Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Hybrid battery system warning - Pull over -Do Not Drive" was displayed, prompting the contact to pull over and discontinue driving the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The ABS and TPMS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 146,000.
I took my car to riverchase Kia to get a battery and to get the battery installed I have the invoice I was charged $762 and he also told me that he was doing some recalls on wiring and he told me he completed it well recently I was driving and the brakes gave out on me he was supposed to do a recall job on the he cu but he only put a fuse in and press complete on your system to let you all know that he completed the job but he did not complete the job he patched it up and I almost lost my life the Brits gave out on me I pressed the brakes down to the floor I pressed the the parking brake and I put the car in park while driving because it lost power of breaking and a warning came up popped up and it said it's a safety race warning do not drive do not drive no brakes do not drive and I almost ran into a building finally the car out down and I was able to stop but I can't drive the car …
Based on reading some service forms, it seems it may be the hydraulic booster, causing the issue. In order for them to take a look at the brakes system. I was charged a upfront diagnostics fee of $316. While driving warning light comes on " Check brake system " then the car slows down to 10mph immediately. While pressing on the brakes they squeaking, very badly. I have to turn the car off and back on until the flashing " Check brake system" turns off. This happens every 5 to 10 minutes while driving multiple times a day, everyday. This could have caused an accident on multiple occasions. When the warning light comes on, the car immediately goes down to 10mph making it impossible to pullover in time. The car is currently at the dealership for inspection, they're the only ones that i had inspect the car. …
I googled and a recall # SC200TE showed it was uncompleted. I called Holly Kia in Felton, Delaware, and they informed me my title is "branded" and therefore not covered under recalls. Then i google the recall again and now its gone.
Vehicle surged forward while in motion to park in a parking space. Brakes failed to stop vehicle from a very slow speed of 5-10 MPH approximately. Has done this on occasion at highway speed a sudden surge so a braking would relieve problem.
I was coming home from work Monday and a very heavy rain storm was coming down. As I pulled into my driveway, I set my Kia in park and attempted to turn off the vehicle by pressing the power button. The response I got was that the vehicle was not in the "p" park position, although it was in that shifted position. I press the power button again and it turns on the lights inside the car rather than turn them off. I have to try several times before a successful attempt at just turning off my car. Turning it on is no problem, its just turning it off that is causing distressing. It is very difficult to fill up your car with gas when you cannot even turn it off. This is a really serious problem that needs to be resolved immediately! From the other complaints I've read, a common theme about water interfering with the electrical system is a common trend.
When we take the car to car wash and some time go over a puddle of water , if the car is on move , it will shut itself and I had to stop the car restart the car . If the car comes out of car wash and be turn , it will not start until 4 to 5 hours later . Error we get " key is not recognize" I took my car to Kia dealer in irvine , and they told me do not take the car to car wash . I call customer service for Kia and they said the Hybrid car is not design for car wash. This is a problem , what happen in a heavy rain in the highway . Does somebody need to die that company look at this issue ? This is my second complain and third time I am stranded in street because of this issue. I was luck that I was in the street in 91 expressway .
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid. While driving approximately 3 MPH, the vehicle stalled and "Hybrid failure" appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to Kia store east (7301 new la grange road, louisville, kentucky 40222, [phone]) where the relay and ECU battery were replaced, but the failure recurred. While driving 25 MPH, a faulty fuse blew out within the Hybrid motor. An independent mechanic replaced the relay with an increased voltage from 125 amps [watts] to 150 amps [watts]. The failure was remedied. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid. While driving 45 MPH, the contact noticed that the check charging system warning indicator illuminated. While attempting to maneuver the vehicle to the side of the road, it completely shut off. The vehicle was towed to earnhardt Kia (2121 e bell rd, phoenix, az 85022, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that there was electrical failure; however, the specifics were unknown. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.
From a stop at a light or intersection, over seven (7) times the car has jolted forward and stopped abruptly, losing most power to the motor at that point. Audible alarms ring and the dashboard has read both "Hybrid system warning! Immediately stop and do not drive" and "check charging system". This has happened during left turns with oncoming traffic that then has to slow as I slowly creep out of the intersection.
NHTSA investigations
Non-crash Vehicle Fires
During this Preliminary Evaluation (PE), the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) assessed the scope, frequency and potential safety-related consequences of non-crash vehicle fires caused by both engine failures and failures of other vehicle systems/components in model year (MY) 2011-2014 Kia Optima, MY 2011-2014 Kia Sorento and MY 2010-2015 Kia Soul vehicles equipped with Theta II, Gamma, Nu and Lambda II engines…
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles.
Non-crash Vehicle Fires
In a letter dated June 11, 2018, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a safety defect investigation into non-collision related fires on model year (MY) 2011-2014 Kia Optima and Sorento, and Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe vehicles. In a letter dated July 24, 2018, CAS requested that MY 2010-2015 Kia Soul vehicles be added to the petition.
Electrical complaints in other Optima Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the electrical system of the 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid, 38% of the model year's 55 complaints. The component named most often is propulsion system › hybrid management (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 51,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.