2011 Kia Optima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 593 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 20 Optima model years with reports.
Of the 2011 reports, 23 involved a crash and 33 involved a fire. 19 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideSep 25, 2023
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
Campaign 23V652000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsDec 19, 2018
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
Campaign 18V907000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, air bag/restraint control moduleJun 1, 2018
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.
If the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Kia will notify owners. For model year 2011 Sedona vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to verify the ACU part number and, if necessary, install an extension wire harness kit between the ACU Connector and the Vehicle Harness Connector. For all other affected vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to install the extension wire harness kit. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC165.
Campaign 18V363000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engineMar 31, 2017
Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.
Campaign 17V224000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchApr 1, 2013
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 13V114000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: exterior lighting
88 reports, newest first. Show all
Exterior lighting, Dec 14, 2019
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE SO DIM THEY'RE BARELY VISIBLE AT NIGHT. THE REFLECTIVE COATING INSIDE THE LIGHT HOUSING FLAKES FROM GETTING HOT. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED
Exterior lighting, Dec 14, 2019
MY KIA 2011 INTERIOR DOME LIGHT GOES ON & OFF WHILE DRIVING. IT'S DANGEROUS AT NIGHT BECAUSE THE LIGHT GOES ON & OFF WHILE DRIVING
Exterior lighting, Dec 12, 2019
MY COLLEGE STUDENT DAUGHTER DRIVES THE VEHICLE AND IS UNABLE TO SEE SUFFICIENTLY AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING. THE LIGHTS ARE TOO DIM TO SAFELY SEE AT NIGHT. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP AND WE WERE TOLD IT WOULD BE $1,000 TO REPAIR THE WIRING PROBLEM THAT IS WELL KNOWN TO THE DEALERSHIP. WE WERE UNABLE TO AFFORD TO MAKE THE REPAIR AND THE DEALERSHIP TOLD HER TO DRIVE WITH HER BRIGHT LIGHTS ON WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT WHICH COULD CAUSE OTHER DRIVERS ISSUES.
Exterior lighting, Nov 21, 2019
LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTING IS VERY VERY POOR.
Exterior lighting, Engine, Nov 3, 2019
HEADLIGHTS ARE SO DIM YOU CAN BARELY SEE USING LOW BEAM LIGHTS AND HIGH BEAMS ARE BARELY BRIGHTER THAN REGULAR BEAMS ON OTHER CARS. HAVE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT BULBS 4 TIMES AND IT HAS NEVER CHANGED THE PROBLEM. ENGINE SEIZED UP WITH NO WARNING OR MECHANICAL SIGNS WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD.
Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 9, 2019
MY ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AFTER PRESSING THE BRAKE ON A WET STREET WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE NEXT DAY I WENT TO GET A OIL CHANGE AND NOTICED THAT MY TAIL LIGHTS DID NOT WORK WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKES. MY TAIL LIGHTS WORK BUT THE TAIL LIGHTS DID NOT. I CHANGED THE BULBS AND THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTED. I ALSO CHANGED THE BRAKE LIGHT PEDAL SWITCH BUT THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. MY TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS FAIL TO WORK ALL THE TIME.
Exterior lighting, Sep 27, 2019
