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 2011 Kia Optima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 150,000.
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 corrected the issue. I have attempted to contact KIA with out a return response. I feel this should be a KIA recall issue.
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 notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
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 has yet to find a fix for this matter.
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 serious safety concerns.
Right low beam needed constant changing (1 every 4-6 months). Within the last 6 months, I had changed the bulb, 2 weeks later, the low beam light was not working again. Noticed a white film on inside of light assembly. Upon investigation, I discovered the wiring caught fire and melted the connector for the light bulb. I purchased a new assembly, only to have the exact same thing happen. This is a huge safety concern. Firstly, the low beam lighting is absolutely horrible in this car to begin with, now I'm running off of one light. After looking into complaints online, I see this problem is prevalent across the board with this car. Kia is a multi million dollar company, you need to stand behind your product and have the mindset of putting your customers safety as a priority. …
Bought 2011 Kia Optima used with 75K miles on it. Did not realize immediately that there was an issue with the passenger side headlight being really dim. I bought the extended warranty and called the Kia dealer and mentioned my issue and the service advisor said it was probably a wiring issue or a ground issue and that it probably would not be covered by the warranty. The car is not safe to drive at night without the high beams on. When driving at night visibility is good with high beams on, when switching to low beams for oncoming car, you are driving blind, holding the wheel steady and hoping you stay on the road until the oncoming car passes and you are able to turn your high beams back on again. Took the car to a mechanic and he tested the electrical, ground and bulb and there were no issues. …
The lights on the vehicle became so dim it was dangerous to drive at night. I thought my night vision was failing, until a friend rode with me after dark and asked if my headlights were on. When we compared the headlights on my vehicle compared to hers, the difference was stunning. I had already had the headlamps replaced in 2015, but there was no difference. I would estimate that the headlights were dim at least a year prior to that. I took the vehicle to another dealership., and they determined that the reflectors behind the headlights had collapsed, causing the dimness. The entire headlight assembly had to be replaced in order to fix this, at a substantial cost. I had no choice but to fix it because it had become dangerous to drive at night. Upon doing some research, I discovered that others with this year and model had the same problem. This was not wear and tear. …
Sometime toward the end of 2017, I noticed that my dome light no longer illuminated when the doors were opened. I can still use the interior lights manually, though this usually leads to forgetting and leaving them on. I live in wa, it is often dark around 4 pm and grey throughout the day. I feel this is a huge safety issue, as I cannot see who is in my car before entering when in a parking lot. Also, my 5-year-old has a hard time buckling her own car seat belt since she cannot see the buckle. This is an inconvenience and with crime rates rising, it makes me feel uncomfortable going out alone, knowing that nobody can see what is going on while I am buckling her in. The chances of being mugged or worse go up, my safety is worth the $400, however, I should not have to pay to have a malfunction in the vehicle fixed. …
I have 2011 Kia Optima sx with HID headlights and they have been dim for a long time. They became noticeably dim in 2015 and have ever since been dim and have had a noticeable change in the light pattern. This is not caused by foggy or yellowing plastic as the headlights have been protected by a clear plastic protective "sticker bra" ever since the care was purchased new in July 2011. The headlights are experience the same issue as other owners of the car, deterioration of the internal reflector for the HID headlight. As a result the light pattern becomes altered or dim. It is dangerous to drive at night with this car. The headlight have been replaced with no improvement in the lighting output or pattern. This is similar consistent with many owners of the same models. …
Related recalls
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.
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.
Headlight complaints in other Optima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2011 Kia Optima?
NHTSA has 88 complaints about the lights of the 2011 Kia Optima, 15% of the model year's 594 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Kia Optima headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 13V-114 (switch, Apr 1, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2011 Kia Optima headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to lights problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.