The Kia Optima is a good midsize car. The sedan has a spacious and high-quality interior, comfortable seats, and user-friendly tech features. It also rides well on rough road surfaces and is packed with a lot of standard safety features.
Here we see the warning lights for the Kia Optima. The Kia Optima dashboard warning lights below primarily focus on third-generation (MK3, 2010–2015) and fourth-generation (MK4, 2015 – present) models. The dashboard instrument display layout and location of the warning lights will vary depending on your model of optima.
Many of the Kia Optima warning signs are illuminated with ignition or engine starting. This is a standard procedure as many vehicle systems undergo a self-check. Kia Optima dashboard warning lights on this page are detailed with each symbol meaning and what action you should take.
The seat belt warning light will come on to remind the driver, and it illuminates for about 6 seconds when you turn the ignition turn ON position regardless of the seat belt being fastened. If the driver's seat belt is unbuckled after the ignition switch is turned to the ON position, the seat belt warning light comes on until the seat belt is buckled.
The Kia Optima airbag warning light illuminates for approximately 6 seconds, then turns off when the ignition switch or engine start-stop button is placed in the "on" position. If the warning light stays on or comes on while driving, there is a fault in the SRS (supplemental restraint system).
The Parking Brake/Brake Fluid Warning light comes on when the parking brake is applied with the ignition switch turned to the ON
or Started positions. This warning light should go out after the engine started and released the parking brake. If the parking brake/brake fluid warning light remains on after the engine is turned on and the parking brake is released, this may indicate that the brake fluid level is low in the reservoir. If the warning light continues on, stop the vehicle at a safe place, and contact your nearest Kia dealer.
When the ABS symbol lights up, the ABS does not work correctly or does not work. Your Kia Optima vehicle will continue to brake regularly, but we recommend that you contact your authorized Kia dealer immediately for an inspection.
The Electronic Stability Control system helps the driver maintain vehicle control in adverse conditions. The system uses sensors to detect understeer, oversteer, and loss of traction and can apply the brakes to individual wheels or reduce engine power. The ESC warning light comes on for two reasons: Flashing means the ESC system is working and trying to stabilize the vehicle. Steadily on means, there is a fault in the system. Because the ESC system uses ABS sensors, the ABS can be dysfunctional.
The tyre/tire pressure warning light stays on, which means that one or more tires have a loss of pressure. If the tire pressure warning light blinks for about 1 minute and then stays on, it means that the (TPMS) tire pressure monitoring system is malfunctioning or a tire has been installed that does not have a sensor installed.
Electronic Power Steering (EPS) is a system that uses sensors and motors to facilitate the operation of the steering wheel. The system sometimes overheats due to excessive operation from full lock to lock. If the failure is temporary, the warning light will go out when the system has cooled down. With an EPS failure, the steering will be more difficult to operate, but you can continue driving.
The Kia Optima engine check warning light remains illuminated on the dash until the engine starts, where it should go off. The engine check warning light stays on or blinks when the on-board diagnostic system has determined that there is a failure in the emission control system.
This symbol represents the rear fog lights of Kia Optima being switched on.
Lane Keeping Assist assists the driver with visual/audible alerts if it detects the vehicle leaving a lane without the signal being applied. The system can use slight steering to help keep the car within the lane lines. The system uses the same camera on the front of the windshield as the Front Collision Prevention Assistant (FCA) and is subject to the same malfunctions due to heat or dirt. The LKA warning light comes on when a fault is detected.
Kia Optima's dipped headlight symbol indicates that dipped light is on. It is basically used at nights. Pull the lever towards you for a temporary high beam, "Flash to pass" scenario.
The turn indicator symbols represent the indicator is switched on of Kia Optima.
This Kia Optima dashboard warning light informs the driver that the exterior lights/sidelights/parking lights/headlights are switched on.
This symbol represents the front fog lights of Kia Optima being switched on.
Kia Optima's high beam headlight symbol indicates that high beam headlights are on. Keep the multi-function control lever away from you to switch the headlights to a higher beam. Push lever second time to turn the headlights on low beam.