Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Kia Optima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While driving my KIA Optima on the interstate the rear subframe suffered catastrophic structural failure, resulting in the steering wheel going out of alignment, the rear passenger side wheel tilting with the bottom of the tire being far out compared to the top. This resulted in the rear of the vehicle swaying side to side and being difficult to maintain in a straight path. This vehicle was previously serviced under KIA Campaign SC141 (internal subframe corrosion) at Griffin KIA on April 27, 2017. Despite this safety remedy being performed the subframe rotted through and snapped. This is a remedy failure. The anti-corrosion was applied by the manufacturer failed to prevent the exact structural failure it was designed to mitigate. I have physical evidence (Repair Order #92144) proving the remedy was performed and photographic/video evidence of the subsequent structural break. …
On August 17th , 2017 after making a broken u turn, I drove my 2013 Kia Optima onto a road at a high rate of speed, to flow into traffic, and hit a curb that I believed I was clear of. I suffered whiplash and severe pain from my accelerator foot up to my shoulders as both hands were on the steering wheel. I have had to take off many days to rest since then. After a visit to the dealer where I reported the accident, the rep suggested that the car should have a front camera. After the accident I began to hear and feel noise and excessive play in the steering wheel, and took the car to my mechanic who discovered the faulty part, the flexible coupler and recommended I take it to the dealer to have the recalled part that caused accident replaced. …
We were traveling at around 55-60 miles an hour and were t-bones by a Chevy avalanche on the passenger side of the vehicle. I was in the front passenger seat and my husband swerved so the truck luckily started at my door and completely ripped and smashed in the back passenger door and back/ trunk of our Optima. Back wheel is completely turned out. Hit so hard it completely turned us in 2 circles and busted my front license plate and it hit absolutely nothing. I busted my head open and received 3 staples and knee shoved in dash but not 1 air bag in this vehicle deployed!! I have always owned a Kia!! I will no longer purchase a Kia because I do not feel safe!!
Having purchased the car on 12/11/14 my daughter did not have much experience driving the car.... On December 27 she "lost control" of the car, and ran into the wall on a busy highway in chicago. The accident occurred on a dry evening, and she emphatically states that she does not know how she lost control of the car, and that it was pulling to the left. The only rationale conclusion was that she might have had a tire blow out. That is, until a friend recommended I check the web, and check if others May have been or are experiencing the same thing. Although I had done my due diligence when researching the car e.g. Recalls, known problems, etc. Prior to purchasing this car, I did not check specifics such as steering. …
Steering ,hard to keep in lanes,loud hard ride. While test driving my 2013 Kia Optima I told my sales person that I was having trouble keeping keeping it on the road. He said that's b/c its a new car. It'll ease up. I thought it was loud & took smal bumps like a big pot holes. And the gas pedal & acceleration was wierd. He said bring it back & the service department will drive it & fix it. Don't worry. Well after several trips to the service department they said they could not emulate the problem. I asked them to let me drive with service person. Could not do. Break it in & it'll go away. Well at 11,000 miles took it back & complained . Same answer. Now 19,703 miles not only do I have the same problems .they got worse. In addition my paint scratches & chips so easy that there had to be something wrong with my paint. Back to service & body work they told me that was normal. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. While driving at approximately 30 MPH, a warning indicator illuminated, advising the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. The check engine warning indicator also illuminated. The contact had to turn the vehicle off and on in order for the indicators to turn off. In addition, while attempting to come to a stop, the vehicle shook and hesitated to stop appropriately. The contact took the vehicle to archer Kia (located at 11614 southwest fwy, houston, tx 77031, [phone]) where repairs were made to the hydraulics. The specific parts were not identified; however, the failure continued. The contact took the vehicle to joe meyers Kia (located at 16484 nw fwy, houston, tx 77040, [phone]) where the upper and lower control arms and ball joints were replaced; however, the failure recurred. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. When the contact shifted the gear into reverse, the vehicle failed to reverse. The gear shifter was then shifted into park, but failed to engage and the vehicle rolled backwards down an incline. The contact had to apply the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to glassman Kia (28000 telegraph rd, southfield, mi 48034, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the front passenger side axle drive shaft was corroded through and became detached. The drive shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty and offered no further assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.
After having work done on the last recall, I noticed there is a rattling near the steering wheel on every bump in the road I hit. It doesn't matter how big or small. The steering wheel shakes and the rattling has since then gotten louder and worse. I fear there is something loose either within the steering wheel and components or the bars underneath. I cannot seem to find exactly what it is but its on the front driver side of the car. It is only happening while the vehicle is in motion.
When I'm driving at any speed and on any surface driving over the slightest bump the steering wheel makes a clanking sound also the car is pulling to the right my front tires are wearing out on the upperoutside of the tire the part of tire that touches the road. I have looked on web to see if anyone else has had a issue with this what I found was that it May be the steering coupler. It's getting worse I'm afraid it's not going to turn one of these days because of what's going on.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that a warning light indicating that the hydraulic assembly power unit needed to be serviced. The contact took the vehicle to Kia of cerritos (18201 studebaker rd, cerritos, ca 90703; [phone]) and was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was 97,125.
Suspension complaints in other Optima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2013 Kia Optima?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the suspension of the 2013 Kia Optima, 2% of the model year's 1,386 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2013 Kia Optima suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension recall for the 2013 Kia Optima, though it has 9 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 30,000 miles, and 50% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to suspension 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.