2003 Kia Optima Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 2%of 141 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,016miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2003 Kia Optima, 2% of the 141 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,016 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The vehicle came equipped with an automatic switch to turn the headlights on or use the manual switch. When the automatic switch was used, the high beams were inoperative. It was not possible to turn on the high beams. The dealer stated it was normal. Also, the position of the rear view mirror size/height of the driver seat limited front view on the right of the windshield. The consumer almost hit a passing vehicle as he was going into the dealers lot and could not see it until it was directly in front of the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10020418, filed 2003-06, 31 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the passenger doors would not unlock from the interior or exterior of the vehicle. The only way to exit from the vehicle was to climb out from the opposite side. The contact also stated that the headlights would fail intermittently. The vehicle was not inspected by the dealer nor was it repaired for the failures. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10373927, filed 2011-01, 180,000 miles“Vehicle comes equipped with an automatic or manual operated headlights. When the automatic headlight are engaged vehicle's high beams are inoperative.”
NHTSA complaint #10021935, filed 2003-05Related service bulletins
- 10201529Sep 13, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this…
- 10026726Aug 28, 2008Kia: all models. Article provides information relating to the improved durability of bulb life for rear combination bulb; rear stop lamp/tail lamp bulb utilized on multiple kia…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 1% |
| 2019 | 2 | 1% |
| 2018 | 14 | 6% |
| 2017 | 15 | 6% |
| 2016 | 47 | 6% |
| 2015 | 23 | 2% |
| 2014 | 18 | 3% |
| 2013 | 40 | 3% |
| 2012 | 31 | 3% |
| 2011 | 88 | 15% |
| 2010 | 2 | 3% |
| 2009 | 9 | 8% |
| 2008 | 8 | 6% |
| 2007 | 27 | 16% |
| 2006 | 16 | 10% |
| 2005 | 4 | 3% |
| 2004 | 5 | 2% |
| 2003 | 3 | 2% |
| 2002 | 2 | 2% |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2003 Kia Optima
53 complaintsElectrical system
25 complaintsBody and structure
25 complaintsAir bags
17 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsEngine
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Kia Optima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology