MyCarTSB

2013 Kia Optima Lights Problems

26 owner-reported lights complaints from NHTSA data

26
Complaints
Jan 2023Dec 2021
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (26)

mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING,STRUCTURE
Filed: Mar 2026

The paint on your hood and doors is peeling or flaking off. Additionally, your headlights aren't bright enough, so you've had to replace them with aftermarket headlights to get adequate brightness. Fixing this will likely require repainting the affected body panels and potentially replacing or upgrading the factory headlight assemblies.

NHTSA #: 11723669
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING,STRUCTURE
Filed: Oct 2023

THE HEADLIGHTS ON THIS VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY DIM. I have changed the bulbs and you can not see out of this vehicle at night. I have checked to see if there is a recall or something. A lot of people have issue with this year make and model of this vehicle. The other problem I am having is the paint peeling with the Snow white color of my vehicle. Large spots of paint is coming off and missing. this vehicle is kept under the carport. Yet, large spots of paint comes off.

NHTSA #: 11552750
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Jul 2023

The hid headlights. Specifically low beams go dim.They are so dim you can not drive safely at night. Change the bulbs and still the same issue.My understanding the reflector housing on the projector gets worn out and does reduce the light output of low beams. This is a driving hazard at night.this issue affecting the sx and sxl models with hid projector headlights.

NHTSA #: 11531499
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jun 2023

The center console power supply is faulty, does not charge or hold usb port. The white paint on my car began to chip in large amounts.

NHTSA #: 11525324
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Filed: May 2023

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was jerking and then lost motive power. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the brake lights remained illuminated while the vehicle was turned off. The vehicle also experienced phantom braking while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that an unknown sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.

NHTSA #: 11522511
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Apr 2023

The reflectors on the low beam headlights have degraded to the point it has failed Virginia state inspection. The safety of myself and others is impacted by reduced nighttime visibility. Distance of vision at night is reduced to only as much distance as the parking lights provide. The dealer has inspected and rejected the vehicle from passing Virginia State inspection and is now not lawfully allowed to be driven. There were no warning lamps to indicate a failure.

NHTSA #: 11518881
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Feb 2023

Headlights are dangerously dim. Won’t pass inspection and I’ve changed bulbs multiple times

NHTSA #: 11506086
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Jan 2023

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at night, the low-beam headlights failed to properly illuminate the roadway, causing a driving hazard. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact made several unknown local dealers aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 53,000.

NHTSA #: 11502278
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Sep 2022

The chrome finish on the inside of the low beam headlight reflectors has disintegrated resulting in very dim, almost unusable headlight light output. The dealer states while the manufacturer has a tsp and warranty extension (WTY014) on Korean-built Optimas for this MY it does not apply to American-built Optimas - despite the headlight being manufactured in Korea on the US models and it having the exact same issue. This extension should apply to all Optimas during the covered MY that have this issue.

NHTSA #: 11487206
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Jul 2022

I own a 2013 Kia Optima. The low-beam headlight was not providing proper illumination while driving at night, making it difficult to see the roadway. Took the vehicle to the local dealer, the mechanic was able to see the failure, but stated that my car was made in the US. So the Recall that is out for dimming headlights from cars made in South Korea does not apply to my car. Stated it would cost $720 per headlight assembly plus labor. The car was not repaired. The manufacturer should cover cars made in the US also if the ones in South Korea have the same problem and are being fixed.

NHTSA #: 11474759
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE
Filed: Apr 2022

My paint has been chipping really bad. Also I had a few recalls taken care of at modesto Kia once I got my vehicle back and drove it back home (about an hour and a half away) I started smelling something burning, I looked under the hood and couldn't find anything wrong so then a few days later I smelled the same thing but this time I heard a loud pop I got out and noticed my fog light had shattered, and the housing is completely burned. So now my fog lights won't work and I have to make sure the fog lights are turned off because I don't want there to be power going to the loose wires, the head lights get extremely hot to the touch the fog light got so hot it burned a hole through the bumper. Then about two weeks ago the airbag light turned on and it won't turn off, I did some research and found out that when the air bag light is on there is a huge chance the airbags won't deploy. I have a baby so I really hope that isn't the case, because if a hair on his head gets harmed because of Kia I will be suing.

