2011 KIA OPTIMA Exterior Lighting Problems

After getting HECU recall done , it has caused issues with the HECU module to where the brake lights no longer work and the ESC light comes on the cluster panel. Up on reading the code C2130, it says Brake lamp relay error. Mind you that my car was in working order before this recall was even done. This a huge safety issue not having your brake lights work. I can get rear-ended and i have kids in the car. This has been a issue since July when i got the recall done and KIA has yet to find a fix for this matter.

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the headlights were significantly dim, which reduced the driver's visibility of the roadway while driving at night. The vehicle was taken to the local Pep Boys where the headlight bulbs were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and charged a repair fee for the headlights replacement. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Mileage: 150,000

Check engine has failed. Glow relay stuck on or knock sensor or engine warranty. I don't know. Kia service will find out what's wrong with my car.

Low beam headlights on my 2011 KIA Optima with 150,000 miles are bright to look at them, however the beam pattern on on the roadway is terrible. I have tried replacing the bulbs with brightest bulbs, checked voltages and grounds. After checking over 10 forums I have found that the reflective service on the headlight housing has degraded and lost its reflective value causing a very safe condition. 1 person disassembled the headlight unit and installed foil tape, stating this corrected the issue. I have attempted to contact KIA with out a return response. I feel this should be a KIA recall issue.

The headlights fail to light up safely and can cause serious injuries or even death. You are unable to see 10 foot in front of the car on deem and bright lights you can only see 15 feet at the max.

THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ON THIS VEHICLE ARE EXTREMELY DIM. IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. THE ONLY SAFE WAY TO DRIVE IS WITH THE HIGH BEAMS WHICH ENDANGERS OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF OTHER KIA OPTIMA DRIVERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BUT KIA WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE OR FIX THE ISSUE. THIS CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT.

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the headlights would dimly illuminate while in operation without warning. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer where he was informed that his vehicle had been placed under warranty for the headlights; however, the warranty had expired. The contact had the vehicle inspected and was informed that the film inside the headlamp had melted and that the headlamps needed to be replaced. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

I CONSTANTLY HAVE TO REPLACE HEADLIGHT BULBS,BRAKE LIGHT BULBS AND FOG LIGHT BULBS LIKE 2 TO 3 TIMES A YEAR AND MY LIGHTS ON DIM IS TOO DARK AND NOT ALIGNED CORRECTLY,FOR THE HEADLIGHTS ONE SIDE SHINE UP AND THE OTHER SHINE DOWN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS I HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE HEADLIGHT FIXTURE BECAUSE THE BULB GOT SO HOT IT MELTED INTO THE FIXTURE AROUND IT

Mileage: 177,000

HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM. REFLECTOR ON THE LOW BEAMS ARE PEELING AND NOT REFLECTING THE LIGHT TO THE STREET. VERY SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. CANT SEE 6' IN FRONT OF THE CAR THUS RENDERING THE VEHICLE USELESS DURING NIGHT HOURS. KIA WONT ACKNOWLEDGE OR GO TO A RECALL. DEALER SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG.

Mileage: 101,000

THE ENGINE SEIZED. IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS RECALL. KIA HAS HAD TIS VEHICLE FOR A MONTH AND I CAN'T SEEM TO GET THE APPROVAL FOR THE CURRENT RECALL. IT WAS IN MOTION DRIVING AT 30 MILES PER HOUR SMOKE CAME FROM THE ENGINE AND NEVER TURNED ON AGAIN.IT WAS 300 DOWNTOWN SALT LAKE CITY. A CITY STREET. WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME. THE DEALERSHIP SEIZED THE ENGINE AND QUOTED US 6500.00 TO FIX THE ENTIRE CAR. REPLACE THE ENGINE.

Mileage: 130,000

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATE SO LITTLE, ONLY LIGHTING APPROXIMATELY 10 FEET IN FRONT OF THE CAR. THIS HAS BECOME EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE.

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHTS WILL FLASH, MY LIGHTS WON'T TURN OFF WHEN ON AUTO, MY RADIO IS TURNING ON AND OFF BY ITSELF AND IS DOING SOME WEIRD THINGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE PROPERLY WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED. THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER BECAME DIFFICULT TO MOVE WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED AT THE DEALER BOB BELL KIA OF BALTIMORE (7900 EASTERN AVE, BALTIMORE, MD 21224) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V114000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.

Mileage: 70,000

THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ON THIS VEHICLE ARE EXTREMELY DIM. IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. THE ONLY SAFE WAY TO DRIVE IS WITH THE HIGH BEAMS WHICH ENDANGERS OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF OTHER KIA OPTIMA DRIVERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BUT KIA WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE OR FIX THE ISSUE.

