Headlights have not worked since the last recall for engine replacement, done in August 2017. High beams are insufficient, and the normal beams are very dangerous -- doesn't appear that headlights are on at all.

- Scott City, MO, USA

Head lights flash on and off for no reason when first started it up last for about 10 minutes

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

The amount of light reflected to the road from the headlights is very low and creates visibility issues at night and in the rain. This is due to the reflective coating used in the headlights being of poor quality and burning away.

- Douglasville, GA, USA

Lights flash off and on while driving / hear clicking sound while my dash board flickers as well. This happens when parked and in motion

- Belleville, KS, USA

The low beam headlights on my 2011 Kia Optima have been slowly getting so dull that it is getting dangerous to drive at night. I commute over 100 miles a day and leave at dark and get home at dark. So all my driving is needing my headlights. I started noticing the problem with not being able to see and just thought my bulbs were getting old. I went out and bought new sylvania silverstar bulbs and I also bought a set of sylvania ultra. That did not help. I ended up even trying to change my bulbs and convert over to led headlight bulbs. I did all the work and conversion and still had the same problem. Come to find out it's not the bulbs that are the issue, but the actual headlight housing is the issue. I am now in the process of getting new headlight assemblies which is really terrible. I should not have to buy a whole headlight assembly from faulty manufacturing just so I can see and be safe while driving. But I feel that it is very dangerous to be driving the way my car is right now. I feel Kia should be fixing the issue and supplying a higher quality headlight housing to fix this issue.

- Grass Valley, CA, USA

The cars headlights continue to get dimmer and dimmer to where a driver can barely see 10 feet in front of them. I have called Kia regarding solutions and although they state this is a known issue there aren't any permanent alternatives. I have to use my high beams at night to drive.

- Columbus, GA, USA

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. This was a defect and should have been recalled. When I had the headlight assemblies replaced, I requested the old ones and I have them in my possession. One photo shows the headlights on my car in a parking ramp next to another car with its headlights on. My car is on the left. You can't even tell the lights are on.

- Minnetonka, MN, USA

Over the past 7 years I've replaced both headlights-low beam on an average of twice a year. Low beams are so low in lighting and I'm concerned if they are on when driving in the dark. Recently I changed the passenger side low beam light, 2 weeks later it went out again. However prior to changing the bulb the first time, I noticed the lens cover was so hazy on the inside, like whiteish chalky looking. I took bulb #2 out but noticed it wasn't burnt out. However the wires and the housing for the bulb prongs were melted. Fortunately it only melted the prong connection point and wires and didn't spark a fire. But now I'm left replacing the wiring and lens cover assembly. I do understand that my car is 7 years old, however the low beam lights on this car have been nothing but an issue from day one at zero miles. There have been multiple recalls and numerous issues with this car. Lesson learned....will never buy another Kia

- Norfolk, VA, USA

The vehicle headlights are too dim to see at night. Online reports mention the chrome reflector inside the headlights fails prematurely. This has occurred with the headlights, but not the high beams. You can see the reflectors are white plastic with no more chrome coating. We rarely used the high beams since we live and work in the city, and the high beam reflectors still have a chrome reflective coating. The light bulbs are very hot and most likely burned off the chrome reflective coating. We have to drive with the high beam lights to see at night, and we are in the process of replacing the entire headlight assemblies so the low beam headlights can be used to drive safely again.

- San Diego, CA, USA

Headlights are usless. They are so dim you can't drive the car at night at all. This is going to cause a accident.

- Hockessin, DE, USA

My 2011 Kia Optima headlights are super dim. I can barely see what is in front of me and the bulbs constantly go out. I have had to replace 4 bulbs (2 on each side) within a 2 year time period. I have to drive with my bright lights on when its dark because you can barely see if you dont.

- Columbus, GA, USA

Horrible & dangerous low beam lighting on the 2011 Kia Optima I own. It has been this way for about a year, and I have changed bulbs, taken to different service stations, etc. The google reviews are horrifying, saying people are being charged $900+ dollars for fixing the deterioration of the paint surrounding the light. I pray that's not the case. You simply can not see while driving at night, and even the high beams are much much much more faded than "working & normal" lights. It"S awful and Kia needs to fix this for consumers! before someone gets hurt!!!

- Kelso, MO, USA

Low beam headlights are very dim, to the point of being virtually useless. Fog lights provide more lighting. Replaced bulbs to no avail. High beams work great. Possible that the reflective coating inside hid housing has burned off.

- Lake Butler, FL, USA

Low beam hid headlamp illumination has gotten progressively worse over the last year, to the point at which driving at night with the low beams on is a hazard and the fog lamps are not only required to be on but also provide nearly all of the forward illumination. Dealer has inspected the electrical components, replaced the auto leveling module and hid bulbs and cleaned the reflectors within the headlamp assemblies. I have seen complaints online that the reflective material within the headlamp assemblies may fail making the low beams ineffective as the light is not projected down the road. I am not sure if this is the case, but suspect that it may be.

- Ballston Lake, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the low beam headlights were very dim and it was difficult to see the road properly. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer (griffin motors, 11031 perry hwy, meadville, pa 16335). The contact stated that the dealer wanted to charge $300 to replace the headlights. The contact took the vehicle to his personal mechanic. Three months later, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Grave City, PA, USA

My low beam headlights are extremely dim to the point we have questioned if they were even on at times. Have replace the bulbs with the same issue. There is some light to the left and to the right but nothing straight ahead indicating the reflectors are no longer intact.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

Bought 2011 Kia Optima new. Wife driven to work during daylight hours. Recently drove it at night and noticed dim low beams as well. Took car to dealer for crankshaft recall and had them look at headlight low beams. Surprise, we need 2 new headlight assemblies plus installation.. about $1000+. reflective material melted/deteriorated. Dealer claims ignorance and tries to say we hit a bump causing issue. Deny, deny, deny. I won't wait for any recall or restitution, I'm gonna trade the problem down the road. Buyer beware !!! btw, we have replaced interior lighting switch at $300+ and also A/C compressor at $1700. The car has 68,000 mi on it and has cost us $2000 out of pocket in what I consider premature failures. Not to mention the headlight cost. Not happy with Kia, ,!!!!

- Metamora, IL, USA

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. Upon putting a scope inside the headlight assembly where the bulb goes, he found a pile of chrome shavings so the headlight reflective housing deteriorated. Only way to repair is to replace whole headlight unit assembly. After searching online, realized there are many complaints for this same issue on this model of car for multiple years now. Owners beware of this safety issue and don't let people rip you off by charging you to go down the wrong/electrical path to fix. Potential buyers beware: If you have to pay to have this fixed at a dealer it can cost between $500 and $800 and it may only be a matter of time before it is an issue again. Seems like this should be a safety recall by Kia.

- Newberg, OR, USA

The low beam head lights or almost useless at night. From what I have read the reflective paint used burns off after a couple years of use. I highly doubt that it meets the illumination standards of the national traffic and safety association. I like having 2 weak flash lights taped to the hood.

- North Syracuse, NY, USA

Apparently my headlights have become completely useless. I bought this car used a year ago and was assure that it was just cloudy headlight covers and they would "buff" the lights before I took it home. Several trips later I was told that there was nothing they could do. The lights are so dim I've been pulled over twice and told that my lights needed to be repaired. Luckily both times I was able to provide proof that the lights have been worked on and was not ticketed. I have changed to two different brighter bulbs and still its useless. I can only drive my car at night with the high beams on. What a waste.

- Tampa, FL, USA