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.
2013 Kia Optima lights complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 40 of 40, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Headlights are dangerously dim. Won’t pass inspection and I’ve changed bulbs multiple times
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.
I have been having electrical/lighting issues for about a year. It initially started with the inside lights intermittently flashing when opening the door or attempting to use the interior lights; however sometimes the automatic interior lights did not come on at all when set to automatically turn on when a door opened, but now the lights don’t come on at all when opening the door. I have also had some headlight and dashboard lights going on and off while driving. I have experienced this on at least 3 occasions since last June or July. I have done some of my own testing by switching the lights to different functions, on and off, etc. Because it has only happened 3 times I’m not sure exactly what the issue is and scared that at some point, they won’t work at all. This is very concerning and obviously a safety issue. In addition, just recently my interior speaker system began having issues when using the hands free call option. With every call I make or take while using the hands free option, the call goes in and out constantly and consistently. It doesn’t happen to those on the other end of the line. It does this every time for about the past month. The speakers work fine when listening to the radio. My phone works perfectly through the regular calling option or on the speaker option but that is not ideal while driving. As new issues continue to pop up, increase, progressively get worse, I’m concerned there could be other current or future electrical problems in the engine or in regular safe functioning of the car leading to melting, fire, or a malfunction while driving, causing catastrophic results.
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.
The vehicle’s headlights have been extremely dimmed for years and my wife has just “dealt with it”. We’ve had all the bulbs replaced and the issue persisted. Given recent medical conditions paired with this technical oversight, this could lead to severe injury or death if not resolved. Let me also add that the headlights no longer turn on as of this morning and Kia refuses to acknowledge or claim responsibility for this because “the issue stems from identical vehicles manufactured in South Korea and not Georgia” … even though the symptoms very identically line up to TSB Number: WTY014.
The issue is with the front turn signal harness. After, changing the right side turn signal bulb twice I brought my Kia to West Hills Kia in Bremerton, WA…The technician informed me that the front turn signal harness was not the correct harness for this type of vehicle. The service person at West Hills suggested that I contact Kia Corporation. I had emailed Vice President Mr. Shamit Choksey, Kia corporation for the above issue.
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.
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.
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.
When I start the car the rear break lights flicker rapidly when I press the breaks the 3rd break light won't light up at all, so the only two break light stop working, it causes the anti traction control warning light and the auto-hold warning lights to come on.
Low beam headlights extremely low completely unusable at night tried replacing headlight bulb same issue.
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
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).
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.
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.
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.
Passenger headlight keeps burning out.
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?
Brake lights will not go off after I turn off my car. Sometimes the brake lights and back lights pops on even when the car is off and will not turn off. The slippery when wet light stays on at all times. When I am driving the car and I have to use the brakes to stop at a red light or stop sign the car moves very slowing and stalls. Sometimes when I am driving the car looses power. I was driving on the interstate twice and the car just lost power and began to slow down. This was a huge safety concern. Now the car has no power.
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.
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!
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.
Push the start button and car did not start tried the 30 second rule car just sizzled after about 10 tries car start but cut it off does same thing my car was parked in driveway or at work and it cuts off in traffic engine was replaced last year due to recall battery has been replaced parking light on one side is out when replacing it car also would not start
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.
Sunroof is not closing properly; kia is unwilling to fix it under their warranty. Fog light switch broke and they will also not fix it under their 60k warranty. Both of these items occurred before the date selected; this was the date that kia notified me of their decision. Also, the mileage at which these occurred was before 60k and just after 60k were on the vehicle.
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.
-1st problem- headlights/ fog lights seem to burn out way too often. I've owned cars for over 30 years and never had to replace bulbs as often as I do with this car. -2nd problem- steering seems to be difficult to keep on road and wheel seems to be sticking. I find myself over-correcting to "unlock" the steering wheel. I have a long daily commute, 184 miles round trip, so my 3 year old car has over 100,000 miles. I bought it brand new and never had the steering problem until recently. The headlights burning out has been on going since about 2 months after buying the car. Other than those 2 things, the car has been great with great gas mileage, good ride, etc. However, the steering problem scares me now.
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.
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.
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