Mileage: 30,000

THE LOW BEAMS ON THIS VEHICLE ARE DANGEROUS. WE PURCHASED IT FOR OUR DAUGHTER AND NOW ARE SCARED TO LET HER DRIVE IT AT NIGHT. THE HIGH BEAMS SEEM TO BE FINE BUT WHEN THE LOW BEAMS ARE ON YOU CAN NOT SEE ANYTHING. VERY DANGEROUS

SO ONE OF THE KIA DEALERS IN THE STATE OF MAINE REPLACED THE MOTOR IN OUR 2011 OPTIMA, EVER SINCE THEN OUR AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM HAS NOT BEEN WORKING. I'VE HAD IT TESTED AND RECHARGED. STILL NO ACC. I HAVE DIAGNOSED NO POWER TO THE AC PUMP. ALSO THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE NEW BULBS IN LOW BEAM AND ARE DIM..?? *TR

Mileage: 145,000

2011 KIA OPTIMA WAS PURCHASED IN 2014 WITH LOW HEADLIGHT BEAMS OUTPUT, HAS SINCE DETORIATED TO ALMOST NON EXISTENT. HAVE REPLACED HEADLIGHT BULBS SEVERAL TIMES TRYING TO IMPROVE LIGHT QUALITY AND HAS NOT RESOLVED THIS ISSUE IN ANY WAY. HAD PLANNED ON KEEPING THIS CAR FOREVER AS I HAVE REPLACED THE ENGINE ONCE ALREADY BUT I'M AT A LOSS, U SIMPLY CAN NOT SAFELY DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AT NIGHT! SO UPON RESEARCH I FOUND THIS IS A VERY BIG AND COMMON PROBLEM FOR KIA OWNERS. CLEARLY IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO SERVICING OR RECALLS OFFERED TO CORRECT THIS FOR US DRIVERS. WITH THE SUGGESTED RESOLUTION FOR THIS PROBLEM BEING A NEW HOUSING/ASSEMBLY AT $1,000 OR MORE THAT IS COMPLETELY NOT A FEASIBLE RESOLUTION TO BE ACHIEVED FINANCIALLY BY WAY OF THE AVERAGE DRIVER AS THOSE REPAIRS ARE WAY TO COSTLY, KIA SHOULD HAVE ALREADY JUMPED IN AND OFFERED SOME SAFETY RECALLS! ALSO WORTH NOTING, I HAVE CHANGED THE HEADLIGHTS MANY TIMES JUST DO TO THEM BURNING OUT, NOT SURE IF THAT IS BECAUSE OF WHATEVER UNDERLYING PROBLEM THERE IS FOR THESE LIGHTS INITIALLY OR MAYBE BECAUSE OF AFTERMARKET LIGHTS, ETC. PLEASE PLEASE ADDRESS THIS ISSUE SOON!! MY REGARDS, *COMPLAINT FORM ASKS IS THERE WAS A CRASH WITH ONLY YES OR NO OPTIONS TO ANSWER AS. THERE NEEDS TO BE AN ADDED FIELD WITH "THERE IS GOING TO BE"!

Mileage: 53,000

THE LOW BEAMS ON THIS CAR ARE ALMOST NON EXISTENT. I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH MY HIGH BEAMS ON TO SEE ANYTHING IN FRONT OF THE CAR. IT'S SO BAD THAT WHEN A CAR IS BEHIND ME THERE IS THE SHADOW OF MY CAR FROM THE HEADLIGHTS BEHIND ME. I BROUGHT TO THE GARY ROME KIA IN JANUARY WHO TOLD ME IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER THE LIFETIME HEADLIGHT WARRANTY BECAUSE THE FOIL IN HEADLIGHT HOUSING IS INTACT. IT IS A MAJOR HAZARD AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR BUT IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. CAR HAS 109K ON IT.*DT*LN *TR THE CONSUMER SUBMITTED A PHOTO OF THE VEHICLE WITH THE DIM LIGHTS. THE CONSUMER STATED MINIMIZES DRIVING AT NIGHT OR IF DRIVING SHE WOULD HAVE TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS IN ORDER TO SEE AT NIGHT. *TR

Mileage: 95,000

DRIVING AT NIGHT HAS BEEN NEAR IMPOSSIBLE. I HAVE GONE TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS WITH NO RESULTS. THERE WAS A RECALL, BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAID MY CAR DID NOT SHOW SIGNS FOR THE RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

