TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to some Kia models that may exhibit fogging, condensation, and/or moisture inside a headlamp assembly. Generally, a fogging condition is considered normal and can be eliminated by turning on the headlamps with the engine running for up to 30 minutes or during normal driving conditions. Headlamp assembly replacement WILL NOT be necessary in most cases.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Kia Optima lighting problems
moderate Owners of the 2013 Kia Optima have filed 26 NHTSA complaints about the lighting, typically surfacing around 80,000 miles at roughly $250 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See lighting across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
26
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$250
| Model year | lighting complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Optima | 6 |
| 2011 Optima | 75 |
| 2012 Optima | 17 |
| 2013 Optima (this page) | 26 |
| 2014 Optima | 14 |
| 2015 Optima | 14 |
| 2016 Optima | 38 |
| 2017 Optima | 11 |
What stands out
Owners have filed 26 lighting complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 12 model years of Kia Optima in our records for lighting problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering lighting on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: HALOGEN HEAD LAMP LOW BEAM BULB CONNECTOR REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides information regarding the procedure to repair the bulb connector on some 2010MY~ vehicles listed on the table below, which may exhibit a bulb connector concern. To correct this concern, replace the connector with a new and improved part.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: TF/TF-HEV HEADLAMP INSPECTION AND/OR REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides the procedure to inspect and/or replace the headlamp assembly on some 2011-2013 MY Optima (TF, TF-HEV) vehicles produced from August 12, 2010 to December 12, 2013. The internal reflective chrome film in the low beam headlamp housing may deteriorate over time, resulting in gradual dimming of the low beam headlamp(s). Follow the headlamp assembly inspection and/or replacement outlined in this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗wty014_OWNR: This document is the Owner Notification Letter advising the customers of the Warranty Extension on the Headlamp Assembly on the 2011-2013 MY Optima and Optima HEV vehicles.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗WTY014: This document is the Dealer Principal Notification advising of the Warranty Extension Program for the Headlamp Assembly on 2011-2013 MY Optima and Optima HEV vehicles.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Dimming low-beam headlights are the most common complaint: owners report headlights so dim they can see only 2–10 feet ahead at night, making driving hazardous. Multiple owners confirm that new bulbs do nothing to help. Mechanics identify chrome reflector coating degradation inside the projector housing as the culprit, causing light output to fade even with new bulbs installed. Kia issued a warranty extension (WTY014) and technical service procedure for Korean-built units, but dealers refuse coverage on US-built vehicles despite the headlights being manufactured in Korea on both.
Headlight bulb access is a nightmare. Owners find bulbs nearly impossible to replace without removing the front bumper, radiator expansion tank, or both. One owner's cover was stuck so hard that AutoZone and a Kia dealership couldn't budge it. Dealerships charge $100–$108 per hour just to remove components for bulb access—a simple bulb swap can cost over a hundred dollars. Water leaks into headlights and brake lights due to failed sealant, causing recurring moisture damage and bulb failure. One owner's fog light overheated so badly it burned a hole through the bumper and shattered the housing. Fog lights flicker on and off at night, and one complaint describes headlights staying hot enough to char plastic. Headlights also flicker sporadically at highway speeds in early models.
Same Kia Optima lighting reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Low-beam headlight dimming and reflector degradation
Low-beam headlights become progressively dimmer over time, with multiple owners reporting unsafe nighttime visibility. Mechanics and owners identify chrome reflector coating deterioration inside the projector housing as the root cause, reducing light output despite new bulbs. Some units fail inspection due to insufficient illumination distance.
When: Occurs typically between 50,000–176,000 miles; some as early as 1 year of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Low-beam headlights extremely dim at night; Cannot see more than 2–10 feet ahead while driving; Visibility insufficient for safe night driving; New bulbs do not resolve the issue; Reflector chrome finish disintegrated or burned out; Headlights point too low toward ground
Repairs/costs cited: Headlamp assembly replacement cited at $720 per unit plus labor. Dealers and independent mechanics recommend full assembly replacement; reflector cannot be serviced separately.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia has issued a TSP and warranty extension (WTY014) for Korean-built Optimas only; US-built models denied coverage despite identical headlight manufacture in Korea. No recall issued for US-built vehicles. Dealers have stated the issue does not qualify for recall coverage.
Headlight bulb/cover access difficulty
Headlight bulbs cannot be accessed or changed without extensive vehicle disassembly. Access requires removing the front bumper, radiator expansion tank, or forcing stuck headlight covers. Labor charges reach $100–$108 per hour just for removal access, making emergency bulb changes impractical.
When: Issues arise when bulbs need replacement, typically after 5 years of use in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Headlight covers stuck or nearly sealed, cannot be removed by hand; Bulb replacement requires removing front bumper; Bulb replacement requires removing radiator expansion tank; Requires car ramps and professional tools for access; Labor quoted at 45 minutes to 1+ hour for bulb change only
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership labor charges $100–$108 per hour for bumper/component removal and reinstallation. Owner reports attempting removal at AutoZone and Kia dealership with no success. Fire risk noted with expansion tank removal on hot engine.
Headlight moisture intrusion and seal failure
Water collects inside headlight and brake light assemblies due to failed or inadequate sealant around light housings. Moisture causes repeated bulb and fixture failures, requiring frequent replacement.
When: Observed at 67,000 miles; ongoing issue with brake lights
Symptoms owners cite: Water visible inside headlight lens; Moisture inside brake light assembly; Brake lights fail or malfunction due to moisture; Sealant around light housings failing
Repairs/costs cited: Owner reports headlights were not repaired or replaced. Brake lights replaced frequently due to moisture recurrence.
Fog light failure and overheating
Fog lights flicker on and off while driving, or fail entirely. One owner reports fog light housing burned through with extreme heat damage, charring the bumper and creating a potential fire hazard. Headlights also run extremely hot to the touch.
When: Fog light flickering observed at night; burning/failure after recalls performed
Symptoms owners cite: Fog lights flicker or turn on and off during night driving; Fog light housing shattered from heat; Fog light assembly completely burned; Housing burned hole through bumper material; Headlights extremely hot to touch; Burning smell from engine compartment; Loud pop sound before fog light failure
Repairs/costs cited: Owner reports fog lights no longer function. LCM (Lighting Control Module) replacement potentially needed at $80+ parts cost. Loose wires present after burnout.
Headlight flickering and electrical instability
Headlights flicker sporadically while driving at highway speeds, indicating intermittent electrical supply or control module failure. One complaint cites phantom braking and brake lights staying illuminated while vehicle is off, suggesting broader lighting/electrical system malfunction.
When: At 5,600 miles and 70 mph; phantom braking issues at 117,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Headlights flicker sporadically at 70 mph; Brake lights remain illuminated when vehicle is off; Phantom braking occurs while driving; Unknown warning lights illuminate on dashboard; Vehicle jerking and loss of motive power
Repairs/costs cited: One complaint indicates unknown sensor replacement needed; vehicle not repaired. Mechanic unable to pinpoint exact cause.
Synthesized from 26 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had lighting trouble with your 2013 Kia Optima?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the lighting problem on the 2013 Kia Optima?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 26 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $250 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?
Across the 15 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most lighting failures cluster between 53,000 and 117,000 miles, with the median around 80,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 53,000; a quarter make it past 117,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $250 for lighting repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to lighting?
No active recalls currently cover lighting issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Kia/Optima.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.