2013 Kia Optima vs 2013 Nissan Maxima
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 Maxima |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 1,375 | 62 |
| Recall campaigns | 9 | 0 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 235 | 106 |
| Investigations | 8 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 48 | 1 |
| Fire reports | 112 | 1 |
| NCAP overall rating | 5/5 | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 26–37 | 22 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 87,000 mi | 65,500 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Kia Optima | Nissan Maxima |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 610 | 4 |
| Steering | 212 | 1 |
| Electrical System | 145 | 2 |
| Structure | 127 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 91 | 1 |
| Power Train | 64 | 24 |
| Air Bags | 60 | 16 |
| Service Brakes | 58 | 2 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 168 | 5 |
| Check engine light | 108 | 7 |
| Clunking / rattling | 87 | 0 |
| Vibration / shaking | 54 | 0 |
| Loss of power | 53 | 0 |
| Rust / corrosion | 32 | 0 |
| Oil consumption | 25 | 0 |
| Hesitation / surging | 24 | 0 |
2013 Kia Optima
2013 Nissan Maxima
Compare all Kia Optima vs Nissan Maxima 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.