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, Oct 26, 2018
THE LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE BECAME SO DIM IT WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. I THOUGHT MY NIGHT VISION WAS FAILING, UNTIL A FRIEND RODE WITH ME AFTER DARK AND ASKED IF MY HEADLIGHTS WERE ON. WHEN WE COMPARED THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY VEHICLE COMPARED TO HERS, THE DIFFERENCE WAS STUNNING. I HAD ALREADY HAD THE HEADLAMPS REPLACED IN 2015, BUT THERE WAS NO DIFFERENCE. I WOULD ESTIMATE THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE DIM AT LEAST A YEAR PRIOR TO THAT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP., AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE REFLECTORS BEHIND THE HEADLIGHTS HAD COLLAPSED, CAUSING THE DIMNESS. THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO FIX THIS, AT A SUBSTANTIAL COST. I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO FIX IT BECAUSE IT HAD BECOME DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. UPON DOING SOME RESEARCH, I DISCOVERED THAT OTHERS WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS WAS NOT WEAR AND TEAR. THIS WAS A DEFECT AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. WHEN I HAD THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES REPLACED, I REQUESTED THE OLD ONES AND I HAVE THEM IN MY POSSESSION. ONE PHOTO SHOWS THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY CAR IN A PARKING RAMP NEXT TO ANOTHER CAR WITH ITS HEADLIGHTS ON. MY CAR IS ON THE LEFT. YOU CAN'T EVEN TELL THE LIGHTS ARE ON.
Exterior lighting, Oct 17, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS WERE DIM AND PROVIDED POOR VISIBILITY WHEN DRIVING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS PROJECTED A TRIANGLE SHAPE, WHICH PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM SEEING THE ROAD. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE SIDES OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE CLEARLY SEEN, BUT NOT THE FRONT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,988.
Exterior lighting, Aug 27, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO WORK WITHOUG WARNING. THE CONTACT CHANGED THE BULBS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DICK HANNAH KIA (3400 NE AUTO MALL DR, VANCOUVER, WA 98662, 360-342-9104) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BALLAST IN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.
Exterior lighting, Aug 27, 2018
OVER THE PAST 7 YEARS I'VE REPLACED BOTH HEADLIGHTS-LOW BEAM ON AN AVERAGE OF TWICE A YEAR. LOW BEAMS ARE SO LOW IN LIGHTING AND I'M CONCERNED IF THEY ARE ON WHEN DRIVING IN THE DARK. RECENTLY I CHANGED THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT, 2 WEEKS LATER IT WENT OUT AGAIN. HOWEVER PRIOR TO CHANGING THE BULB THE FIRST TIME, I NOTICED THE LENS COVER WAS SO HAZY ON THE INSIDE, LIKE WHITEISH CHALKY LOOKING. I TOOK BULB #2 OUT BUT NOTICED IT WASN'T BURNT OUT. HOWEVER THE WIRES AND THE HOUSING FOR THE BULB PRONGS WERE MELTED. FORTUNATELY IT ONLY MELTED THE PRONG CONNECTION POINT AND WIRES AND DIDN'T SPARK A FIRE. BUT NOW I'M LEFT REPLACING THE WIRING AND LENS COVER ASSEMBLY. I DO UNDERSTAND THAT MY CAR IS 7 YEARS OLD, HOWEVER THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS ON THIS CAR HAVE BEEN NOTHING BUT AN ISSUE FROM DAY ONE AT ZERO MILES. THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE RECALLS AND NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THIS CAR. LESSON LEARNED....WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER KIA
Exterior lighting, Jul 2, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS PRODUCED VERY LITTLE LIGHTING. THE CONTACT CALLED JEFF WYLER FAIRFIELD CADILLAC KIA NISSAN AT 513-682-2500 (LOCATED AT 5815 DIXIE HWY, FAIRFIELD, OH 45014) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000.
