NHTSA Complaint #11361608 — 2013 KIA OPTIMA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM issue reported to NHTSA

Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report

Complaint Details

ODI Number 11361608
Vehicle 2013 KIA OPTIMA
Component ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Date of Incident
Date Filed
Mileage 102,000 miles
Crash No
Fire No
Injuries 0
Deaths 0
Vehicle Towed No
State CO

Consumer Description

I WAS DRIVING ON A MAIN ROAD ABOUT 50 MILES AN HOUR WHEN CAR LOST ABILITY TO ACCELERATE, LIGHTS AND EVERYTHING WERE STILL ON. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A SIDE STREET TO PULL OVER AND PARK THE CAR. I SHUT IT OFF AND THEN WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART IT BLACK SMOKE WITH AN ELECTRICAL TYPE SMELL CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. KIA DEALERSHIP SAID MOTOR WAS SEIZED AND REPLACED IT UNDER A RECALL. THEN THEY SAID IT NEEDED FUEL PUMP AND BATTERY (WHICH BATTERY WAS ONLY 6 MONTHS OLD), SO I HAD BOTH REPLACED. I DROVE FOR 2 DAYS AND HAD TROUBLE STARTING THE CAR SO I TOOK BACK TO DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID IT NEEDED A STARTER AND AN ELECTRICAL ASSESSMENT FOR A SHORT, AS STARTER BEGAN SMOKING WITH THE VEHICLE NOT EVEN RUNNING. NOW THEY ARE SAYING IT NEEDS A NEW JUNCTION BOX/FUSE BOX OVER $2900 AND MAY HAVE BEEN RELATED TO OTHER PROBLEMS BUT NOT COVERED AND I WILL HAVE TO PAY. I HAVE ALREADY PAID $900+ DOLLARS FOR FUEL PUMP, I EXCHANGED THE BATTERY WHERE I ORIGINALLY BOUGHT IT, AND $493 FOR STARTER. I DONT UNDERSTAND WHY THE JUNCTION BOX WOULD RANDOMLY FAIL OR SHORT AND NEED REPLACEMENT, UNLESS IT WAS PART OF THE ORIGINAL BLACK SMOKE ELECTRICAL SMELL THAT HAPPENED WHEN ENGINE SEIZED IN THE FIRST PLACE.

Related Complaints for the 2013 KIA OPTIMA

Other ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Complaints

#11716358 My car suddenly caught fire in my driveway tonight 2/6/26 roughly around 9:40 PM. Fire department has been dispatched...
#11712399 I received a recall notice for my 2013 Kia Optima, VIN #: [XXX] related to engine issues and an increased risk of f...
#11705485 My 2013 Kia Optima caught fire while my [XXX] son and his friends were driving it. The car burnt up. Some truck driv...
#11700621 The computer modular or engine control module yes, it is available for inspection. I can be at risk because my lights...
#11699955 During a drive after startup, vehicle flashed the Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) error and put the car into limp mode....

Recent Complaints for the 2013 KIA OPTIMA

#11719465 ENGINE The contact owned a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle, the contact became aware of b...
#11719465 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC The contact owned a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle, the contact became aware of b...
#11716694 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC The contact owned a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while his niece was driving the vehicle at 65 MPH, a str...
#11716358 ENGINE My car suddenly caught fire in my driveway tonight 2/6/26 roughly around 9:40 PM. Fire department has been dispatched...
#11714274 ENGINE After getting the vehicle back from the auto shop for repair in the fuel injector because my car wasn't starting afte...
Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report