Check a VIN

2013 Kia Optima: fuel leak

15 of the 1,388 complaints about the 2013 Kia Optima describe fuel leak.

owner complaints
15
of this car's complaints
1%
typical mileage
130,000
recalls
2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below

Fuel leak by model year

  • 2020
    1
  • 2019
    2
  • 2018
    1
  • 2017
    2
  • 2016
    1
  • 2015
    2
  • 2014
    10
  • 2013
    15
  • 2012
    1
  • 2011
    2
  • 2005
    2
  • 2004
    1

What owners say

Filed Aug 20, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · 250,000 miles · WI

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving or while the vehicle was parked, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was leaking fuel from the high-pressure pipe leading to the fuel pump. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V907000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine); however, VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired because the VIN was not included in recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 250,000.

Filed Jan 8, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · CO

My vehicle received a new engine due to a component failure, which there was a recall specifically describing the failure, recall 17v224 (SC147). After the new engine replacement, April 2024, while driving my car I began to notice a faint smell of gas with inside my car. As time passed the smell grew heavier. Drove the car to the Pueblo Colorado Dealership and had the service department take a look to confirm the leak. It was confirmed and one of the service personnel tried to torque the bolt tighter and that did not stop the leak. I was told by one of the service personnel that it was not covered under warranty and the cost would be mine out of pocket to fix. I found out this fuel leak is a recall (SC172), vehicles that received an engine replacement under previous recall 17v224 (SC147). ("Kia Motors America, Inc., pursuant to the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, is conducting a Safety Recall Campaign to inspect and, if necessary, replace the High Pressure Fuel Pipe on certain 2011–2014 MY Kia Optima, 2012-2014 MY Kia Sorento, and 2011-2013 MY Kia Sportage vehicles that received an engine replacement under Recall No. 17v224 (SC147). The remedy for the previous recall may not have been properly performed, and in some cases, the high pressure fuel pipe may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, allowing fuel to leak. Leaking fuel increases the risk of fire."). I have spoken to the Dealership and they do not recognize this recall as it is not showing up in their data system. I have spoken to the Kia Corporation and I have gotten nowhere. This was issued by your department and is recognized by KIA corporation but the Pueblo Colorado KIA dealership states it is not in their system as a recall. My car has been parked after notifying both parties of this issue since December 19, 2024. Your the federal safety agency: Part 573 Safety Recall Report 18V‑907 Manufacturer Recall No. : SC172

Filed May 10, 2024 · Brakes, Engine · 190,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving or parked, there was an abnormally strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The check engine and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The contact replaced the battery, and the warning lights were deactivated. The contact stated the strong fuel odor persisted and the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a fuel leak. The contact was informed that the fuel injectors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 190,000.

Filed Nov 22, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · FL

Over a year ago I was sent to Kia to fix a recall for a possible fuel leakage problem over my engine that got fixed with mesh tape and one zip chord. Now my engine has gushing fuel leaking on it on daily basis. I called kia a few months back asking for them to remedy this due to another recall and how I needed a rental so I could continue working while they fixed the problem they screwed up and they told me it would be over a month before they could fit me in their schedule. I have been smelling gasoline in my vehicle making me feel nauseous as I drive and the fumes are intense and my I smell it burning. My coworkers tell me daily what is that gasoline smell?. Now I get in the mail another recall notice about sparks going off for gaskets or thingsmajigs on my engine just from being idle in a parking spot or driving and how I should park away from others??!?!? Just in case!!! What about my safety??! I still have gasoline leaking all over my car engine!. My house could blow up! This is outrageous that none of this is taken care of.

Filed Dec 9, 2022 · Fuel system · 91,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the odor of fuel was present inside the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who performed the recall repair for the federal safety agency Recall Campaign: 22V09300 (Fuel System, Gasoline). After retrieving the vehicle, the odor was still present inside the vehicle. The contact also stated that there was fuel leaking underneath the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 91,000.

Filed May 2, 2022 · Fuel system · NY

Low pressure fuel line began to give off a fuel odor over the last 10k miles, did not realize it was a fuel leak until recently when the car was parked and was leaking fuel under the mid section. The car has not been examined by any person yet. No cabin warning lights/indicators were present. Date given for date of incident is the first incident where a gasoline odor was detected.

