KIA Optima Exterior Lighting Problems
Owners have filed 359 complaints with NHTSA about exterior lighting problems on the KIA Optima across 20 model years. The 2011 model year has the most (88). The words owners use most often: “low beam” (19% of reports).
- 359exterior lighting complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 7mention a crash
- 3mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $570typical repair cost reported by owners
- 46%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Low beam: mentioned in 67 of 359 complaints (19%)
- High beams: mentioned in 39 of 359 complaints (11%)
- Headlights dim: mentioned in 20 of 359 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical exterior lighting repair on the KIA Optima at $570, and half of them between $290 and $1,250.
Based on 15 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2009–2022), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do exterior lighting problems happen?
Based on 200 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 359 complaints, 7 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 3 an injury.
KIA Optima exterior lighting complaints by model year
| Model year | Exterior Lighting complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Optima | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2019 Optima | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2018 Optima | 14 | 6% | 32,663 |
| 2017 Optima | 15 | 6% | 61,500 |
| 2016 Optima | 47 | 6% | 56,650 |
| 2015 Optima | 23 | 2% | 42,000 |
| 2014 Optima | 18 | 3% | 58,900 |
| 2013 Optima | 40 | 3% | 80,000 |
| 2012 Optima | 31 | 3% | 93,500 |
| 2011 Optima | 88 | 15% | 85,675 |
| 2010 Optima | 2 | 3% | 99,500 |
| 2009 Optima | 9 | 8% | 106,315 |
| 2008 Optima | 8 | 6% | 38,000 |
| 2007 Optima | 27 | 16% | 111,000 |
| 2006 Optima | 16 | 10% | 3,650 |
| 2005 Optima | 4 | 3% | 40,000 |
| 2004 Optima | 5 | 2% | 34,598 |
| 2003 Optima | 3 | 2% | 90,016 |
| 2002 Optima | 2 | 2% | 50,026 |
| 2001 Optima | 3 | 2% | 9,251 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Model years: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
Problem: Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Risk: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Despite documenting this catastrophic internal mechanical destruction, the authorized franchise dealer has issued a written directive instructing the driver to operate this structurally compromised vehicle on public roads for a 1,000-mile oil consumption test with explicit instructions not to add…
Module 1 7.5 amp fuse continues to short and blow over and over again. Known issues with auto headlamp leveling sensor. Problem continues to happen. Lose my highbeams, shift lock, rear defrost, rearview auto dimmer, steering wheel controls. Anytime the fuse blows
Vehicle was purchased in 2023. AC blower failure occurred for the first time in June 2024 and was repaired by PepBoys. On 4/2/2025 the ve3hicle had an active recall event when the engine seized on the highway because of a faulty oil pump/filter, Engine was replaced 4/17/2025 under that recall. Kia…
I have replaced the headlights in my 2011 Kia Optima multiple times but no matter what without the brights on, the road is not at all illuminated making it impossible to see at night. When you look at the car head on the lights look as if they would be incredibly bright, but I believe due to faulty…
The low beam headlight assembly failed on my 2019 Kia Optima LX with no prior warning, while the high beams and LED daytime running lights continue to function normally, indicating an isolated component failure within the assembly. Notably, the headlight assembly shows no physical damage…
Frequently asked questions
Do all KIA Optimas have exterior lighting problems?
No. NHTSA has 359 owner complaints about exterior lighting for the KIA Optima. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the KIA Optima exterior lighting?
Yes: 1 safety recall list exterior lighting. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix exterior lighting problems on the KIA Optima?
Owners report a typical cost of $570 (half paid between $290 and $1,250), from 15 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about exterior lighting problems on the KIA Optima?
The most frequent phrase is “low beam”, in 67 of 359 complaints, followed by “high beams” (39).
Other KIA Optima problems
- Engine problems (3,164)
- Electrical System problems (936)
- Steering problems (758)
- Air Bags problems (563)
- Structure problems (559)
- Power Train problems (508)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (381)
- Service Brakes problems (314)
See all KIA Optima problems.