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.
2013 Kia Optima Hybrid: ABS light or ABS activating
5 of the 56 complaints about the 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid describe ABS light or ABS activating.
- owner complaints
- 5
- of this car's complaints
- 9%
- typical mileage
- 100,200
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 2 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
ABS light or ABS activating by model year
- 20141
- 20135
- 20122
What owners say
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle lost power and the brake pedal was pumped to slow the vehicle as needed. Additionally, the "Hybrid System Warning! Safely Stop and Do Not Drive" and "Check Brake" messages were displayed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the ABS system had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact linked the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) after the recall repair was performed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the ABS and engine warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that the failure was not related to the repair of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 43,494.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. During the failure, the check engine, ABS, service vehicle, and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the warning message "Hybrid System Failure" message was displayed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,200.
To whom it concerns, I have a great safety concern related to the optima 2013 hybrid braking system. I am not sure if the behavior I am going to describe is typical or defective. When traveling at speed, with the cruise set, I find that any sudden and hard hit to the brakes will activate some type of automatic braking system. The braking system feels like ABS and sounds very mechanical however the braking system does not deactivate after I remove my foot from the brake. The system continues to automatically reduces the car to a nearly complete stop (less than 15mph) without me having my foot on the brake. This has occurred multiple times, the most recent was 4/10/14. Earlier today I was traveling 50 MPH on the highway, with the cruise set, when it appeared a person was going to walk into the highway. I hit the brakes hard to avoid the pedestrian, who eventually did not enter the road. The situation was not worthy of coming to a complete stop however the automatic braking system I described above activated. I removed my foot from the brake but the braking system continued to bring the car to a speed less than 15 MPH. The vehicles behind me, understandably, had to slam on their brakes to avoid me as I could not speed back up until the system resumed to normal operation. Please let me know if this is typical operation or a potential defect. I feel this could be life threatening. Should I have to hit my brakes and this system activates, I could be severely rear-ended. Thank you.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
- What is wrong
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
- Risk
- An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
Recall number 23V652000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid abs
Is ABS light or ABS activating a common problem on the 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid?
5 of 56 owner complaints about the 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid (9%) mention ABS light or ABS activating. The model year with the most reports is 2013.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid?
There is 1 recall and 2 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid
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