Exterior lighting, Jun 19, 2018
THE VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS ARE TOO DIM TO SEE AT NIGHT. ONLINE REPORTS MENTION THE CHROME REFLECTOR INSIDE THE HEADLIGHTS FAILS PREMATURELY. THIS HAS OCCURRED WITH THE HEADLIGHTS, BUT NOT THE HIGH BEAMS. YOU CAN SEE THE REFLECTORS ARE WHITE PLASTIC WITH NO MORE CHROME COATING. WE RARELY USED THE HIGH BEAMS SINCE WE LIVE AND WORK IN THE CITY, AND THE HIGH BEAM REFLECTORS STILL HAVE A CHROME REFLECTIVE COATING. THE LIGHT BULBS ARE VERY HOT AND MOST LIKELY BURNED OFF THE CHROME REFLECTIVE COATING. WE HAVE TO DRIVE WITH THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS TO SEE AT NIGHT, AND WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES SO THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS CAN BE USED TO DRIVE SAFELY AGAIN.
Exterior lighting, May 30, 2018
HEADLIGHTS ARE USLESS. THEY ARE SO DIM YOU CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR AT NIGHT AT ALL. THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE A ACCIDENT.
Exterior lighting, May 14, 2018
MY 2011 KIA OPTIMA HEADLIGHTS ARE SUPER DIM. I CAN BARELY SEE WHAT IS IN FRONT OF ME AND THE BULBS CONSTANTLY GO OUT. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 4 BULBS (2 ON EACH SIDE) WITHIN A 2 YEAR TIME PERIOD. I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH MY BRIGHT LIGHTS ON WHEN ITS DARK BECAUSE YOU CAN BARELY SEE IF YOU DONT.
Exterior lighting, Mar 21, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS DID NOT WORK, WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS AT NIGHT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED FUCCILLO KIA OF WESLEY CHAPEL AT 813-395-0347 (28555 FL-54, WESLEY CHAPEL, FL 33545) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.
Exterior lighting, Mar 12, 2018
HORRIBLE & DANGEROUS LOW BEAM LIGHTING ON THE 2011 KIA OPTIMA I OWN. IT HAS BEEN THIS WAY FOR ABOUT A YEAR, AND I HAVE CHANGED BULBS, TAKEN TO DIFFERENT SERVICE STATIONS, ETC. THE GOOGLE REVIEWS ARE HORRIFYING, SAYING PEOPLE ARE BEING CHARGED $900+ DOLLARS FOR FIXING THE DETERIORATION OF THE PAINT SURROUNDING THE LIGHT. I PRAY THAT'S NOT THE CASE. YOU SIMPLY CAN NOT SEE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, AND EVEN THE HIGH BEAMS ARE MUCH MUCH MUCH MORE FADED THAN "WORKING & NORMAL" LIGHTS. IT"S AWFUL AND KIA NEEDS TO FIX THIS FOR CONSUMERS! BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT!!!
Exterior lighting, Mar 4, 2018
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM, TO THE POINT OF BEING VIRTUALLY USELESS. FOG LIGHTS PROVIDE MORE LIGHTING. REPLACED BULBS TO NO AVAIL. HIGH BEAMS WORK GREAT. POSSIBLE THAT THE REFLECTIVE COATING INSIDE HID HOUSING HAS BURNED OFF.
Exterior lighting, Feb 5, 2018
LOW BEAM HID HEADLAMP ILLUMINATION HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER THE LAST YEAR, TO THE POINT AT WHICH DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH THE LOW BEAMS ON IS A HAZARD AND THE FOG LAMPS ARE NOT ONLY REQUIRED TO BE ON BUT ALSO PROVIDE NEARLY ALL OF THE FORWARD ILLUMINATION. DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS, REPLACED THE AUTO LEVELING MODULE AND HID BULBS AND CLEANED THE REFLECTORS WITHIN THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES. I HAVE SEEN COMPLAINTS ONLINE THAT THE REFLECTIVE MATERIAL WITHIN THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES MAY FAIL MAKING THE LOW BEAMS INEFFECTIVE AS THE LIGHT IS NOT PROJECTED DOWN THE ROAD. I AM NOT SURE IF THIS IS THE CASE, BUT SUSPECT THAT IT MAY BE.
Exterior lighting, Dec 14, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE VERY DIM AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROAD PROPERLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER (GRIFFIN MOTORS, 11031 PERRY HWY, MEADVILLE, PA 16335). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE $300 TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HIS PERSONAL MECHANIC. THREE MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Exterior lighting, Aug 11, 2017
MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE EXTREMELY DIM TO THE POINT WE HAVE QUESTIONED IF THEY WERE EVEN ON AT TIMES. HAVE REPLACE THE BULBS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THERE IS SOME LIGHT TO THE LEFT AND TO THE RIGHT BUT NOTHING STRAIGHT AHEAD INDICATING THE REFLECTORS ARE NO LONGER INTACT.
