2006 Kia Optima: headlights failing or too dim

Filed May 15, 2014 · Airbags, Electrical · 500 miles · MO

We bought our kia with less then 10 miles on it, right off the show room floor, we have had to replace passenger side headlamps (total to date 5/15/2015) 15 times, both rear turn signals bulbs and rear brake lights. The air bag light would appear on the dashboard when ever the passenger seat would be moved and now the air bag light on the dashboard flickered driving home from work last night and remands on.

Filed Apr 1, 2013 · Electrical, Lights · 500 miles · WA

I brought two new 2006.5 kia optimas (a red one and a black one) from our local dealer. Since I have had the cars, both of the vehicles have had electrical problems which started within a few months of the purchase. The tail lamps only last about 2-3 months before I have to replace the bulbs. First one side or the other will blow out, and then within weeks, the other side will go too. This has been happening with both cars ever since we bought the cars. When I call the dealer and ask about the problem, they just tell me I've been buying cheap bulbs. I have had to replace the head lamps on both vehicles at the rate of about one every six-months on both vehicles. I have also had to replace what they called the electronic throttle control on both vehicles. Now there is a new problem with one of them. About 52,000 miles, I started having a problem with the parking lights. The parking lights would stay on when car was turned off and no matter what I do, the parking lights will not go off. The only way to keep the battery from going dead was to disconnect the negative battery terminal. About a month ago, we took the cars to our local kia dealer for an oil change. When we dropped them off for the service, I asked the representative ([xxx]), to also look into the parking light issue and explained the problem I had been having. To make a long story short, [xxx] said they forgot to look at the parking light issue, adding she would contact kia directly to investigate the problem and would call me when she has an answer, it has been a month . Today she told me it will cost $400 to fix the lights problem. I find it hard to believe it is not a manufacture defect. This is not fair to the consumers who invest money into purchasing a new car. Please look into this matter as a matter of consumer rights and protection against manufactures known defects. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jun 24, 2012 · Electrical, Lights · 23,269 miles · SC

A co-worker followed me home and told me my right rear brake light was out. Then my right turn signal indicator on the dash started flashing real fast. Few days later my dash lights started flashing on & off. Had a friend watch the exterior lights and he said they were flashing on & off with the dash. Said he had never seen anything like that! If my headlights are on the lights don't flash. Even though my lights come on, the brake & signal lights don't work when I apply them. I have not driven my car because of it. Every one tells me with as little mileage as I have on my car - I should not be having these type of problems. I haven't taken my car to the dealer because I don't want to get a ticket or possibly cause an accident because my light don't work! I'm single mother and can't afford to have a mechanic tear my car up to see if he can find the problem.

Filed May 7, 2012 · Lights · PA

I have a 2006 kia optima which currently has 61,960 miles on it. For the pass 12 months I have replace a front headlight a total of 5 times on both the driver and passenger side. My mechanic has replaced the bulbs for me twice so far free of charge. I have also contacted the kia dealership where I purchased the car to inform them of the issue to see if maybe its something faulty with the car or maybe a recall that I may have missed. They were not as helpful or nice as they were when I signed my name on he doted line. They immediately informed me I needed to pay them 59.99 before they would even look at the car !! The nerve !! With me having 5 more payments to go, I feel I am going to see be investing in this car longer then necessary. This needs to be addressed and evaluated as a courtesy check up for us kia optima owners. Again I have replaced 5 headlight bulbs in 12 months !! This is not normal, nor should anyone have to deal with this on a consistant bases. Please help !!

Filed Apr 6, 2012 · Airbags, Lights · AL

Kia currently has a recall on 2006 optimas for an air bag issue and warns consumers with this vehicle to contact kia if the air bag light comes on. In my car, the light came on on 4/1/12 and is still on. I contacted kia of columbus, ga where the car was purchased and they said to bring it in and we did to only be told the car was not covered because it was a few months old than the campaign. Kia needs to investigate and include all of 2006 optimas, as they are having the air bag issue as well. Kia has never honored any repair on the car even when brand new and had issues with headlights which we still have to do this day.

Filed Mar 27, 2011 · Electrical, Lights · 69,000 miles · WI

My kia optima 2006 has had several problems: bad oxygen sensor, an electrical short, and most recently- will not shift out of first gear. Kia says my VIN is not included in the current recall. I took the car to a kia dealer a few weeks before the gears quit shifting, but they couldn't find a problem. I have replaced six headlights and three tail lights. This car is a lemon! Please ask kia to extend their current recall as, obviously more cars are affected than they are reporting. Please investigate!

Filed Apr 13, 2010 · Electrical, Lights · 5,500 miles · SC

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 kia optima. The contact stated that he had to replace the headlights every six months since purchasing the vehicle new. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership where the dealer added an extra ground wire to the headlight assembly. However, the failure still occurred. The contact replaced the headlights again. The failure mileage was approximately 5,500. The current mileage was 65,983. Updated 8/9/10 *cn the consumer stated the wires were too small which prevented amp flow, which caused the bulbs to burn. Updated 08/11/10

Filed Aug 8, 2008 · Electrical, Lights · OH

I have electrical problems. My same left turn signal burns out every month- month and a half. My head light keeps burning out at the same rate. My parking lights get stuck on even when the car is off and the switch is off. You have to turn the car on turn the lights on and off a couple of times to get them to go off. The alarm has just gone off with no one around it. I have taken it to the dealer twice to be fixed but they keep saying if they don't see it happen they cannot fix it.

Filed Apr 23, 2008 · Lights · 1,000 miles · MS

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 kia optima. The contact stated that the headlight bulbs would constantly blow out. He has repeatedly changed the bulbs, but approximately 4-5 days later, the failure would recur. The failure has been ongoing for almost two years. The contact consulted the dealer, but he could not recall what they stated. The kia manufacturer has not been notified. The purchase date was unknown. The current mileage was 65,000 and failure mileage was approximately 1,000.

Filed Oct 29, 2007 · Lights · FL

Headlights keep blowing out. Dealer tells me that after market bulbs will not work and original bulbs only last 1 year. Windshield molding came out while riding down interstate and airbag light keeps coming on.

Filed Sep 18, 2007 · Lights · NY

I have a kia optima and I called about a problem. It was that when you leave the headlight switch in auto on a darknight on low beam. And something was to walk out from the side of the road you hit the highbeam switch. And bang you crash because all your headlights go out and leave you in the dark it could happen and they do go out. My car is 2006 optima. I have tried this on two hyundai's one year older and the same year as my kia both of them the headlights work fine can you make mine work like that? Please george hurd, thankyou

Filed Aug 14, 2007 · Lights · IL

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 kia optima. She stated that the she was unable to see more than two feet in front of her when the headlights are engaged. The dealer stated that the vehicle was designed that way. The current mileage was 3,500 and the failure mileage was unavailable.