NHTSA #: 11461428
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Dec 2021

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the low-beam headlight was not providing proper illumination while driving, making it difficult to see the roadway. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 176,000.

NHTSA #: 11444186
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
Filed: May 2020

ON MAY 10, 2020 @7:32 AM I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND CAME TO A STOP LIGHT WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN MY CAR STALLED AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD TURNED ON. I PULLED OVER AND STARTED THE BACK UP AND MADE IT HOME. THE NEXT DAY I DROVE ABOUT 10 MILES AND THE CAR SEEMED FINE BUT AS I GET TO THE STOP LIGHT THE CAR STARTED MAKING A GRINDING SOUND LIKE METAL AND I COULDN'T ACCELERATE SO I PULLED OVER AND THE CAR DIED IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. THE NEXT MORNING I CALL AAA AND HAD CAR TOWED BACK TO MY HOME. THE NEXT DAY AAA CAME OUT AGAIN AND CHECKED MY BATTERY, STARTER, AND SYSTEM SOMETHING AND THEY WERE ALL WORKING GOOD. I CALLED STEVE SCHMITT KIA ON HALLS FERRY ROAD AND ASKED WAS THERE ANOTHER RECALL ON MY CAR FOR THE ENGINE, THE LADY PAUSED AND THEN SAID "WE DON'T HAVE THE PARTS YET, " SHE THEN SAID HOLD ON AND CAME BACK AND SAID "WE DON'T HAVE ANY RECALLS ON THIS CAR. ON OCTOBER THE 1 , 2019 I TOOK MY CAR TO KIA FOR A RECALL ON MY MOTOR AND LOOKING AT THE RECEIPT THEY REPLACED ELEMENT AIR FILTER, ADJUSTED ALIGNMENT FOUR WHEELS, MOUNT AND BALANCE 2 TIRES, REPLACED CABIN AIR FILTER PLUS A OIL CHANGE WHICH I PAID FOR. MY CAR HAS BEEN SITTING SINCE MAY 13, 2020 . I FREQUENTLY GO OUT AND CHECK IT AND IT STARTS AND I HEAR A KNOCKING SOUND .( ENGINE FAIL) *TR *BF *AS

NHTSA #: 11326079
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Mar 2020

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, AT NIGHT, MY FOG LIGHTS START GOING ON AND OFF. I NEVER REALIZED HOW MUCH THEY ACTUALLY HELP. CAR ISN'T UNDER WARRANTY SO KIA WILL NOT REPLACE. GOOGLE SEARCH SHOWS LOTS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. FOUND OUT IT COULD BE THE LCM - $80. FOR WHAT LOOKS LIKE A [XXX] PLUG IN. REALLY? COME ON KIA. ADDITIONALLY, I WAS INFORMED OF A HEADLIGHT RECALL. CALLED RICK CASE KIA, AGAIN, TERRIBLE SERVICE/CUSTOMER SERVICE. THEY DISMISSED ME, JUST KEPT SAYING "THERE'S NO RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE." PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA #: 11315514
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Feb 2020

HEADLIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY GETTING DIMMER, CAN ONLY SEE ABOUT 2 FEET IN FRONT OF THE CAR WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN, FOG AND AT NIGHT. I HAVE CHANGED THE BULBS SEVERAL TIMES THINKING THIS WAS THE PROBLEM BUT CLEARING IT IS NOT. THERE IS A PROBLEM AND I FEAR DRIVING AT NIGHT AND IN FOG AND RAIN FOR FEAR OF SAFETY. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED FOR THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVER AND THE PUBLIC. THIS ALL STARTED ABOUT A YEAR AGO. I THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS MY VISION BUT MY HUSBAND AND SON BOTH AND A MECHANIC HAVE CONFIRMED THE SOMETHING IS CLEARLY WRONG THIS THE LIGHTING SYSTEM IN THE CAR.

NHTSA #: 11308482
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Jul 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA #: 11231407
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Jul 2019

MY BAKE TAIL LIGHT KEEP MOISTURE AND HOLDS WATER WHEN IT RAINS, WHICH HAS CAUSED ME TO REPLACE BAKE LIGHT OFTEN. THE SEALS ON THE LIGHTS AREN'T AIR TIGHT. IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS.

