2013 Kia Optima: misfire or rough idle

Filed Apr 30, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · GA

Code : P1777 Transmission- oil pump A issue with the Valve cover gasket leaking into the engine causing a misfire. Making the car suddenly stop while driving which is very unsafe. I took the car to the dealership and they want to charge me for the repairs. I have 2 kia optima hybrid and both cars have the same issue around the same mileage. There were no warning lights during the time it was at the shop. I believe later down the line the engine will stall out and it should be fixed now while under warranty. However I received no help from the dealership unless I am willing to pay upfront. In addition to this there are electrical issues the front seats aren't moving immediately when the button is pressed. The steering wheel buttons barely work along with the radio. This is a huge problem that needs to be fixed.

Filed Sep 24, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · MA

On Sunday, September 21st, 2025, my 2013 Kia Optima EX suffered sudden catastrophic engine failure while driving on the highway. The check engine light was flashing, the car misfired badly, lost complete power, and became unsafe to operate. The vehicle was then towed to Wagner Kia of Shrewsbury, MA. On Monday, September 22nd, Kia diagnosed the engine with holes in the intake valves (Cylinder 3) and multiple misfire codes (P2191, P0272, P0301, P0304, P0172, P0303). The dealership documented that major engine repairs would be required, including two intake valves, two exhaust valves, valve cover gaskets, hraf bolts, two ignition coils, and a valve job. This sudden engine failure created an immediate safety risk of stalling or losing power while in motion, which could have led to an accident. Despite Kia’s history of Theta II engine recalls and settlements, my VIN is not included, leaving this major engine defect unaddressed. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate and consider expanding Kia’s existing engine recalls to cover this engine failure, as it represents a serious safety issue consistent with Kia’s documented engine problems.

Filed Apr 7, 2022 · Airbags · TX

I am terrified the car is going to catch fire. You can fully inspect if need be. Most of the electronics in my car malfunction, since the start of buying it, windows roll down but not up from front button, sometimes my sunroof will open randomly, or when going to close will just reopen, my seat buttons dont always work, etc. But the newest thing that is scaring me and doesnt seem to be just cosmetic like the other electronic things it my air bag light randomly coming on, my driver air bag light comes on and the moment it does my passenger air bag light turns OFF with nobody in the seat. So Driver airbag will NOT be deploying but my passenger one will, with nobody in the seat. On top of that it vibrates and rough idles so badly its actually randomly turned off in the morning when i first start it. I have had my engine replaced and upgraded, and my turbo replaced already. I'm scared its not safe. I have not taken it to the dealer, as when I call them they tell me they are booked out for MONTHS.

Filed Jul 3, 2021 · Engine · TX

We believe the connecting rod bearing in the engine is bad and needs to be replaced. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. When the engine failure occurred, luckily we were in a neighborhood and not traffic because the engine speed was drastically reduced and the vehicle failed to accelerate in a reasonable manner. The vehicle has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer, but a home computer diagnostic was done on the vehicle giving a "Cylinder 3" misfire code. The vehicle has not been seen by anyone other than the owners of the vehicle, we are currently in the process of trying to get an appointment with a kia dealership. There were no warnings prior to the failure, but as soon as the failure occurred, the check engine light turned on and was blinking.

Filed Sep 2, 2020 · Engine · 113,000 miles · VA

From the beginning this car journey has been completely devastating on me I bought a car for college right before graduating high school during covid saved up $5000 to purchase this vehicle I went to vinton auto sales in roanoke virginia the man approaches me I tell him what car I like we test drive it then I'm like well I'll come back tomorrow with my final decision he was like basically forcing me to buy the car that day promising a 3 month warranty I mean let's be real who goes to dealership and buys a car without doing research unless there's a warranty involved on it so 3 weeks into my having the car I decided to make a trip to maryland from virginia to see him for my graduation I'm on a one way highway close to almost harrison burg my car just stops being able to accelerate and the engine light starts flashing meanwhile there's on coming traffic behind me and tractor trailers going 80+ MPH I was finally able to pull over after almost dying I call my dealership the guy hangs up on me in the most rudest way telling me it's not his problem anymore there's not a warranty I need to fix it my self in the most rudest way while I'm stranded on a one highway alone with a broken car 2 hours from home so I end up paying $500 tow back take it to a mechanic he fixes it I pick it up on the way home from picking it up it misfired again on a highway I engine light flashing unable to accelerate but luckily able to make it to a gas station mind you I paid the guy $500 to replace the knock sensor he said was messed up I tow it back to the mechanic he tells me today he can't do nothing it's the engine so I'm out of a car out of college and out of thousands of dollars due to the car this is my last resort I don't know what else to do I'm supposed to be a college student this fall but I can't be due to this shady dealership who ruined my life I have a 2013 kia optima to be exact

