2013 Kia Optima: won't start

Filed Mar 10, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · VA

When I turned the ignition on the car wouldn't start. But the ABS light and all other lights flickering when trying to start the car. The alarm kept going off. Passenger side front and rear windows won't function. Smell like something was burning. This is the second incident ([XXX]). Fuses had to be removed to silence the alarms on the first incident on [XXX] because the lights were still flickering on and off when car wasn't on. I had my car serviced at the West Broad Kia Dealership in Richmond, Va. Thank you! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 3, 2024 · Engine · 110,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the engine seized. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while the contact was driving into the driveway at the residence. In addition, the contact attempted to start the vehicle; however, the vehicle did not start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was determined that the engine had seized. The contact was advised to have the vehicle towed to the dealer. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was confirmed that the engine had seized. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced; however, the contact was informed that due to missing maintenance documents, the repair was not eligible to be performed under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

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 Nov 10, 2023 · Body · GA

I have a snow pearl white kia that the paint started chipping off and is continuing to do such all over the vehicle. There is an area on the hood with rust starting where the paint starting chipping first. I have contacted kia and the rep looked for recalls but there were non for paint. The warranty was only for 3 years on the paint but the issue didn't start happening till after that. I have seen other SWP colored kia's with the same issue and there is a forum on FB with many other kia owners having the same problem. The prominant color seems to be the white one's but others are affected as well.

Filed Aug 31, 2023 · Brakes, Engine · VA

I was driving the car and my engine shut off completely it will no start back up.

Filed Oct 7, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · NC

Started with oil light flashing, then the other lights came on. Started losing speed, then lost all power to the engine, will not start back up with the engine, when trying to start it, the engine started smoking.

Filed May 15, 2022 · Engine · CT

I was driving about 4 days ago and experienced engine failure. While driving 45-50mph, I felt my car start slowing down and saw that my dashboard lit up with all of the lights! I had just gotten off of the highway, but was in a high traffic area and I am grateful I was able to get into the right lane, then to the side of the rd where I immediately broke down!! My engine wouldn't turnover, and I had to wait for a tow. When the tow truck driver came, he performed a diagnostic, asked about my mileage and he informed me that my model car has a recall on engines. I did research immediately and I read that my year KIA is up for a VOLUNTARY recall on engine failure or engine seizure (2011-2014 models). My car is at a KIA dealership right now, but because my VIN is not registering with a recall, I'd have to pay $5500 for a new engine. My 2013 Optima engine fits the criteria of year and details written in these articles, but the VIN doesn't pop up...... how is this possible?? My engine is not fused, and the tech at the shop says my engine was turning over, but I know it didn't and even the tow truck driver tried to start the car before he hooked it up and it didn't turn over. I know my car experienced the engine failure that thousands of KIAs have a recall for. The faulty sensors don't alert you to an issue until it's too late! My engine light only lit up when my car was seconds away from becoming immobile. Also, I'm more concerned because if the company says it's certain years of cars, how do you backtrack and exclude certain VINs? My 2013 Optima should qualify for this repair. I just would like a more clear explanation of why my car does not qualify for the free engine replacement especially when I had a similar experience to many customers who did get the replacement according to their testimonials on many different forums including KIA USA? Thank you

Filed Apr 9, 2022 · CA

While driving down interstate 10 my vehicle suddenly lost all power from the engine. Upon stopping to attempt restarting it I plugged in my personal obd2 maintenance tool and came up with no trouble codes. Vehicle would not crank.

Filed Jan 20, 2022 · Engine · TX

I took my vehicle in to get serviced due to a recall. Upon driving home, there was a loud knocking noise that had never been there before. Got home and called the dealership and they sent a tech out. There was no knocking noise because the vehicle wasn't in motion for him to hear. Due to my medical issue I wasn't able to take my car back to them. About a week later my car wouldn't start. Bought a brand new battery and it lasted for a few days. I didn't have any problems until after the dealership serviced the recall.

Filed Dec 21, 2021 · CA

Engine stopped while driving. Would not start afterwards after researching I see it happens to those years and certain models were recalled wondering if mine possibly got missed in that recall, based off the recall seems exactly what happened to mine has plenty oil keep maintained well and only drive back and forth to work.

Filed Oct 11, 2021 · Engine · CO

While driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle began to stall and as I tried to keep going, I did get to 60 MPH and the car completely stalled and turned off in the middle of the highway as I tried to get off to the side. All of the warning lights illuminated. The car would not start up and the steering wheel locked. I had to be pushed off the road. I was unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The battery seemed to still have power at the time, but still would not start. Someone pulled over to try to jump start the vehicle, but it would not start. I then went and purchased a new battery to see if that would help and it did not. The car had absolutely no power to it, would not click over and would not shift into gear. The week prior, my check engine light had came on and I did stop at autozone to have them run a diagnostic. When it ran it pulled up a manufacturer code P1004 and they were unable to tell me what it meant. I do have the documents from that visit. My vehicle has been well taken care of and I have kept up to date on recalls and maintenance. Approximate mileage when this happened is 122k. I had the vehicle towed to AAMCO who then determined the engine was damaged and I then had it towed to Peak Kia to see what we needed to do.

Filed Jul 9, 2021 · Engine · IL

Engine began making very loud noised while driving on an expressway. Pulled off of the road and engine would not start. Had to get towed to a local repair shop. I found out that my engine is blown. There have been recalls on the Theta II engine, but, mine was not involved in the recall. There are many reports of these engines that were not involved with the recall having MAJOR issues. Please investigate further into these engines.