2011 Kia Optima lighting problems

Related recalls

• Recall 13V114000Apr 1, 2013980,377 vehicles
  EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

  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.

  Risk: 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.

  Remedy: 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.

What owners say

1. Filed Jun 2, 2026UTLighting

   I have replaced the headlights in my 2011 Kia Optima multiple times but no matter what without the brights on, the road is not at all illuminated making it impossible to see at night. When you look at the car head on the lights look as if they would be incredibly bright, but I believe due to faulty reflective lining on the interior of the headlight housing, even though the bulb may shine brightly, it does not get reflected properly onto the surface of the road causing…

   NHTSA complaint #11741618 · source
2. Filed Sep 15, 2024ILBrakesLightingSuspension

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11614735 · source
3. Filed Apr 26, 2024150,000 miMILighting

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11585373 · source
4. Filed Dec 26, 2023NEEngineLightingOther / Unknown

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11561969 · source
5. Filed Mar 25, 2023ORLighting

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11513712 · source
6. Filed Feb 19, 2023KYLighting

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11508115 · source
7. Filed Nov 16, 2022MOLighting

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11493818 · source
8. Filed Sep 20, 2021FLLighting

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11433633 · source
9. Filed Apr 3, 2021177,000 miFLLightingVisibility & Wipers

   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 · source
10. Filed Mar 20, 2021101,000 miCOLighting

    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.

    NHTSA complaint #11403985 · source
11. Filed Mar 16, 2021130,000 miUTElectrical SystemEngineLighting

    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 · source
12. Filed Dec 25, 2020FLLighting

    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.

    NHTSA complaint #11384894 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology