Learn how to replace the headlight bulb on a Kia Optima. Kia Optima uses HB3 and HID headlight bulbs. Check the light bulb installed on your car before you purchase replacement bulbs.
The majority of Kia Optima vehicles use HB3 / 9005 bulbs. If you look at the headlight and notice a warning sticker for high voltage, your headlight uses the HID D1S bulb.
What you will need
- Standard headlights – HB3 / 9005+ (55W) bulb
- HID headlights – D1S HID bulb
Procedure
Open Hood – Pull on the hood, release it under the dashboard, and open the hood.
- Remove old light bulb – Locate the back of the headlight assembly with the burned bulb.
- First, you need to remove the light bulb cover. To remove this cover, twist it counterclockwise and remove it. Next, you need to remove the low beam bulb. Remove the bulb socket from the headlamp by turning it counterclockwise.
- Install new low-beam light bulb – Remove the old bulb from the socket by pulling it. Press the new bulb into the socket. Align the tabs on the socket with the slots in the headlamp assembly and twist the socket to lock it in place.
- Replace the headlight bulb cover – Install the headlamp cover by twisting it clockwise.
- Close the hood and test the headlights.
Only one headlight works
It is possible that even after replacing the bulb, the headlight doesn’t work. Common problems that cause this issue include:
- Damaged wiring inside the headlight unit.
- Damaged wiring harness taking power to the headlight.
- A corroded connector at the headlight
- Blown fuse
Use a digital multimeter to check the voltage at the headlight connector.
Unplug the wire harness from the headlight. Identify the wires that provide power to the burned bulb. The negative wire will be either black or brown. The positive you will have to find out. Set your digital multimeter to voltage, turn the headlight, and measure.
For more help, visit our section on Vehicle Repair Guides.
• Blown fuse
This is what I think is wrong with my low beam headlight as the passenger side isn’t working but the driver side is.
The problem with the low beams being out but not the high beams is a wiring issue that I’m having to most of the time it’s not the bulb. And to replace the driver side headlight you need to take out the battery no other way
Remove the battery from the drivers’ side. This allows more space to turn the cover and replace.
This does not seem to apply to Optima SXL.. The bulb does not come out of the assembly. Going to take it to the dealer.
This video shows how to replace the bulb on the passengers side (easy one). I need to replace the bulb on the drivers side. This looks impossible to do yourself. There’s about 1.5†of room between it and the battery. Any ideas on how to do the drivers side yourself???? Thanks.
Thank you so much! Hubby doesn’t do anything for my car.
Did anyone figure this out?
I’m dealing with The Exact Situation Rite Now. SMH. Ever find out what the Problem was??
My lowbeam is out but not the high beam. Replaced the bulb but it still doesn’t work
On a 2016 KIA Optima Hybrid there’s very little space to change the bulb
The low beam light was out on my Kia optima. It looks very easy to replace so I will try this on the weekend. Thanks for the video.