2013 Kia Optima vs 2013 Nissan Sentra
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2013 Kia Optima | 2013 Nissan Sentra |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 1,375 | 638 |
| Recall campaigns | 9 | 6 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 235 | 201 |
| Investigations | 8 | 3 |
| Crash reports | 48 | 24 |
| Fire reports | 112 | 4 |
| NCAP overall rating | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 26–37 | 30–33 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 87,000 mi | 65,843 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Kia Optima | Nissan Sentra |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 610 | 87 |
| Power Train | 64 | 311 |
| Steering | 212 | 16 |
| Electrical System | 145 | 43 |
| Air Bags | 60 | 96 |
| Service Brakes | 58 | 95 |
| Structure | 127 | 5 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 91 | 33 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 168 | 72 |
| Check engine light | 108 | 43 |
| Clunking / rattling | 87 | 0 |
| Vibration / shaking | 54 | 38 |
| Loss of power | 53 | 35 |
| Rust / corrosion | 32 | 0 |
| Oil consumption | 25 | 0 |
| Hesitation / surging | 24 | 25 |
2013 Kia Optima
2013 Nissan Sentra
Compare all Kia Optima vs Nissan Sentra 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.