NHTSA #: 11231506
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: May 2019

PASSENGER HEADLIGHT KEEPS BURNING OUT.

NHTSA #: 11209167
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING,ENGINE,VISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Apr 2019

OIL IS COMPLETELY EMPTY BEFORE 1000 MILES AFTER AN OIL CHANGE. HAVE SWITCHED TO SYNTHETIC OIL AND USED ADDITIVES. NOTHING HAS HELPED AND I AM ADDING AT LEAST 6-8 QUARTS FOR 3000 MILES. ALSO THE HEADLIGHTS ARE HORRIBLE. I CAN NOT SEE 10 FEET PASS MY FRONT END AT NIGHT. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND NEW BULBS DO NOT HELP. IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, BUT KIA COULD CARE LESS. NOT ONLY CAN I NOT SEE BUT I'M DRIVING A DEATH TRAP THAT WILL MOST LIKELY CATCH FIRE LIKE THOUSANDS OF THE 2013 HAVE ALREADY. HOW DO THESE CAR COMPANIES GET AWAY WITH THIS?

NHTSA #: 11193745
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Dec 2018

THE HEAD LAMPS POINT AT THE GROUND AND MAY LIGHT 10 FEET IN FRONT OF THE CAR. KIA SAID THERE IS NOTHING WRONG, BUT THE LIGHTS WORKED WELL WHEN WE BROUGHT THE CAR, AND WHEN THIS HAPPEN IT WAS ONE LAMP AT A TIME, DRIVERS SIDE FIRST AND THEN PASSENGERS SIDE ABOUT A MONTH LATER. I REPLACED THE BULBS WITH NO HELP, AND THERE IS NO ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE LOW BEAMS AND THOSE ARE THE LAMPS WITH THE ISSUE.

NHTSA #: 11156396
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Oct 2018

MY HEADLIGHT BULBS BLEW FINALLY AFTER 5 YEARS BUT THE COVER TO CHANGE THEM IS STUCK! IT'S LIKE THEY ARE SUPER GLUED OR WELDED SHUT! I TRIED TO OPEN THE COVER AND TAKE IT OFF AND SO DID MY HUSBAND. WE WENT TO AUTOZONE AND A ACTUALLY KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEY CAN'T EVEN REMOVE IT! LIGHT ARE SUPER IMPORTANT AND ARE A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE IF YOU CAN'T ACCESS YOUR HEADLIGHT BULBS WITHOUT THEM HAVING TO REMOVE YOUR FRONT END. KIA IS CHARGING ME 108.00 A HOUR SAYING THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO REMOVE THE FRONT PART OF MY OF MY CAR TO TRY TO REMOVE THE LIGHT COVER. PLEASE REVIEW THIS ISSUE!

NHTSA #: 11139023
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Sep 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS DID NOT ILLUMINATE FAR ENOUGH AHEAD OF THE VEHICLE FOR IT TO BE DRIVEN SAFELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CHROME REFLECTIVE TAPE WAS BEING BURNED OUT, WHICH RESULTED IN INSUFFICIENT LIGHT BEING REFLECTED. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THAT THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THAT COMPONENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.

