Nine problems related to headlights have been reported for the 2012 Kia Motor Optima. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2012 Kia Motor Optima based on all problems reported for the 2012 Optima.
Lowbeams seem weak/dim. Research showed via kia"2011-2013 my Optima/optima hybrid headlamp assembly new vehicle limited warranty extension" that the reflector in the low beam headlamp housing may deteriorate over time, resulting in a gradual dimming of the low beam headlamp. Unfortunately, it only pertains to vehicles manufactured in korea. My vehicle was assembled in georgia, but I believe the headlight housing is the same for both locations. Bottom line, my low beams have the same issue and driving at night is unsafe due to the limited visibility. I personally completed the procedure's inspection as outlined in the TSB (attached) and determined my vehicle has this problem, but since mine was assembled in georgia they won't replace at no cost to me.
2012 kia Optima ex with 48000 miles now driver-side headlight stopped working, so as of now I am driving with passenger sidelight in combination with parking lights. Buying kia Optima is the biggest mistake I have ever done, it seems every month something goes wrong with this vehicle. Surprisingly NHTSA has not taken any action as per kia Optima well known defects.
Driver side door doesn't close all the way head light bulbs melting to headlight harness smoking.
Original hid headlights became dim to the point it failed a virginia state safety inspection. Dealer service department states the reflective material in the headlight housing has diminished.
The low beam headlights are dim and make it difficult to drive safely at night.
Tl the contact owns a 2012 kia Optima. While driving various speeds at night, the low beam headlights failed to illuminate brightly. The illumination prevented the contact from viewing the road while driving. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or independent mechanic to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 122,597.
Tl the contact owns a 2012 kia Optima. The contact stated that the headlights failed to illuminate and there was extremely poor visibility. Also, the oil light randomly illuminated several times. The dealer (ossett kia south, 2680 mt moriah rd, memphis, TN 38115, (901) 328-8173) was unable to determine the cause of the failures. The contact replaced the headlight assemblies more than five times, but the visibility was still poor. The contact also noticed an abnormal odor in the vehicle. The dealer indicated that without the check engine indicator illuminated, they would not replace the catalytic converter. The contact stated that the warranty expired without the part being replaced. The fan also failed to function, but the failure was not remedied. The dealer also performed a repair per an unknown recall regarding the steering; however, the remedy failed to provide a solution for the steering coupler and the steering wheel was no longer straight. Also, the sun roof and moon roof glass had a crack going down to the driver's side of the vehicle where it met the windshield. There was also an abnormal noise progressing due to the failures. The manufacturer and dealer were notified of the steering failure, headlight failure, and moisture in the rear camera. The failure mileage was not available.
The contact owns a 2012 kia Optima. The contact stated that the low beam headlights were inoperable. The vehicle was driven with the high beam headlights to compensate for the failure. The vehicle was taken to lee johnson kia (11845 north east 85th street kirkland, wa 98033, (425)827-0521, to be inspected. The low beam bulbs were replaced however, the failure persisted. The contact was informed that the headlight housings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The contact was then informed that the vehicle was not covered under the extended warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
About 4 years ago the headlights on my 2012 kia Optima sx starting getting dim. I took it in to the dealer and they replaced bulbs which made no difference. I took it in again about 2 years ago because it was becoming difficult to see at night. They couldn't figure out the problem. They had my car overnight so the service tech drove it that evening to see how bad it was. He told me that he turned up a dark road, turned the car around, flipped the high beams on so he could find his way back to the dealership. He told me that it scared the you-know-what out of him and he was sorry but all he could do is replace the entire headlight assemblies and it would cost me $2500. 00! I went online to see if others were having this problem and I see hundreds of complaints about this problem. I no longer drive the car at night and have to rely on my husband for transportation after dark. I might try to trade the car in for something with real headlights but I'm afraid that I won't be able to trade it in this condition. I did find a tbs #ele181 that says it's part of a warranty extention wty014 that replaces the headlights for this very condition on my car model and year but when I called the dealership they said it only applies to korean made vehicles. Mine is an american made kia that, obviously, has the same issue. Why wouldn't all kia Optimas with this extremely hazardous problem be eligible for this warranty extension? help! I'm at my wits end!.