Driving down the road and my steering wheel light comes on sporadically and then I lose control of the steering wheel like it locks up and is almost impossible to turn or rotate and then other dashboard lights come on and I lose headlights. When that happens traction control light on dashboard, the ABS light, battery light and steering wheel light that has an exclamation mark to right of it comes on. The car keeps driving and doesn’t die but all the abs and driving wheel lock up so you cannot be in control of the vehicle.
2015 Kia Optima: headlights failing or too dim
17 of the 1,011 complaints about the 2015 Kia Optima describe headlights failing or too dim.
- owner complaints
- 17
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- recalls
- 0
Is there a fix? 3 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below
Headlights failing or too dim by model year
What owners say
Low beam head lights visibility maybe reaches 3-4 feet infront of car at max. Have upgraded bulbs twice to higher lumens but still must run hibeams at night. I drive mountain passes daily and must use hi beams, not safe for oncoming traffic.
I purchased my car in 2015 at 23k miles, now we're at 86k miles and I'm experiencing issues. How is there a recall for this car but no remedy yet when there is a high risk of fire? Shouldn't there be a resolution for this safety concern? I noticed my car in 2022 would smoke here and there when driving, and I would smell burning. I took it to my mechanic and he changed the head gasket, and the smoking stopped. There is residue on my engine from a leak from the oil. My mechanic at the time told me I might still smell burning oil just due to that. As time went on things were fine but a year later, the oil smell came back stronger. I notice it only on longer drives, so I do believe my car is leaking oil. Also, the amount of time I've changed my break lights this year and head lights. They dim so fast over time and eventually go out to where I have to replace them. There is 100% an electrical issue going on.
Driving 2015 Kia Optima on expressway at night when car lost power and died. We almost got hit by cars and trucks trying to get over to side of road. Dash lights went crazy as did headlights and nothing worked. Had car towed to Kia dealership and they confirmed that engine locked up. Kia refused to cover because ksds updated (that we did not know about)was not done even though this engine is known to be manufactured faulty and are failing at astronomical rates. Kia knows they should be recalled. They refuse responsibility even after they settle lawsuit after lawsuit.
When I drive at night the low beams are so dim I have to use high beams or fog lights to see.
I have my driver side tail light out, when I bought the car in 2019, they said I have 30 days to bring in my car so they can replace what needs fixing, well I hit day 32 and I’ve had to replace my tires, brakes, headlights and tail lights because they all went out on my own dime, now my brakes are making me nervous because sometimes it feels like my car isn’t slowing down to a stop and I have to slam them to stop sometimes.
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that both front headlight bulbs, as well as the rear taillight bulbs, had repeatedly stopped working while driving, without warning lights being illuminated. The contact stated that she had to replace the bulbs several times during the year. The contact had taken the vehicle to several dealers who were unable to determine the cause for the failures. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Front low beams continue to be very dim. Cannot see a few feet in front of the car at night. Have replaced bulbs but nothing seems to work. Is consistent with other complaints of the same, noted with the federal safety agency.
Every time I turn my headlights on my break lights stay on and the traction light comes on. People think I am riding my brakes.
Head lights and brake lights keep shorting out making it hard for you to drive at night or even during the day. The anti lock brake jams and will cause you to slide if you are not carefully in the rain and snow
The mirror inside the low beams is not working. It does not allow my headlights to project out. I barely see at night. Only lights I have are my fog lights and high beams
Both of my headlights on my 2015 kia optima have stopped working on low beam I have fog lights but I can't see maybe 20 feet in front of me it's already caused me to almost have one wreck I was in the middle of an interstate when my lights went out
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2015 Kia Optima headlights
Is headlights failing or too dim a common problem on the 2015 Kia Optima?
17 of 1,011 owner complaints about the 2015 Kia Optima (2%) mention headlights failing or too dim. The model year with the most reports is 2011.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2015 Kia Optima?
There are 0 recalls and 3 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2015 Kia Optima
Engine failure 244Knocking 149Check engine light 140Stalling 140Fire or smoke 97Loss of power 59Won't start 42Oil consumption 39Jerking 25Warning lights 22Won't shift 19ABS 15Hesitation 13Power steering loss 12Airbag light 10Fuel smell 10No deployment 9Brake failure 9Sunroof shattered 9Grinding brakes 8Overheating 8Steering lock-up 7Fuel pump 6Backup camera 5Power windows 5Shudder 5Pulling 5Wipers 5
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