NHTSA #: 11130426
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Jun 2017

THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLAMP HAS DIED. TO MAKE THIS REPAIR YOU NEED TO REMOVE THE RADIATOR EXPANSION TANK, A SMALL SCREW HOLDING THE REAR OF THE LIGHT COVER IN PLACE AND THEN THE ENTIRE LAMP ASSEMBLY BY RELEASING TWO SCREWS ON TOP AND CLIPS BETWEEN HE BODY AND THE LAMP ASSEMBLY FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR. YOU NEED CAR RAMPS TO DO THIS APPARENTLY. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CAN NOT BE DONE IN AN EMERGENCY. I CALLED MY DEALER AND THE LABOR IS ABOUT 45 MINUTES - TO CHANGE A LIGHT BULB! THIS IS FINANCIALLY IRRESPONSIBLE OF KIA TO DESIGN THE CAR SO POORLY. IT IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE IF YOU WERE DRIVING OVERNIGHT AND COULD NOT REPLACE THE BULB. HAVING TO MAKE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT TO CHANGE A LIGHTBULB IS A COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY AND RIDICULOUS SITUATION. IF THE WEATHER WERE INCLEMENT AND YOU CANNOT CHANGE THE BULB YOU ARE IN A REAL PREDICAMENT. THE NTSB SHOULD HAVE A POLICY THAT HEADLAMP REPLACEMENT ACCESS SHOULD BE IN A LOCATION THAT A 7TH GRADER COULD REASONABLE BE EXPECTED TO CHANGE THE BULB WITHOUT HAVING TO REMOVE SIGNIFICANT CAR COMPONENTS. SOMEONE COULD INCUR A BURN MOVING THE EXPANSION TANK IF THE CAR WERE NOT COOLED DOWN ENOUGH. THE ENTIRE PROCESS IS BEYOND COMPREHENSION.

NHTSA #: 10995502
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING,STRUCTURE
Filed: Nov 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE WASHING THE VEHICLE, WATER WAS OBSERVED IN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEALANT AROUND THE HEADLIGHTS WAS FAILING. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT REPAIRED OR REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

NHTSA #: 10926014
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Feb 2015

MY HEADLIGHT WENT OUT SUNDAY, 2/23/2015. I PURCHASED A BULB FROM OUR LOCAL AUTO PARTS STORE AND WENT HOME , THINKING I COULD CHANGE THE BULB MYSELF. I TOOK OUT MY TRUSTY CAR MANUAL AND TRIED TO GET DIRECTIONS ON CHANGING THE BULB MYSELF. AFTER FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS, I WAS STILL UNABLE TO GET TO THE BULB. AT THIS POINT I WENT TO THE INTERNET. MY KIA WILL BE 2 YEARS OLD IN MAY 2015. LOW AND BEHOLD, I FIND OUT YOU HAVE TO TAKE OFF THE FRONT BUMPER JUST TO CHANGE THE HEADLIGHT. IN A PANIC, I CALL THE DEALERSHIP, SALE KIA OF KINSTON, NC, THEY INFORM ME THAT EVEN THOUGH I HAVE THE BULB, IT WILL COST ME $100.00 TO TAKE OFF THE BUMPER, JUST TO CHANGE THE LIGHT. MAYBE I SHOULD BUY ANOTHER BULB AND CHANGE BOTH AND THAT WAY I COULD BE SAVING MYSELF ANOTHER $100.00. THIS IS THE SECOND KIA I HAVE OWNED. I TRADED MY AMANTI WHICH WAS 6 YEARS OLD FOR THIS VEHICLE. I GOT NONE OF THE ADVERTISED PERKS, LOYALTY BONUS OR ANY OTHER ADVERTISED BONUS THAT I HAD READ ABOUT, THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN MY WARNING. TRADING FOR THIS OPTIMA WAS THE WORST MISTAKE I COULD HAVE MADE. I HAD ONE SERVICE CALL WORKED ON THROUGH MY WARRANTY ON THE AMANTI. AFTER 9 MONTHS IN THE OPTIMA THE DEALERSHIP STATED NOTING UNUSUAL WEAR ON MY FRONT TIRES. I FINALLY HAD TO BUY MORE OUT OF MY POCKET. BY THE WAY MY KIA DIDN'T COME WITH A SPARE OR A JACK, JUST A MOBILITY KIT, WHICH CONSIST OF A LITTLE BAG WITH A CAN OF FIX-A-FLAT. SO IF YOU'RE IN THE MARKET FOR A BRAND NEW CAR, DON"T BUY A KIA. WHEW!! I FEEL BETTER NOW. I'M RETIRED, SO I GUESS MY NEXT STEP IS TO START CHECKING THE WANT ADS TO FIND ME A JOB TO SAVE UP FOR A DOWN PAYMENT ON ANOTHER CAR, AND YOU CAN BELIEVE IT WON'T BE A KIA. *TR

NHTSA #: 10689953
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: May 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,600 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,900. *TR

NHTSA #: 10510732

Other 2013 Kia Optima Issues