2013 Kia Optima: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Jul 21, 2026 · Fuel system · FL

I own a 2013 Kia Optima and I am experiencing recurring fuel system-related symptoms. The fuel gauge fluctuates even when the vehicle has a full tank of fuel, causing an inaccurate fuel level reading. In addition, the vehicle has begun to hesitate during operation, which raises concern that there may be an underlying fuel delivery or fuel system issue. I previously experienced a similar issue years ago, and I believe the vehicle was repaired during a Kia recall or service campaign. The problem has now returned, and I am concerned that the previous repair may not have permanently corrected the issue or that there may be a related defect affecting other vehicles. The combination of an inaccurate fuel level reading and engine hesitation could create a safety concern because the driver may not know the true amount of fuel remaining and may experience unexpected loss of power while driving. I am requesting that this issue be investigated to determine whether it is related to a previous recall repair, a fuel system defect, or another safety-related condition affecting the 2013 Kia Optima.

Filed Jun 3, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · MI

Bought car 2020, engine failed and was consuming oil like it was fuel after 50-60K miles in 2022, Serra Kia Misdiagnosed and charged me $900 for ignition coil and combustion chamber cleaning that was not needed nor refunded when I was denied replacement due to me NOT letting engine lock up(Service manager basically told me to do so to be approved) or a P1326 code, charged +\-$8,000 for engine to be replaced. Horrible experience, engine was fine at first, then shortly after the SHORT mileage warranty they give, the engine started having minor non catastrophic issues here and there. Finally, around the same amount of time(last October 2024) and almost the SAME AMOUNT OF MILES on the engine, its doing EXACTLY what it was when i took it to KIA for the engine. One random day, on my way to work, i got to a red light and when i went to go at green the engine hesitated and i noticed a MASSIVE smoke cloud behind me and coming from my engine. It was consuming oil yet again the same way. Reached out to KCC(Kia Customer Care) and provided them a 4 page personally written letter by myself explaining the full story and my experience. However they merely closed my case without any explanation or reason for doing so. So as i stated to them i would do if i needed to, I've reached out to the BBB and now you. I'm hoping to get justice, whats right, and what should have happened in the first place. My money back and or my engine repaired and no more charges to me. 2022 first engine failure(Denied and paid for engine) Oct 2024 Engine failure AGAIN. (added copy of letter sent plus proof of service manager influencing me to lock the motor up to get covered the first time)

Filed Mar 29, 2023 · Brakes, Fuel system · 173,000 miles · AR

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V093000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS warning light, the traction control warning light, the check engine warning light illuminated then several other unknown warning lights started to illuminate. The contact then stated that the vehicle hesitated and stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the hydraulic electronic control unit (HECU) failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and the contact was advised to contact the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 173,000.

Filed Jan 26, 2022 · Engine · TX

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, an abnormal knocking sound began to emit from the engine as the vehicle began to sputter and hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal. The oil warning light illuminated the instrument panel as the engine stalled. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer for repair. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with an engine failure but later informed him that an investigation was launched by the manufacturer and the result found that there was not enough evidence that the bearing wear had caused the engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.

Filed Oct 29, 2021 · Engine · 130,000 miles · LA

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, she heard an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. The oil warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she depressed the accelerator pedal however, the vehicle hesitated to respond. The contact stated that she was able to drive the vehicle however, the vehicle was shuddering while driving and stalled several times. The contact stated she was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to schedule an appointment for diagnosis. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that they could not cover the repair of the vehicle because the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN tool showed that the VIN was included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

Filed Nov 24, 2020 · Engine · 166,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 kia optima. The contact stated that after coming to a complete stop and attempting to drive, the vehicle hesitated with the check engine warning light flashing. Additionally, the failure recurred while driving 60 MPH. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the vehicle had a defective knock sensor that needed to be replaced. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 166,000.

Filed Jun 5, 2020 · Engine · TX

The oil light has been on but the oil has been changed and then the car starts stalling and kind of hesitating when driving.then starts having trouble starting so got it diagnosed and it read that the crank sensor shaft was the issue. Brought it to classic kia and they said the battery was bad and I needed a new starter. Got it towed to a mechanic and put a new battery in,so it runs but the light is still on and the car will start to smell like its over heating but on the dash still reads between hot and cold(right where it should) but I pull over and its smoking. When I pop the hood its smoking but the fan is still going so the engine isn't over heated. Cant continue to drive like this with two small children and the car stalling and/or dying in the middle of driving!!!!

Filed Oct 23, 2019 · Brakes, Suspension · 90,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 kia optima. While driving at approximately 30 MPH, a warning indicator illuminated, advising the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. The check engine warning indicator also illuminated. The contact had to turn the vehicle off and on in order for the indicators to turn off. In addition, while attempting to come to a stop, the vehicle shook and hesitated to stop appropriately. The contact took the vehicle to archer kia (located at 11614 southwest fwy, houston, tx 77031, 888‑879‑5194) where repairs were made to the hydraulics. The specific parts were not identified; however, the failure continued. The contact took the vehicle to joe meyers kia (located at 16484 nw fwy, houston, tx 77040, 713‑587‑9940) where the upper and lower control arms and ball joints were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and opened case number: 13386178. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Sep 3, 2019 · Engine · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 kia optima. While driving 55 MPH, the rpms dropped to 0 and the vehicle stalled. The contact heard an abnormal noise and the check engine warning indicator illuminated briefly and then turned off. The contact stated that she was able to drive up to 20 MPH before the vehicle began to hesitate and multiple unknown warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was parked on the side of the road and then restarted, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to nalley kia (located at 7849 mall pkwy, lithonia, ga 30038, (678) 374-3820), but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was towed to pep boys where the contact was informed that the failure was associated with the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v224000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jan 29, 2019 · Engine · 5,000 miles · NC

My engine was replaced due to a recall for hesitation/lock up in november 2017. Not long after replacement the new engine begin to hesitate like the old engine. It has continued to do this, becoming worse. It is usually a double hesitation. In other words the car hesitates slightly, starts moving then hesitates again more seriously. The last time in december, 2018 the car did this I was making a turn. It was serious to the point that an oncoming car had to stop. This is exactly the same as the first engine. I'm very concerned about the safety of driving this car. The car has 34,000 miles but only 5,000 on the replaced engine.

Filed Dec 24, 2017 · Transmission · 20,000 miles · FL

Transmission shifts hard, jerky, hesitates, engine light comes on and off, this happens on and off, have to stop and restart car sometimes, this is a serious issue. Been happening on and off for years, no solutions so far.

Filed Oct 15, 2017 · Brakes, Fuel system · 48,000 miles · WV

The anti-lock braking system failed on this car. If you would hit a bump in the road while acceleration the car would detect a spinning condition and cause major deceleration being very dangerous when entering a freeway in moderate traffic taking the vehicle from 60+ MPH to virtually 40 MPH with no warning and no brake lighting to warn approaching traffic. After many visits to kia dealer remained unaddressed until contacting corporate kia and finding a posting on kia optima forum with another user that had same issue and was finally resolved with some hydraulic part replacement that costs $1,600 and was being avoided by dealers. When I brought this to kia corporates attention they agreed to replace with that part which did almost resolve that issue except on rare instances car will still hesitate when encountering a bump on acceleration. After that repair however the anti-lock brakes are now failing with erratic pulsing on hard braking and less effective braking.