I HAVE 2011 KIA OPTIMA SX WITH HID HEADLIGHTS AND THEY HAVE BEEN DIM FOR A LONG TIME. THEY BECAME NOTICEABLY DIM IN 2015 AND HAVE EVER SINCE BEEN DIM AND HAVE HAD A NOTICEABLE CHANGE IN THE LIGHT PATTERN. THIS IS NOT CAUSED BY FOGGY OR YELLOWING PLASTIC AS THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN PROTECTED BY A CLEAR PLASTIC PROTECTIVE "STICKER BRA" EVER SINCE THE CARE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN JULY 2011. THE HEADLIGHTS ARE EXPERIENCE THE SAME ISSUE AS OTHER OWNERS OF THE CAR, DETERIORATION OF THE INTERNAL REFLECTOR FOR THE HID HEADLIGHT. AS A RESULT THE LIGHT PATTERN BECOMES ALTERED OR DIM. IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT WITH THIS CAR. THE HEADLIGHT HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH NO IMPROVEMENT IN THE LIGHTING OUTPUT OR PATTERN. THIS IS SIMILAR CONSISTENT WITH MANY OWNERS OF THE SAME MODELS. KIA HAS ISSUED A WARRANTY EXTENSION BUT THE DEALER NEEDS TO PROVIDE A VIDEO THAT SHOWS FLAKING OF THE REFLECTOR BETWEEN THE SPACE WHERE THE BULB IS AND THE CLEAR LENS CAP. THIS IS NOT THE REFLECTOR BEHIND THE BULB THAT WOULD AFFECT THE LIGHT PATTERN. DEALERS DO NOT LOOK AT THE LIGHT PATTERN AS IT IS NOT PART OF THE DIAGNOSTIC STEPS. THEY ONLY LOOK FOR FLAKING OF THE REFLECTOR BETWEEN THE SPACE WHERE THE BULB IS AND THE CLEAR LENS CAP WHICH WOULD SEEM TO BE MORE COSMETIC THEN FUNCTIONAL.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Sep 22, 2019, fire
RIGHT LOW BEAM NEEDED CONSTANT CHANGING (1 EVERY 4-6 MONTHS). WITHIN THE LAST 6 MONTHS, I HAD CHANGED THE BULB, 2 WEEKS LATER, THE LOW BEAM LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING AGAIN. NOTICED A WHITE FILM ON INSIDE OF LIGHT ASSEMBLY. UPON INVESTIGATION, I DISCOVERED THE WIRING CAUGHT FIRE AND MELTED THE CONNECTOR FOR THE LIGHT BULB. I PURCHASED A NEW ASSEMBLY, ONLY TO HAVE THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPEN. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. FIRSTLY, THE LOW BEAM LIGHTING IS ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE IN THIS CAR TO BEGIN WITH, NOW I'M RUNNING OFF OF ONE LIGHT. AFTER LOOKING INTO COMPLAINTS ONLINE, I SEE THIS PROBLEM IS PREVALENT ACROSS THE BOARD WITH THIS CAR. KIA IS A MULTI MILLION DOLLAR COMPANY, YOU NEED TO STAND BEHIND YOUR PRODUCT AND HAVE THE MINDSET OF PUTTING YOUR CUSTOMERS SAFETY AS A PRIORITY. I WORK AS A FIREFIGHTER/EMT AND I'D HATE TO ARRIVE ON SCENE OF SOMEONE THAT WAS KILLED DUE TO KIA'S FAULTY UNSAFE PRODUCT. ESPECIALLY OF ONE THAT COULD BE PREVENTED BY FIXING THESE PROBLEMS THAT YOU KNOW IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. SHAME ON YOU KIA FOR PUTTING PEOPLE AT RISK.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Sep 19, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED TOO LOW AT NIGHT. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BULBS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT READ THAT THE HOUSING FOR THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE BURNING OUT DUE TO THE RECEPTIVE STRIP MELTING WHEN THE FRONT BEAMS WERE BEING USED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HAGERSTOWN KIA (LOCATED AT 10307 AUTO PLACE, HAGERSTOWN, MD 21740, 866-404-6114) WHERE IT WAS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.
Steering, Exterior lighting, Engine, Aug 25, 2019
THE BATTERY INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON THEN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE BATTERY DISCHARGE KEPT POPPING UP ON THE DISPLAY THEN WENT OUT. ABOUT 10 MINUTES FURTHER, I LOST POWER STEERING. I MANAGED TO GET TO BASE EVEN THOUGH I RAN A RED LIGHT AND STOP SIGN BECAUSE THE CAR STARTED SPURTTERING AND FEELING LIKE IT WAS GETTING READY TO STALL. ONCE I MANAGED TO GET TO A PARKING LOT, MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT BUT I STILL HAD DASH LIGHTS. ALL THE ERROR LIGHTS CAME ACROSS MY DASHBOARD. I TOOK THE BATTERY TO ADVANCE, THEY SAID IT WAS LOW. THEY CHARGED IT AND SAID IT NEEDED REPLACED. THE BATTERY INDICATOR WAS STILL LIT SO I TOOK IT AND THEY CHECKED THE ALTERNATOR AND SAID IT WAS DEAD. I TOOK IT AND HAD IT REBUILT. EVERYTHING SEEMED TO WORK OK.
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Aug 25, 2019
I HAVE CONTINUED TO REPLACE MY HEADLIGHT AND TAILLIGHT OVER A 5 MONTH PERIOD. I WAS STOPPED THE OTHER DAY BECAUSE MY BRAKE LIGHT AND TAIL LIGHT WEREN'T WORKING. I REPLACED THE LIGHTS AND THE BRAKE LIGHT WASNT EFFECTIVELY WORKING BUT THE TURN SIGNAL WAS WORKING. NOW TODAY THE BRAKE LIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL ARE WORKING BUT MY LIGHT THAT MAKES THE CAR VISIBLE AT NIGHT ISN'T AND MY YELLOW LIGHTS ON THE HEADLIGHTS ONLY WORK WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE.
