2011 Kia Optima Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 88about this part
- Share
- 15%of 594 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 85,675miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 88 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2011 Kia Optima, 15% of the 594 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,675 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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”
NHTSA complaint #11406166, filed 2021-04, 177,000 miles“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”
NHTSA complaint #11174268, filed 2019-02, 130,000 miles“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..??”
NHTSA complaint #11330295, filed 2020-06, 145,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11403352, filed 2021-03, 130,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11267314, filed 2019-10, 164,000 milesRelated recalls
- 13V114000Apr 1, 2013Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul…Covers: Kia Optima 2008–2011, Sorento 2007–2011, Sedona 2007–2011 +6 more
Related 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…
- 10170778Jan 21, 2020TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: HALOGEN HEAD LAMP LOW BEAM BULB CONNECTOR REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides information regarding the procedure to repair the bulb connector on…
- 10162046Jun 14, 2019TSB: TF/TF-HEV HEADLAMP INSPECTION AND/OR REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides the procedure to inspect and/or replace the headlamp assembly on some 2011-2013 MY Optima (TF…
- 10162051Jun 11, 2019wty014_OWNR: This document is the Owner Notification Letter advising the customers of the Warranty Extension on the Headlamp Assembly on the 2011-2013 MY Optima and Optima HEV…
- 10162053Jun 7, 2019WTY014_QA: This document is the Question and Answer guide for the warranty extension on the Headlamp Assembly for the 2011-2013 MY Optima and Optima HEV vehicles.
- 10162052Jun 7, 2019WTY014_PSM: This document is the notification to the Parts and Service Managers advising them of the warranty extension on the Headlamp Assembly on 2011-2013 MY Optima and Optima…
- 10162050Jun 7, 2019WTY014: This document is the Dealer Principal Notification advising of the Warranty Extension Program for the Headlamp Assembly on 2011-2013 MY Optima and Optima HEV vehicles.
- 10123322Oct 31, 2017TSB - OUTSIDE REAR COMBINATION LAMP WATER INTRUSION - This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the outside rear combination lamp pads on some 2011-2015MY Optima (TF)…
- 10092102Mar 19, 2015Pitstop: stop lamp switch identification matrix (sc098) - kma has received a number of incorrect warranty return parts related to campaign sc098 and has determined that at times…
- 10060655Nov 15, 2013Summary to be provided on a future date.
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 2011 Kia Optima
256 complaintsSteering
100 complaintsElectrical system
63 complaintsBrakes
47 complaintsOther or unknown
41 complaintsAir bags
31 complaintsFuel system
26 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
25 complaintsBody and structure
21 complaintsVehicle speed control
19 complaintsSuspension
18 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 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