MY CAR HAVE LOT OF PROBLEMS IN SIDE

DIM HEADLAMPS DUE TO DETERIORATING REFLECTIVE COATING ON LOW BEAM HOUSING. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

PROBLEM WITH KIA DOOR SENSOR LIGHT STAYING ON WHEN ALL DOORS ARE SHUT TIGHT. I'VE GOTTEN (3) THREE JUMPS AND PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY BECAUSE THIS SENSOR IS DRAINING MY BATTERY. WHEN THE SENSOR IS ON IT WON'T ALLOW ME TO SECURE THE CAR. IF I USE THE CLICKER IT WON'T LOCK BECAUSE THE SENSOR LIGHT IS ON. I NEVER KNOW WHEN I GO TO THE CAR IF IT WILL ACTUALLY START OR NOT. I'M TRYING TO GET THE DEALERSHIP TO UNPLUG THE SENSOR. HAD TO CALL TOW TRUCK ON: JAN 1, JAN 17 AND JAN 19

THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS HAVE CONTINUOUSLY BECOME DIMMER OVER TIME. AFTER REPLACING THE BULBS A SECOND TIME, I DETERMINED THAT IT WAS CLEARLY NOT A BULB ISSUE. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO LIGHT DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE CAR, ONLY TO THE SIDES. THE HIGH BEAMS ARE FINE. AFTER READING ON LINE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS, I TOOK MY CAR TO A DEALER. BULLDOG KIA IN ATHENS, GA TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS IN FACT A SERVICE ISSUE (SHE WOULD NOT SAY RECALL), BUT BECAUSE NOTHING IN MY HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS "BROKEN OR CRACKED" THEY COULDN'T REPLACE IT. AND SINCE I DIDN'T BUY THE BULB FROM KIA, THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. I PURCHASED THE EXACT BULB RECOMMENDED FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. KIA WAS GOING TO CHARGE ME $1,000 TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES. THE NEW ASSEMBLIES WOULD BE EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE ONES THAT ARE CURRENTLY BAD. NOTHING HAS BEEN CHANGED! IF YOU LOOK AT ANY KIA OPTIMA ON THE ROAD THAT IS MORE THAN 3 OR 4 YEARS OLD, YOU WILL SEE THE SAME DARK AREA IN FRONT OF THE CAR, WITH A LOT OF LIGHT SHOOTING OUT TO THE SIDES. SINCE THIS IS MY DAUGHTERS CAR FOR COLLEGE, I PURCHASED NEW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES ON LINE FOR $285 AND REPLACED THEM MYSELF AND USED LED BULBS TO PREVENT THE "BURNING" OF THE CHROME PLATING INSIDE THE ASSEMBLY THAT APPARENTLY CAUSE THE OTHERS TO GO BAD. THIS IS A TREMENDOUS SAFETY HAZARD. ANYONE WHO REPLACES THE BULB THINKS THAT THEY ARE FIXING THE PROBLEM, AND THEREFORE ARE DRIVING IN INADEQUATE LIGHTING. PLEASE, PLEASE DO SOMETHING TO FORCE KIA TO RECALL AND REPLACE THESE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES BEFORE NEEDLESS ACCIDENTS HAPPEN CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH. MY DAUGHTER WAS OVERWHELMED BY THE ADDITIONAL VISION THAT SHE NOW HAS WITH HER NEW LED LIGHTS. SHE ONLY TOLD ME BECAUSE SHE HAD FRIENDS THAT DIDN'T FEEL SAFE RIDING IN HER CAR AT NIGHT. SO SHE BROUGHT IT TO MY ATTENTION. I AM APPALLED THAT KIA IS AVOIDING THIS MAJOR ISSUE. PLEASE TAKE ACTION ASAP. THANK YOU.

Mileage: 75,000

HEADLIGHTS ARE TOO DIM. USING LOW BEAM LIGHTS AT NIGHT DOES NOT ILLUMINATE THE ROAD AT ALL. HAVE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT BULBS 3 TIMES AND IT DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM.

MY KIA 2011 INTERIOR DOME LIGHT GOES ON & OFF WHILE DRIVING. IT'S DANGEROUS AT NIGHT BECAUSE THE LIGHT GOES ON & OFF WHILE DRIVING

Mileage: 60

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

Mileage: 54,000

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.

LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTING IS VERY VERY POOR.

Mileage: 150,000

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.

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.

Mileage: 164,000

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.

Mileage: 100,000

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.

Mileage: 90,000

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.

Mileage: 114,000

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.

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.

Mileage: 30

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.

Mileage: 105,000

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.

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.

Mileage: 68,000

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.

"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.

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.

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

Mileage: 130,000

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.

Mileage: 78,000

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.

HEAD LIGHTS FLASH ON AND OFF FOR NO REASON WHEN FIRST STARTED IT UP LAST FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES

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.

LIGHTS FLASH OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING / HEAR CLICKING SOUND WHILE MY DASH BOARD FLICKERS AS WELL. THIS HAPPENS WHEN PARKED AND IN MOTION

Mileage: 130,000

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.

Mileage: 125,000

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.

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.

Mileage: 55,000

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.

Mileage: 133,988

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

Mileage: 99,200

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.

Mileage: 90,000

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.

Mileage: 42,000

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.

Mileage: 40,000

HEADLIGHTS ARE USLESS. THEY ARE SO DIM YOU CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR AT NIGHT AT ALL. THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE A ACCIDENT.

Mileage: 100,000

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.

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.

Mileage: 115,000

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!!!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Mileage: 120,000

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 ,,!!!!

Mileage: 68,000

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.

Mileage: 75,000

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.

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.

Mileage: 90,000

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

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 .

Mileage: 90,000

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.

Mileage: 100,000

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.

Mileage: 87,000

(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.

Mileage: 70,000

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

Mileage: 75,000

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

2011 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE PROJECTOR HEADLIGHTS VISIBILITY ISSUES AT NIGHT. CONSUMER USES HIGH BEAM LIGHTS AT NIGHT. *SMD THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, THE CONSUMER PROVIDED IS INVALID. *JB

THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS LOOK LIKE FLASHLIGHTS WITH WEAK BATTERIES, YOU CAN ONLY SEE ABOUT 6 FEET IN FRONT OF CAR. THE LENS ON THE HEADLIGHTS ARE CLEAR LIKE NEW ONES, BUT THE HEAT FROM THE BULBS DESTROY THE REFLECTIVE MATERIAL INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT. THE ONLY WAY TO DRIVE AT NIGHT IS WITH THE BRIGHT LIGHTS ON. THE ONLY FIX IS TO REPLACE BOTH HEADLIGHTS. WHEN YOU GOOGLE THIS PROBLEM MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT.

Mileage: 85,675

CAN BARLEY SEE 2 FEET AHEAD OF THE VEHICLE AFTER DARK. HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM. VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 62000 MILES.

Mileage: 58,000

LOW BEAMS ARE NOT ILLUMINATING.. THE REFELECTIVE PAINT INSIDE HAS BURNED OFF AND I CANNOT DRIVE AT NIGHT WITH OUT MY HIGH BEAMS DUE TO THE FACT THAT I CAN'T SEE MORE THAN 2 FEET IN FRONT OF MY CAR. THE STEERING ON MY CAR STARTED THIS CLICKING NOISE WHEN TURNING AND THE STEERING WHEEL RATTLES WHEN I GO OVER THE SMALLEST BUMP ON THE ROAD. IT IS ALSO WEARING OUT MY TIRES AND CAUSING MY CAR TO PULL SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT.

Mileage: 73,000

STEERING WHEEL HAS A CLICKING SOUND WHEN TURNING. BOUGHT IT INTO A COLLISION CENTER, THE TECHNICIAN SAID THAT IT WAS A SERVICE RECALL ON OPTIMA. HE KNEW THAT SOUND BEFORE I DESCRIBED IT TO HIM. BRAKE LIGHT BULB BLOWS AS SOON AS YOU PUT THEM IN. THE TECH SAID THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Mileage: 75,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE STOP LAMPS FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V114000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

Mileage: 72,000

MY HEADLIGHTS HAVE GONE COMPLETELY DIM. I CAN'T SEE MORE THAN 4 FT IN FRONT OF MY CAR SO NO LONGER DRIVE AT NIGHT. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP HERE IN ORLANDO AND THEY STATED THIS HAS HAPPENED BECAUSE THE HEAT OF THE BULB CAUSE THE PAINT IN THE UNIT TO PEEL AWAY. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS YET, BUT HAVE HAD A FEW OCCASIONS WHERE A CAR CUT ME OFF AND ANOTHER ALMOST RAN ME OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE MY LIGHT TO NOT ILLUMINATE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID SINCE I AM NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY IT WOULD COST ME $1200 TO FIX. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND SOME FORUMS WHERE OTHER DRIVERS HAVE COMPLAINED OF THE SAME ISSUE FOR YEARS AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. THERE IS ALSO AN ISSUE WITH THE STEERING. THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE AND RATTLING WHEN I DRIVE AND HIT A SMALL BUMP. I WAS TOLD BY THE SAME DEALERSHIP THAT IT WOULD COST $400 TO FIX THAT $3.00 PIECE OF PLASTIC THAT HOLDS THAT TOGETHER. IF IT NOT FIXED IN TIME THAT THE STEERING WOULD BE GONE COMPLETELY. I DON'T THINK CONSUMERS SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE MANUFACTURER TAKING SHORT CUTS AND USING CHEAP PRODUCTS THAT COST US TONS OF MONEY TO FIX.