Exterior lighting, Aug 1, 2017
BOUGHT 2011 KIA OPTIMA NEW. WIFE DRIVEN TO WORK DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS. RECENTLY DROVE IT AT NIGHT AND NOTICED DIM LOW BEAMS AS WELL. TOOK CAR TO DEALER FOR CRANKSHAFT RECALL AND HAD THEM LOOK AT HEADLIGHT LOW BEAMS. SURPRISE, WE NEED 2 NEW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES PLUS INSTALLATION.. ABOUT $1000+. REFLECTIVE MATERIAL MELTED/DETERIORATED. DEALER CLAIMS IGNORANCE AND TRIES TO SAY WE HIT A BUMP CAUSING ISSUE . DENY, DENY, DENY. I WON'T WAIT FOR ANY RECALL OR RESTITUTION, I'M GONNA TRADE THE PROBLEM DOWN THE ROAD. BUYER BEWARE !!! BTW , WE HAVE REPLACED INTERIOR LIGHTING SWITCH AT $300+ AND ALSO A/C COMPRESSOR AT $1700. THE CAR HAS 68,000 MI ON IT AND HAS COST US $2000 OUT OF POCKET IN WHAT I CONSIDER PREMATURE FAILURES. NOT TO MENTION THE HEADLIGHT COST. NOT HAPPY WITH KIA ,,!!!!
Exterior lighting, May 30, 2017
BOUGHT 2011 KIA OPTIMA USED WITH 75K MILES ON IT. DID NOT REALIZE IMMEDIATELY THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT BEING REALLY DIM. I BOUGHT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND CALLED THE KIA DEALER AND MENTIONED MY ISSUE AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID IT WAS PROBABLY A WIRING ISSUE OR A GROUND ISSUE AND THAT IT PROBABLY WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT WITHOUT THE HIGH BEAMS ON. WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT VISIBILITY IS GOOD WITH HIGH BEAMS ON, WHEN SWITCHING TO LOW BEAMS FOR ONCOMING CAR, YOU ARE DRIVING BLIND, HOLDING THE WHEEL STEADY AND HOPING YOU STAY ON THE ROAD UNTIL THE ONCOMING CAR PASSES AND YOU ARE ABLE TO TURN YOUR HIGH BEAMS BACK ON AGAIN. TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC AND HE TESTED THE ELECTRICAL, GROUND AND BULB AND THERE WERE NO ISSUES. UPON PUTTING A SCOPE INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WHERE THE BULB GOES, HE FOUND A PILE OF CHROME SHAVINGS SO THE HEADLIGHT REFLECTIVE HOUSING DETERIORATED. ONLY WAY TO REPAIR IS TO REPLACE WHOLE HEADLIGHT UNIT ASSEMBLY. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE, REALIZED THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE ON THIS MODEL OF CAR FOR MULTIPLE YEARS NOW. OWNERS BEWARE OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND DON'T LET PEOPLE RIP YOU OFF BY CHARGING YOU TO GO DOWN THE WRONG/ELECTRICAL PATH TO FIX. POTENTIAL BUYERS BEWARE: IF YOU HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THIS FIXED AT A DEALER IT CAN COST BETWEEN $500 AND $800 AND IT MAY ONLY BE A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE IT IS AN ISSUE AGAIN. SEEMS LIKE THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL BY KIA.
Exterior lighting, May 29, 2017
THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS OR ALMOST USELESS AT NIGHT. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ THE REFLECTIVE PAINT USED BURNS OFF AFTER A COUPLE YEARS OF USE. I HIGHLY DOUBT THAT IT MEETS THE ILLUMINATION STANDARDS OF THE NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND SAFETY ASSOCIATION. I LIKE HAVING 2 WEAK FLASH LIGHTS TAPED TO THE HOOD.
