2017 Kia Optima Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 6%of 257 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 61,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2017 Kia Optima, 6% of the 257 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 61,500 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When car is driving, or sitting the head lights will go on and off by themselves. Like when its dark they will shut off. Then come back on, switch is on automatic mode. Then when you switch to turn lights on it will do on and off. Been happening for several months, finally did it on my husband he was thinking I had lost my mind.”
NHTSA complaint #11341507, filed 2020-07, 73,200 miles“Bought my Kia 1 ago & always had a problem w/headlights always turning on & off when in auto mode. Trunk latch had to be replaced due latch not locking when trying to close trunk. Dealership said they get 20-30 latch issues w/my make & model of Kia every week. After vehicle starts car just dies & engine light comes on. At times car will stay on but stutters like its going to die.”
NHTSA complaint #11353263, filed 2020-09, 68,000 miles“Takata recall break lights not coming on. I noticed I had a notification come on my dashboard that read ''check brake lights' and both of my break lights were flashing on the image of the car on the dash. It would come off and on randomly throughout the day. I can smack my break lights and they come back on, and once I press my break they go back off.”
NHTSA complaint #11097716, filed 2018-05, 12,000 miles“When on automatic mode, the headlights suddenly shut off. Sometimes they come back on after a moment, but sometimes they do not come back on until you turn the headlight switch from automatic to on. This is very dangerous. It has happened numerous times while driving, in both day and night conditions.”
NHTSA complaint #11246507, filed 2019-08, 55,000 miles“The headlights will go off no matter if the switch is on auto or normal on. The lights cut off while driving, it happens on the street, highway, and even if the car isn't moving. It started about a month ago. There hasn't been any damage or wrecks to my car.”
NHTSA complaint #11399153, filed 2021-03, 100,000 milesRelated 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…
- 10130102Feb 19, 2018TSB - SERVICE ACTION: OUTSIDE REAR COMBINATION LAMP HARNESS REPLACEMENT (SA334) - This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the outside rear combination lamp harness on…
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 2017 Kia Optima
165 complaintsOther or unknown
33 complaintsElectrical system
25 complaintsFuel system
22 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
21 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaintsForward collision avoidance
8 complaintsSeat belts
8 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsAir bags
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2017 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