Filed Apr 27, 2020 · Fuel system · 105,000 miles · UT

I have recently been experiencing some acceleration issues with my 2013 kia optima 4cyl 2.4l fl. About a two and a half months ago, I was driving on the freeway and switched lanes to pass a car; as I began accelerating my car felt like someone just pulled the plug on it. I lost most of my ability to accelerate and it felt like not enough fuel was getting supplied to the engine. My check engine light came on immediately. The next day I took it to o'reilly to check the code on my car and it came back with p0087, which is related to low fuel pressure. Looking into it further on I found communications about this year, make, and model that state that there is a possible issue with the low pressure fuel line and how it may develop cracks or leaks due to excessive heat in the engine. This can increase the risk of a fire starting in the engine. I also found that kia was going to begin notifying affected customers beginning on april 16th, 2020. I have waited this out to see if I would get a recall notice, but being 11 days later, I still have not received anything. I firmly believe that the issue I am experiencing is directly related to this issue with the fuel line. My car starts rough, runs rough, and has very poor acceleration; especially at higher rpms. It feels as if my car chugs at times. I have dealt with recall issues before with my vehicle (a complete engine block replacement due to excess metal shavings left in the engine during manufacturing) and my car died on the freeway. It was a nightmare to even get the dealer to admit that there was an issue and required my car dying a second time on the freeway and a tow that I had to pay for to get them to do anything. In short, I do not want to have to go through that mess again to fix, what so far appears to be (or will be), a recall that I should have been notified about. Thank you.

Filed Jan 10, 2020 · Engine · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 kia optima. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, without warning the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the power steering and brakes was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer where the engine was replaced . The contact stated that two years later the engine ceased and was replaced by the same the unknown dealer. The contact stated that within 24 hours of the second engine replacement, the vehicle started to vibrate abnormally while driving. The vehicle was taken to the unknown dealer for a third time to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that of a misfire on cylinder number 1. The contact stated that the ignition coil in cylinder 1 was replaced, the diagnostic trouble code was reset and the vehicle was test driven. The failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Nov 25, 2019 · Fuel system · 50,000 miles · SD

I noticed when I am at a red light and I take off to go, the car misfires and stalls for a minute. I then noticed my car was not giving the acceleration and kept stalling, and a service engine soon light came on with a code p0087 which has to do with the fuel pressure. I feel this could be a concern as my car could stall while I'm driving which would make it dangerous as it could stall while im on the interstate or while I'm going through a light.

Filed Feb 12, 2019 · Engine · 89,000 miles · WI

I own a 2013 kia optima, the check engine light came on and the engine started to misfire while driving on the highway. The temperature outside at the time was -50 with the windchill. I had the vehicle towed to the repair shop and they called me to let me know that the #2 cylinder was junk. They thought it was just a bad coil pack but when switched to the #1 cylinder the misfire code didn't follow the coil pack, it code stayed at cylinder #2 even with a brand new plug. The spark plugs had been replaced in september 2018, the same issue that caused the plugs to fail in september when the plugs were changed out happened again on this occasion (february 6, 2019). I was informed by the service manager at the kia repair shop that there was an update to the ECM that needed to be done to prevent this from happening, but when I contacted kia to see if they would cover the repair of the vehicle because the update was not performed kia refused to cover the replacement of the engine, which is the only solution because the spark plug failed and blew apart in the cylinder because the ECM update was performed. When I asked kia why the repair was not being covered they stated that they were not allowed to disclose that information to me and that it was proprietary information. I opened a case number (13034007) with kia and asked them to provide me with information as to why they won't cover the repair and they have yet to respond back to me, it is now february 12 and haven't received a response. I also received information stating that my warranty would be extended to 10 years, 100,000 miles but kia isn't honoring that warranty in this circumstance. My vehicle currently has around 89,000 miles on it. I am currently still paying a loan on this vehicle and it's not drivable, it currently sits parked until this gets resolved.

Filed Dec 31, 2018 · Engine · 124,000 miles · TN

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 kia optima. While driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost power and stalled. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact stated that there were metal shavings in the oil and cylinder number two was misfiring. The vehicle was towed to his home. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000. The VIN was not available.