Exterior lighting, May 15, 2017
APPARENTLY MY HEADLIGHTS HAVE BECOME COMPLETELY USELESS. I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED A YEAR AGO AND WAS ASSURE THAT IT WAS JUST CLOUDY HEADLIGHT COVERS AND THEY WOULD "BUFF" THE LIGHTS BEFORE I TOOK IT HOME. SEVERAL TRIPS LATER I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE LIGHTS ARE SO DIM I'VE BEEN PULLED OVER TWICE AND TOLD THAT MY LIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. LUCKILY BOTH TIMES I WAS ABLE TO PROVIDE PROOF THAT THE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN WORKED ON AND WAS NOT TICKETED. I HAVE CHANGED TO TWO DIFFERENT BRIGHTER BULBS AND STILL ITS USELESS. I CAN ONLY DRIVE MY CAR AT NIGHT WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ON. WHAT A WASTE.
Exterior lighting, Apr 30, 2017
BOTH LOW BEAM LIGHTS HAVE MELTED THE REFLECTORS. TOOK INTO DEALER AND THEY HAVE NO CLUE WHAT HAPPENED. IT SEEMS A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE. THE LIGHTS ARE SO DIM, ARE MELTED INTO OTHER POSITIONS AND DON'T EVEN SHINE ON THE ROAD. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS, AND THE EATER WANTS ME TO PAY FOR 2 NEW LIGHTS SYSTEMS FOR THE CAR
Exterior lighting, Apr 18, 2017
LOW BEAMS ARE VERY DIM DUE TO INTERNAL HEAD LIGHT CUP CHROME WORN OUT , CAN'T SEE MORE THAN 3 FEET AHEAD AT NIGHT , UNLESS I USE HI BEAMS .
Exterior lighting, Mar 30, 2017
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM EVEN WITH NEW BULB REPLACEMENTS. FOUND THAT THE REFLECTIVE MATERIAL INSIDE THE HEADLIGHTS MELTED. NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT NEED TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS ALL THE TIME.
Exterior lighting, Mar 27, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED IN THE RAIN, THE FLOOD LIGHTS DID NOT TURN ON WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 87,000.
Exterior lighting, Nov 28, 2016
(DIMMED HEADLIGHT) I HAVE OWNED MY 2011 OPTIMA SINCE 2013 AND SUMMER OF 2016 NOTICE MY HEADLIGHTS WERE REALLY DIMMED TO THE POINT WHERE YOU CANT SEE PAST 10-20 FEET IN FRONT OF YOU. REPLACED 2 HEADLIGHT BULBS W/ SYLVANIA SILVERSTAR BULBS AND HEADLIGHTS ARE STILL VERY DIMMED. LOOKS LIKE THEY REFLECTORS INSIDE THE BEAMS ARE BURNT/MELTED CAUSING THE LIGHTS TO LOOK DIM. I WOULD DEFINITELY CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY HAZARD SINCE I CANT REALLY SEE ANYTHING ON THE ROAD. IT WOULD BE NICE IF KIA LAUNCHED A WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT FOR HEADLIGHT PROBLEM SINCE I WOULD CONSIDER THIS A DESIGN/ENGINEERING FLAW SINCE IT WAS FACTORY BULBS WERE ORIGINALLY IN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES. UNSAFE HEADLIGHT VISIBILITY.
Exterior lighting, Oct 5, 2016
MY WIFE TOLD ME SHE COULDN'T SEE GOING TO WORK IN THE EARLY MORNING. I TOOK HER CAR OUT IN THE EVENING TO FIND YOU COULD ONLY SEE A FEW FEET IN FRONT OF THE CAR. I AM AN ELECTRICIAN AND RAN A COUPLE OF TESTS ONLY TO FIND EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT. I READ IN A KIA CAR FORUM ABOUT THE REFLECTIVE PAINT MELTING INSIDE THE LOW BEAM CUP. I ORDERED AN AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT AND THINGS WORKED GREAT. I TOOK APART THE ORIGINAL AND SENDING A PHOTO OF THE MELTED PAINT. HERE IS A WEBSITE WITH OTHERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/KIA/OPTIMA/2011/LIGHTS/EXTERIOR_LIGHTING.SHTML
Exterior lighting, Aug 17, 2016
THIS 2011 KIA HEADLIGHT BULB WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE LIGHT QUIT WORKING. WAS INFORMED THAT LIGHTBULB MELTED AND ENTIRE HEADLIGHT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO HAVE TO DRIVE WITH HIGH BEAMS AT NIGHT FOR BETTER LIGHTING