2013 Kia Optima exterior lighting problems
38 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the exterior lighting on the 2013 Kia Optima — 3% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Paint on car is coming off from hood and doors headlights are not bright had to change to aftermarket to make it brighter”
filed Mar 11, 2026
“When I turned the ignition on the car wouldn't start. But the ABS light and all other lights flickering when trying to start the car. The alarm kept going off. Passenger side front and rear windows won't function. Smell like something was burning. This is the second incident ([XXX]). Fuses had to…”
filed Mar 10, 2025
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Exterior Lighting problems in other Optima years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Optima | 2 | 1% |
| 2019 Optima | 2 | 1% |
| 2018 Optima | 14 | 6% |
| 2017 Optima | 15 | 6% |
| 2016 Optima | 46 | 6% |
| 2015 Optima | 23 | 2% |
| 2014 Optima | 18 | 3% |
| 2012 Optima | 31 | 3% |
| 2011 Optima | 88 | 15% |
| 2010 Optima | 2 | 3% |
| 2009 Optima | 9 | 8% |
| 2008 Optima | 8 | 6% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2013 Kia Optima
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.