Exterior lighting, Jul 30, 2019
LOW BEAM LIGHTS ARE VERY DULL WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT (LENS COVERS ARE STILL CLEAR). KIA SENT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ABOUT THE LIGHTS AND THE DEALER REPLACED A WIRING HARNESS FOR THE LIGHTS, THE LETTER ALSO STATED THEY WILL CHECK THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AND REPLACE IF THIS IS THE PROBLEM. KIA WILL NOT DO THIS REPLACEMENT FOR THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE LIGHTS DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF VERY DULL LOW BEAM LIGHTS WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND KIA WILL NOT HONOR WHAT'S IN THEIR WARRANTY LETTER.
Exterior lighting, Jul 9, 2019
THE WIRING IN THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY IS FAULTY.THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE ACROSS DEALERS AND AFTERMARKET SHOPS. HEADLIGHTS APPEAR VERY DIM AND GIVE OUT LOW OR NO LIGHT. IT'S NOT THE BULBS. THE WHOLE HEADLAMP NEEDS TO BE RECALLED FOR WIRING ISSUES.
Exterior lighting, Jul 8, 2019
SOMETIME TOWARD THE END OF 2017, I NOTICED THAT MY DOME LIGHT NO LONGER ILLUMINATED WHEN THE DOORS WERE OPENED. I CAN STILL USE THE INTERIOR LIGHTS MANUALLY, THOUGH THIS USUALLY LEADS TO FORGETTING AND LEAVING THEM ON. I LIVE IN WA, IT IS OFTEN DARK AROUND 4 PM AND GREY THROUGHOUT THE DAY. I FEEL THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE, AS I CANNOT SEE WHO IS IN MY CAR BEFORE ENTERING WHEN IN A PARKING LOT. ALSO, MY 5-YEAR-OLD HAS A HARD TIME BUCKLING HER OWN CAR SEAT BELT SINCE SHE CANNOT SEE THE BUCKLE. THIS IS AN INCONVENIENCE AND WITH CRIME RATES RISING, IT MAKES ME FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE GOING OUT ALONE, KNOWING THAT NOBODY CAN SEE WHAT IS GOING ON WHILE I AM BUCKLING HER IN. THE CHANCES OF BEING MUGGED OR WORSE GO UP, MY SAFETY IS WORTH THE $400, HOWEVER, I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE A MALFUNCTION IN THE VEHICLE FIXED. THE REASON I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL IS BECAUSE OF THE 3 KIA'S WE OWN, 2 OF THEM HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE OF THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ONLY WORKING MANUALLY AND NOT ACTIVATED WITH OPENING THE DOOR. MY WIFE'S 2014 KIA SORENTO DOME LIGHT STOPPED WORKING WHEN THE DOORS WERE OPENED AROUND DECEMBER OF 2018. BOTH OF US HAVE OVER 60,000 MILES ON OUR VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE MALFUNCTION. I WAS QUOTED OVER $400 TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED. WHEN LOOKING AT FORUMS, IT LOOKS AS THOUGH IT IS A CONNECTION THAT WIGGLES LOOSE. I AM SURE THAT IF 2 OF OUR KIA'S HAVE THIS ISSUE, IT IS HIGHLY LIKELY MANY MORE KIA OWNERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. KIA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO FIX THIS SAFETY ISSUE.
Exterior lighting, Jul 2, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED AN UNKNOWN RECALL LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO KIA OF NEW BERN (1715A US-70, NEW BERN, NC 28560, (252) 638-6161) AND THEY STATED THAT THE RECALL WOULD NOT BE HONORED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT TRAINED ON THIS ISSUE AND THE RECALL WOULD NOT BE VALID. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Exterior lighting, May 3, 2019
"TAKATA RECALL" I HAVE A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WE RECENTLY HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE FRONT LIGHT (LOW BEAM) ON THE LEFT DRIVER'S SIDE. THE BULB WAS REPLACED, AS WE THOUGHT IT WAS A BULB ISSUE. HOWEVER, WHEN THE BULB DIDN'T WORK WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO KIA. KIA STATED THERE WAS POSSIBLY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE WIRING AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE LIGHT ASSEMBLY. I'VE HEARD OF BULBS GOING OUT, BUT NEVER THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY, IN WHICH THE WHOLE FRONT BUMPER WOULD HAVE TO BE REMOVED. I'VE OWNED MANY OTHER CARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY. I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE RECALLED BY KIA AS IT PRESENTS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR DRIVERS.