Filed Mar 3, 2022 · Fuel system · AL

I was driving to work and smelled fuel. The loud Oder of fuel was coming from under the hood. Called kia and they had the car towed to the Kia place in mobile alabama. Was told that my vin number is not covered under the 3 recalls that they have for this same make and model. Kia place said it has a fuel leak from high pressure fuel pump.

Filed Oct 16, 2021 · Fuel system · CA

Low pressure fuel tube leak. Gas leak through quick connect clamp, factory defect on part. Recall was done and still has same problem.

Filed Sep 15, 2021 · Fuel system · 87,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, fuel odor was detected but the contact did not see fuel leaking onto the ground. The contact's cousin, an independent mechanic, inspected under the engine cover and saw that there was fuel leaking on top of the engine block from a cracked fuel line. The dealer was made aware of the failure and scheduled an upcoming appointment for diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.

Filed Jun 24, 2021 · Fuel system · 64,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2013 Kia OPTIMA. The contact stated that their vehicle was included in a recall for the engine. The contact had received a recall notice regarding a fuel tube in the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer in June who reportedly completed the recall. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph when they began to smell a strong fuel odor. After, parking they noticed fuel leaking from the vehicle. The contact noticed that the same tube mentioned in the recall was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and offered a one-time courtesy repair however, the parts were on backorder. The approximate failure mileage was 64,000.

Filed May 17, 2021 · Fuel system · IN

The low pressure fuel hose from the gas tank to the fuel pump located under the engine cover is leaking fuel. The vehicle was inspected by a Kia Dealership to determine the cause of the fuel leak. My safety and the safety of others were put in jeopardy due to the possibility of a fire or explosion from the leaking fuel line. The smell of gasoline was detected prior to the inspection from the Kia dealership

Filed Dec 14, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 130,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 kia optima. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, the vehcile stalled and failed to restart. There was fuel leaking from vehicle. There was abnormal odor of fuel detected. The vehicle was taken to kia of orange park (6373 blanding blvd, jacksonville, fl 32244, (904) 758-2612) but was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that the failure was similar to the federal safety agency campaign number: 18v907000 (fuel system, gasoline, engine). The manufacturer was contacted however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 130,000.

Related recalls

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported February 17, 2022 · 72,848 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Optima vehicles that were previously repaired under the federal safety agency recall number 20V‑100. The low pressure fuel hose may be damaged, or missing heat-protective tape, which can result in a fuel leak.
Risk
A fuel leak can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel hose, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 2, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-33-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC228.

Recall number 22V093000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported February 21, 2020 · 141,774 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Optima vehicles equipped with 2.4L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) or 2.0L GDI Turbo engines. The low pressure fuel hose may deteriorate and crack over time due to heat generated within the engine compartment.
Risk
If the fuel hose cracks, a fuel leak can occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Kia will notify Owners, and Dealers will inspect the low pressure fuel hose for damage or leaking, replacing it as necessary. If no damage or leaking is found, a heat-protective tape will be installed. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began June 12, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC187.

Recall number 20V100000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2013 Kia Optima fuel leak

Is fuel leak a common problem on the 2013 Kia Optima?

15 of 1,388 owner complaints about the 2013 Kia Optima (1%) mention fuel leak. The model year with the most reports is 2013.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2013 Kia Optima?

There are 2 recalls and 0 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2013 Kia Optima

Engine failure 185Stalling 158Check engine light 155Knocking 132Fire or smoke 126Loss of power 63Won't start 51Steering noise 43Warning lights 36Headlights 33Oil consumption 31Airbag light 28Fuel smell 28Pulling 25ABS 23Jerking 23Sunroof shattered 18Grinding brakes 17Fuel pump 17Hesitation 15Won't shift 15Harsh shifting 13No deployment 12Backup camera 10Misfire 10Shudder 9Steering lock-up 9Adaptive cruise 8Brake failure 8Power steering loss 8Seat belt 7Key fob 6Overheating 6Slipping 5Sudden acceleration 5

All model years of the Kia Optima

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2013 Kia Optima?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history