2013 Kia Optima: key fob or push-button start problems

Filed Jan 29, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · NM

I bought my 2013 Kia optima ex from a private seller about half a year ago. I've had a few problems here and there that we're easily diagnosed and fixed. The radiator, alternator, starter, battery, serpentine belt, headlights, tail lights, licence plate light, tires, cabin air filter, and keyless start key fob have all been replaced. I just recently got my key fob(OEM) programmed by a licensed mechanic. The next day the car was perfectly fine. Ran smoothly and had no problems at all. I parked it and went to bed. Next day I get up early and start the car to warm up before I take my kids to the bus stop for school. It was between 5-7 minutes later and I went outside to the car and smelled an overwhelmingly strong plastic/chemical burning type smell coming from the car. I got in and saw that the air conditioning was on low and i turned it off, thinking the smell was because it was cold and the air needed to be off to stop the smell... I drove my son to the bus stop one block away and there was no dash light on but the smell was still there so I turned the car off and we got out of the car. After the bus got my son, I got in the car and could still smell the burning smell but tried to start it to take it home and the dash lights came on like normal then all turned off except the check engine light, oil light, battery light, key light, eps light. The car made one click noise under the hood and did not start or make any noises indicating an attempt to start. The key light the turned off but the oil, battery, engine lights remained. I turned the car back off and downloaded an app called justask to ask a mechanic about the problem and he said to call the master lube where I had gotten an oil change a few weeks prior and ask them what to do because of the oil light being on and the possibility that they overfilled it which could cause problems.i called. the oil was fine, no leaks, he has no idea why it isn't starting. So I call the mechanic. No idea what is wrong still....

Filed Jul 13, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 74,000 miles · SD

When attempting to start my vehicle everything turned on in the car except the car itself. Brake pedal was stiff and nothing would turn the engine on. It took over 10 minutes and was finally able to get the vehicle to fire. Has happened twice today 7/13/19. The vehicle is a push button start with battery charge of 95% and new batteries in the fob.

Filed Apr 3, 2019 · Airbags, Body · 79,000 miles · MA · fire

I was driving from woburn ma on new boston road headed to wilmington ma and my car seemed to shut down I was able to pull over off the street next to a curb location 147 new boston rd. I tried to start my car pressing the push button start only lights came on on the oil has engine battery... While still sitting in the car I was trying to make some calls I smelled a burning smell I noticed smoke coming from the front of the car. The smoke increased rapidly I exited the car called 911. While waiting for help to arrive I grabbed some items from the glove box and back seat the front of the car at that point flames were coming from under the hood the flames escalated to pop the hood a large fire had ignighted from the engine area the fire department put out the fire. A tow truck towed the car away.

Filed Nov 9, 2018 · Electrical · 87,000 miles · OH

I thought my key fob stopped working I took it to the dealership had it tested and they said it was fine. They said it had to be the wiring in my car for my alarm system. About 4 months ago I was going to get into my car. I put my key in the dot unlocked it pulled my door open and my car alarm started going off. I tried everything possible to get it to turn off. Finally after about 3 minutes it just stopped. Never happen again until a week ago. Same scenario. Then 2 days ago same scenario. I'm read online it's a common issue people have and I'm wondering if it's related to the car fire thing and wires shorting out.

Filed Aug 30, 2018 · Brakes, Transmission · 99,918 miles · TN

August 21, 2018, we had the car towed to gossett kia motors (dealership) because it would not start.. The car has a push button start, whenever we tried to start the car by pressing the start button and pushing down on the brake pedal the car would not start. The dealership was unable to find a problem because the car would start for them. We drove the car home the same day. On the night of august 22, 2018, the car would not start, same as described above. On august 23, 2018, we had the car towed to the dealership and it was repaired and returned to us august 25, 2018. Today, august 30, 2018, the car did not start and exhibited the same problem as the previous two times. We will have the car towed to the dealership at their convenience. Luckily for us, each time the car did not start it was parked in our driveway. Special note, on august 2, 2018, we took the car to the dealership for brake repair work. Additionally, one of the tow truck drivers stated he towed several kia optima's with the same described problem.

Filed Jun 7, 2018 · Electrical · 42,000 miles · GA

My problem has occurred 5 separate times. My car won't crank after sitting anywhere from 2 minutes to all night. I stop and park my car, put gear in park and press the button to stop the engine. When I try to get back in if my door is locked, sometimes I can't get in with my key fob. I have to open the hood, charge the battery and then the key fob works. If my car is not locked, I get in and no lights come on, pressing the start engine button does absolutely nothing. I cannot operate any part of the car, trunk, lights, seats, windows, it is all dead. There is nothing wrong with my battery. Why is this now happening? I have around 42,000 miles and I have a kia optima 2013 with all bells and whistles. I love my car but as a widow, I don't want to get stranded somewhere with a dead battery / engine. What could possibly be the problem. I have been reading that a lot of other owners are having the same problems. What do we need to do? The dealerships just charge exorbitant amounts of money and the problems still are fixed. Should there not be a recall on problem, especially since it is an electrical issue?