Exterior lighting, Apr 17, 2019
2011 KIA OPTIMA HEADLIGHTS BECAME EXTREMELY DIM CREATING VISIBILITY AND SAFETY CONCERNS DURING NIGHT TRAVEL. I CHANGED THE LID BULBS HOPING TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM BUT SAME ISSUE STILL REMAINED. HIGH BEAMS WORK AS THEY SHOULD AND FOG LIGHTS PUTS OUT MORE ILLUMINATION THAN LOW BEAM. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP (FRED ANDERSON KIA RALEIGH NC) FOR DIAGNOSTIC. DIAGNOSTIC REVEALED THAT THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES HAD TO BE REPLACED. PRICE TO REPLACE ASSEMBLY IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR WHAT APPEARS TO BE A ONGOING PROBLEM WITH SAME YEAR AND MODEL VEHICLE.
Exterior lighting, Feb 4, 2019
THE LOW BEAMS ON MY CAR ARE DANGEROUSLY DIM. I'VE REPLACED THE LIGHT BULBS WITH FACTORY RECOMMENDED TO NO AVAIL. I CAN SO NO MORE THAN 5 FEET IN FRONT OF ME WHILE DRIVING - I HAVE TO LIMIT MY NIGHT TIME DRIVING, WHICH IS TOUGH WHEN DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON A DAILY BASIS. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE AND ISSUE A RECALL AS I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE
Exterior lighting, Jan 29, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO PROJECT ENOUGH LIGHT, WHICH MADE DRIVING DIFFICULT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE HIGH AND LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE CHANGED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
Exterior lighting, Jan 23, 2019
HEADLIGHTS HAVE NOT WORKED SINCE THE LAST RECALL FOR ENGINE REPLACEMENT, DONE IN AUGUST 2017. HIGH BEAMS ARE INSUFFICIENT, AND THE NORMAL BEAMS ARE VERY DANGEROUS -- DOESN'T APPEAR THAT HEADLIGHTS ARE ON AT ALL.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 7, 2019
HEAD LIGHTS FLASH ON AND OFF FOR NO REASON WHEN FIRST STARTED IT UP LAST FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES
Exterior lighting, Jan 4, 2019
THE AMOUNT OF LIGHT REFLECTED TO THE ROAD FROM THE HEADLIGHTS IS VERY LOW AND CREATES VISIBILITY ISSUES AT NIGHT AND IN THE RAIN. THIS IS DUE TO THE REFLECTIVE COATING USED IN THE HEADLIGHTS BEING OF POOR QUALITY AND BURNING AWAY.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 2, 2019
LIGHTS FLASH OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING / HEAR CLICKING SOUND WHILE MY DASH BOARD FLICKERS AS WELL. THIS HAPPENS WHEN PARKED AND IN MOTION
Exterior lighting, Dec 16, 2018
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2011 KIA OPTIMA HAVE BEEN SLOWLY GETTING SO DULL THAT IT IS GETTING DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. I COMMUTE OVER 100 MILES A DAY AND LEAVE AT DARK AND GET HOME AT DARK. SO ALL MY DRIVING IS NEEDING MY HEADLIGHTS. I STARTED NOTICING THE PROBLEM WITH NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE AND JUST THOUGHT MY BULBS WERE GETTING OLD. I WENT OUT AND BOUGHT NEW SYLVANIA SILVERSTAR BULBS AND I ALSO BOUGHT A SET OF SYLVANIA ULTRA. THAT DID NOT HELP. I ENDED UP EVEN TRYING TO CHANGE MY BULBS AND CONVERT OVER TO LED HEADLIGHT BULBS. I DID ALL THE WORK AND CONVERSION AND STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. COME TO FIND OUT IT'S NOT THE BULBS THAT ARE THE ISSUE, BUT THE ACTUAL HEADLIGHT HOUSING IS THE ISSUE. I AM NOW IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING NEW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES WHICH IS REALLY TERRIBLE. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BUY A WHOLE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY FROM FAULTY MANUFACTURING JUST SO I CAN SEE AND BE SAFE WHILE DRIVING. BUT I FEEL THAT IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO BE DRIVING THE WAY MY CAR IS RIGHT NOW. I FEEL KIA SHOULD BE FIXING THE ISSUE AND SUPPLYING A HIGHER QUALITY HEADLIGHT HOUSING TO FIX THIS ISSUE.
Exterior lighting, Nov 4, 2018
THE CARS HEADLIGHTS CONTINUE TO GET DIMMER AND DIMMER TO WHERE A DRIVER CAN BARELY SEE 10 FEET IN FRONT OF THEM. I HAVE CALLED KIA REGARDING SOLUTIONS AND ALTHOUGH THEY STATE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE THERE AREN'T ANY PERMANENT ALTERNATIVES. I HAVE TO USE MY HIGH BEAMS AT NIGHT TO DRIVE.