2011 Kia Optima Exterior Lighting Problems
NHTSA component category: EXTERIOR LIGHTING · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How exterior lighting ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 589 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2011 Kia Optima overview page.
What owners report
“CAN BARLEY SEE 2 FEET AHEAD OF THE VEHICLE AFTER DARK. HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM. VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 62000 MILES.”NHTSA complaint 10795305 — filed 11/22/2015
“STEERING WHEEL HAS A CLICKING SOUND WHEN TURNING. BOUGHT IT INTO A COLLISION CENTER, THE TECHNICIAN SAID THAT IT WAS A SERVICE RECALL ON OPTIMA…”NHTSA complaint 10781156 — filed 10/09/2015
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE STOP LAMPS FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. IN…”NHTSA complaint 10726234 — filed 06/19/2015
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Exterior Lighting complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2011 Kia Optima have exterior lighting problems?
Exterior Lighting is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 2011 Kia Optima: 82 of 589 complaints on file (13.9%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2011 Kia Optima have in total?
589 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 23 involved a crash, 32 involved a fire, 19 reported injuries, and 1 reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's exterior lighting category include?
NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the EXTERIOR LIGHTING category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.
