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2018 Kia Optima lights problems

14 complaints (6% of all complaints for this car).

owner complaints
14
of this car's complaints
6%
crashes
0
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Headlights
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Kia Optima lights problems in other years

20012005201020152020

Specific symptoms reported on the 2018 Kia Optima lights

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Headlights 13

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2018 Kia Optima owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 19, 2025 · Electrical, Lights · NY · fire

My cars bulbs have been blowing on a regular basis for two years..some of the bulb connections are catching fire and exploding .Ive changed on numerous occasions but doesn’t matter even with new fittings…obviously an electric problem

Filed Oct 23, 2024 · Lights · CA

Kia Optima headlights turn off randomly while on automatic. This dangerous issue has been investigated on other Kia models by the NTSB, which them prompted Kia to issue a recall. I have found many, many posts on car and Kia forums about headlights shutting off while driving at night with the Kia Optima (as well as other Kia items). It's very scary and very hazardous. This is a widespread issue.

Filed Oct 22, 2024 · Electrical, Lights · GA

While driving at night if the headlights will randomly turn completely off

Filed Sep 9, 2024 · Lights · WV

My grandson was driving home last night on our Clay County West Virginia narrow unlighted road when his 2018 Kia Optima Headlights went out completely. He wrote that he was scared but finally was able to get lights back on before running off the road. Also, several nights while car is locked with one in the car: the headlights came on. He had to unlock the car and start it up to finally get the headlights off. The lights were off when he first entered the house. I have a service call set up for 09-27-24 with Dutch Miller Kia, but there is a $180.96 + tax diagnostic charge and then the cost to repair the situation. I see there are many the federal safety agency complaints on your website for this problem. Kia apparently has not issued a statement or recall. HELP!

Filed Apr 12, 2023 · Lights · TX

Headlights randomly turn off while driving. To get them back on you have to switch on and off before they turn back on. Very dangerous for my 17 yr old daughter driving down a highway at night. The lights will also turn on in the middle of the night and if we happen to notice, we have to go to the car and turn the lights on and off to get them fixed. There are numerous reports on this when Google. I am not the only one. Really dangerous!

Filed Sep 15, 2022 · Electrical, Lights · NV

When headlight switch is set to automatically come on, the light will sometimes randomly turn off. No warning or indicator on the dash appears showing that they are off. Technicians are unable to reproduce the issue in the shop. Have recommended replacing the entire headlight switch on the turn signal stick.

Filed Sep 2, 2022 · Fuel system, Lights · NC

Trying to cut off and jerks when stopping vehicle

Filed Apr 8, 2022 · Electrical, Lights · WI

The headlights on my 2018 Kia Optima have been turning off and on randomly by themselves while in motion. Each time it's happened has been in different areas at different times of the night. The headlight switch is kept in the auto position most of the time. When the headlights turn off, the screen in the dash for the headlight function switches from auto to off by itself. Sometimes if the turn signal switch is jiggled the lights will come back on. Other times the headlight switch, located on the end of the turn signal switch, has to be turned to the on position to get the lights to turn on. The car has been in for service but each time the technician is unable to reproduce the fault. It is occurring more frequently and becoming a safety issue.

Filed Feb 23, 2022 · Lights · TX

When driving with headlights set to Auto the headlights turn off whenever the blinker is used. I've found many complaints however my vehicle has not been inspected. This poses a hazard of driving at night with no headlights, then having to fiddle with the switch to turn them back on.

Filed Nov 7, 2021 · Lights · CA

while driving, all lights (headlights, instrument, etc) would randomly go dark. Lighting usually restored after toggling the instrument control arm from on-to-off-on. Obviously super dangerous as driver can't see roadway and other drivers can't see the car.

Questions about the 2018 Kia Optima lights

Does the 2018 Kia Optima have lights problems?

Owners have filed 14 complaints about the lights of the 2018 Kia Optima, 6% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2018 Kia Optima lights problems start?

Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.

Was there a recall on the 2018 Kia Optima lights?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Kia Optima have the most lights problems?

The Kia Optima model years with the most lights complaints are 2011 (88 complaints), 2016 (47 complaints) and 2013 (40 complaints).

Other 2018 Kia Optima problems

Engine 144Electrical 33Transmission 19Brakes 17Fuel system 13Steering 12Acceleration 10Airbags 9Body 7Driver assistance 7Seat belts 5Locks 1Suspension 1Tires 1Visibility 1Wheels 1

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