Mileage: 82,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED HOWEVER, THE ILLUMINATION WAS EXTREMELY DIM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO INFORMED THAT BOTH HEAD LAMPS OVERHEATED WHICH CAUSED THE REFLECTOR TO MELT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 62,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED HOWEVER, THE ILLUMINATION WAS EXTREMELY DIM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO INFORMED THAT BOTH HEAD LAMPS OVERHEATED WHICH CAUSED THE REFLECTOR TO MELT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 62,000

POLICE OFFICER POINTED OUT MY CAR'S TAIL LIGHTS WERE OUT WED NIGHT (WHILE HEADLIGHTS WERE ON). THURS, CHECKED ALL FUSES, ALL OK. DID WEB SEARCH TO FIND FUSE FOR TAIL LIGHTS. FOUND INSTEAD DESCRIPTION OF KLUDGE FIX OF REMOVING MEMORY FUSE FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. REMOVED MEMORY FUSE FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, PUT IT BACK IN, TAIL LIGHTS THEN CAME ON WHEN HEADLIGHTS WERE ON. *TR

Mileage: 11,000

THIS KIA HAS A PUSH BUTTON START OPTION. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT TURNING ON WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE COMPUTER LOOKS FOR A SIGNAL FROM THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH BEFORE IT STARTS THE ENGINE. I DISCONNECTED AND RECONNECTED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH AND THE PROBLEM WAS TEMPORARILY CORRECTED. TWO DAYS LATER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AGAIN AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT TURNING ON. WE USED THE PROCEDURE TO BYPASS THE BRAKE SIGNAL (HOLD START BUTTON FOR 12+ SECONDS) TO START THE ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS NOW DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH NO BRAKE LIGHTS. THERE WAS ALSO A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER INDICATING AN ISSUE WITH THE ESC SYSTEM. DEALERSHIP STATED THEY HAVE SEEN A FEW CARS WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 40,500

TAIL LIGHTS, DASH BACK LIGHTING BECAME INOPERATIVE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. THIS MODEL DOES NOT HAVE A SMART KEY SYSTEM SOLUTION FOUND ON-LINE 1.OPEN IN-DASH FUSE BOX 2.PULL YELLOW MEMORY FUSE 3.WAIT A FEW MINUTES 4.REPLACE FUSE 5.CHECK TO SEE IF THINGS ARE WORKING RIGHT (IF NOT, REPEAT PREVIOUS STEPS WITH A LONGER WAIT BEFORE REPLACING THE FUSE). *TR

Mileage: 24,875

THE INTERIOR OVERHEAD LIGHTS PERIODICALLY COME ON AND GO OFF WHILE OPERATING OUR 2011 OPTIMA. THIS OCCURS WITH THE SWITCH IN BOTH ON AND OFF POSITION AND THE LIGHTBULBS TEND TO BECOME OVERHEATED.THEY DO NOT RESPOND TO MANUAL OPERATION, BUT GO OFF ON THEIR OWN AND THIS MALFUNCTION REPEATS SEVERAL TIMES IN A TEN MINUTE DRIVE. BEST-CASE SCENARIO RESULTS IN THE BULBS BURNING OUT PREMATURELY, BUT I BELIEVE THERE IS A REAL CHANCE OF A MORE SERIOUS SHORT-CIRCUIT AND POTENTIAL INTERIOR FIRE. *TR

Mileage: 16,500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE CONTACT INADVERTENTLY DEACTIVATED THE HEADLIGHTS WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER WAS PUSHED DOWN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE END POINT OF THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER INCLUDED A KNOB THAT CONTROLLED THE HEADLIGHTS, WHICH EASILY ROTATED TO DEACTIVATE THE HEADLIGHTS WHILE MAKING A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIANS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NOT A REMEDY AVAILABLE FOR THE ISSUE AND THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE COMPROMISED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,300. UPDATED 02/15/12*BF THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THERE WAS NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 02/29/12

Mileage: 1,300