with one owner experiencing it repeatedly after traffic lights.
Kia issued multiple recalls (20V100000, 22V093000, 18V907000) to address fuel system and engine issues, but owners cannot get the work completed because the manufacturer has failed to make repair parts available for extended periods—sometimes months. Dealers confirm parts are backordered or unavailable. One owner waited a month at the dealership with a leaking fuel tank while parts sat unavailable. Kia advised one owner to park the vehicle in a cool location to prevent failure while waiting, and offered one-time courtesy repairs that could not be fulfilled due to parts shortages.
Same Kia Optima fuel system reports on nearby years: 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Fuel line rupture / cracking
Fuel delivery lines crack or rupture, allowing gasoline to escape from the fuel system and pool under the vehicle or on engine components.
When: Reported between 64,000 and 190,000 miles; failures occurred while parked and while driving
Symptoms owners cite: Strong fuel odor in cabin or outside vehicle; Visible gasoline leaking from fuel tank or lines; Smoke or flames from under vehicle or engine bay
Repairs/costs cited: Fractured fuel tube requires replacement; parts sourced from dealer or independent mechanic. One owner cited parts on backorder despite manufacturer offering courtesy repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 20V100000 and 22V093000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); parts availability severely delayed or unavailable for extended periods, preventing repairs from completion
Engine stalling with loss of motive power
Vehicle loses power without warning while driving and will not restart, requiring towing. Cause linked to fuel system and engine issues.
When: Reported at 130,000 and 145,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of engine power while driving; Vehicle stalls and fails to restart; Fuel odor present before stalling event
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement recommended by dealers; vehicle not repaired. One failure involved fuel leak in addition to stalling.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and 20V100000 and 18V907000 (Fuel System, Gasoline)
Fuel filler neck obstruction / fuel cannot enter tank
Fuel refuses to flow into the tank during refueling; instead, it bubbles up and spills back out onto the ground.
When: Reported at 75,000 miles during refueling attempt
Symptoms owners cite: Gasoline bubbling and leaking out of fuel filler neck during refueling; Fuel gauge malfunction (displayed half tank when not actually full)
Repairs/costs cited: Not diagnosed or repaired by owner
Accelerator pedal sticking / failure to accelerate
Accelerator pedal becomes unresponsive or sticks, requiring multiple depressions to engage engine acceleration or causing complete acceleration failure.
When: Reported at 111,000 miles and ongoing at unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Accelerator pedal does not respond to depression; Pedal sticks and requires multiple attempts to depress; Check engine warning light illuminated (one case); Occurs after stops at lights or signs
Repairs/costs cited: Not diagnosed or repaired; one owner planning dealer visit
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 20V100000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) issued; unclear if this addresses accelerator symptoms
Delayed recall parts availability
Owners received recall notifications but parts required to perform the safety repairs remained unavailable for extended periods, sometimes a month or longer, preventing completion of recall work.
When: Ongoing delays across multiple model years of ownership; some cases over one month; manufacturer stated to have exceeded reasonable repair timeframe
Symptoms owners cite: Recall parts on backorder at dealerships; Dealer unable to schedule recall appointments for several months; Fuel odor present while awaiting parts
Repairs/costs cited: Kia advised owners to keep vehicle in cool location to prevent failure while parts unavailable. Owners reported one-time courtesy repair offered but parts not deliverable.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 20V100000, 22V093000, and 22V560000 issued; manufacturer acknowledged parts distribution disconnect but repairs not completed
Synthesized from 23 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had fuel system 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 fuel system problem on the 2013 Kia Optima?
It's a meaningful issue. 23 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,200.
At what mileage does the fuel system typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most fuel system failures cluster between 75,000 and 137,000 miles, with the median around 91,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 75,000; a quarter make it past 137,000. 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 $1,200 for fuel system 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 fuel system?
No active recalls currently cover fuel system 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.