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2014 Kia Optima Lights Problems

14 owner-reported lights complaints from NHTSA data

14
Complaints
Jan 2019Nov 2019
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (14)

mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Aug 2025

Vehicles Low-Beam headlights are very poor. Brought for service/adjustments and was advised that they were properly aimed and that nothing more could be done other than installing brighter headlights. While driving at night I need the fog lights or the high-beam lights on for proper visibility which could cause issues for other drivers on the road.

NHTSA #: 11677869
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Feb 2025

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at night, the low-beam headlights were very dim. The contact stated that the high-beam headlights had to be used while driving in poorly lit areas. The contact had called a local dealer and was informed that a diagnostic test was needed to check the headlights. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the reflective coating in the headlight assemblies had deteriorated to the point that there was an accumulation of reflective material debris on the headlamp floor and that other reflective material was peeling away from the sides of both headlight assemblies. The contact was advised by the mechanic that the heat of the light bulbs was degrading the reflective material. The headlight assemblies were not replaced. The contact changed the light bulbs and both headlights were still dim. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

NHTSA #: 11640690
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Nov 2022

The low beam (driving) lights are incredibly poor, almost non-existant. In order to actually see the road at night you need to use high beams, which is a problem for the drivers in front of you and on the other side of the road. It seems this is a widely know issue with this vehicle as I find multiple postings about it online. This has been going on for some time, and replacing the bulb does no good. I've gone to the dealership about it and they offer to "adjust" it at no charge, but there is no change and since they don't charge me for it there's no service ticket, which means there's no record. The consumer stated the form is outdated and has expired.

NHTSA #: 11494259
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Sep 2021

The rear lights develop condensation which causes the brake lights/turn signals to fail. This failure could easily lead to accidents and appears to be a safety issue. Kia has known about this problem since at least December 1, 2014 as it issued a “Pit Stop” PS364 to dealers regarding remediation of the problem on that date, yet Kia has not issued a (safety or non-safety) recall. My left light developed condensation in mid-2020. My right light currently has condensation.

NHTSA #: 11432035
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Aug 2021

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, he noticed that the low beam headlights were significantly dim. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated he was able to continue to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The dealer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to their location for diagnosis. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

NHTSA #: 11429761
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Sep 2020

THE TAIL LIGHT HAS BEEN REPLACE MULTIPLE TIMES BECAUSE IT GOES OUT ALMOST AS SOON AS I REPLACE IT ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT WATER IS IN THE LIGHT CAUSING IT TO SHORT. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE 2014 WHEN THE CAR WAS PURCHASED.

NHTSA #: 11355120
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Aug 2020

THE HEADLIGHTS FAIL, WHILE DRIVING. THE HEADLIGHTS WORK IN DELAY MODE, THE PARK LIGHTS CAN BE TURNED ON AND OFF, BUT THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT WORK CONSISTENTLY. TURN SIGNALS WORK. THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT ALWAYS WORK WHILE DRIVING. I'VE HAD THE VEHICLE TO 3 MECHANIC SHOPS THEY ALL AGREE IT SHOULD BE RECALLED BY KIA.

NHTSA #: 11350813
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Aug 2020

THE TAIL LIGHT'S ON MY VEHICLE CONTINUE TO COLLECT CONDENSATION CAUSING PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. I HAVE RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON THIS ISSUE FOR A REPAIR. ISSUE CONTINUES TO OCCUR, AND I'M AFRAID THAT THE LIGHTS WILL STOP WORKING CAUSING FOR MY VEHICLE TO BE HIT FROM THE REAR IF THE TAIL LIGHTS ARE WET AND NOT WORKING PROPERLY.

NHTSA #: 11348621
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Nov 2019

I HAVE RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2014 KIA OPTIMA LX, AND THE HEADLIGHTS ARE SO DIM ON LOW BEAM IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. BRIGHT LIGHTS WORK GREAT. LOW BEAM WHEN YOU MEET ANOTHER ONCOMING VEHICLE YOU CAN BARELY TELL IF YOU ARE IN YOUR LANE OR NOT. ALSO IF YOUR BY YOURSELF ON THE ROAD, YOU CANNOT HARDLY TELL IF ANYTHING IS UP AHEAD IN THE ROAD OR ON THE SIDES OF THE ROAD.

NHTSA #: 11282434
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: May 2019

MAIN HEADLIGHTS HAVE BECOME 1/2 BIGHTNESS SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. HIGH BEAMS DONT THE ISSUE, HAVE REPLACED BULBS THREE TIME IN LAST TWO YEARS, DEALERSHIP STATES THEY CANNOT SEE THE ISSUE. BUT THE CHROME REFLECTORS INSIDE THE HEADLIGHTS HAS PEELED COMPLETELY OFF. THIS MAKE DRIVING AT NIGHT DANGEROUS BECAUSE I HAVE TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS ALL THE TIME. I HAVE THROUGHLY RESEARCHED THE INTERNET AND GOVERNMENT WEBSITES. THIS ISSUE STARTED ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO.

NHTSA #: 11209045
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING,SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Apr 2019

BRAKE REAR LIGHTS WENT OUT, CHANGED BRAKE SWITCH AND FUSE AND LIGHTS STILL NOT WORKING. ONLY HAVE 49800 MILES ON THE CAR. WAS ON HIGHWAY AND A MAN STOOED ME AND LET ME KNOW THEY ARE NOT WORKING

NHTSA #: 11203154
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Feb 2019

MY HEAD LIGHTS KEEPS GOING OUT DUE TO THE LOOSE SOCKET/ POCKET IT SETS IN. FRUSTRATING..I'VE ALREADY HAD LEFT SIDE REPLACED.. RIGHT SIDE NEEDS REPLACED..IT'S THE DIM LIGHTS ONLY..PLEASE INFORM ME IF THERE IS OR WAS A RECALL...YOU CAN TURN IT AND IT COMES IN BUT WHILE DRIVING 7 MILES IT GOES OUT

NHTSA #: 11180466
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Jan 2019

MY TAILS LIGHTS GO OUT FOR NO RESULTS I WAS STOPPED BY ATL. POLICE GOT A TICKET

NHTSA #: 11170617
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Mar 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO PROVIDE ENOUGH LIGHTING ON THE HIGHEST SETTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VOLTAGE ON THE BULB WAS NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPLACED WITH NEW BULBS HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,722.

NHTSA #: 10693891

Other 2014 Kia Optima Issues