2011 Kia Optima vs 2013 Kia Optima
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Sep 23, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2011 Kia Optima | 2013 Kia Optima |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 593 | 1,382 |
| Recall campaigns | 5 | 9 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 228 | 235 |
| Investigations | 7 | 8 |
| Crash reports | 23 | 48 |
| Fire reports | 33 | 114 |
| NCAP overall rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 26–36 | 26–37 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 93,300 mi | 87,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Kia Optima | Kia Optima |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 256 | 612 |
| Steering | 100 | 213 |
| Electrical System | 63 | 146 |
| Structure | 21 | 127 |
| Exterior Lighting | 88 | 39 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 23 | 93 |
| Air Bags | 31 | 60 |
| Power Train | 25 | 64 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 84 | 169 |
| Clunking / rattling | 55 | 87 |
| Check engine light | 42 | 108 |
| Loss of power | 25 | 54 |
| Vibration / shaking | 17 | 54 |
| Hesitation / surging | 13 | 24 |
| Airbag warning light | 12 | 0 |
| Oil consumption | 11 | 25 |
2011 Kia Optima
2013 Kia Optima
Compare all Kia Optima vs Kia Optima years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.