Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Kia Optima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My headlights are preventing me from passing motor vehicle inspection low beam are on doesn't look like their on so I have to drive with high beams and with that no one flashes me. Because all four are on but u can't tell if the low ones on it looks like I just have my parking lights on.
headlights very dim . replaced bulbs . replaced wiring harness. replaced alternater . still dim . cannot see more than a few feet at night. have heard this is a common problem . would like any info to correct problem .no longer safe to drive vehicle at night. please reply asap.
I bougjt this car in 2014. I have replaced both low-beam headlights, twice, a brake light, both rear blinkers, a front blinker, as well as both highbeams. I have never replaced even half the number of lights in the entire lifetime of ownership of any vehicle I have owned in the past. This is an obvious recall issue based on safety as well as quality if Kia cared. When the lights are working I have to drive with my high-beams on and I never get flashed or pulled over. It is extremely hard to see vs. Any other vehicle. I have had many friends and family in the car and have shared the story. And everyone says the same thing, its like the brights in this car is everyone else's regular lights. In fact, many people say the high-beams are not as bright as most vehicles low-beams. It is ridiculous and unfair that us owners have to spend $10-$35 on a bulb or two an average of every 5-8 weeks. …
Low beam headlights, keep replacing bulbs, exact bulbs required by Kia. Alternating either the driver's side or the passenger. Beside this problem, the headlights are so low that at night I have been running with high beams on for over a year now; on-coming cars don't seem to be bothered by the high beams. Usually high beams cause on coming vehicles to flash their high beams, but this is not the case, we've discussed with Firestone, they tested the bulbs and believe it is electrical. Since reviewing your on-line complaints on this issue, we'd expect a recall by Kia! We'd like to see that, at no cost, instead of it being our expense. I had several Chevy camaro for years, never experienced this problem. Only recalling headlights being replaced one or twice!
My low beam lights have no visibility and I have been researching online used headlight assembly because it costs $400 for both sides that I dont have I replaced my low and high beam bulbs the high beams work just fine but as I was doing research a high percentage of this make and model have the same reoccurring problem I seen where they have recalled 2011 and up for this problem but I guess decided to not worry about the older models I can understand that but that is my only means of transportation for work and my daughters now it is getting darker earlier and I can't afford to drive around with my bright lights on and the air bag light will not go off
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the exterior headlights were extremely dim. The lights had to be on the high beam setting in order to see anything. The contact mentioned that the failure was a very serious safety concern because visibility was impaired while operating the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the headlights needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 126,805. The VIN was not available.
Low beam headlights are too dim. Tried replacing the bulbs, but no change. Cleaned the outer lens to improve clarity and get rid of yellowing. But did not help. The outer lens looks just fine. When I removed the assembly to check if there's anything wrong inside, I was shocked. The projector bowl had caught rust on both sides, thus causing poor reflectivity and low light on the road. Turns out every 2006/2007 Optima owner has had the same issue. I found this out when I looked online to purchase a new assembly.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Kia Optima. On several occasions, while driving at night, the headlights became extremely dim, forcing the contact to turn on the high beam headlights to see properly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the headlight assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 139,000.
Low beam headlights extremely dim, problem reviewed by dealer. No resolution. Seems a electrical situation. Same problem noted by many other 07 owners. Problem has gotten progressively worse over time. Only low beam affected. Reviewed by many dealers with no solutions. Extremely dangerous situation as virtually no low beam light emitted . Bulbs have been changed. Circuits checked by dealer.... No changes in problem. Need a solution... No lights
OEM headlights go bad. Lights got progressively dim with time. Got to the point I could barely drive at night. Dangerous! Started leaving lights on high beams - nobody would flash me because they were barely adequate. Checked voltage/ground was OK. Replaced factory headlight assemblies with aftermarket units - fixed the problem. Can now drive around safely at night. Kia should recall the defective head light assemblies.
Headlight complaints in other Optima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2007 Kia Optima?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the lights of the 2007 Kia Optima, 16% of the model year's 167 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Kia Optima headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for the 2007 Kia Optima, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2007 Kia Optima headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 111,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.